Door Access Control Systems: What They Are and How You Can Use Them for Your Business

Make Your Access Easier and Faster with Door Access Control Systems 

Table of Contents

What is a Door Access Control System, and What Types of Door Access Control Systems Exist?
   • Definition of "door access control system"
   • Classification of door access control systems
Working Principles of Door Access Control Systems

   • Components of door access control systems
   • Process of access granting
Why Your Business Needs A Door Access Control System 
How to Choose the Door Access Control System that is Best for You

 

The safety of your business is something on which you cannot put a price. Safety doesn't happen by accident; it is an aspect of business that must be deliberately considered. Choosing the right door access control system for your business is essential for keeping your property safe and protected. But how do you know how to choose the right system for your business needs? Let us guide you.

 

What is a Door Access Control System, and What Types of Door Access Control Systems Exist?

 access system map

Definition of "door access control system"

A Door Access Control System is simply a system that allows you to control who can open a door. It allows businesses, government institutions, hospitals, and the like not only to manage access to protected areas, but also to build an effective visitor management system. Now let’s discuss the types of Door Access Control Systems. Though traditional brass locks and keys do fit the above-mentioned definition to some extent, a door access control system is a modern electronic system with advanced technology that is monitored by an access control system.

Classification of door access control systems

There are several methods of classifying Door Access Control Systems. These methods rely on entry options and combinations of components in a system. Let us review the most detailed ones.

Combination complexity-based classification

  • Door Control System:
    the most basic type, designed to replace traditional lock-and-key systems with an electronic key. It has the benefit of reducing costs and eliminating the problem of key loss: information about the lost electronic key can simply be removed from the system. 

  • Rule-/Role-based access control system:
    the next level in the hierarchy, this type allows you to assign rules and roles according to what kind of access will be provided. Rules can be created based on employee titles or on special requirements set within the company. 

  • Rule-/Role-based + security access control system:
    provides the same level of control as rule-/role-based access, and also gives additional feedback on a facility’s security. This type monitors a door’s position and notifies you if the door has been left open or if it has been opened without the proper use of credentials. 

 

Access method-based classification

There are three broad and common methods of access. 

  • Key Fobs and Badges: 
    the most common way to control who enters your facility is simply to provide credentialed users key fobs and badges. The drawback of this method is that it is less cost-effective and less secure than the other two. Key fobs and badges can be repeatedly lost or stolen and used before they are missed by a proper owner.

  •  Smartphone Entry: 
    with the rapid development of smartphones, smartphone entry has become the preferred method for many businesses due to its simplicity. A modern person can forget a key, but they will almost never leave their smartphone at home. Another benefit to this method is that you can give or take away permission without even interacting face to face. 

  •  Biometric Readers: 
    this most advanced and secure method requires a fingerprint, face, or retina scan to get access. This method can be used in combination with other methods of entry, for example, the smartphone entry system. It prevents unauthorized access in case a smartphone is stolen. 

 

Working Principles of Door Access Control Systems

Components of door access control systems

door access control system

There are two main components of door access control systems: software and hardware.
  • Software is the key component that makes modern access control systems secure and convenient. Software enables you to control who has access to what areas, when; it can even set times to open and close doors. Software monitors the activity within your facility: you can see which employees have accessed what areas and for how long. Thus, you can see a big picture of how access is occurring and whether it is being abused.
  • Credentials are the access cards, ID badges, and key fobs that identify individuals and grant them access. With the development of technology, smartphones or other smart devices can also be used as credentials via Bluetooth technology. Also, if you need to edit access conditions, this can be done easily via a system’s software. 
  • Readers are the hardware that “reads” a credential and matches it against the database within the access control software. A reader is what grants or refuses access.
  • Strikes are the electronic mechanisms that open doors or gates in response to a reader confirming authorized access. Now that we know the components of door access control systems, let us review how these components are engaged in the process.

 

Process of access granting

Facial recognition system
  • Authentication
    At this stage, a user presents their credentials to the reader, which examines the credentials to learn if they are in a system's database.

  • Authorization
    Next, the reader establishes if the user is authorized to access the facility.

  • Access 
    If the user is authorized to access the facility, the reader sends a signal to the strike to unlock the entry point. 

  • Management
    Management of access control systems means adding and removing users, monitoring their activity, and setting schedules or notifications.  

  • Audit
    Most access control systems allow administrators to generate reports which not only help to manage the systems, but also ensure that they are working as they are supposed to. 

 

 Why Your Business Needs A Door Access Control System 

office security

  1. Save money, time, and energy
    Door access control systems allow you to save money on security personnel and locks because you no longer need a security guard to verify a person or an old-fashioned key to allow them to enter.  Furthermore, access control systems can be integrated with heating, lighting, and cooling systems, so that they turn on only when there is a person in the room and shut off when nobody is there. 
  2. Prevent Crimes and theft
    An effective door access control system can help in preventing burglaries, package theft, vandalism, and other types of crime. Since only authorized users can enter a facility, you are protected against unwanted visitors. In case someone breaks in, many systems come with an alarm management platform, so an alarm is triggered at entry. 
  3. Enhance visitor management
    Cloud-based door access control systems allow you to open a door for guests from any part of a building with Internet access, which is not only more convenient, but also more time-efficient than older methods. These systems also provide data on who enters and exits a building, at what time. Thus, in case of an accident, you know exactly who was there at the time of the incident. 
  4. Reduce risk of fire
    Almost all door access control systems have an emergency protocol, so, in case of fire, a system will automatically unlock doors for people to safely escape and for first responders (firefighters, emergency medical teams) to access your building easily. Alternatively, a door access control system can shut a building firewall down so that important areas of a building don’t suffer from a fire. 
  5. Easy and covenient access for employees
    You need to provide authorization only once; an employee then can access all areas essential to job performance. With a smartphone or biometric door access control system, you can also free your employees from the hassle of always carrying a key with them. Getting rid of traditional keys has some other benefits: Usually, the larger the building, the more locks and keys are needed, and the easier it is to get confused about which keys do what. An access control system saves time and releases users from confusion. 

 

How to Choose the Door Access Control System that is Best for You

Choosing a door access control system for your business is a serious investment and a big commitment. You should ensure that you are choosing the one that is just right for you and the specific needs of your business. 

  • Security
    Different access control methods (door control, rule-/role-based access control, rule-/role-based access control + security access control system) and access methods (key fobs and badges, smartphone entry, biometric readers) provide you with different levels of security. You should select the method best-suited for your business
  • Ease of implementation
    The easier the implementation of a system, the better. It’s a good idea to choose a system that can be easily implemented with your existing operating system
  • Server Hosting Options
    Will you be using a server that is locally hosted on a physical control panel, or a cloud-based server that can be accessed remotely?
  • Ease of use
    You should always think about the end user: You and your employees. There is no point in spending large amounts of money on something that will not enhance workflow. 
 face-recognition system
Now that we’ve covered the basics: Which solution is right for you? ALCHERA  provides the best solution for your business. 
With ALCHERA ’s AIIR PASS access management solution, you can make access to your facilities easy, fast, and touchless.
 
Why is ALCHERA ’s door access control system so swift and precise? Our success hinges on the face recognition technology we use. 
  •  Our AI engine processes 20,000 high-quality images per day in the process of machine learning, which allows constant improvement of the AI engine.
  • Our face-recognition technology was certified as one of the top rankers in the Face Recognition Vendor Test hosted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology of Rep. of Korea. 


Hygienic access is another benefit of AIIR PASS. Our face-recognition access control allows not only 100% touchless person identification, but also temperature check and mask detection. In these post-pandemic times, a contactless access system is not only the most preferable method for users but also the safest method for access management. 
Last but not least, the AIIR PASS system has a user-friendly dashboard that is available on any modern device in real-time. This dashboard allows you to view the status of individuals entering and exiting a facility, keep track of the attendance of each individual, manage and calculate working hours, and easily interlock with any type of gate or edge device. You want to protect your business and improve your workflow. ALCHERA is here to make your plans a reality. We would love to explore how we can assist you.

 

Please contact, our sales department, to begin the conversation.

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