Pat Jefferies, Commercial Director at Abloy UK, encourages locksmiths to look forward and embrace the future of new access control technologies to achieve innovative, integrated and future-proof locking solutions.
The dynamics of the lock market are changing fast, with a significant shift towards wireless technologies and the IoT. Recent research found that 37% of businesses now have some form of wireless technology within their physical access control systems, compared to 31% two years ago[1].
There is still great demand for mechanical products, but locksmiths should not rely solely on this when looking to develop their business, they need to embrace new technologies. Cost-effective, aesthetic deployment of these solutions can also return a speedy ROI. However, it’s important that locksmiths have confidence in being able to deliver these scalable and flexible locking solutions and are aware of the benefits, so they can communicate them effectively to their customers. So why would a business opt for a digital system over traditional mechanical locks?
The digital solution
Electronic key solutions that feature web-based management can be integrated with existing telemetry systems to help control and manage operations. This can offer a high level of both physical and data protection – but only if accredited software and infrastructure providers are used, as is the case with Abloy devices.
For example, some systems include an electronic key system where all the power is retained by the key or locks themselves. This means no wiring is required, whether the system uses door cylinders, cabinet locks or padlocks.
Users have secure access to an online management application from anywhere in the world and can change key access permissions, profiles, schedules and validity, even revoking their use remotely at the click of a button. Keys can be validated daily, weekly or monthly keeping them continuously secure, and users are required to change their password regularly.
This enables an organisation to comprehensively track and audit who has access to which locations, when they had access and how often. Access can be granted only at the exact moment it is required, mitigating the risk associated with lost or stolen keys.
Standards and compliance
When specifying and installing digital access control technologies, compliance is still a major factor, and one that in the event of an emergency can mean the difference between life or death for a building’s occupants.
Standards that have to be adhered to include BS EN 179 Emergency Escape (for when the building occupants are aware of the building environment), BS EN 1125 Panic Escape (for environments used by the general public) and BS EN 13637 Electronically Controlled Escape Systems (for use on escape routes).
These standards state that even if a door is electronically controlled for access, there must be a compliant mechanical means of escape in an emergency.
In the case of fire doors this is essential to provide fire protection, to compartmentalise a building and to protect the escape routes. This is also a critical function in a terror situation – offering the ability to shut off certain areas to terrorists and allow egress or access to ensure the safety of the public.
Train to gain
With this in mind Abloy UK offers a range of free CPD training courses approved by RIBA, via its prestigious Abloy Academy. One course that be may of particular interest to locksmiths looking to embrace new technologies is the ‘Digital Transformation in Physical Security’ CPD.
This course provides insight into the disruptive world of digital technology, and how it’s impacting on conventional physical security with the introduction of mechatronic locks and keys. The course reveals the benefits of this technology including improved levels of security, traceability and management of assets; to create a more sustainable future.
Another topic covered is how digital technology can be integrated into an organisation’s operational systems and how the data from a locking system can be shared with health, safety, and staff competency processes to contribute towards seamless corporate compliance.
Insights will also be given into how a mechatronic locking solution reduces cost and improves sustainability, and has become part of the IoT and Big Data, and the benefits that delivers.
Abloy’s portfolio
As well as offering a range of training options to help locksmiths get to grips with emerging technologies, Abloy also offers a range of digital access solutions that can be combined in a variety of ways to create a bespoke package for customers.
Aperio®
Aperio technology offers cost-effective, integrated access control, and is the ideal retrofit option to upgrade an existing access control system to wire-free. All doors can be upgraded with ease, and wirelessly linked to the access control system by using Aperio battery powered electronic locking devices with integrated RFID card readers – optimising access control and boosting security.
Premises can be monitored and managed at any time, day or night using a single security system, and easily respond to organisational changes, while users only require a single RFID access control credential. The technology also offers online and offline integration to cover all security requirements. Aperio supports high frequency RFID technologies iCLASS, MIFARE and DESFire too.
SMARTair™
SMARTair is another access control system which utilises electronic locks to provide advanced, user-friendly access management with multiple credential options. With intuitive management software, facility managers control, identify and update exactly who can open every door, with an instant overview of their site’s security status.
The user-friendly interface is accessible from almost any standard PC, tablet or smartphone, and the Openow™ mobile solution has the capability to send, revoke and update virtual keys over the air in seconds.
New this year are the SMARTair i-max electronic escutcheon and SMARTair i-gate Electronic Padlock. The i-max is designed for both interior and exterior doors requiring a robust and intelligent access system. It provides fast, wire-free installation and works with a range of credentials, including virtual keys.
Meanwhile the new SMARTair i-gate Electronic Padlock helps extend wire-free control to new access points. It can be instantly moved to wherever a resistant, adaptable locking device is needed. Upgrading an existing padlocked closure involves simply swapping the devices and integrating the i-gate Padlock into an existing or new SMARTair wireless access control system, and no drilling or wiring is required.
eCLIQ
eCLIQ is a retro-fit solution ideal for offices and buildings to control the movement of employees and contractors. The secure system provides a wide range of data for health and safety purposes, and allows access to be easily granted, updated and revoked.
In addition, eCLIQ is completely scalable from only a few keys or users up to thousands of keys or users, but for some commercial environments the preference may be to use existing access or ID cards, or mobile or smart credentials as a means of controlling the movement of people.
ePED
The ePED – Electrically Controlled Panic Exit Device – is a display door terminal that incorporates an Escape Door System with a sleek, stylish design, featuring read-in and read-out to improve a buildings security and safety.
The solution meets the latest BS EN 13637 standard for Dynamic Lockdown, meaning the door can be secured to prevent people entering a building but allowing egress. This controls movement around the building and keeps people safe in hostile situations.
The ePED is a sleek touch-screen door terminal, and is reliable and secure, with versatile functions housed in a stylish control unit that is suitable for a wide range of applications.
It’s a unique system because the terminal offers everything a traditional escape route terminal offers, plus central time delay. When an emergency button is pressed there is an opportunity for security staff or teaching staff, if in a school setting, to intervene if the system is being misused, plus T1 and T2 time delay options are available.
Incedo™ Business
ASSA ABLOY’s Incedo Business Cloud is a flexible access management system created for businesses that need a security solution that grows with them. Incedo Business Cloud connectivity allows security managers to work remotely too, while maintaining complete control over their building’s access points.
Similarly, Abloy’s OS Incedo provides an enhanced solution for complete access management, connectivity, security, and convenience, from wherever you are. OS Incedo adds operational efficiency by connecting all mechanical, electromechanical and digital solutions into one cloud-based application. This includes PROTEC2 CLIQ, digital access solutions and a wide range of mechanical key management features.
[1] https://www.ifsecglobal.com/resources/wireless-access-control-report-2021/