Think back to the days before modern types of access control systems, when physical keys were the best choice for securing an area. Remember checking into a hotel room and being handed a physical key to unlock your room? And if you lost that key, it would usually result in a fine as the hotel manager would have to get another key physically made. Not to mention with how keys are easy to duplicate, you could never be 100 percent sure how many others had access.
Now jump ahead to checking into a hotel today. Many modern hotels have switched to types of access control systems that let you unlock your room with your cellphone, eliminating the need to even stop by the front desk to check in. Others have gone to key cards that you can tap or swipe to gain access and can easily be reprogrammed for added security.
Having a lightweight fob, key card, or even a phone to grant access is faster, easier and less cumbersome than a traditional key. As a business owner or facilities manager, an access control system lets you know who accessed which spaces and when, while also preventing unauthorized access to the building and the spaces within.
At Wellington, our customers use one of three different commercial access control systems based on the needs of their business:
· Key ring fobs
· ID cards
· Sensors/smart credentials
We’ll explore how each works and where they’re most effective so you can make the right choice for your facility.
Key Ring Fobs
A key fob is one of the types of access control systems. It has a small, battery-powered electronic device, meant to be attached to a key ring or lanyard. Your car may have a key fob if it’s a keyless ignition, or maybe you go to a 24-hour fitness center and have a fob to gain access during unstaffed hours.
How they work: Key fobs use RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) or proximity technology. RFID technology uses radio waves to identify people or objects, then wirelessly sends a coded signal to a receiver. This receiver reads the signal and performs a function, like unlocking a door, without requiring physical contact or even line of sight.
Users simply hold the fob near a reader, and if authorized, the door unlocks. In the case of a vehicle with keyless ignition, you just need the fob to be within a certain distance of the vehicle for it to start.
Benefits:
· Compact and easy to carry
· Durable and long-lasting
· Quick to deactivate if lost or stolen
· Affordable for large teams
Best use cases: Office buildings, apartment complexes, gyms, and anywhere fast, convenient access is important. Employees with a key ring or a retractable belt lanyard may prefer key fobs.
ID Cards
ID cards work similarly to key fobs, using proximity to gain access. ID cards can also have magnetic stripe technology, requiring a swipe versus a tap. Modern hotel keys are a good example of the functionality of card-based access: unlocking doors with either a swipe or a tap, based on the system.
How they work: Similar to fobs, ID cards use proximity or magnetic stripe technology to unlock doors when held near the sensor or swiped through the reader.
Individual proximity cards can be used in combination with scanners or keypads to allow keyless entry for database-approved IDs. Many facilities will print employee photos or credentials on the cards so they can double as an employee badge/ID. Using an ID card can help streamline employee identification and time and attendance tracking.
ID cards are everywhere, in every industry and business of every size. Most employees wear them on lanyards or retractable belt clips for fast access and easy identification.
Benefits:
· Dual purpose: security credential + visual ID
· Easy to issue and replace
· Can be customized with branding or color-coding for departments
· Compatible with most access control systems
Best use cases: Corporate offices, schools, healthcare facilities, government buildings, and organizations where identification is as important as access.
Sensors and Smart Credentials
Smart credentials are the newest on the scene. This type of system typically relies on a mobile device or other wearable/mobile tech interacting with a sensor.
This could look like a small tag placed in a vehicle to automatically open a gate when the car comes in range of the sensor. Or a tag in a wallet or attached to a phone to open doors touch-free.
How they work: Sensor-based systems often use mobile devices or wearables. Credentials are stored digitally and communicated via Bluetooth, NFC, or Wi-Fi. The sensor reads the device and grants access automatically, sometimes without the user even touching a reader.
Benefits:
· Touchless, seamless entry experience
· Harder to duplicate than physical cards or fobs
· Can be managed remotely with cloud-based software
· Scalable for growing organizations
Best use cases: High-tech workplaces, multi-tenant buildings, and facilities prioritizing modern, frictionless security.
Choosing the Right Credential for Your Facility
All types of access control credential, whether it’s fobs, ID cards, or sensors, will secure your building. When it comes to choosing one, let us help you find the right solution for your facility.
No matter which option you choose, access control systems provide peace of mind by ensuring that only the right people can enter the right places at the right times.
Interested in upgrading your access control system? Let our knowledgeable team walk you through finding the just-right system to keep things safe and secure.
Wellington Security Systems is a trusted commercial security systems partner serving customers in and around the Twin Cities metro for over 40 years, specializing in burglary systems, multiple types of access control, surveillance cameras, and fire alarms. For more information or a free security audit for your business, contact us today.