Owning or managing an apartment building comes with unique challenges. One of those is choosing how to manage access for residents, staff, and visitors. There are many options on the market, and it can be overwhelming to sift through them all. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about apartment access control systems, from current market trends to real-world implementation challenges.
What is an Apartment Access Control System Today?
An apartment access control system allows property owners and managers to choose who can enter specific entrances across certain times, days, and roles. They’re customizable to fit your needs, keeping your building, staff, and tenants safe.
Today’s apartment access control system management often falls to property managers, leasing professionals, and IT teams who need a clear intuitive interface, not a complex control panel. Industry trends show that apartment residents want mobile access through apps or Bluetooth. These digital key options make entry easier for residents and their guests, as well as reducing issues with physical key replacement or permission management.
Common Types of Access Control for Apartments
Video Intercom with Door Release
A video intercom station is placed at the primary entrance as a method of access control. To request access, a visitor would press the call button, which then connects to a tenant answering station. The tenant can then use an answering station or mobile app to decide whether to grant access without having to go to the door.
Cloud-Based Access Control
Cloud-based access control removes the need for an on-site server, while keeping the system always updated and data secure and accessible. This allows site administrators to make changes to permissions from anywhere they have connection and doesn’t require technicians to return to site except for hardware maintenance.
On-Premise Access Control
On-premise access control has the same hardware capabilities as cloud-based access control, while being managed in person. It requires a technician to visit the property to make any changes to the system.
Considerations for Choosing an Apartment Door Access Control System
Access control systems require someone to maintain them, whether it’s a property manager or security team. This includes issuing credentials, monitoring access points, and auditing the access trails. It can be a large undertaking with some access control systems, so it’s important to pick one that’s easy to use and maintain.
Aiphone’s AC Nio access control system offers an intuitive, easy to learn solution. It imports data from legacy access control systems without problem, creating effortless system takeovers, as well as painless maintenance, remote management for cloud-based access control, mobile access, and more.
How Will Users Enter?
Choosing how users will enter is another key consideration. There are many options, and it needs to be convenient for day-to-day life.
- Video Intercom with Door Release: From a mobile app or answering station, users can easily grant access to themselves or visitors with the press of a button. This is best for external doors.
- Mobile Apps: Mobile Apps like AC Key allow users to open doors with the press of a button on their phones, or if the feature is enabled, issue temporary passes to their guests.
- Bluetooth Readers: Bluetooth readers like the AC-BT-10K or AC-BT-M connect with the StiD Mobile ID App as another way of granting access using a mobile device.
- PIN Codes and Keypads: Another traditional form of access control. Users enter PIN codes to gain access.
- Proximity Readers, Fobs, and Keycards: One of the most traditional form of access control. Users have keycards or fobs that they tap against proximity readers to gain entry.
Combining these entry methods creates a comprehensive system. For example, guests can use QR codes with expiration dates, residents can use mobile apps, and staff can use key fobs.
Is the Software Dashboard Easy to Use?
The software dashboard needs to be easy to use, no matter who is managing the system. AC Nio has a customizable dashboard, allowing you to prioritize what meets your needs, as well as navigable drop-down menus.
Will it Be Taking Over from a Previous Access Control System?
Replacing a previous access control system doesn’t have to mean ripping everything out and starting again from scratch. AC Nio is compatible with most industry-standard readers, controllers, and credentials, making it easy to transfer system data.
Will it be Managed On-Site, or Online?
Once installation is complete, your access control system will require maintenance. Maintenance can include a variety of things like:
- Adding new users into the system
- Changing access schedules
- Revoking or granting permissions
AC Nio supports both web-based and on-premises maintenance and management, fitting your needs. Granting or revoking permissions can happen instantly or on a schedule from both options. Permissions can also be managed in the AC Nio Admin app, going wherever you go.
How Large is your System, and is it Scalable?
For multi-family buildings property managers often need visibility into what happens, when it happens, and who is involved. That means pulling reports, checking camera footage tied to a door, or tracking failed access attempts and after-hours entry. AC Nio delivers the functionality that property managers need today, while giving them everything they need for tomorrow.
For smaller properties with fewer doors, an intercom can act as a standalone access control system. For anything larger than that, an integrated system with Aiphone’s AC Nio and IX | IXG IP Video Intercom Series is optimal.
How Long will the System Last, and is it Reliable?
For properties starting with an apartment intercom system, reliability and longevity matter just as much as features. Intercoms often serve as the first line of defense for a building, handling daily visitor access and resident communication. Aiphone’s video intercom solutions have the best lifespan and last beyond many other options. Replacement and repair costs are saved by choosing a system that can adapt and scale with quality hardware and flexible management
Will it be Integrating with Other Aspects of the Physical Security System?
Integrating your access control system with your apartment building’s intercom, property management, or wireless lock systems increases your overall security strength and allows for comprehensive monitoring with one solution.
AC Nio can integrate with property management systems, electronic locks, and more to centralize your security, including Aiphone’s IX | IXG IP Video Intercom. These integrations make it easier to monitor your building’s amenity spaces, who’s entering them, and how they can enter. Aiphone partners with top physical security brands to bring you the highest quality integrations, enhancing your safety.
Benefits of a Controlled Access Apartment Living
Increased Property Value
Having an access control system will increase the rental value of your apartments. Tenants want to live in apartments that are both convenient and secure, and having an access control system meets those needs.
Safer Community
AC Nio makes it easy to keep unwanted visitors out of your apartment building. Require key cards, fobs, or mobile app credentials to enter through external doors, or for access to amenity spaces.
Convenient Resident Access
Visitor passes, mobile app entry, and Bluetooth readers increase convenience for tenants letting themselves or their guests into the building. This also helps with granting external maintenance staff access without needing to be present.
AC Key mobile app lets site administrators and tenants issue temporary Visitor Passes over text and email. This allows non-regular visitors, like maintenance staff, access to areas without issuing them physical credentials, eliminating the need to buy new or replace lost fobs. If the access control system is integrated with an IX | IXG Intercom, the IXG Mobile App will be able to function the same as the AC Key app.
Enhanced Operational Efficiency
Without having to worry about constantly maintaining or updating your access control system, you and your staff will have more time to focus on other tasks like touring prospective tenants or upgrading facilities. Even if you are away from your desks, our AC Nio Admin App allows you to make changes to your system from your mobile device.
Choose Who Enters, and When
Using AC Nio, it’s easy to program who has access to your building and specific areas within it. It’s also easy to set hours for each space, and to have those hours change based on the day of the week, or even holidays.
Easily Track Access Logs
AC Nio can be configured to automatically compile data from your access points on a routine schedule: monthly, weekly, or even daily. These logs of who entered where and when can point to peak hours, which doors are being used the most, and which are being used the least. Audit trails can also be very useful in case of incidents, or when reviewing daily operations.
FAQs
Controlled access is a building feature that restricts entry to authorized people, usually through keys, fobs, key cards, PIN codes, or mobile credentials. It’s designed to make sure only residents, staff, and approved visitors can get in.
The cost of apartment access control systems varies based on factors like the building size, number of units and the complexity of the system. Contact our team for a tailored solution that fits your specific needs.
Cloud-based access control systems are often the ideal choice for small apartment buildings. Pairing access control with a video intercom adds an extra layer for visual verification. Contact our team to learn more.
Different user types can have different permissions based on rank or role. For example, employees can have after-hours access to an area while residents don’t. These roles and permissions are easily programmable with AC Nio.
With AC Nio, access can be revoked instantly through cloud management. There’s no waiting for keys to be returned or locks to be changed. Access can also be scheduled to be revoked, which is helpful when leases or contracts end.
AC Nio is very suitable for student housing, providing a modern way for residents to access spaces without having to worry about losing physical keys or rekeying doors.