The rapid development of digital technology has provided us with many automated alternatives to previously manual processes. It is hard to think about a time when we did not have mobile phones. Mobile phones have become a vital part of our daily lives, from waking us up with alarm clocks, scheduling meetings with customers, and joining online conferences.
Mobile devices are beginning to mold the systems that we use, to communicate with one another. We are now seeing the most cutting-edge development in mobile technology: mobile access control. Modern mobile access solutions enable easier entry, remote monitoring of systems and make for easy management of essential occurrences.
What is a Mobile Access Control System?
Controlling who enters the office building is a real hassle, which can be solved by mobile access control solutions. With this cutting-edge technology, the building’s administration and staff may safeguard operations, oversee visitors, and maintain security without bothering tenants or workers with smart cards or other tangible credentials.
A smartphone or another mobile device can serve as a digital access key, along with an access control solution. In this blog, we will focus on mobile access solutions and explain why and how can they benefit businesses.
Mobile Access Control System Technology
The use of mobile devices such as smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets as entrance credentials is the defining feature of mobile access control systems. These systems provide unrivaled connectivity and ease because of smartphones’ prevalence. Additionally, Android and iOS can use nearly all mobile access solutions.
Users’ mobile devices communicate with access readers to unlock and open doors, gates, turnstiles, and more. In addition, using a mobile device can be integrated with access control in several ways.
Access control on the go is made feasible by several technologies, including:
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
BLE eliminates the need to manually link devices with readers. The technology detects items from several feet away and can work from considerable distances. Access control readers automatically recognize signals from authorized devices to provide access.
Cloud-Based Access Control
For cloud-based mobile access control, credentials are kept in an online cloud database, allowing for remote monitoring. A significant benefit is that, unlike older forms of mobile device access management, this technology doesn’t necessitate the installation of a server at the building’s physical location.
Control Panel Systems
These are the physical systems that limit the movement of people into and out of the building. This term is typically used to describe the physical components of electronic access control systems. Gates that require a key fob to open, RFID-enabled doors, and electronic locks are all examples of this.
Using QR Codes
QR codes provide quick and easy mobile access credentials. A unique QR code can be shared with every person to access a facility. Business also get to monitor the activity of an individual between their entry and exit.
Near-Field Communication (NFC)
NFC is the same technology that enables contactless payments at retailers, including grocery and convenience stores. It is also used for access control management. NFC demands a few conditions to be met for mobile devices to communicate successfully:
- The mobile device must be within a few inches of the scanner
- One must hold the mobile device close to the scanner for at least 5 seconds
The table below gives a summative comparison for SMEs to choose from all the technology that mobile access control systems use:
Technology | Description | Range | Installation | Required Hardware | Advantages | Limitations | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) | Detects items from several feet away | Considerable distances | Easy | Access control readers | Eliminates the need for manual linking of devices, automatic recognition of authorized devices | Potential signal interference, limited range | BLE technology can be affected by signal interference from other electronic devices |
Cloud database | Credentials stored in a cloud database | Remote monitoring | Easy | Cloud database | No need for physical server installation | Dependence on internet connectivity | Cloud-based access control technology requires a reliable internet connection for remote monitoring |
Control Panel Systems | Limits movement into and out of building | Limited to building perimeter | Complex | Gates, RFID-enabled doors, electronic locks | Physical security, customizable access control | Limited to building perimeter | Control panel systems require complex installation and are limited to the building perimeter |
QR Codes | Provides quick mobile access credentials | Near proximity | Easy | QR code scanner | Easy to distribute, activity monitoring | Limited to near proximity, QR codes can be duplicated | QR codes are easy to distribute but can be duplicated or shared |
Near-Field Communication (NFC) | Enables contactless communication | Within a few inches | Easy | NFC scanner | Contactless, easy to use | Limited range, mobile device compatibility | NFC technology requires mobile devices to be compatible and within close proximity to the scanner for successful communication. |
What are the advantages of Mobile Access Control Solutions?
As per market reports, with a CAGR of 17.4%, the market for contactless biometric technology is expected to grow to a whopping $70 billion by 2030 and mobile access control solutions are going to contribute substantially to that number.
Cost-effective and Time-saving
Mobile access control systems hosted in the cloud are compatible with most cell phones, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. Mobile access control systems can often be installed for less than half the expense of traditional critical card systems. In addition, time is saved when handing out keys to tenants or employees because access is granted and revoked digitally.
Higher Level of Safety
An easy way to control who enters the office building is with a mobile access control system. Businesses can eliminate the risk of lost or stolen keys by giving users digital access via mobile devices.
Secure Data Storage
With mobile access control solutions, SMEs can monitor employees’ actions in real-time. In the case of an issue, such as theft, the administrators can quickly investigate the audit trail and take corrective action. Any time something untoward happens, such as theft or an unlawful entry, you’ll benefit from the audit trail that records who entered and exited the building.
Convenient
There are several benefits to using a mobile access control system hosted in the cloud, but the most prominent are safety and ease of use. In addition, mobile devices can easily be incorporated into the most recent access control system.
Convenience for SMEs is another benefit of mobile access control systems because it allows seamless entry to the premises with the click of a button.
Below are some additional advantages of mobile access control systems:
Scalability
Mobile access control systems are scalable and can easily accommodate changes in the number of users, devices, or access points.
Flexibility
Mobile access control systems can be configured to grant access based on time of day, day of the week, or other conditions, making them more flexible than traditional access control systems.
Integration
Mobile access control systems can integrate with other security systems such as video surveillance, intrusion detection, and fire alarms to create a comprehensive security solution.
Remote Management
Mobile access control systems hosted in the cloud can be managed remotely, allowing administrators to add or remove users, modify access privileges, and monitor access events from anywhere with an internet connection.
User-Friendly
Mobile access control systems are user-friendly and easy to operate, eliminating the need for specialized training or technical expertise.
How to choose the right Mobile Access Control Solution?
It takes some consideration to figure out which mobile access control system is most suited to a company’s needs, but in the long run, it can save SMEs a lot of stress, frustration, and money.
Here are a few points to think about:
Compatibility: Look for a solution that is compatible with the mobile devices your employees or tenants are most likely to use. Consider the type of mobile devices your target audience uses most frequently and make sure the solution is compatible with those devices.
Security: Security is a top concern when it comes to mobile access control solutions. Look for a solution that uses advanced encryption and authentication technologies to ensure that your data is safe and secure.
Cost: Consider the cost of the solution, including hardware, software, and ongoing maintenance and support. Look for a solution that fits within your budget without sacrificing features or functionality.
Ease of Use: The solution should be user-friendly and easy to operate, both for administrators and end-users. Make sure that the solution offers a simple and intuitive user interface that requires minimal training.
Scalability: Consider the scalability of the solution, including the ability to add or remove users, devices, and access points as your business needs change over time.
Integration: Look for a solution that can integrate with other security systems you may have in place, such as video surveillance or intrusion detection systems.
Remote Management: Consider whether the solution offers remote management capabilities, allowing you to manage the system from anywhere with an internet connection.
Customer Support: Look for a solution that offers excellent customer support, including technical support and training resources.
Customization: Consider whether the solution can be customized to meet your specific business needs and requirements.
Choosing the right mobile access control solution requires careful consideration of your business needs, budget, and security requirements. Look for a solution that offers the right balance of features, functionality, and affordability, and that can be easily integrated into your existing infrastructure.
Apps that allow users to unlock doors using smart devices, particularly smartphones, have been rapidly adopted by new and established SMEs to suit this need. That’s because cards are expensive and complicated to use, and smartphones are much more convenient.
At OLOID, every day is an opportunity to move closer to revolutionizing physical identification and access by using cutting-edge technology to challenge the status quo of antiquated, manual, and compartmentalized systems. In today’s highly mechanized and interconnected world, we see no place for the old ways of doing things. Every day, we put in the effort to make revolutionary changes appear elementary to our clientele. Doing so ensures our focus is always firmly planted on meeting their business requirements. Our cutting-edge devices are designed to work with your current infrastructure rather than requiring removal and replacement, saving small and mid-sized businesses time and money.
