Commercial Access Control That Works With Your Entire Security Environment

A commercial access control system works with electronic locks to determine who can enter a building or restricted area and when that access is permitted.

When a person presents an approved mobile credential, card, fob, or PIN, the system evaluates that user's permissions. If the person is authorized to use that entry at that time, the system releases the lock.

The system also creates an activity record showing which credential was presented, at which entry, and when the event occurred.

A complete business access control system includes hardware, software, credentials, electronic locking devices, power, and network connectivity.

Access control hardware may include:

• Credential readers
• Keypads
• Door controllers
• Electronic locks
• Door-position sensors
• Request-to-exit devices
• Power supplies and backup power
• Network equipment

Access control software allows administrators to add and remove users, issue credentials, assign permissions, create schedules, review events, and manage locations.

Credentials may include mobile credentials, cards, fobs, PINs, or temporary visitor credentials.

Traditional keys provide access whenever someone possesses the key. They cannot automatically restrict access by time, identify who used the door, or create a searchable record of entry activity.

Keys can also be lost, stolen, or duplicated. When a key is not returned, the organization may need to rekey one or more doors and distribute replacements.

With access control, an administrator can deactivate a lost credential or remove a former employee's access without replacing the lock. Permissions can also be limited according to the person, role, location, door, or time of day.

Common benefits include:

• Adding or removing access without rekeying doors
• Limiting access according to role, location, or schedule
• Maintaining records of who accessed a door and when
• Managing multiple entrances through one system
• Automatically securing doors according to defined schedules
• Reducing dependence on physical keys
• Supporting employee onboarding and offboarding
• Connecting access events with security camera footage
• Managing multiple facilities more consistently
• Integrating access with identity and visitor platforms

The value generally increases as an organization adds more employees, contractors, departments, entrances, restricted areas, and locations.

Yes. Access permissions can be assigned according to a person's role, department, schedule, location, or responsibilities.

For example:

• Office employees may access common areas but not production spaces.
• Warehouse personnel may access loading areas during assigned shifts.
• IT staff may access server and network rooms.
• Managers may receive approved after-hours access.
• Contractors may receive temporary access to specific entrances.
• Visitors may receive access only to approved areas.

This allows businesses to avoid giving every user the same level of access.

Yes. Administrators can create schedules that determine when a user or group is permitted to use a particular entrance.

A credential may be configured to work:

• During an assigned shift
• On specific days
• During standard business hours
• At one facility but not another
• For a temporary project
• Until a defined expiration date
• During approved after-hours periods

An administrator can revoke the credential through the access control software.

Once deactivated, that mobile credential, card, fob, or PIN will no longer provide access according to its former permissions.

This eliminates the need to rekey every affected door simply because an employee leaves or one credential is lost.

Cloud-based access control allows authorized administrators to manage users, credentials, doors, schedules, locations, events, and permissions through an internet-connected platform.

Cloud-based access control can support:

• Remote administration
• Centralized multi-site management
• User and credential management
• Real-time alerts and event visibility
• Automatic software updates
• Granular administrator permissions
• Mobile system access
• Identity-platform integrations
• Visitor-management workflows
• Occupancy and activity reporting

Physical readers, controllers, electronic locks, sensors, and other door hardware remain installed at the facility.

Yes. Supported integrations can connect physical access with existing identity and employee-management workflows.

Depending on the integration, organizations may be able to:

• Synchronize employee records
• Map groups to access permissions
• Support onboarding and offboarding
• Use single sign-on
• Reduce duplicate data entry
• Automatically update access when roles change

SCW can help connect Avigilon Alta with platforms including Microsoft Entra ID, Google Workspace, Okta, OneLogin, and Workday.

An access control camera system connects door or credential events with corresponding security video.

When someone presents a credential, the integrated system can help determine:

• Who was physically at the door
• Whether the credential was used by the assigned person
• Whether someone followed the user inside
• What happened immediately before or after entry
• Whether a door was forced or held open
• Whether the event requires further investigation

Connecting access control with cameras gives security teams more context than relying only on an access log.

Yes. Commercial access control systems can be designed for:

• Vehicle gates
• Parking garages
• Elevators
• Turnstiles
• Loading areas
• Server rooms
• Equipment rooms
• Restricted storage areas
• Tenant spaces
• Production areas
• High-security entrances

The required hardware, control logic, integrations, and safety considerations vary by application.

Potentially.

SCW can evaluate existing:

• Readers
• Controllers and panels
• Electronic locking hardware
• Door sensors
• Request-to-exit devices
• Power supplies
• Credentials
• Cabling
• Network infrastructure
• Security cameras

Whether a component should remain depends on its compatibility, condition, support status, security, and ability to provide the required functionality.

The goal is to modernize the system without replacing more than necessary.

No. Organizations of different sizes can benefit from access control, particularly when they manage employees, contractors, restricted areas, or multiple entrances.

The business case becomes stronger when an organization has:

• Frequent employee turnover
• Multiple departments or user groups
• Several controlled entrances
• Valuable inventory or equipment
• Sensitive records or data
• Multiple shifts
• Contractor access
• Visitor-management requirements
• More than one location
• Compliance or auditing responsibilities

Commercial access control should be designed and installed around the requirements of each door, gate, elevator, or controlled opening.

Those requirements may include:

• Door and frame construction
• Lock type
• Emergency egress
• Fire-alarm behavior
• Accessibility
• Available power
• Network connectivity
• Request-to-exit operation
• Door-position monitoring
• Local electrical and building requirements

Professional commercial access control installation helps reduce compatibility, safety, inspection, and long-term support problems.