SecurityWorldMarket

14/10/2016

Wireless access control takes a leap forwards

London, UK

Assa Abloy recently conducted a survey seeking insights into how the market for access control is changing. What they found is that it is evolving — and fast.

An obvious increasing trend emerged from the data, in that the number of commercial properties using a wireless or hybrid wired/wireless access system had risen by 6% by 2016, compared with a similar survey in 2014. And now 5% of premises are already equipped with a totally wireless solution.

In addition, 69% of respondents considered wireless locks to be a cost-effective alternative to wired access control. And 62% even predicted few business premises would still have mechanical locks within a decade.

Cost-efficiency, easy installation, and compliance requirements for audit trails were mentioned as the main reasons for this surge in demand. Everything about wireless access control makes life easier for those who install or operate it. It’s easy to extend an existing third-party access control system by switching mechanical locking cylinders for battery-powered, electronic Aperio cylinders, for example. They can be introduced into the existing control panel via communications hubs (online integration) or via update-on-card (offline). Compare that to the wholesale rewiring needed to add more wired mag locks.

Swapping mechanical locks for electronic access control upgrades a door’s security in an instant. Smart cards eliminate key management headaches, as well as security risks posed by any lost mechanical key — an all-too-common occurrence, and something 86% of survey respondents also worried about.

Easy, effective integration of wireless lock technologies like Aperio with complementary CCTV, alarm, HVAC and other building management systems is another major benefit.

“Wireless locks are often specially designed for integration with other systems. The integration capabilities and ease of use can be a significant benefit,” writes Blake Kozak, principal analyst at IHS Research, in commentary on our publication.

"Among our own product portfolio, Aperio wireless locks integrate with almost any leading security system, allowing facilities staff to bring access control much further into a site than would be possible with traditional access control. At i2 serviced offices around the UK, for example, Aperio locks replaced the slow and expensive job of hardwiring every newly sublet office into i2’s central access control system. Facility managers can now amend access rights remotely, instantly cancel lost keys or extend an existing access control system without disruptive structural alterations," explains Thomas Schulz, Marketing & Communications Director, Digital and Access Solutions, at Assa Abloy EMEA.

Aperio is the access control backbone at Ghent’s Hospital Maria Middelares. Aperio also enables real-time management at a new residential care home in Umeå, Sweden. Sensitive settings like these need the real-time information flow that only electronic access control can provide. In the event of a security breach at a medicine store or patient records room, wireless locks can generate detailed audit trails for locks, users or keycards.

Another Assa Abloy technology, Cliq is a wireless, mechatronic locking system based on patented, high-security cylinders, battery-powered, programmable keys and encrypted electronic communications. Its proven security credentials and the ability for in-house managers to issue contractors with programmable keys both assist workflow management in these complex organisations.

Smartair is a separate stand-alone wireless locking system aimed at small to medium-sized premises, including offices, small hotels, nursing homes, schools and universities. Building managers at Frankfurt’s Tower 185 chose Smartair for its easy installation and access rights processing speed. Because SMARTair™ locks are wireless, they consume less energy and emit much less CO2 than wired magnetic locks. The flexibility of Smarttair was a major factor in the Red Cross’s decision to select it for their new Córdoba headquarters.

"Interestingly, our research also finds customers already considering wireless deployments beyond just doors. Well over half of respondents judged electronic access control well suited to securing server racks, cabinets, lockers, safes, and machines, as well as padlocked outdoor structures. Flexibility makes wireless technology the natural solution," says Thomas Schulz.

“Interior doors, file cabinets, carts and other deployments will increasingly use wireless electronic systems,” says Kozak. “In deployments beyond doors, IHS expects mechatronic locks to see the most growth. Globally, we forecast that these devices will see volume growth of about 24% in 2016 as security personnel strengthen security to adhere to strict compliance regulations, which often require audit trails. Mechanical keys simply don’t offer this level of tracking.”

With audit trail compliance, easy installation, cost efficiency, and seamless integration, wireless access control makes life easier for security managers, installers and system integrators. This is the secret to its rapid growth, and the reason for its widespread adoption across many business sectors.

Assa Abloy has made the report “The Wireless Access Control Market in 2016" available for freedownload.


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