The Access Solution

The Access Solution

Why multi-campus facilities are investing in centralized access control

Providing security, managing budgets, gaining efficiencies— these are just a few of the many objectives that facility managers have to balance at once. And for organizations with multiple campuses, the challenges can be even more significant. Whether a university system, a commercial organization or a hospital network, multi-campus facilities are looking for ways to improve outcomes at scale. Thanks to technological advances and a growing move to centralized systems, access control is proving to be a valuable solution for achieving the many goals of multi-campus facility stakeholders. However, the path to an centralized access control system is rarely without challenges.

Organizations of all types must be budget-conscious, and with finite funds, access control doesn’t always make it to the top of the list. If there is enough budget for access control, an integrated system is passed over for a stopgap measure to address short-term needs.

This can be particularly problematic for multi-campus facilities where existing infrastructure varies in age, type and quality. On university campuses in a state-wide system, localized decision-making could result in card readers that don’t communicate with other campuses’ ID cards. In addition, aging infrastructure often includes analog video equipment that can’t be merged with a main campus’ digitized system. At each location, there could be thousands of access points and a host of technologies—from mechanical to wireless and everything in between.

Moving to an integrated system can require an upfront investment of time, finances and other resources. But the potential longterm benefits and efficiencies these systems deliver can actually yield an even greater return. For multi-campus organizations contemplating an access control evolution, here are four benefits to consider.

Better resource management. Implementing a multi-campus access control system allows facilities to leverage their size for pricing. Ultimately, a centralized system centralizes spend, providing a holistic picture of the total cost of access control across locations. Managers, buying committees and stakeholders can use this information to evaluate where resources need to be allocated—are there opportunities for infrastructure upgrades? Where can efficiencies be gained, or systems streamlined? A clear picture of spend across locations can drive cost-saving decision-making without sacrificing performance.

Talent is prioritized. With a centralized access control system, the roles and responsibilities of team members can be consolidated, allowing personnel to be re-deployed to other priority projects their talents can serve. For example, with centralized access control that gives cross-campus line of sight, the task of monitoring the function of card readers system-wide can be handled by one team out of one location rather than by separate teams at each campus. This frees up staff to focus on preventive maintenance and other security priorities.

A seamless experience for users and operators alike. Another key benefit is that centralized access control enables facilities to deliver a consistent user experience and address the growing complexities of today’s environments, all without creating additional back-end challenges. More specifically, it provides flexibility to operate multiple technologies with varying system topographies. On the main campus of a university, student housing may require Wi-Fi electronic locks for every residence hall room door. But student housing at a sister campus could select locks that use local wireless communication with a hub that connects to an access control panel. With a centralized system, a university can easily install multiple types of technology— in this case, card readers and electronic locks—that can work with varying power sources and infrastructures without negatively affecting the experience of students and staff accessing the spaces.

Identify opportunities to improve. When multi-campus facilities harmonize access control systems, it allows them to identify patterns at scale and learn from issues across locations. For example, data can show the times users are accessing certain facilities most, which can be used to inform onsite security staffing needs or to adjust the level of access to restricted buildings during peak hours. In the event that a theft occurs on one campus, all campuses across the organization can use insights from the incident to identify and improve potential weaknesses and prevent similar attacks.

Moving to a centralized access control system can seem daunting, but there are several valid reasons to do it. These integrated systems allow facility managers to achieve economies of scale, free up personnel to focus on new priorities and identify opportunities for improvement—all of which drive long-term efficiencies and improved outcomes that make the move a worthwhile investment.

This article originally appeared in the September 2019 issue of Security Today.

Featured

New Products

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.