Figures from the 2018 edition of “The Wireless Access Control Report” show continued strong growth for wireless vs. wired solutions. Russel Wagstaff, Director for Commercial Access Solutions, Assa Abloy, EMEA, explains why he believes security and facility managers are “cutting the wires” more and more.
“Among the many advantages of wireless discussed in the report, I would highlight two. Firstly, removing the need to cable every door makes it much easier and more economical to bring many more doors into your access system. Secondly, the energy-efficiency of wireless doors delivers significant cost savings. The standard batteries locks use have long lives, and only fully ‘power up’ when there’s a credential to read.”
The new report forecasts growth in wireless locks for “non-door” applications like lockers, servers, and so on, to outgrow those for doors. Wagstaff explains the reasons why. “Partly it’s about convenience. The more applications that can be secured and unlocked with a single credential, the better for site users. Facility managers benefit from the wider scope of their access system, which gives them more control. In addition, because these ‘non-door’ devices are wireless, access control can easily extend outdoors. Padlocks for gates, machinery locks, storage lockers. With the right lock, these can all be secured within the same access control system as your front door.”
When it comes to small to medium sized businesses, as an example, Smartair solved various specific problems at Ulab in Spain. Enrique Burgos, Director at Ulab commented: “In addition to regular daily traffic [of around 100 staff], weekly traffic can multiply by almost ten if an event is held. We needed an access control system as flexible and convenient as Smartair.” One of Spain’s newest co-working spaces, ULab’s vision incorporated the latest in security, accessibility and design to create a 21st-century business centre. Wire-free Smartair delivered real-time access control to accommodate both regular daily traffic and busy one-off events.
In large or complex businesses, like Eau de Valence in France, wireless access control offered by Cliq can impact positively on day-to-day security. Christophe Nublat, Head of Study & Works Division at the company, said: “All the energy is in the key. There is no power supply to the lock, and therefore very little maintenance. Also electronic and mechanical cylinders are managed by the same key.” The municipal water authority of Valence controls geographically vast operations. With Cliq key-based access control, audit trails for every lock, key and padlock are available on demand, so monitoring contractor visits is easy. Weekly mandatory key revalidation provides another layer of security. Five of their keys are equipped with Cliq Remote technology, so supervisors can also update access rights on the move, via Bluetooth.
Integration is also an important growing trend. For example, Axis has completed integration of the Aperio RS485 hub with its own Axis A1001 door controller. Axis Entry Manager is the company’s web-based access control system, built into the A1001 Door Controller. Stephanie Hensler, Business Development Director at Axis, explains: “Because most users value real-time access they appreciate how intuitive it is to manage this integrated solution.” Importantly, wireless access control can also save companies money. At Lund University Aperio has proven to be very cost effective as they have been able to radically reduce the time they spend on user management and system administration.
