SimpleAccess Smart Access Control. Simplified.

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Simple, Smart, and Efficient Access Control Across 40 Locations

Background

Cornerstone Services, headquartered in Joliet, Illinois, is an organization deeply committed to providing comprehensive services for individuals with disabilities. Their mission revolves around promoting choice, dignity, and the opportunity to live and work within their community. Operating a substantial network of 40 group homes and six administrative buildings, Cornerstone faced a substantial challenge in managing access across their diverse locations, relying on a mix of physical keys and key fobs.

The Challenge

Initially, the need for a comprehensive access control solution arose during a renovation project involving a 25,000-square-foot section of their primary 110,000-square-foot administration building. Impressed by the capabilities of SimpleAccess, Cornerstone decided to broaden the project’s scope to encompass all their locations.

The burden of managing keys and access for their numerous administrative buildings and group homes had grown into a complex and time-consuming task for Cornerstone. They needed a solution that would streamline access control operations across all their sites through a unified and efficient access control software platform.

The Solution

SimpleAccess provided a tailored solution that met the unique needs of Cornerstone. This comprehensive solution included the implementation of smart wireless locks, a forward-thinking alternative that delivered substantial cost savings compared to traditional wired access control solutions. To further enhance security for their administration building, SimpleAccess recommended the installation of SR3 readers, offering enhanced security measures while allowing employees the flexibility to choose between mobile credentials or traditional access cards
and fobs.

Managing the complexity of door and access schedules posed no hurdle for Cornerstone. The SimpleAccess Customer Success team assisted with the upfront software configuration and facilitated the seamless import of over 500 employees and residents, each equipped with their corresponding access rights. This streamlined approach to implementation saved Cornerstone staff valuable time allowing them to stay focused on managing
the overall transition and their regular day-to-day responsibilities.

“The support of the SimpleAccess team has been fantastic in helping ensure our transformative project’s success.”

– Carl DeNardo, Director of Building & Grounds

Key Benefits & Results

  • Centralized Access Management: With SimpleAccess, Cornerstone achieved centralized access control over 40 facilities, eliminating the need to manage and track countless physical keys. This resulted in a drastically reduced administrative workload, saving time and resources.
  • Enhanced Security: The upgraded access control system bolstered security measures across all facilities, including medical storage cabinets, creating a safer and more secure environment for residents and employees.
  • Cost Savings: The adoption of wireless locks provided significant cost savings compared to traditional wired solutions, allowing financial resources to be redirected to other critical needs.
  • Enhanced Staff Convenience: The implementation of SR3 readers gave employees the flexibility to choose their preferred access methods, increasing user convenience and satisfaction.
  • Efficient Door and Access Schedules: SimpleAccess efficiently managed the complexity of door and access schedules, streamlining operations and enhancing security.
  • Time Savings: SimpleAccess’s professional services saved Cornerstone valuable time, ensuring prompt and efficient deployment without disrupting daily operations.

Cornerstone Services exemplifies how embracing technology can lead to substantial improvements in service delivery and operational efficiency. Their partnership with SimpleAccess demonstrates a steadfast commitment to enhancing the lives of their employees and residents within their community through innovative access control solutions.

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Industry:
Non-Profit, Healthcare

Application:
Administrative buildings, group homes and medical cabinets

Challenge:
Physical key management and decentralized systems

Featured Solution:
SimpleAccess with Smart Wireless locks and SR3 Mobile Readers

Key Benefits:

  • Enhanced Security: Enhanced access rights and custom door schedules.
  • Saved Money: Utilizing a hybrid hardware system.
  • Centralized Access Management: Increased operational efficiency.
  • Time Saving: Leveraged SimpleAccess onboarding services.

Convenience and Security: Beyond Barbell Gym’s Access Control upgrade

Background

Beyond Barbell Gym is a local fitness center in Wieser, Idaho. Starting out in 2019 in a small, 1,000 sq foot facility, Beyond Barbell has seen tremendous success requiring them to expand into a 5,000 sq foot facility. With a larger space coupled with providing members 24/7 access, their access control system plays an integral role in facility security and membership management.

The Situation

Beyond Barbell Gym was facing a recurring challenge with their access control system. Unauthorized individuals were gaining access to the gym through shared fobs, disrupting the security of the facility and impacting their bottom line. Seeking a solution to enhance security and streamline membership management, Kevin, the gym owner, reached out to SimpleAccess.

The Solution

SimpleAccess stepped in with a tailored solution to address Beyond Barbell Gym’s specific needs. By recommending the SR3 reader, Beyond Barbell could now offer its members the convenience of mobile credentials, eliminating the need for fobs. In addition to the SR3 reader, SimpleAccess proposed to replace their control panel to upgrade their access system to a cloud-based solution, enabling the ability to remotely manage membership access.

“Switching to mobile credentials has been great. I’m not worried about whether that unfamiliar face in the gym is a member or not.”

– Kevin Bravo, Owner, Beyond the Barbell

Key Benefits & Results

  • Enhanced Security: The shift from shared fobs to individual mobile credentials significantly reduced the risk of unauthorized access. Members were less likely to share their personal phones, ensuring only legitimate members could enter the gym.
  • Savings on Installation: By leveraging existing cable runs and door hardware, the gym achieved substantial cost savings in hardware and installation costs.
  • Membership Flexibility: With SimpleAccess software, Beyond Barbell Gym could easily offer temporary promotional memberships to drive new business. The system’s automatic expiration of temporary passes relieved them from manually managing and collecting pricey access fobs and cards.
  • Budget Friendly Model: SimpleAccess introduced an affordable annual subscription model, allowing the gym to provide unlimited mobile credentials at a fixed cost. This eliminated the need for expensive proximity fobs.

Beyond Barbell Gym experienced a significant transformation in both security and membership management. Unauthorized access incidents were eliminated, creating a safer and more exclusive environment for legitimate members. The implementation of SimpleAccess’s hardware and software solutions streamlined operations, reduced administrative burden, and enhanced the overall member experience.

Through this successful collaboration, Beyond Barbell Gym and SimpleAccess showcased the value of embracing advanced access control solutions to meet the evolving needs of fitness facilities.

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Industry:
Sports & Recreation

Application:
Exterior entrance doors for members

Challenge:
Members sharing access fobs with unauthorized, non-members

Featured Solution:
SimpleAccess with SR3 Mobile Credential Reader

Key Benefits:

  • Enhanced Security: Significantly reduced unauthorized access.
  • Saved Money: Used existing cable and hardware to save on installation.
  • Membership Flexibility: Remote management of temporary passes.
  • Overhead Reduction: Unlimited credentials at a fixed cost.

How Wireless Lock Solutions Are Transforming Access Control

In an ever-evolving landscape of technology, businesses are finding smarter and more efficient ways to address their security needs. Enter wireless locks, the solution that’s redefining access control for small to medium sized businesses. At SimpleAccess, we’re at the forefront of this technology shift, empowering small to medium-sized businesses to streamline their facility security. 

Wireless Lock Solutions: Beyond the Traditional 

Gone are the days of cumbersome key management and the anxiety of lost keys. With wireless lock solutions, businesses are bidding farewell to traditional lock-and-key systems. SimpleAccess offers a range of wireless locks and readers that eliminate the need for physical keys, replacing them with cards or fobs that can be easily managed and monitored through our cloud-based access control software. 

Effortless Installation, Maximum Flexibility 

One of the standout advantages of wireless lock solutions is their hassle-free installation. Unlike wired systems that require intricate cabling and significant downtime, wireless locks can be seamlessly integrated into your existing infrastructure. This translates to quicker implementation and minimal disruption to your operations. 

Additionally, wireless locks offer unparalleled flexibility. They can be installed on various entry points and interior doors, granting you the ability to customize access permissions for different user groups. This level of granular control not only enhances security but also provides an efficient way to manage who can access specific areas within your facility. 

Anywhere, Anytime Access Management 

SimpleAccess takes wireless lock solutions a step further by empowering you with remote access management. Our cloud-based software lets you oversee your entire access control system from anywhere in the world. Whether you’re on-site or off-site, you can grant or revoke access, monitor entry logs, and make real-time adjustments, all through a user-friendly interface. 

Cost-Effective Security Enhancement 

Investing in wireless lock solutions is not just a leap towards modernity; it’s also a smart financial decision. Say goodbye to the expenses associated with traditional key systems and the hassles of re-keying. With SimpleAccess, you’ll experience cost savings in the long run, especially when you factor in reduced maintenance and the convenience of card and fob management. 

In a world where convenience and security are paramount, wireless lock solutions have emerged as a beacon of change. At SimpleAccess, we’re dedicated to simplifying your access control needs, offering you state-of-the-art technology that empowers your business to secure its premises efficiently and intelligently. Join the transformation today and experience the seamless security transformation that wireless locks bring to the table. 

Not all Wireless Locks are Created Equal

When it comes to securing your facility, the choice of wireless locks plays a pivotal role in determining the level of security, convenience, and efficiency you can achieve. It’s important to recognize that not all wireless locks are created equal, and understanding the differences can be the key to making an informed decision.

Learn how SimpleAccess can design, install and manage a cost-effective smart access control system that maximizes convenience, simplicity and security.

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Nexkey Replacement Alternatives

Replacing Your Nexkey System – Affordable Alternatives

Ask our solutions experts about our special program and pricing for Nexkey customers!

Startup Nexkey Is Shutting Down Service

Startup access control provider, Nexkey, announced in early August 2022 it is shutting down.  A security integrator, ASG Security, agreed to pay to keep the Nexkey cloud software live to end of year (31-Dec-2022)

  • ASG has contacted Nexkey customers and informed them they do not believe the system will function properly due to backend system degradation and loss of functionality, and urging customers to replace their system as do not have any access to correct it.
  • SimpleAccess has received customer comments about “outrageous amounts” being charged to setup a new system.

How SimpleAccess is Different

  • Works with the leading commercial lock and access control brands
    • HID Global, Schlage, Mercury, Yale, Assa Abloy, Allegion, and more
  • Part of a profitable, $600+MM company
    • Industry-leader in business for over 30 years (not a startup)
  • SimpleAccess Solution is ideally suited to replace Nexkey systems
      • Flexible system, mobile phone, wired and wireless solutions
      • Affordable, lower upfront costs

Nexkey Announcement on Shutting Down

Dear valued customer,

Today I have to deliver some sad news: Nexkey is shutting down and your service is scheduled to end on August 31st 2022.

Thank you so much for your support over the past years that we’ve been offering our access control service to you.

This was not a decision that we have made lightly but we have run out of options.

Since the beginning of the year we have worked to secure another round of funding or to sell the company to, or partner with, potential strategic parties that could continue providing our services to you. Unfortunately, due to the economic downturn and current market conditions outside our control, we weren’t able to complete any such transaction after extensive efforts.

Please note that our cloud-based service should be able to be operated without any interaction from our team through the end of August, we had to let our team go so we will not be able to intervene if any of the specific services to run our infrastructure has an issue.

Accordingly, there can be no assurance that our service will continue uninterrupted and you are urged to transition to another access control system as soon as practicable.

We’re incredibly sorry for the inconvenience this is causing and say thank you again for the chance we had to support you and your business.

– Nexkey, Inc.

Special Pricing for Nexkey Customers

We understand how frustrating the Nexkey shutdown has been and our solution experts are ready to assist.

SimpleAccess Smart Access Control. Simplified | Affordable building access & keyless entry systems

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SimpleAccess is a better way to secure and access doors & entrances.

We offer affordable business access control solutions that save time and money while enhancing your convenience, security, and facility image.

And, we take the hassle out of managing the details.

Experience the SimpleAccess Difference

We’d be happy to try to help or talk through your business’s needs – a conversation could save up to 50% over traditional access solutions.

Our Solutions

Save Money

Smart technology designs are up to 50% less.

Enhance Convenience

Access your way with mobile, access cards, fobs, or pin codes.

Add Peace of Mind

Access event notifications, auto-lock, door lock schedules, and more.

Industry Leader & Partner

From an Industry Leader

Provider of Access & ID solutions to over 100,000 customers

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Affordably Updating WiFi Locks for Remote Management

Background

Von Steuben Metropolitan High School is a public 4-year magnet high school with almost 2,000 students and staff and is a part of the Chicago Public Schools district. Three entrance doors close to staff and student parking lots are secured with an electronic access control system that plays an important role in securing and tracking users. The system is administered by the chief facility engineer and other staff in the district.

The Situation

Von Steuben Metropolitan High School uses access key fobs to control access to its high traffic entrance doors. The existing access system was starting to fail, one by one, until all three presented issues. The existing system required decentralized programming at each door — taking up to 20 hours each week to maintain the antiquated system. With each staff change, a new fob had to be scanned, programmed on the system software’s dedicated PC, uploaded onto a mobile device, and then manually loaded to each door access reader by physically visiting the reader and downloading the new permissions via a cable from the mobile device. To replace the system, the legacy system provider was quoting a 4-month lead time at a significant expense per door.

The Solution

Von Steuben High School reached out to SimpleAccess who quickly quoted a system with 700 Series wireless locks to replace the failing entrance door access system. The affordability of the system allowed the school to also add an additional managed access door to the system. The entire SimpleAccess system was installed a couple weeks later — with all four doors being delivered at a cost less than the legacy provider’s quote for just one door.

SimpleAccess coordinated the project with the school’s facility engineer from start to finish — helping choose the right system, and the right hardware options, manage the installation, configure the system, and onboard staff to its easy-to-use cloud-based software. This end-to-end service allowed Von Steuben staff to stay focused on their day-to-day duties.

Today, the system provides the flexibility to use access fobs and cards, pin codes, and/or keys. Users and schedules are easily added or changed in the SimpleAccess software from any web-enabled PC or mobile device. The software’s central management point allows user roles and schedules to easily be added or removed to each access point via the school’s wireless network.

“I’m very impressed with the SimpleAccess system. It makes my job so much easier.”

--- Michael Ramos, Chief Engineer, Von Steuben High School (Chicago Public Schools)

“SimpleAccess has been great to work with, and the new system is a lot easier!”

--- Michael Ramos, Chief Engineer, Von Steuben High School (Chicago Public Schools)

“I completely endorse SimpleAccess! It has definitely made my job a lot easier!”

--- Michael Ramos, Chief Engineer, Von Steuben High School (Chicago Public Schools)

Results

The new SimpleAccess solution is being enjoyed by its many stakeholders. The users receive the convenience of a reliable system and new staff onboard quickly with facility access. The facility engineers have saved many hours with its simple administration. Weekly reporting provides monitoring and reassurance around facility access events.

In a recent incident, the school received peace of mind from SimpleAccess’s real-time event tracking and reporting. A staff’s lost fob was quickly deactivated and with access event history it was easy to verify it had not been used. All this real-time information was at the administrator’s fingertips when the concern happened.

Future Usage
The experience with the new SimpleAccess system has been shared and recommended to the district’s central resources. Additional use cases are being explored that would save time and money by providing easier access to temporary onsite service personnel, shortening response time to access to the facility in an emergency versus the current backup plan of central district key vault tens of miles away, and adding additional facilities that can be easily managed remotely under one central interface.

The new SimpleAccess system has provided a new and better access solution that saves users, staff, and facility engineers time and money. The system is flexible to meet future needs and is easily expandable. Moreover, SimpleAccess has contributed to making Von Steuben High School a more secure school while making the staff more productive.

Download Case Study
Access Control for Education K-12

Industry:
K-12 Education

Application:
Exterior Entrance Doors

Challenge:
Replace an old, failing system quickly and affordably to reduce the
up to 20 hours each week to maintain

Featured Solution:
SimpleAccess with wireless locks

Key Benefits:

  • Saved Time – Improved staff productivity
  • Saved Money – 20% of cost of quote by incumbant
  • Enhanced Security – Adding additional doors
  • Scalable solution for future additions

5 Ways to a Better Keyless Entry System

Today’s technology is quickly changing the landscape around building access control and offering new ways to affordably improve convenience and enhance security with keyless entry.  Whether you want to remove the hassle of keys or update your existing card access system, this webinar can help!

5 Ways to Better Keyless Entry

This webinar video shares how smart access solutions can help you more affordably update your building’s keyless entry system.

Listen to this short 30 minute webinar to discover the following:
·        Five affordable solutions for upgrading your building’s door access system
·        How to manage building access remotely and with mobile devices
·        End user shares a recent installation using smart keyless technology

Want to Learn More?

We’d love to hear your needs and provide a free analysis or quote.

Save Money with Smart Technologies

  • Smart designs: Up to 75% less than traditional designs.
  • More value: Spend less on software, wiring, & labor.

Save Time with a Hassle-Free Process

  • Start-to-Finish Service: We manage the details for you.
  • Keep it simple: One contact, one relationship.
  • Ongoing support:  After go-live support to ensure success.

Add Convenience & Peace of Mind

  • Access your way: With mobile, access cards, fobs, or pin codes.
  • Access anywhere: Remote access, notifications, and activity logs.
  • Secure more doors: Easily add more doors and access points.

Learn more >

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5 Reasons Why Access Control Matters More Than Ever

The way you do business is changing – and the way you secure your business should change, too. If you’re still on the fence about upgrading your small- or medium-sized (SMB) business’s door access control system, read on to discover why now is the time to revamp your approach to physical security.

Defining building access control

Simply put, building access control is the system behind how and when employees and visitors can enter your business. These can span the continuum of low-tech offerings to high-tech systems for the most secure spaces. Compared to traditional locks and keys or a standalone smart lock, an access control system is more robust and secure way to manage access for multiple users with unique permission settings, remotely monitor and manage access, see analytics, and scale easily as your needs or budgets grow.

When it comes to locks and hardware to protect your assets there are five main categories.

Traditional locks and flat keys sit at one end of that continuum. This system is familiar — but also problematic for several reasons:

  • Physical keys are cumbersome and obsolete
  • Administrating traditional keys and locks is time-consuming and inefficient
  • Keys don’t provide a record of who accessed your business and when

Access cards and fobs can provide a record of who entered a space and when. They are physical devices that can be lost or stolen, but one clear advantage of access cards and fobs is that access can be revoked without physically returning the card or fob.

Pin codes fall squarely in the category of “things you know.” These are short codes entered in a keypad at the door. With today’s smart access control and keyless entry systems, individual codes are easily customized per user, can be issued and revoked to guests with time limitations, and easily managed with remote, cloud-based access software.

Mobile phone credentials offer the user convenience of not having to keep track of a key or access card, and the administrator the convenience of remotely granting and revoking access privileges. And since they’re tied to an individual’s smartphone, they’re not as easily shared (or forgotten) as a key, fob or access card.

Why now is the time to upgrade your access control system

Now that it’s clear what an access control system is, here are five reasons why you small business needs a physical access control system now more than ever.

1. Employees expect flexibility.

Over the past few years, flexible and hybrid work environments have transitioned from being a rarity to a necessity — and now an expectation. Support the kind of convenience your employees want and need with a smart door access control system that lets you customize access, remotely, and from your smartphone. Giving your employees the flexibility to access your building with changing needs and schedules, through a key card, fob, or even their mobile phone.

2. Your legacy access control system is aging.

According to a study by HID Global, 52% of organizations surveyed are relying on card readers that are three to six years old, while 39.2% are using software that’s three to six years old. Don’t put your employees, sensitive information and business assets at risk by relying on aging systems and door locks.

3. Employees are departing at record rates during “The Great Resignation.”

Employees are leaving their jobs at record numbers, according to the  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. All those resignations and terminations mean more administration work for you to ensure departing employees have access to your business revoked in a timely manner. Higher turnover also likely means more frequent onboarding of new employees remotely, bringing a second wave of admin work to provide new access credentials. A smart keyless entry system gives you options and convenience with not only the hardware but also with remote management and notifications.

4. Save time on access control administration when you’re already spread thin.

If you’re like most SMB leaders, you’re already working more than 50 hours a week. And a big chunk of that time — 20+ hours — is going to ancillary and non-revenue-generating tasks that aren’t related to your core business. A smart access control system eliminates the administrative work around managing keys. You can quickly and easily manage your employees’ role-based access from a simple smartphone app from anywhere, freeing up more time to focus on the things that matter most for your business.

5. A smart access control partner makes it easy to upgrade.

You juggle a lot of different roles as an SMB leader — and no one can be an expert in all things. An access control partner like SimpleAccess can design and support a smart access control system that fits your needs, including coordinating installation and training new staff. You can step up to the simplicity, seamlessness and security of smart, mobile access control – and never again be forced to moonlight as a locksmith or IT professional.

Ready to get started with upgrades to your physical security infrastructure?

Learn how Simple Access can design, install and manage a cost-effective smart access control system that maximizes convenience, simplicity and security.

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7 Things to Consider When Selecting an Access Control System

Congratulations! You’ve made the savvy decision to upgrade how you secure your small- or medium-sized business (SMB) with a smart access control system.

Between the increased security risks that businesses face and employee demand for greater flexibility, this situation is a no-brainer. Traditional locks and physical keys just don’t allow for the security, simplicity and tracking that your business needs.

But not all “smart” access control systems give you the full benefits that you want. Here are seven common mistakes that SMB leaders make when making infrastructure upgrades to their physical security and building access systems.

Accounting for all entrances and secure spaces

The first step is to determine the scope of the access control solution you need. This seemingly straightforward step is where many SMB leaders can take a wrong turn on their road to upgrading their physical security system. Here are a few key questions to ask:

  • How many entrances does your business have?
  • Are you accounting for secondary and emergency exits?
  • Do private offices, like those of your HR director or CEO, need to be locked, or will confidential material be secured in another way?
  • Are there any internal spaces, like server rooms or storage spaces, that call for an additional layer of security?

The truth is that many busy SMB leaders simply don’t have time to do a careful security audit of their entire facility and business. If you don’t want to be forced to moonlight as a locksmith and a security consultant or to be influenced by the bias of the local provider’s limited offering and short-term support, here’s some good news: Providers like SimpleAccess can handle the planning and access control system installation for you, delivering deep security expertise to build a solution that fits your needs — and will be there to support your needs every step of the way.

Consulting with all relevant stakeholders for your smart access control upgrades

Everyone who enters your business will interface with your door access control system in some way, so selecting your new system shouldn’t occur in a vacuum. Exactly who you need to consult can depend on the nature of your business – but your IT and/or security teams need to be at the top of the list. Unfortunately, one study found that only 1 in 3 (37.7%) of responding organizations have their security and IT teams collaborate to establish security best practices.

If your SMB doesn’t have a security or IT team, lean on a partner like SimpleAccess that can help develop the right solution for you. You want partners that give you the ability to connect multiple brands, devices, and systems together under one easy-to-use system that don’t require IT expertise and include ongoing support.

Bringing other stakeholders in early is also important for ironing out problems and concerns to get buy-in before you install a whole new system.

Individualized and role-based access control

Once you’ve determined your physical needs for a smart access control system, the next step is to consider who needs access, to what, and when. This is called role-based access, and it sets parameters for access around job titles. Building out role-based policies – instead of just granting access on a one-by-one, ad hoc basis – makes administration of the system faster and simpler going forward.

Individualized access can be customized to enable the flexibility that employees demand. For instance, your IT director may need access to your business on Saturday evenings to update servers during non-peak hours, while your sales manager might need access in the early morning hours for calls to other time zones. You can also update access permissions remotely and on the fly – all with a few taps and swipes on your smartphone.

Varying visitor access needs

First off, you must define who your business’s visitors are. Obvious categories include a client coming in for a meeting or a job candidate for an interview. But don’t overlook other types of visitors such as consultants, contractors, janitorial staff and maintenance workers.

Once you’ve defined who your visitors are, you must also determine what spaces they need access to – and for how long. Best-in-class solutions like SimpleAccess give your visitors and your administrator(s) the ability to manage all of these situations from the palm of your hand with an easy mobile app – reducing the time and paperwork required to get visitors in the door.

Auditing and reporting door access

Your considerations around an access control system shouldn’t stop when an employee enters your business. In the event of a breach or theft, you’d obviously go straight to your access logs to see who was in the building. Plus, a detailed and reliable real-time access log isn’t just for retroactive investigations. It can provide time and attendance verification, contact tracing and more.

Staff onboarding for access control software

How will staff be onboarded – both initially when the system is installed, and on an ongoing basis as new employees are hired? A study by HID Global found that learning a new system was one of the chief objections to implementing a new access control system. It’s also where the simplicity and security benefits can be lost in a hurry. If employees struggle to use the system, administration becomes a headache. And if their frustration bubbles over into workarounds, you could put your business at risk. Developing a comprehensive plan for training current and future staff on how to use the system will limit your administrative burden and risk going forward.

Implementation and installation of smart locks and Bluetooth access readers

Many SMB leaders select an access control system based on price point alone, only to end up bearing the much-harder-to-measure costs of an essentially DIY access control installation process and cumbersome administration.

In fact, with many access control system providers, it’s your responsibility to determine if they have the tech and hardware you need – smart locks and Bluetooth access readers – or to hire a contractor to install the new locks and card readers. Dumping that burden on you defeats one of the main purposes of switching to smart access control: You want to focus on your core business – not be a locksmith and security consultant. That’s why leading providers like SimpleAccess provide an end-to-end access control management services that minimizes your burden. We work with you to understand your needs. Then, we design and install the solution – tech and hardware – that’s right for you; and we provide ongoing support including onboarding current and future employees. That saves you time and money – and allows you to focus on the core business tasks that you excel at.

Now that you’re up to speed on the most commonly overlooked elements of selecting and installing an access control system, you’re well on your way to protecting your employees, visitors and business assets. Learn how Simple Access can design, install and manage a cost-effective smart access control system that maximizes convenience, simplicity and security.

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Why Your Business Needs an Access Control System

Small- and medium-sized business (SMB) leaders have a lot on their plate — now more than ever. Your time is pulled in a million different directions, with 20 of the 50+ hours the typical SMB leader works every week getting eaten up by peripheral, non-revenue generating tasks like administration and HR. It might seem like improving physical access and security falls into the “I’ve got more important things to worry about” bucket — but don’t wait until a facility access issue or security event takes place to take action. The reality is that smarter access control is a simple way to make a positive impact on your business.

Subpar physical security can put SMBs at risk

Protection is the first thing you think of with physical access. Unfortunately, physical security is more important than ever for SMBs. The risks are coming from both inside and outside the business. A 2021 study by the National Retail Foundation cited that 53% of business owners have seen the risk of internal theft rise in the past five years, while a report by The New York Times stated that 69% of retail stores have seen an increase in theft in the past year[1]. Whether it’s theft, property damage, or even the risk of having inside information (IP) stolen, the impacts of subpar physical security can have disastrous consequences for a business.

Think beyond keys with smart door access control

Here’s a simple question: What is a door access control system? It’s more than just a traditional lock and key; it’s a system that controls who has access to your business and when – protecting your assets and employees. But traditional locks and keys are problematic for several reasons: They’re obsolete and cumbersome; they don’t provide an access log of who accessed your space and when; and the administration of physical keys is a hassle.

By contrast, smart door access control systems give users the credentials they need to access your space right on their smartphones – making them simple to administer, seamless for employees, and secure for your business.

Door access control systems span the continuum of security and flexibility. They include:

  • Traditional deadbolts and keys
  • Pin codes (either generic master codes or individualized codes)
  • Fobs, cards and access readers (e.g., barcodes, magnetic strips, proximity cards and smart cards)
  • Biometrics
  • Mobile door access

Keyless Entry System control is about more than security

Using a keyless entry system is an easy way to improve security – but this simple change also drives serious benefits across your business. Read on to learn the biggest benefits your business stands to gain by switching to a smart, cloud-based access control system.

Enable flexible work arrangements with smart access control systems

Over the past few years, hybrid and flexible work arrangements transitioned from the exception to the expectation. Employees are coming and going outside of the traditional 9-5. Smart access control systems make it easy to enable flexible work arrangements, without creating new administrative burdens, hassles for employees or business risks.

Employee authorization can be role-based and customized for individual needs. For instance, your IT director may need access to the server room, but you don’t want to extend that privilege to every employee. Or perhaps you need to grant temporary access to a contractor who will be working on-site for a week. Access parameters can be updated on the fly and remotely with a remote access control approach to physical security. No swapping keys or re-keying locks.

Provide a seamless experience for visitors with access control software

We’ve all been there: You visit an office and are asked to scrawl your name and contact info on a clipboard. Not only does this method offer an antiquated first impression, but also it is a problematic method for auditing and emergency management.

According to one study, only 25% of organizations know how many people are in their facilities at any given time[1]. An additional 28% of organizations employ an old-fashioned sign-in roster to record visitor access. More concerning is the fact that 32% of organizations don’t have any method for tracking visitors on-site. In other words, they don’t have a way to limit visitor access to essential spaces, or to ensure that their presence was accurately recorded should an audit be required

A smart access control system solves all these shortcomings. Guests can receive a pin code or credential in advance and allowing them access without you being required to be present. Paper sign-in sheets are replaced by automatic real-time registration of all employees and visitors entering and existing a facility. And you can add additional levels of security tracking access to specific areas within your business.

Grant door access on demand for contractors and delivery personnel

The after-hours call – either on a weekend or while you’re traveling – that requires facility access can create logistical headaches. How do you grant delivery personnel, service providers or other contractors access to your business when you’re not physically there? A remote door access control system simplifies logistics for these and other occasional visitors, enabling you to grant on-demand access remotely from a mobile app – anytime, anywhere. This is more secure than a key in a lock box – which can easily be shared or copied – and access can be granted or revoked at any time with a few swipes and taps on your smartphone.

Not all keyless entry systems are created equal

It’s not hard to see the business case for moving from physical keys to a smart access control system. It adds convenience for your employees, saves you time and money normally wasted managing keys and rekeying locks, and significantly enhances the security around your business. But it’s important to know that not all “smart access control” and “smart lock” technologies deliver these full benefits. Fortunately, state-of-the-art mobile access control systems are now more practical and accessible than ever for businesses of all sizes. And SimpleAccess makes it incredibly easy to take this simple-yet-important step up for your business.

Learn how SimpleAccess can design, install and manage a cost-effective smart access control system that maximizes convenience, simplicity and security.

Learn How

3 Reasons to Replace Traditional Locks with an Access Control System

Historically, physical keys were the only way to gain access to your home, your car, and your business. But that’s quickly changing. More and more people use a keyless entry system in their cars and in their homes. And more and more businesses are shifting away from keys – and towards the convenience and simplicity of digital identity verification and physical access control.

According to research by HID Global, more than half of businesses had already implemented at least one form of more secure credentialing. That number has only increased as the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way businesses operate.

The business world is evolving. The way you access your small or medium-sized (SMB) business should, too. Read on for three reasons why physical keys are insufficient for securing your business.

#1: Physical keys are obsolete

Modern flat keys were designed by Linus Yale, Jr. in 1861 – and they haven’t changed much since then. It doesn’t take an expert to pick a keyed lock. And it only takes five minutes (and less than a dollar) to make a copy (or ten) of a physical key. Is that the kind of technology that you want to rely on to secure your business?

Physical keys are also cumbersome to manage. Employees forget or lose keys – and it can seriously disrupt productivity. Moreover, whether you’re granting building access to employees, visitors or contractors, juggling a pile of keys doesn’t necessarily project a modern image for your business.

By contrast, smart access control turns your mobile phone into a simple, secure and seamless “digital key.” This makes smart door locks much harder to pick; makes it much less likely that employees will forget or lose their “key” (their mobile phone!); and gives your business a future-forward image.

#2: Administration for physical keys is time consuming and inefficient

With millions leaving their jobs in the ‘The Great Resignation’, employee turnover is high and will continue to be a cost to your business — both in time and hard costs. Physical keys just add another tedious and costly task. Revoking access means either physically collecting keys or rekeying the corresponding door locks, which can cost upwards of $100-250 per lock.

Don’t lie awake at night stressing about whether your business assets are secure. With keys, it can be easy for an employee to forget to lock up at the close of business. With a smart access control system, you can ensure your building is open or locked at the appropriate times without having to rely on busy employees to take on that responsibility.

A smart door access control system gives you administration in the palm of your hand. Grant new employees access privileges, or revoke privileges for departing employees – all with a few taps and swipes – whether onsite or remote.

#3: Keys don’t provide a record of door access events

Physical keys don’t provide any way of tracking who entered your business and when. Mitigating that lack of record-keeping with a security camera facing the entrance isn’t a perfect solution, either. If a breach or other issue does occur, you’re stuck manually reviewing footage – eating up precious time during the critical response window. With a smart access control system you have a time-stamped record of building access events.

The changes brought about by the pandemic add another important reason for monitoring and documenting physical access records. Hybrid and flexible work policies have employees coming and going outside of the traditional 9-to-5. And concerns around proper distancing and contact tracing make it more important than ever to have a record of who accesses your business or who was present during a time period.

Moving to smart access control and keyless entry door locks makes monitoring and documentation of access events and personnel present automatic and easy. You can see exactly who has entered your facility – and when. And you have those records automatically saved for audit purposes.

Not all keyless entry systems are created equal

It’s not hard to see the business case for moving from physical keys to a smart access control system. It adds convenience for your employees, saves you time and money normally wasted managing keys and rekeying locks, and significantly enhances the security around your business. But it’s important to know that not all “smart access control” and “smart lock” technologies deliver these full benefits. Fortunately, state-of-the-art mobile access control systems are now more practical and accessible than ever for businesses of all sizes. And SimpleAccess makes it incredibly easy to take this simple-yet-important step up for your business.

Learn how SimpleAccess can design, install and manage a cost-effective smart access control system that maximizes convenience, simplicity and security.

Learn How

Opening the Door to Smart Access Control

Why More Businesses Are Ditching Keys and Making the Move to Simple, Secure Smart Access Control Systems

Small and Medium Businesses Adopting Smart Technologies

As business leaders look for more ways to be efficient, smart technologies are providing a solution. A recent survey found that 64% of small- to medium-size businesses are increasing technology investments, doubling from two years prior.1 Businesses are not only using technology to move faster, but they’re also looking to simplify. As a result, they are looking to unload non-strategic elements of business operations to focus attention and energy on their core business.

Access Control is Prime Target for Upgrading

Access control is an overlooked area that can produce significant time savings and improve productivity. Access control plays an essential role in employee productivity, safety, and protecting business assets. However, as a non-strategic element, it’s not where most businesses want to spend their time and energy.

This guide will explore how SMB leaders can understand:

  • How to use technology to save time and keep focus.
  • How keys are dragging down their business.
  • Why smart access control is critical for small businesses today.
  • The challenges of upgrading traditional access control systems.
  • How new technology and services make it easier than ever for small businesses to upgrade to a smart access control system.

Small Business Leaders are Stretched Thin

It’s no secret that small business owners and managers put in long hours, wearing multiple hats and juggling endless responsibilities. A Business Pulse survey found that most small business owners work more than 50 hours a week. Around 1 in 5 small business owners top 60 hours a week, and more than 80% say they routinely work weekends and nights. Perhaps most importantly, a survey by Inc. Magazine estimated that small business owners spend more than 20 hours every week on non-revenue-generating responsibilities.

Technologies Easing the Workload — and Driving Growth

Savvy small business owners increasingly turn to cloud-based technologies and service providers to help them offload business operations. In fact, around 85% of small businesses are now using software as a service (SaaS) technologies. The potential of these cost-effective and scalable technologies goes well beyond better productivity. Deloitte estimates that small businesses that fully utilize technologies can double their revenue per employee and generate four times more annual revenue growth. But that same report notes that 80% of small businesses in the U.S. “are not taking full advantage of digital tools.” One quick-win strategy for leveraging technology: upgrading to a smart access control solution.

The problem with keys

What’s wrong with keys and traditional access control today?

Inconvenient, Poor User Experience

Keys are one more thing for employees as well as business leaders to remember and are often forgotten or lost. The use of keys also portrays an outdated or non-modern image to customers or prospective employees.

Time-Consuming, Inefficient Administration

Key-based access control shoulders small business leaders with the hassle of copying, distributing, tracking, and collecting keys. Along with the responsibility to change locks or rekey doors (at a steep cost of $100-$250 per lock). This key management steals time from focusing on core business growth.

Limited Control & Security

Keys are analog: There’s no digital trail of who’s coming and going, whether it’s employees or guests. And an unlocked door is just that: unlocked. There’s no easy way to control or shut off access once a door is unlocked or when an unauthorized person has a key.

Why Smart Access Control is critical for business today

Protecting the Business

Security and IT professionals identified physical security breaches and insider threats as two of the most impactful threats to their organizations. In fact, employees cause 90% of significant theft losses — and the cost of employee theft is rising 15% annually. 7 Moreover, the “great resignation” and the current challenging labor market only amplify the risk of managing employee access and theft.

Ensuring Safe Workplaces

Evolving requirements around visitor tracking, limiting capacity and contact tracing are complex logistical nightmares for small business leaders. Smart access control provides real-time monitoring of who is coming and going and how many people are currently in the workspace with remote access rights management, notifications, and even temporary pin codes.

Enabling Workfore Flexibility & Retention

The way employees work in businesses, big and small, is shifting. Many small companies continue to embrace hybrid and flexible work models, letting employees work when they work best. This approach has helped capture productivity benefits and is a powerful strategy for recruitment and retention. Smart access control solutions provide remote management flexibility for quick and easy changes to work schedules and access privileges, while enhancing convenience of access methods from access cards, fobs, and mobile devices.

Challenges of Upgrading traditional Access Control Systems

While the benefits of upgrading an access control system are easily identified, there are several challenges with the traditional upgrade approach:

Time and Effort Required

The traditional approach requires months of time and draws your focus away from the business. You are responsible for defining access control needs, selecting the proper hardware, managing installation and training staff. All that time and effort could be spent growing your business.

Frustrating Process

The conventional upgrade process puts the burden on the business owner. Selecting solution hardware and software providers, finding an installer, and then only to watch them point fingers at each other. And after they are gone, you are left in charge of support, future upgrades and repairs.

Inflexible and High Upfront Costs

Business leaders say cost is one of the biggest obstacles to upgrading physical access control solutions. Yet, ignoring the potential risk and far greater cost of a security breach. One of the biggest drivers of cost is that traditional systems are not flexible or scalable to grow with your business needs.

New Technology and Services Make it Easier Than Ever to
Upgrade Smart Access Control Systems

There is an easier, better way to get smart access control — simplified. SimpleAccess offers a service and solution that manages everything from design to implementation and provides ongoing support. So you can stay focused on your business.

Industry Leader & Partner
Building Your Trusted Solution

The SimpleAccess team of experts works with you to design a system that best meets your needs and budget. They help you select from the wide array of hardware, technologies, and leading brands, curating the best options for you.

Affordable Smart Technologies

SimpleAccess technologies have lower upfront costs to fit within your budget. The SimpleAccess system is designed to scale and grow with your business needs, allowing you to start the upgrade process today and easily add more later.

End-to-End Service

The SimpleAccess team of experts manages all the details from design, installation and configuration to onboarding and training. So, you can stay focused on your business and you save time and money when upgrading to the best smart access control system for your needs.

Cloud-Based Security + Control

The SimpleAccess platform gives you complete control of your doors and locks anytime, anywhere — with no IT resources required. Receive notifications and remotely manage user security access, lock or unlock doors and monitor who’s accessing your business in near-real time.

Smart Access Control. Simplified.

You are busy, and your time should be spent on growing your business — not managing tedious tasks and key management. Upgrading your access control is one of the easiest ways to enhance your work environment, improve security and get more time back. While access control systems have existed for years, SimpleAccess simplifies the process of upgrading by providing a comprehensive service and support model that solves the traditional installation and upfront cost challenges with a unique one-stop, start-to-finish service. As a result, more and more small- and medium-sized businesses are leveraging SimpleAccess to get everything they want — and nothing they don’t. They’re stepping up to the security and administration of access control, giving their employees and customers a seamless experience — and giving themselves more time to focus on growing their businesses.

Skip the Hassle with SimpleAccess

Traditional Projects: You Do All The Work

The traditional upgrade path is cumbersome. Hardware selection, finding an installer you trust, and maintaining your system all fall on you.

Long, uncertain, and you own nearly all of it

Skip the Hassle with SimpleAccess

The SimpleAccess Advantage

With SimpleAccess, our experts manage design, implementation and support — so you stay focused on your business.

Our hassle-free process from start to finish.

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Eliminating the Hassle of Keys

Background

WorkAway Offices is a small, growing company for coworking spaces based in Ottawa, Ontario. In this relatively new segment, WorkAway already has multiple offices and is adding additional facilities in the months ahead. With a small staff of 10-15 people, its access control system is at the forefront of its day-to-day operations and interactions with its customers and members.

The Situation

WorkAway Offices converted an existing, outdated office building into a modern coworking office space. WorkAway considered updating the access control system during the remodel, ultimately finding it cost-prohibitive. As a result, managing the keys for nearly 50 separate offices within the building required a separate locking storage cabinet — and a key to get to the keys. WorkAway staff were regularly experiencing the hassle of issuing keys to members at onboarding — and collecting keys at the end of their stay.

The Solution

WorkAway Offices installed the SimpleAccess system with wireless locks on internal office doors. SimpleAccess coordinated the project for WorkAway from start to finish — helping choose the right lock options, coordinate the installation, configure the system, and onboard staff to its easy-to-use software. This end-to-end service allowed WorkAway staff to stay focused on helping customers and not be distracted by the project. The new solution provided WorkAway a better way to quickly issue a pin code to members for office access, replacing the burden of keys.

“Using SimpleAccess has helped our staff’s productivity by removing the hassle of managing keys, while giving us a better onboarding experience with our customers.”

Results

Going keyless for internal offices has been a big boon for WorkAway staff, who were often overwhelmed with tracking keys. The process to onboard a new customer and provide secure office access has been streamlined — saving the staff time and delivering a better member experience.

Adding SimpleAccess helped WorkAway Offices upgrade a part of its access control system in a small, affordable way. As Workaway looks to its exciting future, SimpleAccess offers the fast-growing company a scalable solution to easily add more doors, enhance convenience with mobile and smart technologies, and manage multiple facilities or legacy access systems with one interface.

Download Case Study

Industry:
Coworking Spaces

Application:
Add interior doors to access control system

Challenge:
Find a cost-effective solution to reduce time and hassle of tracking and managing keys

Featured Solution:
SimpleAccess Solution with wireless locks

Key Benefits:

  • Improved staff productivity
  • Enhanced customer onboarding
  • Affordable technology & installation
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