Access control opportunities for housing companies
Effective access control is not just a security issue—it’s a central part of the modern living experience. Systems expert Mikko Vessman knows different access control solutions like the back of his hand—he has 18 years of industry experience and is soon to complete his master locksmith certification. In this article, Mikko explains what to consider when planning access control for shared spaces and what kinds of solutions are available.
Where to start?
The first step toward smoother management of shared spaces doesn’t require a major investment, as a digital booking calendar works independently and access control doesn’t necessarily need to be linked to it.
“If you want to include access control, the lightest option depending on the system is to add either a time-controlled lock cylinder or a PIN code reader to the door of the reservable space. The solution can be easily expanded later if needed,” advises Mikko.
ABLOYⓇ PULSE is a functional solution for sites where doors already have electric locks and there’s internet connectivity near the door. The iLOQ code reader is particularly suitable for sites where access control is needed for a single door that already has an electric lock. If access control is required for multiple doors, it’s advisable to assess the backbone cabling during the planning phase, as adding it later is quite laborious and expensive. Both ABLOY PULSE and iLOQ systems work alongside mechanical locking systems, regardless of the key system in use.
Cost is naturally one of the most common questions when planning access control. According to Mikko, many are pleasantly surprised by the affordability of the available options.
“If you want an iLOQ time-controlled lock for the door of a reservable space, it’s a matter of a few hundred euros. Of course, the final price always depends on the site and usage needs.”
How does access control work in practice?
“When a resident makes a reservation in the digital booking calendar, the access information is transferred via the cloud to the locking system. Depending on the locking solution, the resident gains access with a key, PIN code, or tag,” Mikko explains.
“One key factor for access control functionality is a good, stable internet connection. If the connection drops, field devices go offline and access rights aren’t transferred to the lock, meaning the resident can’t enter the reserved space.”
What can access control be used for?
Access control enables much more than just opening a single door. It can manage entire routes and chain access from one space to another.
“For example, if the sauna is accessed through the community room, access control ensures that only those with reservations can enter both doors. Other residents can only enter the community room,” Mikko illustrates.
The combination of a booking calendar and locking system can also be used for item management, such as reservation lockers for shared items. Usage is simple: the resident reserves an item via the calendar and receives a code to open the locker.
The advantage of reservation lockers is that items are better secured behind locks. If something goes missing, the housing company’s management can check the system to see who the last user was.
What other ways can shared space usage be improved?
In addition to access control, shared space management is enhanced by connecting relay control of devices to the booking calendar. Relays can control water and electricity, starting and stopping supply according to the reservation schedule.
A popular example is automatic heating and shutdown of the sauna heater based on bookings made in the calendar. Relay control can also be used for controlling the water supply of a hot tub or the electricity and water of a car wash station.
Even washing machines can be controlled with relays. Relay control is worth considering if there have been issues with laundry room use. PIN code readers can be installed on washing machines, allowing residents to start them with their own code, so no one else can turn the machine on. However, this solution increases costs, as it requires both a PIN reader and relay card installation.
If there have been no issues with the laundry room, the most recommended solution in most cases is simply a PIN code reader on the laundry room door.
Interested in different locking solutions? Read our article: Which locking solutions work with the One4all booking system?
This article is an ai-generated translation of the original article in Finnish