Access Control Systems

Access control systems are a popular security measure for large and small businesses. Access control systems offer easy to use and easy to maintain security features for a wide variety of applications.

Access Control Systems Introduction
Access control systems are a popular security solution for larger businesses with many employees. Access control systems enable you to conveniently allow access to only necessary corporate areas to each employee on an individual basis. Access control systems most often use a badge or id with a magnetic strip with encoded information. Keypads, fingerprint scanners and other technology can also be incorporated into an access control system, depending upon security needs and practical considerations. A good access control system provider can help by designing a system that meets your specific corporate security needs. An access control system can easily and cost-efficiently provide you with needed corporate security, as well as numerous other benefits.

Access control systems can also be effectively used in small businesses, hotels, and even apartment complexes and college dormitories. Access control technology can save changing locks with each tenant or employee turnover, and allow you to feel safe in the secured environment. Convenient and easy to use, access control systems are becoming a more popular security option each year. Access control systems can also take the place of your traditional time clock, improving employee performance and punctuality. Employee activities can be easily monitored with the many features an access control system offers.

How Access Control Systems Work
The most basic access control systems keep a record of when and by whom a given door was opened. Without the appropriate code or ID badge, the door remains locked. More complex access control systems may also include a timecard feature, clocking in your employees when they enter and clocking them out when they leave. In this instance, it is important that you choose an access control system with software that is compatible with your time and attendance software.

You may also wish to look for an access control system that is compatible with other security measures already in place, such as monitored alarms or closed circuit TV. Be certain to bring up any systems in place that you would like to integrate as you begin inquiring about access control systems to further the security measures already in place in your business. While ID badge swiping access control systems are the most common, keypads are another popular option. Keypads are a less secure option, as they may not allow you to record which employee has entered, but they are a popular choice, for both home and business applications. If high security is critical, you may find that biometric scans, such as a thumbprint scan, are a valuable option for your business.

Integration
Access control systems can be integrated into your overall security system. Work with your access control system provider to select a system that will work well with your closed circuit television, alarm systems and other security features already in place. The highest end access control systems are even working to integrate computer access control security systems for data into the overall access control system, streamlining your corporate security systems and reducing the potential for security breeches.

As you shop for the access control system that is right for your company, consider integration as a potential feature. If you already use employee ID badges for other purposes, such as tracking spending accounts, look for an access control security system provider that can assist you with integrating your access control system into your current employee badge program. Also, as you consider integration and search for the system that is best for your needs, look toward the future. What does the company expect to offer and how are upgrades handled? Do you have the computer technology needed, or would you be better served by an access control system that can be easily managed via a web interface to better integrate the access control system into your usual day to day business management?

Choosing the Right Access Control System
Just as the average small business does not need a biometric thumbprint scanner, a large corporation with high security system needs may require an access control system capable of multi level security, with many integrated security features. The first step in choosing the right system is to look honestly at your company's access control security system needs. How many doors need to be secured? How many employees need access, and how much employee turnover is present? Do you want to monitor exits as well as entrances?

These questions will help you determine the needed scope for your access control system. If you only need to control a single door, a simple do it yourself keypad entry may be adequate. Larger corporations should take the time to seek out proposals from a variety of access control system providers. Look at not only cost, but also the overall proposal, and how well it meets your needs. The right access control security system for your company will be easy to use, maintain and monitor. It will integrate current security features, thereby saving you money. The right access control system for your company will also provide an adequate level of security for your corporate needs, but not be excessive, nor cumbersome for your employees to use.

Features
One of the most important access control system features to consider is the ease of use of your system. Employees may well be using the access control system multiple times a day, so it should be easy to use, and require no special training. ID badges are the most common means of authenticating employees with an access control system. The options for an access control system incorporating ID badges vary. The most frequently seen is a simple card swiping device, much like the ones used for credit cards and ATM machines. Some businesses favor proximity type card readers, allowing employees to simply aim the card in the vicinity of the reader. These are particularly useful if the access control system is installed at a parking lot gate or similar. Some card readers can even allow easy drive through access.

Another useful feature you may appreciate is the ability to manage your access control security system via an easy online interface. This will save you dealing with software installation and maintenance, as well as provide you with stable and consistent access to your access control system. Battery backups are another important feature, as without them you may find that all your locks fail, thus eliminating building security.

Access Control as a Security Measure
Access control is a useful added security measure. While keyed locks may be picked, keys stolen, or lost; an access control system allows you to simply deactivate lost or stolen ID badges. Moreover, if you do have a problem with theft or trespassing, the access control system will allow you to monitor employee entrances to the building. A good access control system provider can enable you to integrate new or extant security systems into the overall access control security system. Access control security systems are a growing trend because they work well as a part of an overall security system to create a safe environment for your employees, property and files.

Access control systems may even be required for government contracts and other secure work environments. If your company is in this position, find out what security features may be required so that your access control system will meet your clients' needs effectively and appropriately. A well installed and maintained access control system will provide security not only for your property, but also for your customers, clients, and even your employees. Access control systems will also allow you to limit employee access to higher security areas of your buildings, and can even integrate multiple buildings into the access control system. This can be an especially useful feature for large corporations with employees working in multiple locations. A single ID badge can allow an employee access to whatever areas they need, without allowing them more access than they require to effectively do their job.

Uses in the Workplace
Access control systems offer easy and convenient employee entrance and exit, as well as reducing inconvenience associated with clocking in and out at work. Badges are less easily lost than keys, and may be more easily replaced. Introducing a quality access control system as a part of company security will likely be appreciated by your employees. ID badges and keypads make entrance in and out of the workplace easy, and if you invest in an ID badge printer, you can easily replace employee IDs when needed. Moreover, using card scanner technology, you can secure both interior and exterior spaces as needed.

Access control systems will easily allow you to monitor employee entrances and exits, as well as times clocked in and out. They are not infallible, nor are they a substitute for good employee management; however, they will likely increase overall punctuality, and make payroll record keeping more convenient.
Access control security systems can also make employee turnover a simpler process, as the access ID badge can simply be deactivated. This spares the employer the process of getting keys back, or worrying about unauthorized entrances to the business. An access control system can be a useful addition to security for both small and larger businesses, and will be appreciated by both employers and employees.

Security Features
A number of valuable security features are available with many access control security systems. The most obvious security feature of an access control system is the ability to specifically limit access to a given door, and to record entries into the building, or an area of the building. Exit controls are also an option, and access control systems can be integrated into overall corporate ID badge functionality in a seamless way. An access control system can also allow you to conveniently allow or disallow access into specific areas of the building, and easily limit access into higher security zones. Many access control security system companies will integrate extant security features into your access control system. Redundant access control systems, incorporating either keypads or card sensors alongside biometrics may be one high security option.

The most current technology for the highest security possible is biometrics. Biometrics enable you to allow building access via thumbprint scanners, palm readers or other individual physical characteristics. New features in access control systems may soon allow the integration of traditional access control security systems with corporate computer security. This would reduce potential security problems, and streamline the process of allowing access to both physical and virtual properties.

Implementation Costs
Costs can vary widely among access control systems, depending upon the number of doors secured, whether you allow free exit or control exits, and the type of security features included. A keypad entry is quite affordable; however, a biometric scanning system may be a very expensive corporate investment. When considering the expenses associated with an access control system for security purposes, you must also calculate any costs associated with the computer controlled locks required for the doors, as well as either computer expenses to run the software, or regular fees for online access to a provider hosted solution.

The more feature rich the access control system, the more expensive it will be. Some features that may be a worthwhile investment for your business include the ability to set timing locks on the doors, to allow public access at some hours and only employee access at others, battery backups, template layouts to make allowing access to individual doors easy, and ease of badge printing.

Small businesses may find that they can save by opting for do it yourself installation for a smaller access control system; however, this will likely lead to reduced access to technical support services. Costs can also be reduced by keeping some interior doors keyed as opposed to secured via the access control system.


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