Our Experience at the Childcare and Education Expo in Coventry: Highlights and Reflections
Which Is The Best Commercial Door Entry System?
Many businesses look for reliable methods to secure access to their premises, installing a commercial door entry system is an effective solution.
As the importance of security continues to grow in the modern world, many businesses are looking for reliable methods to secure access to their premises. One of the most effective ways to do this is by installing a commercial door entry system. However, with so many different types of systems available, how can you choose the right one for your business’ needs? In this article, we will explore the most popular options and methods for selecting the ideal commercial door entry system for your business.
Exploring the Benefits of Installing a Commercial Door Entry System
A commercial door entry system provides a range of benefits for businesses of all sizes. Critically, it helps increase security and reduce the risk of intruders gaining unauthorised access to your premises. This can help to deter criminals from targeting your business in the first place.
However, it is not just external threats that a commercial door entry system can protect against. By having a system in place, you can also control who has access to different areas of your building. This means that only authorised personnel can enter sensitive areas such as server rooms or stock rooms. By restricting access, you protect your sensitive information and equipment from theft or damage.
In addition to enhancing security, commercial door entry systems can also improve the overall safety of your workplace. By enabling you to monitor who is entering and exiting your property at all times, you can quickly identify any attempts by unauthorised individuals and take appropriate action. This can include alerting security personnel or contacting the police if necessary. When you know who is on your site at all times, you have a record in the event of an emergency or evacuation and can take roll call.
Another benefit of commercial door entry systems is that they can be customised to meet the specific needs of your business. For example, you can choose from a range of access control methods such as biometric scanners, Bluetooth scanners, or ANPR. This means that you can tailor your system to suit your business requirements and ensure that your employees enjoy a good user experience.
Overall, installing a commercial door entry system delivers peace of mind to business owners and employees alike by creating a secure and safe environment. With the ability to control access to your building and monitor who is entering and exiting at all times, you can protect your business from external threats and internal risks.
Assessing Your Business Needs: What to Look for When Buying the Best Commercial Door Entry System
When selecting a suitable commercial door entry system, it is crucial to evaluate your business’s unique needs and requirements. Here are a few factors to consider:
Size and layout of your site
You need to assess the size and layout of your premises as this can impact the type of system that is best suited to your needs. For example, if you have a large facility with multiple entrances, you may want to consider a system that allows for centralised control and monitoring. On the other hand, if you have a smaller space with only one or two entrances, a simpler system is more appropriate.
Future-Proofing
A door entry system is an investment. You want a system that isn’t over-specified but that will flex and grow as your business evolves in the next 5-10 years. Don’t choose deprecated technology that you will struggle to get replacement parts or service for within 5 years’ time.
People flow on your site
Understanding the people flow, traffic, and access points within your site can help you determine the appropriate access control system to implement.
People flow refers to the movement of individuals within your premises, including employees, visitors, and customers. By analysing the patterns and volume of people flow, you can identify high-traffic areas that may require more advanced access control solutions. Furthermore, evaluating access points, such as entry and exit points, restricted areas, and the level of security needed for each point, is essential for tailoring an effective access control system to your specific needs.
Hybrid working
The rise of hybrid working environments, where employees split their time between remote work and on-site work, has also impacted access control and thus door entry systems’ requirements. As employees’ schedules become more flexible, access control systems must be adaptable to accommodate varying levels of access, depending on the individual’s role and presence on-site. This necessitates a more dynamic and flexible door entry system to cater to the evolving nature of the workplace.
Integrations
It’s also important to think about whether you want to integrate your entry system with other security technologies. For example, if you already have a CCTV system in place, you may want to choose an entry system that can be easily integrated with your existing setup. This will help to streamline your security operations and make it easier to monitor and respond to potential security threats.
Connectivity
Connectivity is another key consideration when choosing a commercial door entry system. You’ll want to make sure that the system you choose is compatible with your existing network infrastructure and that it can be easily integrated with other devices and technologies. This can help to ensure that your entry system is always up-to-date and that it can be easily managed and monitored from a central location.
Cost
Finally, cost is always a factor when making any purchasing decision. While it’s important to choose a system that meets your needs and offers the necessary level of security, you also need to ensure that it fits within your budget. Be sure to compare different systems and speak to a security expert to find the best value for your business.
By taking the time to carefully consider these factors, you can ensure that you choose the best commercial door entry system for your business. Whether you’re looking for a simple video intercom system or a more advanced and secure biometric solution, there are plenty of options available to meet your needs.
Selecting the Ideal Commercial Door Entry System for Your Business
When it comes to selecting the perfect commercial door entry system for your business, it’s important to consider a range of factors. Here, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most popular types of commercial door entry systems, and some of their key features.
Swipe Cards
Swipe card systems are a popular choice for businesses of all sizes. These systems use electronic cards to grant access to your premises. These cards can be customised to provide different levels of access to different employees, making them a common choice for larger businesses with multiple departments or areas. However, it’s worth noting that swipe cards are easily lost, stolen, or passed on to an unauthorised individual to use. You can’t guarantee that the person holding the card, is the one you authorised to use it. This means that you’ll need to have a system in place for replacing lost or stolen cards, and for monitoring and ensuring that the correct authorised person is using the card. You also won’t be able to rely on data for roll call purposes.
Video and Audio Intercom Systems
Video and audio intercom systems are a popular option for commercial door entry. These systems allow you to communicate with visitors before granting them access to your premises. This can be useful for vetting visitors and preventing unauthorised access. Video and audio intercom systems can also be used to monitor your premises, enabling you to keep an eye on who is coming and going. You’ll need to ensure that it’s regularly maintained to prevent malfunctions. Intercoms are suitable for managing occasional visitor access, not regular visitors, so you’re likely to need another access control system in tandem.
Bluetooth-Enabled Systems
Bluetooth-enabled systems are a relatively new addition to the world of commercial door entry systems. These systems use Bluetooth technology to communicate with smartphones, enabling you to unlock your doors using your mobile device. This can be a convenient and easy-to-use option, particularly for smaller businesses. They are contactless and allow for onboarding of new users remotely. Good for external gate accesses to car parks or site.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)
Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems are a high-tech option for businesses with high levels of vehicular traffic. These systems use cameras to detect and recognise vehicle number plates, allowing authorised vehicles to enter and exit your premises automatically. This can be a convenient option for businesses with many deliveries or visitors arriving by car. When installing these systems, you’ll need to ensure that the cameras are positioned correctly, and that the system is regularly maintained to prevent malfunctions.
Facial Recognition Systems
Facial recognition technology has garnered significant attention in recent years for its application in access control. By analysing the unique features and characteristics of an individual’s face, facial recognition systems can identify and authenticate users to grant or deny access to a particular area or resource. This technology typically utilises advanced algorithms and artificial intelligence to capture, store, and compare facial data with stored images in a database.
Key features of facial recognition access control include:
- Contactless authentication: Unlike some other access control methods, facial recognition requires no physical contact, reducing the risk of germ transmission and wear and tear on the system.
- Quick processing: Facial recognition systems can swiftly process and identify users, reducing wait times and improving overall efficiency.
- Enhanced security: The technology is difficult to deceive, providing a high level of security against unauthorised access.
Considerations include privacy and GDPR considerations and ensuring careful placement and commissioning, so passers-by don’t accidentally release doors because they are in the field of view. Expert installation is required.
Fingerprint Scanner access control
Fingerprint-based door entry systems have become increasingly popular in commercial settings due to their security and reliability. These systems rely on the unique patterns present on an individual’s fingertips to authenticate their identity.
They are popular for similar reasons to the facial access control:
- Unique identification: Fingerprints are highly unique, providing a reliable method for verifying an individual’s identity.
- Difficult to forge: Fingerprints are difficult to replicate, reducing the risk of unauthorised access.
- Integration capabilities: Fingerprint scanners are often integrated with other security systems or used in multi-factor authentication setups.
Conclusion
Overall, a commercial door entry system will provide a range of benefits for businesses of all sizes. When selecting the ideal system, you need to consider factors such as the size and layout of your premises, the level of security required, and practical factors such as connectivity and cost. By choosing the right system for your needs, you can help to enhance the safety and security of your workplace, protect your assets, and create a more efficient and productive environment for your employees.
Ultimately, the ideal commercial door entry system for your business will depend on a range of factors. It’s important to consider your specific needs and requirements, as well as the level of security you require. By taking the time to research your options and consult with a professional, you can ensure that you select the perfect system for your business.