Smart locks for commercial doors: What options are there?
In a commercial property, the biggest challenges are to make sure that those who have the right to get access – people working in or visiting the premises – can get in and move around quickly and easily, while keeping the property secured against those who have no right to be there.
Why choose a smart lock over a traditional lock?
Luckily, most property owners are facing up to the security risks and high costs involved with mechanical locks and keys:
- It’s hard to keep track of who has a key – you never know if the original user has loaned their key to an unauthorized person.
- It’s impossible to know how many keys are in circulation – it’s very easy to copy a mechanical key and give it to someone who doesn’t have the right to use it.
- If a key is lost or stolen, there are potentially huge costs related to rekeying locks, cutting and distributing new keys, and, in the worst-case scenario, changing the entire locking system to keep security levels high.
Most of these security issues can be mitigated by installing smart locks. But it’s important to remember, all smart locks are not the same.
Choosing a smart lock for a commercial door: What to consider?
In contrast to, for example, residential properties, there are more things to consider when choosing smart locks for commercial properties.
There is a higher volume of ‘traffic’ of both people working in the premises (who we know about) and visitors (that we don’t know about). Security requirements are more complex – there are many different areas and facilities in the property and not everyone has the same access needs at the same times. It’s important to find a smart-locking solution that can be easily integrated into the commercial property’s building management system that controls, for example, HVAC, lighting, energy, fire systems, and security systems.
Important features and considerations related to a smart-locking solution:
- Access logs – is it possible to track who has used a key and when?
- Durability – how reliably do the smart locks work on external doors in all weather conditions and on internal doors?
- Scalability – how easy is it to add new smart locks, facilities, premises or users to the system and update the access rights accordingly?
- Available infrastructure – is there, for example, an electricity supply, WiFi, Bluetooth, Internet access?
- Administration – how easy is it to grant access rights, quickly update them as needs change and immediately cancel them if a key is lost or stolen?
- Time-limited access – is it possible to limit access by time, day or employee role?
- Compatibility – is it possible to integrate the smart-locking solution with, for example, alarm systems, building maintenance systems, security cameras?
- Compliance – is your smart-locking solution compliant with legal requirements and, for example fire codes and data privacy laws?
- Lifecycle costs and ROI – how much will your smart-locking solution cost you and how quickly can you make your money back?
- Support and maintenance – what kind of maintenance is needed and what support will you get for your smart-locking system?
iLOQ smart lock options for commercial doors
There are many different types of smart lock and different ways in which they grant access. These include, for example, smart-lock cylinders that can be opened with a range of devices such as digital keys, smartphones, keycards or key fobs. There are also door readers or keypads that can be opened with the same kind of devices or by entering a PIN code.
Some smart locks require an electrical supply or connectivity to, for example, WiFi, Bluetooth or the internet. Smart-locking manufacturers, such as iLOQ, offer smart locks that are battery- and cable-free and need no external power source or internet connection.
With iLOQ’s digital-key-based solution, access rights are programmed directly to the key. They can be updated remotely and in real time as access needs change using iLOQ’s cloud-based administration software and immediately blocked if a key is lost, stolen or unreturned when, for example, someone changes their job. The power needed to recognize the access rights and open the lock is generated by the motion of pushing the key into the lock.
With iLOQ’s smartphone-based solution, access rights are programmed using iLOQ’s cloud-based administration software and sent to iLOQ’s app running on the end user’s smartphone. They can be updated and cancelled remotely and in real time as access needs change. The power needed to recognize the access rights and open the lock is generated by the NFC (near field communication) induction of the smartphone.
What are the benefits of smart locks for commercial property owners?
Installing a smart-locking solution increases the value of a commercial property for its owner by turning it into a modern, smart, sustainable and, above all else, secure environment.
Choosing a smart-locking solution, such as iLOQ, that is battery- and maintenance-free slashes lifecycle costs and ensures a fast return on investment. iLOQ’s smart-locking solution is flexible and scalable. As new premises or facilities are added, locks can be quickly installed with no changes to the doors or major adjustments to the existing infrastructure needed. They can also be retrofitted to older facilities to repurpose them and maximize their security.
iLOQ’s innovative and constantly evolving app creates an enhanced user experience which increases staff and visitor satisfaction and provides a competitive edge if the owner decides to sell the property.
Benefits for locking-system administrators
Whether administrators are responsible for one small building with a few access points or a large complex providing commercial space or shops for thousands of staff and visitors, the challenges are still the same: How to efficiently handle day-to-day repairs and ongoing maintenance, maximize security and maintain the general upkeep of properties while always keeping a close eye on time and costs.
iLOQ’s cloud-based SaaS platform makes it easy to keep track of who has access to where and at what times. This maximizes the security of the premises while reducing administration time and costs. As new staff join, access rights can be quickly programmed and remotely shared. If they need to access new areas or facilities, they can be easily updated. When they leave, their access rights are immediately cancelled giving building owners the confidence that no-one will have unauthorized access to the premises.
And, with no batteries to change and no cables or WiFi needed, maintenance time and costs are eliminated, and administrators can be confident of reliable access (even in a power outage).
Benefits for staff and visitors
Working in a safe environment is essential. Smart locks should create a secure, smooth and seamless experience as people move around the commercial property.
With iLOQ’s smart-locking solution, staff no longer have to carry around huge bunches of keys or worry what happens if one is lost or stolen. One smart key or their smartphone are the only keys they need. The access rights for all the places they need to access in the commercial property are programmed to their smart key or sent to iLOQ’s app running on their smartphone. They can be quickly and easily updated as their needs change. iLOQ’s app is not only a key; it also offers powerful additional functionality to optimize access and maximize the user experience.
Want to find out more?
If you would like to hear more about what kind of smart-locking solution would be suitable for the size or type of commercial property you own or manage, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. In the meantime, you can read more about iLOQ’s smart-locking solutions for commercial properties and what products are available on our website.
