Every Door, Every Site, From Your Phone
Grant access, change permissions, lock down a site and retire lost credentials without driving to the building. Here is what to know before you buy.
The Basics
What Is Electronic Access Control?
Electronic access control uses credentials to let people open and close doors at their place of business, across one location or a network of buildings. Those credentials are usually cards, mobile devices or fobs, managed by software and configured to grant authorization based on your guidelines.
Access permissions can be configured by location, role, and schedule, allowing vendors limited access when needed while giving authorized employees broader access across designated locations.
On-Premise vs. Cloud-Based Access Control
Aside from a lock and key, there are two main approaches to access control. Here are the key differences.
On-premise
Built around a server at your location, operated and maintained by your in-house IT department. Three main drawbacks:
Mobility
Users have few options to control access anywhere but the office, and often must be physically connected by desktop. Even a small access request has to be done on site.
Security
The system is only as secure as your IT team makes it, adding a layer of complexity and vulnerability to your operations.
Cost and time
Servers are expensive, and your IT team carries the ongoing work of maintaining and updating them and their software.
Cloud-based
Software delivered over the internet, usually through your browser, so there is no hardware or software for you to update.
Remote access
Control your system from anywhere with a mobile device. In the middle of the night, in extreme weather or while traveling, you have the same settings and tools you would have on site.
No servers to run
Cloud servers remove the cost, time and effort of standing up your own, and scaling to more locations is straightforward.
Video built in
Integrate video to view your premises remotely and see what is happening in real time.
Today, cloud-based access control is the best option for most businesses. The combination of mobile usage and added security puts it above the other options on the market.
What You Can Actually Do With It
Remote access controls
Use your mobile device to grant access, change permissions and pull up video.
Visitor management
Grant temporary access so repair and delivery people get in without you driving over, limited to the area they need.
Lockdown
Secure the entire premises with a single tap, stopping the movement of people and machines quickly.
Mobile credentials
Smartphones replace fobs, keys and keycards, so lost badges and departing employees stop being a problem.
Video Integration
Access Control Is Better With Eyes On It
When choosing an access control system, it is critical that it integrates with a video platform to truly get the benefit of mobile functionality. Video integration gives you real-time access to your facility and lets you record and review footage from your mobile device.
Why NAVCO
The Largest Employee-Owned Security Integrator in the Country
Whether you need to repair an existing system, add a new one, or integrate your whole electronic security platform, NAVCO brings world-class access control expertise and the best trained technicians and associates in the country.
customer retention rate. Our clients love our work and they stay.
Trusted by National Leaders and Small Businesses Alike
Get an Access Control Quote
Tell us how many doors and locations you manage today. A NAVCO specialist will walk you through on-premise versus cloud, credentials, and what integration with your video platform would look like.