Card access is becoming the norm for commercial properties , but has also been used in high-tech labs and research facilities for ages. It represents a safety measure that enables people to enter and leave a building or structure by touching or swiping a card to an electronic reader. The reader interprets the card, then lets the person gain access to the building through an automated door. This type of approach that uses key cards has a number of benefits and advantages, including:
- It provides protection of property and employees
- It allows people temporary access
- It records everything
- It helps reduce utility costs
- It also helps decrease liability
Provides Protection For Property & Employees
Having a key card system in place means that you significantly reduce the risk of crime and theft because no one can enter your business without a card. A particular situation in which this comes in handy is if you have employees that work different hours. This is because no one can come in off the street and start causing trouble in your building, no matter how many of your employees work late into the night or come in at the crack of dawn.
Allows People Temporary Access
Key card access is ideal in situations where you need to grant entry to visitors, clients, or if your business employs contracted or temporary workers. Access can be granted to anyone you want for as long as you want. Key card systems allow you to give access to construction workers for a month or to clients to enter the building for a single day.
Creates Detailed Records
Every swipe of the key card gets recorded, which allows you to have detailed records and keep track of your employee’s history of entry. An added benefit of such systems is that you are able to access both stored and real-time information; for instance, you’re able to determine exactly at which point and when your employee or employees have come and gone.
Helps Reduce Utility Costs
One of the biggest advantages for business owners is that key card systems can be easily integrated into an existing security management system of a building. Examples of how you can benefit from this include programming the card system to control room temperature, shut off lights at certain times or even connecting it to a CCTV camera system for additional security.
Helps Decrease Liability
Your business is at a security risk if you have a traditional lock-and-key entry system and an employee loses their key because virtually anyone can find it then gain access to the building. Similarly, you’ll have no choice but to change locks and have new keys cut if a key becomes stolen or lost. Key card systems have the advantage of you being able to cancel a card that gets lost as soon as it’s reported, which means there’s far less risk of anyone using it to enter the premises.
