“The ability of Vcredential is that it represents Bluetooth access control technology that is easy to use, simple to navigate, and offers the added benefit of mobility for users,” says Nadine Frost, Senior Product Manager at Vanderbilt International.

Originally launched in September 2020, Vcredential was developed in response to the growing trend of virtualisation, a shift in the market to touchless door access, and the ever-evolving landscape of added security threats. Now, 10 months on from that first release, Vcredential has been developed further. The key feature of this new release is the simplification of the authorisation process that allows customers to use a Bluetooth credential.

“Vcredential was proving such an intriguing option for customers that this latest release now means that the process of creating and managing Bluetooth credentials is even faster,” explains Frost. “The process has been reduced to a simple two-step programme now. Admin sends out an email invitation to the user. This email contains instructions for the user on downloading the VI Mobile ID app alongside a 6-digit alphanumeric activation code. The end-user downloads the VI Mobile ID Bluetooth app enters the activation code. The credential is now ready for use. It is as simple as that.”

All the original benefits of Vcredential still remain. Smartphone credentials are time and cost-effective alternatives to managing physical credentials that enable mobile phones to be used just like a traditional access control card or tag. The addition of mobile credential functionality is critical in today’s threat landscape as more users demand touch-free flexibility and a streamlined approach to visitor management and access control.

Frost expands on the benefit of smartphone credentials by outlining how Vcredential is a one-off license purchase as opposed to a subscription-based model that would include annual charges per virtual credential. “With this latest version, now credentials on lost, stolen, or old phones can be deactivated and transferred over to a customer’s new device meaning there are truly no hidden or extra costs, allowing for big savings in the long-term,” she says.

Moreover, thanks to additional integration functions, the creation, and management of Bluetooth credentials can now be carried out directly by the administrator within ACT Pro and Sipass integrated systems for easier management and greater control. Meanwhile, the integration with the award-winning ACT Pro reduces the workload on the operator by automating the issuing of Bluetooth credentials to cardholders from within the ACT Pro software. It also enables the customer to manage credential allocation through this single interface.