Tips for Determining Requirements for Selecting the Optimal Access Entry System for Condominium Communities

Security is a concern for any residential facility, but especially for communities where there are many people coming and going. Condominium communities need to protect residents and enforce rules, and an access entry system is one of the best ways to achieve these goals.

In addition, residents want to know that management is taking their safety seriously and doing their part to keep the community safe.

What do you need to consider when selecting an access entry system? Here are our top tips for determining requirements for selecting the optimal access entry system for your condominium community.

Determine If You Want an On-Premises or Hosted Model

An access entry system can be installed and maintained on-site at your location or be a hosted—also called cloud-based—model. Determining which one is best for your community will depend on your budget, goals, and resources.

Both systems require management and maintenance, but with a cloud-based system, you can have a provider handle any updates or maintenance for you, typically for an affordable fee. Subscription-based models are scalable, reliable, and often provide a better tenant experience [1].

An on-site system can make more sense if you’re willing to make a larger investment up-front, but the installation costs and ongoing maintenance can be cumbersome for communities with limited on-site personnel or resources.

Outline Features That Matter for Your Community

The access entry system you choose will impact your residents and community, so it’s essential to outline the features that matter for them and you.

For example, do you want a touch-free access control system to reduce the spread of germs? Or, maybe you need a system you can integrate with your surveillance cameras to track the entry and exit of people and vehicles based on date and time stamps.

Access entry systems can include Bluetooth, physical keys, a keypad, or even license plate recognition technology for parking garages and gated areas. These systems can also be used to manage amenities and keep community areas safe, so consider that you may need your access entry system to work for multiple locations [2].

Consider Additional System Capabilities Like Video Analytics

Access control can be incorporated with your surveillance system and video analytics to create a comprehensive approach to your condominium community security.

Consider if you need to combine your entry system with a gate or video intercom system or video analytics such as license plate recognition technology. These considerations will influence what type of technologies you choose and your requirements for your system.

Other system capabilities include remote operation and real-time notifications of suspicious activity at entry points. You’ll also need to consider what management system you’ll use to keep track of keys, update credentials, and make necessary security updates [3].

Make Your Access Control Work for You

Access entry systems should work seamlessly for your condominium community. Make your access control work for you with the right solutions. Surveillance Secure can help you outline your requirements for such a system and provide ongoing maintenance and support with our hosted solutions. Contact us today to schedule a consultation at (877) 388-1248.

Sources:

1. https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/90900-access-control-explained-the-birth-of-the-smart-apartment
2. https://foundation.caionline.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/bpsecurity.pdf
3. https://ipvm.com/reports/designing-an-access-control-system