Access control systems were designed to manage access to buildings, rooms, and areas which needed to be locked-off to the general public. Available in numerous forms and used in a variety of settings, their application ranges from residential homes to large commercial properties.
More recently we’ve seen these systems become very popular across a diverse range of businesses, from country estates to medical facilities and outside of the usual applications, across educational facilities such as Universities or colleges, we are now seeing a rise in installations in the UK. In 2023 access control has become a go-to form of security measure for many.
Just some of these applications include:
- Healthcare facilities
- Campus areas
- Hybrid working offices
- Nature Reserve buildings
- National Trust locations
- Public Tourist spots
- Lockers or Cabinet boxes for telecoms
- Traffic system maintenance lockers
Healthcare is one of the most prominent industries to adopt access control systems for obvious reasons, ranging from patient safety and security for staff, to medical equipment safety and clearance management for drug distribution and treatment services. In fact, technology has improved to the point where access control is now being adapted to aid behavioral units, from easier access for disabled people or those with mobility problems, to staff and visitors who can now traverse the property mostly hands-free, with sliding automatic doors and touchless keypad systems (using hand motion or security passes).
Educational installations are common and certainly offer a level of security and peace of mind for those institutions who wish to manage access at every level and to ensure the safety of those on campus.
Home Access Control
However, it’s not just public facilities that use access control, with domestic installations offering ease of access to private property. We also know that CCTV systems in the home are not always practical for many and with legal considerations as well (in terms of camera coverage and storing footage etc.), access control can offer a great alternative to homeowners to give them peace of mind and full control over who is on their property.
Top 5 Home Uses for Access Control:
- Front Door – Access control systems can be used to secure the front door of a home, making it more difficult for burglars to gain entry.
- Garage – Secure a garage, preventing thieves from stealing cars and other valuable items.
- Home Office – Secure a home office, protecting sensitive documents and equipment.
- Safe Room – Secure a safe room, providing a safe haven in case of an emergency.
- Swimming Pool – Secure a swimming pool, preventing children and pets from accessing it without adult supervision.
Commercial Access Control
For commercial properties there is value in incorporating access control in order to manage your property efficiently and with minimal fuss.
Top 5 Business Uses for Access Control:
- Building Entry – Access control systems can be used to secure the entry points of a building, preventing unauthorized access.
- Restricted Areas – Restrict access to sensitive areas, such as data centers or executive offices.
- Time and Attendance – Track employee time and attendance, ensuring that employees are arriving on time and working their full shift.
- Inventory Control – Track and manage inventory, reducing the risk of theft and loss.
- Parking Lots – Secure parking lots, preventing unauthorized vehicles from entering and improving overall security.
We’ve seen how access control offers versatility across a host of services and applied uses, especially for businesses. In particular, these options are favoured in some cases when compared with Business CCTV systems, which can be more expensive and time consuming to manage. With this in mind, when choosing an installation, there are options which will suit every scenario, commercial or domestic.
Types of Access Control Systems
- Biometric Access Control Systems – These systems use physical characteristics such as fingerprints or facial recognition to verify identity.
- Card Access Control Systems – Use smart cards or key fobs to grant access to specific areas of a property.
- Keypad Access Control Systems – Requires a user to enter a PIN code to gain access to a property.
- Proximity Control Systems – Uses radio waves to grant access to a property when a user is within a certain proximity.
- Mobile Control Systems – Use a mobile device such as a smartphone to grant access to a property.
With such diverse applications available with these systems, many businesses as well as home owners are implementing access control systems to protect their investment and have peace of mind over who has access. Compared with CCTV and intruder alarm systems, access control offers another option for securing your business or home.
Check out our access control systems and what’s available from us at Vantage Systems.
