Key takeaways
- LenelS2 offers a range of access control solutions, including on-premise and cloud-based options.
- LenelS2’s solutions are primarily designed for commercial and high-security industries rather than multifamily properties.
- Alternative access control systems offer a more streamlined experience making them a better fit for multifamily and mixed-use properties.
With the right cloud-based access control system, property owners and managers have the power to control access within their buildings from anywhere. From a smartphone or laptop, you can adjust access permissions, add or remove tenants, and assign credentials without ever stepping foot on site.
But with so many access control systems out there, how do you know which one to choose? Lenel S2 access control systems have been on the market for over two decades, but are they the best fit for your building? Let’s dive in.
This review covers:
- About Lenel S2
- How Lenel S2 access control systems work
- Review of Lenel S2 access control systems
- Should you get a LenelS2 access control system?
- Alternatives to Lenel S2
- Lenel S2 vs. ButterflyMX
About LenelS2
Founded in 1991, LenelS2 is part of Carrier, a global provider of HVAC, refrigeration, fire, security, and building automation technologies. Lenel focuses specifically on physical security solutions, including access control, video surveillance, and mobile credentialing.
Today, Lenel S2 continues to expand. The company now offers various access control systems, from their original Netbox to more “all-inclusive” products such as Blue Diamond and Elements, its cloud-based access control system. In addition to access control solutions, Lenel S2 also offers video management and software integrations.
The company primarily provides solutions for commercial real estate, education and healthcare facilities, manufacturing, and government organizations, as well as the occasional multifamily or mixed-use property.
Lenel S2 access control system and hardware
LenelS2 offers a comprehensive suite of hardware and access control products designed to meet the diverse security needs of organizations worldwide. Their innovative solutions are engineered for scalability, ensuring they can adapt as your security requirements evolve.
The different parts that make up the S2 ecosystem are:
Access control systems
LenelS2’s access control systems provide robust security management tailored to various organizational sizes and structures:
- OnGuard. This integrated security platform delivers customizable access control solutions, seamlessly unifying access control and video monitoring to enhance situational awareness.
- NetBox. A full-featured, web-based access control system, NetBox offers person record and cardholder management, event and alarm monitoring, and threat level escalation. Its open API facilitates integration with third-party products, such as human resource databases and building systems.
- Elements. Built specifically for the cloud, Elements is a unified access control and video management solution. Its intuitive interface simplifies security management, making it ideal for organizations seeking a cloud-based approach.
Video management
LenelS2’s video management systems are designed to integrate seamlessly with their access control solutions, providing a unified security experience. These systems enhance situational awareness and operational efficiency by combining video surveillance with access control data.
Mobile credentials
The BlueDiamond platform offers multi-technology readers and mobile credentials, enabling users to utilize smartphones for secure access. This modern approach not only enhances security but also promotes health by reducing contact with shared devices.
Third-party integrations
Understanding the importance of interoperability, LenelS2 provides extensive third-party integration capabilities. As a Mercury platinum premier partner, they support open-architecture access control hardware, allowing seamless migration from legacy systems and integration with various devices, including locks, readers, and elevator systems.
Watch how ButterflyMX works:
Review of Lenel access control systems
Lenel S2 offers cloud-based software to pair with its access control and video monitoring systems. From one dashboard, building admins can monitor and administer systems using any device. The company’s cloud-based line is called Elements.
Features
- Internal integrations: Lenel’s Elements line integrates with its OnGuard access control system, ideal for enterprise businesses.
- Third-party integrations: You can integrate your S2 access control system with other proptech, including visitor management systems, intercoms, video security services, and more.
- Web-based: The interface is based entirely online, allowing you to access it from anywhere with an internet connection.
- Customizable monitoring displays: Adjust settings to monitor what you want, when you want.
- Event and alarm management: Full-scale event management including event logging, notifications, and escalation tools.
- Mobile app: Lenel S2’s mobile app enables mobile security management, mobile credentials, and more.
- Video monitoring: View live video of entry events or watch past recorded video, which is stored by date and time in the web portal.
How much does Lenel S2 cost?
There’s no pricing listed on the LenelS2 website, but third-party sites estimate the cost of Lenel access control systems to start at around $1000 per door without installation costs. To cover the wiring and installation for each system, you may need to spend another $2000 to $3000 on labor and materials.
Pros & cons
Pros:
- Scalable to virtually any level: Companies and buildings of all sizes can find a customized solution from S2.
- Global availability: LenelS2 has an international presence.
- Cloud-based options: When you opt for LenelS2’s cloud-based solution, Elements, you enjoy the benefits of off-site data hosting and convenient system management.
- Web-based management: You won’t have to download software or licenses to use the system.
Cons:
- No visitor management solutions: With a Lenel access control system, you may be unable to offer visitors a way to request access.
- No integrations with identity providers: S2 may not integrate with identity providers you might already be using, such as G Suite or OKTA. As a result, you may have to manually remove or add users to the access system even if they’ve already been removed or added to the identity provider system.
- Complicated offerings: LenelS2’s access control products and solutions may be complicated and may not be user-friendly. You may need technically qualified staff to choose, manage, and administer the system for your building.
Should you get a Lenel access control system?
Lenel S2 access control systems have the backing of a long-standing company and a large customer base. The company offers a variety of physical security solutions for clients of all sizes, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies.
However, Lenel S2’s access control systems aren’t all designed for the cloud. On their own, most systems are an on-premise access control solution that requires an onsite server and staffing to manage them. To enjoy cloud-based management, you’ll need to spring for S2’s cloud-based line, Elements.
So, if you’re looking for a comprehensive solution for a large organization with multiple buildings and high-security needs, S2 might be a viable option. However, their solutions may be difficult to understand, and they may not offer the convenient features that other access control solutions deliver.
Additionally, LenelS2 focuses more on commercial property access and industries such as government and healthcare, not apartments and multifamily. So, if you’re looking for an apartment access control, Lenel may not be the best fit.
Alternatives to Lenel S2 access control
Is the LenelS2 Elements cloud-based access system the best choice for your business or building?
An alternative such as ButterflyMX may be the better choice because it offers completely cloud-based software, remote management, and smartphone-based access. Additionally, ButterflyMX delivers a unified property access solution that extends from the front door or gate throughout the property — and even manages access for visitors.
Guests, staff, and tenants alike benefit from ButterflyMX’s video access control system, consisting of:
- A video intercom at the property’s front entrance so visitors can easily request access from front desk staff or even a specific tenant. Plus, tenants and staff can see who they’re letting into the property thanks to a camera with a 156° view, maximizing security. Additionally, the intercom is weatherproof and vandal-resistant and has 5GHz WiFi.
- Card readers or keypads at various access points within the property create a keyless entry experience — meaning tenants can use a PIN, key card, or even their smartphones to navigate the property.
- Elevator controls so that visitors can easily access elevators for a certain amount of time and get to the correct floor of the tenant they’re visiting.
- A vehicle reader at the property’s front gate or parking garage, which utilizes RFID technology and enables tenants to seamlessly enter the property with just a windshield sticker placed in their car.
LenelS2 vs. ButterflyMX
An access control system should simplify access and your job as a property owner or manager. S2 access control systems may improve security and ensure only authorized people access the right spaces. However, they may not be suitable for buildings that want a simple, user-friendly, and completely mobile access experience.
In contrast, ButterflyMX delivers a system that maximizes security with video and enhances access for anyone who enters your building.
Disclaimer: ButterflyMX provides these blog posts to help our customers and potential customers make the right business decisions for them. Our blog posts are based on the information we have available to us at the time of writing.