Top Commercial Smart Door Lock System Features to Look For
Being a business owner means having your premises safe and secure. Keys and locks are becoming obsolete rapidly, as the majority of companies are transitioning to intelligent door lock systems. These contemporary locks are more secure and easier to control the entrance to your building. However, with this number of choices, how can you decide on which one to use in your business?
What Is a Commercial Smart Door Lock?
A commercial
smart door lock is an electronic security system that replaces traditional keys with electronic access control mechanisms. Metal keys can be replaced with key cards, phone applications, fingerprints, or any special code to open a door. Such systems are designed to support the intensive use associated with business settings.
The smart locks are connected to your network or the internet, allowing you to control and monitor access to your building from anywhere. They have records of entry and exit, and therefore are far more secure than traditional locks.
Must-Have Security Features in Smart Door Locks
Multiple Ways to Unlock
There are also multiple entry methods for people on the best commercial smart locks. This could be provided through key cards, mobile apps, PIN codes, or biometric authentication, such as fingerprints. Multiple options imply that in case one approach fails, individuals can still enter the building.
Back-up regular key access is also maintained in some systems. This helps in case of power failure or technical issues, ensuring the electronic systems can continue to function properly.
Powerful Encryption and Data Protection
All the data that your smart lock system retains must be encrypted with a strong password. This ensures that hackers and other cybercriminals cannot obtain the details concerning anyone who visits your premises.
Find locks that comply with the security provisions of industries. The security features should also update automatically in response to new threats by the system.
Anti-Tampering Technology
Commercial smart locks must be secured against individuals who attempt to break them or access them. Sound systems include sensors that detect when an individual is trying to exit the lock by force or physically bypass the electronics.
These locks should also have backup power sources to ensure they continue operating when the power mains are switched off. There are those models that have built-in batteries, which last for months.
User Management and Access Control
Easy Employee Setup
With your smart lock system, it should be easy to add new employees and cancel the access to persons who no longer work there. The most effective systems enable this process to be completed quickly with the aid of a computer program or a mobile application.
Doing this should have allowed you to assign various levels of access to individual people. For example, ordinary staff members may not have access to certain areas, but managers are free to move about the building at will.
Time-Based Access Rules
It is often essential for businesses to regulate the entry times for people across various regions. An effective smart lock system allows controlling the time during which access to a person's function is granted. They may want employees to access it only during working hours, or cleaners to access it only at night.
Group Management
When you have numerous employees, look for systems that enable you to manage groups with shared access requirements. Rather than assigning a separate user to each person, you can group people, such as a sales team or management, and grant that group access as a unit.
Monitoring and Record Keeping
Detailed Access Logs
The additional positive aspect of smart locks is that they store information about all humans who have used the lock. Your system must record who entered, the time that person entered and exited, as well as the doors used. They may also be equally significant in claims to insurance companies or in legal matters.
Real-Time Alerts
You should be able to have your smart lock system notify you immediately when there are important events. This may involve a person attempting to enter using a defective access card, leaving doors open for extended periods, or experiencing unusual occurrences during non-standard working hours.
Remote Monitoring
This is also extremely important, as a business owner can monitor the security of their building from anywhere. A mobile app or web interface for your smart lock system must allow you to view access logs of the building, as well as the people currently in it.
Technical Requirements for Smart Door Locks
Network Connectivity Choices
Commercial smart locks require a trusted connection to your building systems. Search for locks that are capable of different connections, such as Wi-Fi, Ethernet cables, or cellular.
Other systems operate locally in the network of your building, whilst others interface with cloud-based services. Look at what suits your business and internet configuration best.
Integration with Other Systems
The smart lock system in use should be compatible with other security devices you may also have, such as security cameras, alarm systems, and building management software. It is a comprehensive security solution, not multiple systems that do not interconnect.
Power Management and Battery Life
Electronic devices consume power; hence, smart locks require electricity to operate. Look for systems that offer long battery life or those with the capability of being directly connected to your building's electrical system.
You should have backup power features in the best commercial smart locks to ensure they continue to function, even when power is out. They should also alert you much earlier when batteries are due for replacement.
Weather Protection and Durability
Built for Heavy Use
Businesses are more demanding of machines than households. Your smart lock system must be able to handle hundreds of applications a day without going down. Since they are intended for commercial use, look for locks with a very robust structure.
The dust, moisture, and temperature fluctuations prevalent in business buildings should be avoided in electronic components.
Weather Resistance
If at least one of your smart locks is used on exterior doors, it should have appropriate weatherproofing. Find locks that have ratings indicating that they can withstand rain, snow, heat, and cold.
Maintenance and Overall Cost
Total Cost of Ownership
When you compare smart lock systems, consider not only the price at the beginning of purchasing it. Consider the recurring expenses such as software fees, repairs, and replacement of batteries, and possible upgrades.
Other systems will have monthly charges for cloud services or features. Ensure that you understand all the expenses before deciding.
Installation and Customer Support
Commercial smart lock systems are usually important to install professionally in order to be operated correctly and remain secure. Add this price to your budget and select a vendor who provides you with effective technical support.
Identify those companies that train your workers and have attentive customer care whenever you need some assistance.
Conclusion
Selecting a commercial smart door lock system is a significant decision that will impact your business's safety for years to come. Find the systems delivering the security characteristics you require, ease of management, and scalable environmental needs.
When possible, test a variety of systems and request references from other businesses that use the locks you are considering. The right smart lock system will ensure that your building is more secure, and access control becomes significantly easier for you and your employees.
