Access control for small businesses, in plain English.

Why do businesses move beyond keys?

Keys work until someone leaves, loses one, or copies one. Then the only fix is rekeying. Keys also leave no record: you cannot tell who opened a door or when, and you cannot limit a key to business hours. Access control solves all three.

What are the parts of an access control system?

• Credentials: key cards, key fobs, PIN codes, or mobile credentials on a phone. Each one belongs to a person and can be switched off in seconds.
• Readers and keypads: mounted at the door, they read the credential and send it to the controller.
• Controller and software: decides who gets in, where, and when, and keeps the access log. It can be managed on site or from the cloud.
• Locking hardware: the part that actually releases the door, usually an electric strike, a magnetic lock, or an electrified lockset or exit device.
• Supporting devices: door position switches, request-to-exit sensors, and video intercoms so staff can see and admit visitors remotely.

Electric strike or magnetic lock?

An electric strike replaces the strike plate in the frame and works with the door's existing lockset. The door still latches mechanically, and the lock handle still works from inside. It suits most wood and metal doors.

A magnetic lock (maglock) holds the door shut with an electromagnet. It is strong and works well on glass doors and gates, but it must release reliably for people leaving, so it needs request-to-exit devices and must be installed to meet life-safety and fire codes.

What do fail-safe and fail-secure mean?

They describe what a lock does when it loses power. Fail-safe hardware unlocks, which matters for doors on an exit path. Fail-secure hardware stays locked, which suits a server room or stockroom. The choice is made door by door. On every door, people inside must always be able to get out without a key or special knowledge.

What should you decide before getting a quote?

• Which doors, and which one matters most right now.
• How many people need access, and whether some should be limited by time or area.
• Whether you want to manage it from a phone or computer, and who will do it.
• What should happen in a power outage or fire alarm.
• How it will work with your existing locks and master key system. A mechanical key override is still important.

Can you start with one door?

Yes. Many businesses start with the front entrance or a server room, then add doors as they grow. The key is choosing hardware and a controller that can expand, so the first door does not need to be redone later. A walkthrough is the best way to plan it: a locksmith can check the doors, frames, and existing hardware before recommending anything.