Assa Abloy's Wireless Locks Integrate with Siveillance Access from Siemens

“Interoperability across management functions is critical to making buildings smarter and to powering the next generation of building automation,” says Richard Sharp, Product Unit Director Wireless Door Locks at Assa Abloy Opening Solutions EMEIA. “This powerful integration helps to give security managers more granular control over doors and building usage.”

Wireless, battery powered locks, connected to a building management solution, make it simpler and more cost-effective to extend access control further into a building. This increases the overall security of the premises. Movement around the site can be monitored and measured to extract insights about building use, while reducing breaches and thefts. Filtering access deeper into a building - far beyond the perimeter or entrance door - provides an opportunity to harness this valuable business data.

Deeper access control also enables more flexible use of space: Access may be varied depending on the time of day or week, for example, making “touchless office” policies easier to implement. In the case of one-off events, open access can be extended widely then quickly returned to secure status.

Smarter, wire-free door security
A company’s choice of access control technology can significantly impact costs. According to recent Assa Abloy benchmarking analysis, choosing wireless rather than wired door locking, for example, brings a large reduction in energy use: more than 70 percent, or thousands of euros over a typical security installation’s life-cycle.

Installing locks which do not need wiring around the door is also faster, less disruptive and more cost-efficient than wired door security. These cost savings present a strong business case for investing in wireless access solutions.

Integration collaboration with Siemens supports a growing number of devices from the Aperio battery-powered lock range, including the escutcheon E100, cylinder C100 and server rack KS100. Each integrates seamlessly with the SiPass access control system, giving security teams control over almost any interior or exterior door - including wooden and glass doors, as well as fire doors - from a single, familiar interface.

Aperio locks are compatible with all major RFID technologies, as well as mobile access via NFC and Bluetooth. All communications between lock, credential and system are encrypted.

Extending access control at a university site
An integrated system is already deployed at Hamburg’s HafenCity University HCU, where Aperio wireless locks extend intelligent access control from Siemens. Around 500 battery powered Aperio cylinders are connected to and controlled by the Siemens system. Aperio locks have built-in RFID readers, so it was cost-effective to add access control to many more doors than would be feasible with traditional security.

HCU’s new building accommodates around 2,400 students plus 460 staff. It incorporates flexible-use spaces including a media centre and library, seminar rooms, laboratories, and offices. To enhance security, the validity period for any credential can be adjusted for different use authorizations, and a card’s access rights tailored to every individual.

The flexibility of Aperio means HCU’s facility managers now have greater control. They can respond to organizational changes in real time, only needing to administer one unified system. And they no longer have to deal with the daily workload of physical key management.

The university campus is a more intelligent, responsive environment for those who work and study there.