External access can also be further
controlled at certain times of the day for
specific groups. For example, in a university
scenario, accommodation would need to be
accessed consistently by authorised
residents, whereas learning and research
buildings (particularly laboratories or those
that contain expensive equipment) can be
restricted at night, either totally, or partially
with only those with authorised permissions
being able to gain access.
Furthermore, with a full audit trail
function, these systems can record
movements of users through authorised
areas to allow complete peace of mind for
site managers.
Another benefit of cloud based solutions
is that new features and updates can be
applied and implemented with immediate
effect, rather than waiting for locally
installed software to be updated.Smart phones for smart access
Mobile access via smart phones can now be
incorporated into access control technology
using supported apps. With smart phones
having become a constant within today’s
society, people are much more likely to
have their device on their person at all
times and are less likely to loan it to
somebody else for use – unlike a key card
or fob device – which contributes to a
secure environment.
Smart phones also include additional
security functions such as numerical
passcodes and passwords. The most
recent innovations in mobile phone
technology allows users to choose
biometric verification, such as
fingerprint or facial recognition – further
enhancing security.Virtual specification
Of course, cloud-based technology should
be combined with robust physical
entrance systems to ensure complete and
total security solutions are specified for
external entrances. From sliding doors to
turnstiles, there are a range of solutions
and it can be a difficult undertaking to
specify one that works not only with your
end client’s requirements, but also the
architectural vision for the building.
This is where Virtual Reality (VR)
technology could prove incredibly useful.
The construction industry is aware of
technology such as BIM, in which
specifiers can drag and drop products into
a fully digitised building plan. This allows
any issues to be identified prior to
construction, and minimises the margins
for error once on site.
VR can allow users to fully immerse
themselves in a computer-generated world,
which would include being able to see
products in action in a variety of buildings
and situations, and gain more information
about the products’ inner workings.
This additional access will ensure that
specifiers make better informed decisions
at the specification stage.
With a wide variety of applications
and the unique security requirements
of each one, there can be challenges
when specifying the correct solution.
By considering secure cloud-based
technology and modular construction
advances such as VR, specifiers can ensure
the most robust security method is in
place for their clients.John Hardman is electronic access systems
product marketing manager at dormakabaWith a variety of different
offerings available,
specifiers can find
themselves lost in what
seems like an overly
complex set of solutions,
however recent technology
can ensure clients’ needs
are easily met
56EXTERNAL ENVELOPEWWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK ADF AUGUST 2019