Let’s face it. Your business is a busy one. You keep the doors open to customers of all kinds and need to know that only the right people are getting in at any given time. If you notice an individual who is not supposed to enter or trespass on the building, you might want to take action against him.
A door access system is an automated security device that can be installed by a business to control employee and customer access to areas within the business.
The system is controlled by a key card or fob which provides employees and customers with access to any doors that are programmed with certain authorisation. This can help prevent unwanted intruders from entering your property, while also making sure only authorized personnel have ultimate access.
The majority of businesses that operate in Singapore will have employees coming and going, to attend meetings, service customers, and much more. Having a biometric door access system installed then becomes paramount to easily track who enters and exits.
What happens when you access the door?
The card reader can be installed at the door entry or the reception desk. It will scan the card that you present, which will then open or lock the door. When using this type of system, all employees must have their unique card with a barcode on it.
On-site access control systems are slightly more advanced than card readers, as they use an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chip in place of a magnetic strip. However, they can still be relatively simple to install and require minimal wiring to function.
Door access systems typically come in two forms:
Magnetic cards
Biometric fingerprint scanners
Each type has its strengths and weaknesses but both provide effective security measures for businesses across all industries.
What types of credentials are used with door access systems?
The most common credentials used by these types of systems are ID cards, proximity cards, and smart cards. However, some readers can also accept key cards or fobs, which contain a small (Radio Frequency Identification) RFID chip that identifies the individual when they hold it up against the reader’s antennae. With modern day digital and tech applications making significant progress, biometric authentication are enabled as well.
Which business sectors currently use door access systems?
1. Healthcare facilities
In healthcare facilities, door access systems are used to manage patient flow through the hospital and also as a security measure. Hospital staff must swipe their badges to gain access to restricted areas such as operating rooms or intensive care units (ICUs).
This helps reduce the risk of infections spreading from one patient to another. It also helps prevent unauthorised visitors from entering restricted areas without authorization.
2. Schools and universities
Door access systems can be used in schools and universities where there is a need for keeping track of student attendance or tracking who has entered specific areas at any given time. Students may be asked to swipe their ID cards or use biometric identification when arriving at school or college for teachers to know which students have arrived on time and which ones have not.
Swiping ID cards can also assist teachers to monitor if students are skipping classes or coming late repeatedly without notifying them beforehand. Particularly during exam times when teachers want to make sure they don’t miss important information.
3. Hotels
Hotel staff need to be able to monitor who enters their hotel’s lobby, at most during the night when guests often check in late. By allowing set limitations on who can enter the building during certain hours or days of the week, guests will feel safe and secure.
How does the door access system benefit businesses?
Improved security
The use of remote control grants access to specific individuals, without having to open the door yourself. Plus, if someone is trying to break in, they won’t be able to enter as easily as they otherwise might be able to do so.
Reduced costs
The cost of installing a door access system is often offset by the benefits it brings to your premise. For example, you can reduce staffing numbers by automating some tasks that would have required human intervention. A door access system will help you manage your energy consumption and reduce your bills.
Choosing the Right Door Access System
1. Consider the layout of your building.
What type of building facility is it? If you operate out of a retail location, an electronic system might not be appropriate because it can be easy for customers to see where doors are located and gain access by accident or on purpose. For this reason, many retailers use keypads that require codes rather than passwords or fingerprints.
2. Think about future expansion plans.
How many people will need access to your building? If you’re opening up a small shop, there’s no need for an overly complicated system with multiple levels of security — if only one person is using it.
But if you plan on expanding or hiring more employees in the future, then it may be best to go with a more advanced option now so that it can grow with your company.
3. Decide between key cards or codes.
Some systems allow you to use either a code or a key card to gain entry into your building. Others only allow one method, while others offer both options. If you want flexibility in choosing how you access your office, then go with code-based access.
However, if your preference is to have more control over entry into your building (such as allowing certain people access during certain times), then go with key cards instead.
4. Make sure the system is compliant with industry regulations.
In some states, businesses are required to have CCTV cameras installed on their premises for security reasons. While others have an electronic entry system installed as well— so make sure yours meets these requirements before making any purchase.
5. Are you looking for a cloud-based system?
Storing information on servers in the cloud rather than on individual devices allows you to manage multiple users from any location by logging in through an app or web browser.
6. How do you want to manage access?
Do you want to manage the system yourself or have a third-party company provide this service? Managed access systems control who has access to your facility at any given time, as well as when they enter and leave.
While managed services may be more expensive than unmanaged services, they provide greater security and convenience by allowing employees to avoid having their badges reissued every time they leave or return from vacation or sick leave.
Explore Smart Door Access Solutions
Ultimately, the use of keypad access systems is gaining popularity and being adopted more widely by businesses worldwide as they evolve.
Employers can use these systems to protect their workplaces, enhance efficiency and increase employee productivity. Workplace thieves or disgruntled employees will be kept out of protected areas, and those needing to have access will only have the authorization to gain entrance.
In the event you want to buy a door access system for your security office, go for Keydence Systems to enjoy its durability and user-friendliness over a long period.