The technology of reading heads used in access control systems has undergone many developments in recent years: biometrics, facial recognition, QR Code, Bluetooth and wireless communication. Wireless access control has emerged, among other things, to address the problem of costly, time-consuming and effort-consuming installations.
The wireless access control is composed of mechatronic locks and handles, combining mechanics and electronics easy to install, connect and control.
The wireless access control market
Studies conducted in 2016 by Transparency Market Research, showed that 6% of access systems are 100% wireless and 31% of systems are a mix between wireless and wired. In 2018, the number of people using fully wireless systems increased to 8%. Although the increase is still marginal, the growth is steady and the potential equipment rate is very high.
From the 2021 IPSEC GLOBAL report on wireless access controls sponsored by ASSA ABLOY, we learn that the majority of companies that do not use these technologies are companies with less than 250 employees. For further information, please consult this report by clicking here
The benefits of a wireless access control system
Increasingly recognised by companies, the advantages of this type of system are :
- Less costly and less cumbersome to install
- Radio communication that replaces the mechanical use of a key
- Real-time communication (ONLINE version) that allows information to be sent immediately to the access control system.
It is suitable for all types of public buildings (hospitals, universities, administrations…) or private buildings (tertiary, industrial, banks, hotels…). Wireless access control can be placed on room doors, office doors or sensitive areas, but also for emergency exits, lifts or automatic doors.
What are the types of wireless access control?
In many cases, wireless locks or handles are used for more private spaces within a perimeter where access is already protected by a real time wired system.
Wireless locks have two operating modes:
Offline mode (time delay) :
In offline mode, the lock is not connected to the system, it is said to be autonomous. The badge carries the user’s rights and ensures communication with the lock. The badge holder must update his rights by passing over a re-evaluating reader connected to the security supervision software. When this action is taken, the access and alarm history is brought back into the system and the rights are updated.
Online mode (real time) :
The lock is directly linked to the access control software, which allows “real time” operation. For the badge holder or system manager, there is no difference from a wired reader. The lock works like a wired reader head and any passage over it is automatically recorded in the access history.
In addition, with the online mode, there are two functions available:
- A time plan
- A desktop mode (toggle)
For more information, click here to see our product sheet
Our advice
Security experts always recommend an installation connected to the network in ONLINE mode (real time) because it allows a better reactivity in case of an incident.
The ALWIN security monitoring solution incorporates the latest generation of read heads, including wireless and OSS technology. This allows the customer to select the access control equipment of their choice and to mix technologies according to the level of security required by their site, while having a single, scalable security monitoring system.
