Several months ago, we created a post assisting readers in Choosing the Right Commercial Lock Equipment. In that post, we share some information to help our commercial customers choose the most effective locks possible. This includes a look at several different types of commercial lock hardware and technologies. Additionally, that post also explores both mechanical and electronic lock solutions for your business. However, that post did not touch on the possibility of adding locks that you can operate remotely. Since the ability to operate locks without having to physically be at the door does add both security and convenience, we’ve decided to dedicate an entire post on commercial remote lock control options. We’ll explore several different ways we can add this cabability.
First, we’ll share some applications where this ability proves especially useful. After all, knowing why customers ask for this functionality can help you see how it can help you as well. From there, we’ll look at several different ways we add remote locking hardware to commercial properties. Specifically, these include standalone locks, complete intercom systems, and access control systems. Of course, we will explain the equipment involved in each of these options, as well as how they work. Now, let’s get started with a look at why we install these unique security measures!
Applications for Remote Lock Control
When most people think of lock operation, they picture someone walking up to a door and manually locking or unlocking it. However, the need to get to a door, as well as the requirement of a key, can prove tedious and even dangerous in some instances. For example, secretaries receiving visitors may wish to do so without leaving their desk every time a visitor arrives. In these instances, the ability to grant access without getting to the door can elimiate a major hassle.
Moreover, we often install the equipment described in this post as a security measure. For example, some of these locks allow employees to vet your visitors before granting them access. In particular, security measures that allow workers to communicate with guests before unlocking a door can help avoid physical confrontation between employees and uninvited guests. The ability to deny access to your building without a face-to-face interaction obviously adds an important security measure. As you can see, remote lock control can help provide both convenience and security for those on your property. Let’s now spend some time examining the benefits of wireless keypad locks.
Smart keypad locks, such as this model by Yale, allow you to use codes or a mobile device to operate your property’s locks.
Wireless Smart Keypad Locks
We’ve long touted the importance of creating key security in any application. After all, even the best locks stand no chance against someone who has a key to your building. Unfortunately, employee turnover and careless handling of key copies often leads to unaccounted keys getting into the wrong hands. Keypad locks can put an end to this danger. We often install these locks on different doors of a business, so that you can control access to various sections of your property. Different employees can access different areas based on how you program these locks. Furthermore, once employees leave, you can easily delete their codes from any and all locks. This bypasses the key security issue altogether.
While our customers like the security afforded by standard keypad locks, they absolutely love the security and extra features offered by smart keypad locks! These locks offer all of the security offered by their “regular” keypad counterparts. Additionally, they also allow you to remotely lock and unlock your business doors. Therefore, you can let visitors and contractors into your building without providing them with a key or a code. Moreover, you can also check on your keypad locks’ status at all times, making sure that employees lock up behind them when they leave.
Finally, these locks also create customizable smartphone notifications to alert you to activity. This allows you to receive an alert when someone locks or unlocks your doors. The huge array of security features provided by these locks make them extremely popular with our customers! Now, let’s look at a couple types of intercom systems that also provide remote locking features.
Intercom Systems with Remote Locking Features
We offer a couple different types of intercom systems that add security in various ways. For starters, they allow workers to communicate with visitors approaching your property. Visitors simply press a button on a “substation” located on your building’s exterior to communicate with someone inside. At that point, an audible notification sounds on the “master station(s)” located inside the building, and employees can talk with those at the door at that point. Most intercom systems allow for audio-only interactions. However, we also provide intercoms whose substations have cameras, with master stations that have video screens attached to them. These video intercoms provide extra security, as they allow you to visually assess individuals at the door and get “eyes” and not just “ears” on the situation.
Adding the ability to remotely control access to your property represents one of the most popular commercial intercom options. In order to create this ability, we need to do two things. First, we must install electronic locking hardware on the exterior doors you wish to control. Then, we install master stations with a door release function. At that point, the door release will interact with each door’s electronic locks to grant access to visitors when needed. The “unlock” button on the master station will unlock the door associated with the substation that initiates contact with the master station. Last but not least, let’s see how access control systems can push your property’s security to the next level!
Access Control Systems
Over the past several years, access control systems have gotten increasingly popular. This security measure involves using advanced lock equipment to control access to your property. Access control systems utilize the same type of electronic locking hardware that we install on intercom systems that provide remote locking ability to operate specific doors within a business. Rather than using a key at these doors, users approach a keypad or a credential reader and present either a code or a physical credential such as a card or fob. Users who present an approved credential will then be able to open the door after the keypad or reader interacts with the door’s electronics to unlock it. Business owners can allow each credential to open only certain doors at specific times, giving them tremendous control over who can open which doors, and when.
Access control readers and credentials, such as the AMAG products shown here, allow you to remotely grant and deny access to your employees’ individual credentials using sophisticated computer software.
Unlike the other options discussed in this post, access control systems do not generally allow users to immediately lock and unlock doors from remote locations. However, they do provide the opportunity for a business owner or manager to remotely log into the access control system and add or edit a credential’s ability to lock and unlock certain doors. Therefore, you would have the ability to remotely disable any credential. This comes in especially handy when a credential gets lost or an employee leaves abruptly. Furthermore, you can also activate a credential from a computer while away from the office, and present it to whomever you wish to grant access to your building at that point. The security and flexibility offered by these systems makes them an extremely valuable form of commerical security.
Finding the Remote Lock Control Options That Work for You
We hope that this post helps you find remote lock control options that fit your security needs! Moreover, we encourage you to contact us with any questions you may have regarding the material in this post. We’ve helped countless customers add these unique security products in our 30-plus years in business. Additionally, we also invite you to take advantage of our free site survey program. We offer complimentary security audits and quotes to both new and existing customers alike. While on site, we can address any security concerns you may have. Furthermore, we can make suggestions of our own based on observations we make during our visit. Together, we can create a complete system of locking hardware, and any other security equipment your property requires, that keeps your business, and anyone in it, as safe and secure as possible!