Product Highlight: Cloud-based Access Control

An access control system is one of the 3 types of security systems your business should have in place. The standard definition of an access control system is the selective restriction of access to a place or other resource. So basically, it is the means of controlling who enters a location and when. This could range from company employees to the neighborhood postal worker. In time we have replaced clunky on-premise access control systems with cloud-based controllers, creating an entirely new way to improve access security. One of those innovative companies is our partner ProDataKey. PDK's system allows you to unlock any door with your phone, and manage users, locks, and schedules all from a single app – no keycard or servers required.

Seems like a cool enough concept. On the surface, it may seem like a system you COULD get, but not one you HAVE to get. But with wizard-like hackers lurking in the virtual shadows, ready to pounce, it's a dangerous time for unsecured security. Add that to the merging of cyber and physical security, and confusion is understandable. You probably know you need some kind of security, but your own control issues keep you from trusting cloud-based solutions with your physical access control programs. In reality, being able to physically see and "control" the servers running your access control programs creates a false sense of security.

Or maybe you aren’t sure how to explain why the cloud is a better place for you to put your trust.

To help make your decisions easier and more informed, here are 9 reasons why you should go all-in on cloud-based access control for a solution that is Simple. Convenient. Secure.

Simple.

Automatic backup and updates

• • • • • No need to wait/schedule a locksmith or endure expensive labor costs when using minimal cost cards 

No Servers

• • • • • No physical server upgrades or maintenance since there are no servers

Convenient.

Mobile Control

• • • • • Manage users, access, credentials anywhere you have an internet connection, anytime, and on any
          smart device - Visibility of activity anywhere

Secure.

Control who has access to spaces

• • • • • Ability to add, remove, change access to different areas, spaces, buildings on a device, vs. keeping
          track of who has what key, reclaiming keys after use or termination

Lost keys vs lost cards

• • • • • If you lose a card, you just remove the card access from the software - Instantly secure upon deactivation of lost card - while
          if a physical key gets lost, you would have to rekey all the locks that key is used for
          
          
        • No need to wait/schedule a locksmith or endure expensive labor costs when using minimal cost cards 

Face Recognition

• • • • • With PDK.io a picture of each person who holds credentials can be added so you know what the face that belongs
          to the names as they request access to different spaces

Schedule Access

• • • • • Access control schedules can be created so different people can only access areas at set times or days
          unlike with physical keys whoever holds the key has access anytime
          
          
        • Ability to have doors unlock/lock automatically with programmable schedules

Integrations

• • • • • Can be physically integrated with alarms, fire alarms, exit buttons, video intercoms, smart home systems, ADA door openers,
          and many other things to create value, ease, and automatic operations of building systems.
          
          
        • Integrate with Video Management Systems (VMS) like Rhombus Systems to have greater visibility and security at access-controlled doors.
          
          
        • Manage user data and access groups through Azure Active Directory (Microsoft's enterprise cloud-based identity and access management)
          
          
        • Integrates with visitor management system Savance

Encryption

• • • • • PDK.io data is encrypted to and from PDK cloud-based servers
          
          
        • With PDK.io no opening ports or holes in network firewalls to access remotely
          
          

Talk to us about how we can find you a solution that is Simple. Convenient. Secure.

If you still have questions about cloud-based access control systems, you can contact us at learnmore@greatservice.com or fill out our contact us form.