Automatic Smart Gate Opener: Best Commercial Gate Operator

 

 

Gated communities offer greater security than traditional multifamily properties, but it often comes at the cost of convenience. For that reason, many look to smart gate openers as a solution.

Finding a suitable smart gate opener can be tricky when there are many options available. This guide details everything you need to know about smart gate openers. Most importantly, you’ll discover what the best smart gate opener is on the market.

In this post, we cover:

• What is the best smart gate opener?
• What is a smart gate opener?
• How do smart gate openers work?
• Types of smart gate openers
• Pros and cons of smart gate openers

 

 

What is the best smart gate opener?

The best smart gate opener isn’t a gate opener at all. Rather, it’s a smart gate intercom system.

A smart gate intercom system is a comprehensive gate access solution. It allows residents to access the property with their phones but is also packed with various other features.

The gate intercom base station is located at the gated entrance. It connects directly to the internet and the gate motor. So, upon receiving a signal from a resident’s phone, the intercom will initiate the gate to open. Ideally, the right gate intercom system will also have alternative entry methods in the event that a resident’s phone is lost or dead.

Additionally, you should consider a gate intercom system with a camera that offers video capabilities. A video feed lets residents see who they’re letting inside, whether it’s friends, family, delivery drivers, or service providers. Above all, video capabilities, such as a time- and date-stamped audit trail, make your property more secure.

If you want a solution with all of the features mentioned above and more, the ButterflyMX gate intercom is the best option.

 

Why ButterflyMX is the best smart gate-opening system

The ButterflyMX gate intercom system is the best smart gate-opening system because it’s part of a complete ecosystem of property-wide access. Not to mention, ButterflyMX is packed with features you and your residents will benefit from.

The ButterflyMX gate intercom includes the following:

• Smartphone access. Your residents can access the property using the ButterflyMX app. They can also grant access — no matter where they are — to visitors, delivery drivers, and service providers.
• Video calling. Residents can see who they’re speaking to when visitors request access. This feature adds an extra layer to the security and safety of your property. So, you and residents can have peace of mind when letting in a guest.
• IP65 rating. The ButterflyMX gate intercom system has been tested to withstand weather of all types. The system’s casing prevents any dust or moisture from entering as well.
• Delivery PINs. Set up recurring delivery PINs for couriers like USPS, FedEx, and UPS. That way, delivery drivers have no issue accessing the property and delivering packages to residents.
• Multiple entry methods. If your residents’ phone has died or been lost, they can use a personalized PIN code to access the property instead.
• Audit trail. Every entry into the community is logged by storing a date- and time-stamped photo.
• Cloud-based. ButterflyMX gate intercoms are cloud-based, meaning no onsite server is needed. Everything is stored in the cloud and accessible from anywhere using the ButterflyMX OS.
• Wireless. Unlike old intercoms, the ButterflyMX gate intercom is wireless. It doesn’t require any in-unit hardware or property-wide wiring.
• ButterflyMX ecosystem. By choosing ButterflyMX, you can access a full suite of access control products for the only property-wide solution. Pair your gate intercom system with access control, vehicle readers, elevator controls, smart locks, and more with the ButterflyMX platform.

 

What is a smart gate opener?

A smart gate opener, also known as a smartphone gate opener, is a device that opens a gate automatically when it receives credentials from a smart device.

Smart gate openers consist of three components:

1. Gate motor. A gate motor is what physically opens and closes your gate automatically. It may slide or swing open. Keep in mind, for your gate to work with your smartphone, a gate motor is required.
2. Smart controller. The smart controller empowers your gate motor to receive signals from smartphones to open and close. It’s installed directly onto the gate motor control panel.
3. Mobile app. Lastly, a mobile app is necessary for residents to open and close the gate remotely. It acts as the credentials for the gate to verify.

Traditional gate openers require credentials from a gate opener remote control, card, or fob. However, these types of credentials can easily be lost or copied. Plus, fumbling for a card or fob while approaching the gate is inconvenient.

Conversely, with a smart gate opener, residents use their smartphones to gain entry to the property. This way, residents are less likely to lose their credentials. It also makes the process of entering the gate faster and more convenient.

Further, with the best smart gate openers, like the ButterflyMX smart gate intercom, you can empower tenants to use more than one type of credential. For example, if their phone is lost, stolen, or out of battery, they can enter a unique PIN code to gain entry.

 

See how a ButterflyMX gate intercom system works:

 

How do you make a smart gate opener?

You can make a smart gate opener by installing a smart controller onto your gate motor. Smart controllers are easy to install because they require no special equipment or expert knowledge.

Instead, the wiring is simply connected to the motor control panel using a screwdriver. Then, a power cord plugged into an outlet supplies power. Once installed, the controller enables residents to open the gate using the smartphone app.

 

How do smart gate openers work?

Smart gate openers work by connecting a gate to a smartphone so it opens and closes automatically.

Here’s a step-by-step overview of how smart gate openers work:

• First, a resident at the gate opens the smartphone app.
• Next, the resident taps the app’s button to activate the smart gate opener.
• The app sends a signal — via WiFi, Bluetooth, or cellular signals — to the gate release mechanism.
• Finally, the gate motor slides or swings open the gate for the resident to enter.

 

How do you open an electric gate without a remote?

You can open an electric gate without a remote by using another supported credential. Depending on the gate opening system you have, the credentials will vary.

Nonetheless, common types of gate entry methods include:

• Mobile phones
• Smartwatches
• PIN codes
• Key cards
• Key fobs
• Voice assistants
• Requesting access from a gate attendant

 

Types of smart gate openers

There are four types of smart gate openers:

• Smart sliding gate opener. More suitable for wider access points, smart sliding gate openers take up less space, so you don’t need room for them to open outward or inward. On the other hand, sliding gates are more expensive because they require more parts to operate. Sliding gate operators open using a screw drive system or wheels, which are activated by the motor.
• Smart swing gate opener. A budget-friendly option, smart swing gate openers operate with fewer parts. Additionally, if you have room for the gate to open inward or outward, it proves to be a safer option because it has fewer moving parts.
• Overhead gate openers. Used in garages and parking garages, overhead gate openers operate similarly to single-family garage doors. The gate moves along a track via wheels, which are pulled by a chain or belt.
• Barrier arm operators. While not technically a gate, barrier arms are common additions to gate communities, parking garages, and other facilities. After authenticating credentials, barrier arms simply raise up, allowing a vehicle to pass.

 

 

Pros & cons of smart gate openers

Smart gate openers improve the resident experience in gated communities, but they also have their downsides. Knowing what smart gate openers provide — both good and bad — can help you decide what best suits your property.

 

Pros of smart gate openers

Installing a smart gate opener for your property is extremely beneficial for residents. It not only makes accessing the property easier but also increases safety and security.

A smart gate opener provides the following benefits:

• Peace of mind. Property owners and managers can have peace of mind knowing their community has higher security measures in place. You no longer have to worry about residents losing credentials or being unable to access the community.
• Greater security. Since you no longer have to issue cards, fobs, or codes to your residents, you can increase the security of the property. These types of devices can be easily lost or copied for intruders to use. But a smart gate opener eliminates that threat by putting the credentials on residents’ phones, increasing the safety of gated communities.
• Convenience. Traditional credentials take more time to access a property and can easily be lost. Smart gate openers make it convenient for residents to enter the community because residents no longer have to sit at the gate to scan or input their credentials. Further, people are less likely to lose their phones than if they are a small key or fob.
• Ease of use. Implementing a smart gate opener is intuitive. The vast majority of Americans have a smartphone, making the switch to smartphone-based gate access easy.

 

Cons of smart gate openers

While smart gate openers offer plenty of benefits, it’s important to weigh all aspects of a product before you make an investment.

Some drawbacks of smart gate openers include:

• Single-family focus. Unfortunately, some smart gate openers are best suited for single-family homes rather than multifamily properties. As a result, your smart gate opener may lack the features of a more robust gate access system.
• No video feature. Some smart gate openers offer video integration but require separate hardware. In turn, you’ll spend more on installation and hardware. So, it’s best to opt for a smart gate opener with a camera, like the ButterflyMX gate intercom, that comes with a wide-angle camera.
• No alternative entry methods. Lastly, smart gate openers have no alternative forms of entry. In other words, if a resident loses their phone or it dies, they won’t be able to access the community. Implementing a system with multiple entry methods, like ButterflyMX, gives residents peace of mind.