Need complete and total control over access in your building? Electronic access control is your answer. Essentially, electronic access control allows you to map out in great detail who may access parts of your building and when. These systems also provide a log of which doors were accessed, by whom, and at what time.

Do you need Electronic Access Control?

Realistically, not all buildings will require this complex feature. But, on the flip side, if you have sensitive or dangerous materials on site this could be the perfect solution for you. Facilities which hold medications, sensitive documents, or high value items may need to think about implementing an electronic access control system. Other industries that would benefit from a smart system would be day cares, data centers, governmental entities, and financial institutions.

Drawbacks of Traditional Key Systems

Before going over the benefits of electronic access control, it’s important to understand the limitations of traditional key systems. While you might think that your regular lock and key is enough, here are some drawbacks:

• Keys are easily duplicated or lost
• No way to log foot traffic
• Unable to adjust permissible access periods
• Standard locks have long been simple to pick

Benefits of Electronic Access Control

In contrast to traditional key systems, electronic access control offers technological advantages that a lock and key can’t match. The key highlights for electronic access control systems are many. Electronic access control, on the other hand, offers polar opposite benefits:

• Easily track the comings and goings of people in your building
• Effortlessly deny or reassign access when employees leave the company
• Monitor and set specific times in which areas of your building may be accessed and by whom
• Create and manage a holiday schedule
• Not easily penetrated because there’s no lock to pick
• Large variety of different systems to choose from

Electronic access control systems are very versatile and you don’t need to be in a massive building to warrant installation. They’re also easily scalable meaning that if, down the road, you decide that there are a few more doors you think should be added to the system that should be no problem at all.

Things to Consider Before Installation

Before you run out and purchase one of these systems, there are a few things you’ll need to layout.

1. Determine what you will use for people to identify themselves when entering. The options include stand-alone lock with key pad, proximity reader, and key pads.
2. Define how people will exit each area. Options include push-to-exit button, push bars, emergency releases and motion censors.
3. Choose your locking device. Options include electric strike locks, electric deadbolts, electrified locksets, and electromagnetic lock.
4. Research the software you’ll use. The system you implement should reduce complexity for your administrators, not add to it. Choose a software package that has an intuitive user interface and is easy to understand. Also a biggie, make sure it’s compatible with your organizations primary operating systems.

There may be a few steps to deciding on an electronic access system and implementing one, but if you’ve got concerns over how easily accessible your building is, contact us to see if an electronic access system is right for your Boston business. 

Commercial doors can be quite the investment and if not properly taken care of, they can become quite the pain in the neck, and wallet. Proactively maintaining your commercial doors will prolong their lifespan and head off potentially larger problems in the future.

 

Regular Spot Checks

Set up a calendar reminder for yourself to quickly spot check all the doors of your facility. Double check that strikes are in good shape, batteries are still charged, and look for any other signs of wear and tear that could merit a repair like:

• Chipping paint
• Disintegrating insulation strips
• Loose door handles
• Doors are not slamming shut

Clear Strikes of Debris

The strike is a prime place for employees or customers to shove their gum or straw wrappers. Making sure that there’s nothing blocking the strike on a daily basis will ensure that your doors are securely closing.
Not to mention, if a door is forced shut, the debris inside the strike will place undue pressure on the locking system and could end up compromising its integrity.

Door Closures

The door closure, the hydraulic arm that connects the top of the door frame and the top of the actual door, is what pulls each door closed after you’ve walked through it. Carefully inspect the door closure for any leaks. If you happen to find one, call a locksmith to take a look at the door to keep your business doors safe and secure.

If left unattended you may find that your door is either closing too quickly, slamming, which may damage the components in the door locking mechanism or the door frame itself or that it’s closing much too slowly preventing it from latching properly.

Regularly Change Batteries

We mentioned taking a look at your batteries when you do your scheduled spot checking, but changing your batteries on a fixed schedule will prevent any oversights down the road. Changing them, at the very least, once a year should be sufficient.

When doing your spot checking, check the batteries for any leaking or corrosion. This could potentially damage the inside of the locking mechanism and cause you to purchase a whole new lockset.

Properly maintaining your commercial doors is truly a breeze as long as you don’t let them go for too long without a second look. If you find that you’ve got a problem a little bit too serious for you to handle alone, call a professional locksmith. We can help perform repairs or replace your commercial door parts – get a quote today!

Keeping employees safe and company assets protected are prime concerns for any business owner. In today’s world, threats come from all directions and while some of us may be busy focusing on cyber threats, we could be missing those walking right through our front doors.

Staying apprised of the available commercial locks will help assure you and your staff that everyone is as safe as they can possibly be from unwanted intruders. So, which type of commercial lock is best for your business?

Commercial Strike Locks

Electric strike locks are locking systems which require visitors to be “buzzed” in. Generally, you’d need to install a doorbell or an intercom system for the person to announce themselves, but this type of locking mechanism is perfect for organizations working with sensitive or confidential information (like a law firm or doctors office) or for companies that house high value items inside their building (think on premise data centers … or daycares!).

There are two types of strike locks with the most popular being a fail secure system, which stays locked even in the case of a power outage.

Keyless Entry

A keyless entry lock requires a passcode to access the interior of the building. The beauty of this system is not only its simplicity but also the amount of control you have over who has access to your building and when.

Most keyless entry locks are programmable, allowing you to set time restrictions in which your building may be accessed. Another perk? They’re able to keep track of who accessed the door and when by logging times and employee access codes at the time of use. Having this type of information allows you to track who is coming and going and goes a long way in preventing employee theft.

Magnetic Locks

This is the type of lock you see on doors without functional door knobs or levers. Picture an interior glass door with nothing more than a handle to push or pull it open. Generally installed at the top of the doorframe will be a magnet with its compatible partner attached to the actual door.

Electromagnetic locks, like strike locks, come in a fail secure system design wherein the door will remain locked if the power goes out. This locking method is usually accompanied by a release system to disengage the magnetic charge allowing people in and should have a release button inside the door in case the sensor, which tells the door someone’s coming (just like the automatic doors at the grocery store have), is on the fritz.

Restricted Key Systems

“Restricted” key system couldn’t be a better name for this type of lock. Basically, it limits the places your key may be copied to an authorized locksmith and must be signed off on by an approved individual. These high security key systems offer the added peace of mind that your keys may not be copied at your local hardware store.

The keys you get with a restricted key system are more durable than typical keys and will normally be replaced at the manufacturers expense should they become damaged. If, however, you find that a key is lost or stolen, the only way to secure your building is to have the place rekeyed.

Door Closers

This should be a standard for any commercial building. A door closer guarantees that any door that is open will be closed whether the individual who walked through it participates in the process or not! A good door closer will not only shut any door automatically but will also insure the door is properly latched and locked. You can invest in all of the locking systems you want but they won’t do you much good if you leave your doors wide open.

Master Key System

Implementing a master key system allows you do designate who has access to what in and outside of your building. Master key locking systems are designed to open with both 1) specific keys, allowing you to control access to various areas, and also with 2) a “skeleton”, or master, key which unlocks all doors in the ecosystem.

The benefits of this type of locking system are vast. It allows you to keep record of who exactly has been given access to specific doors, you can cut down on the number of keys on your keyring, and duplicating a master key is regulated as they are patent protected.

Of course, no system is foolproof which is why we always recommend taking extra precautions like a safe when there are sensitive items inside your business or home. But, choosing the proper commercial locking system will absolutely be a step in the right direction toward safe-guarding your property.

Implementing a master key system in a commercial building is like creating a puzzle using keys and only you have the secret key.

Master key systems also happen to be one of the most popular keying strategies for commercial locks in Boston.

What is a Master Key System?

Master key systems are like hierarchy systems where you can carefully plan out which keys will access different parts of your building. By using a master key system, building administrators are able to dole out keys to employees and guarantee limited access for certain individuals. Master key systems are a great way to ensure security to areas of your building which only the building management has approved.

For instance, you may have one set of keys for your office manager which opens utility closets and all of the conference rooms—but not the CFO’s office. Alternatively, you’d provide a key to your CFO opening their office, the back room holding all of your financial documents and the business safe, but restrict access to the electrical room.

Of course, the business or building owner would receive a master key which would open all doors within the building. Additional master keys can be made if multiple people require unrestricted access to the entire property.

Benefits of Commercial Master Key Systems

The benefits of a commercial master key system are far reaching.

Security

First and foremost, it provides you additional control and peace of mind knowing that only authorized personnel may access pre-approved areas which can help prevent employee theft or unauthorized use of the building. 

Flexibility

Also, it’s simple to organize and provides flexibility in designing the workflow of your office.

Ease of Use

Master key systems also offer security without needing to create a separate key for every door in the place, which can be cumbersome and confusing. No one likes to jingle when they walk—limiting the number of keys helps streamline your keying system and frees up your pockets for better things.

Boston Commercial Locksmith

If you have a commercial property that needs locksmith services in the Boston area, Kenny’s Lock offers a wide range of commercial keying services.

Schedule an appointment with a trusted locksmith for an experience that will make you feel good about securing your business’s assets.