Access Control

Top 5 Upgrades To Safely Reopen

Thank you for shopping local - from Harry's Locksmith

1) Increase Touchless Entries

A worthwhile investment into the future is preventing the spread of diseases, the flu, and other illnesses. While COVID-19 may not be around forever, the CDC estimates that millions of people are burden by the flu each year. That can mean lost revenue and wages for a business. By increasing or retrofitting existing doorways to touchless entries, you can help curb the spread.

Hand Wave Keyless Entry and other Touchless Solutions from Harry's Locksmith

2) Upgrade to Antimicrobial Hardware

Germ sleeves
In areas where touch hardware is still needed, upgrading to antimicrobial hardware can be a great alternative. Businesses have a range of options from Antimicrobial Ionic Silver Coatings, Copper-Based Alloy Handles, Germ Selves, to Microban® Hardware. Harry’s Locksmith has access to different styles, functions, and finishes that fit your building use and design.

3) Incorporate ADA Compliance

ada inspections
This is a great time to examine all entrances, hallways, and exits to make sure they work for everyone. While being wheelchair accessible is one consideration, there many more factors and disabilities to consider. Let a trusted team like Harry’s Locksmith guide you through all the options.

Contact Harry’s Locksmith for ADA Compliance Inspections & Other Consultations

Keep It Clean Final Version LinkedIn ad

4) Install Smart Door Closers

Low-Energy Automatic Operators help increase safety and accessibility. Closers increase security for your doors. Both allow for code compliance over propping a door open manually, which may have other added risks.

tormax auto

5) Consider Mobile Access Control

Proxy cards on a large scale can require a lot of upkeep for situations where there is theft, card expiration, or general replacements from being misplaced. Mobile access on the other hand, can be granted or revoked remotely. Many companies now also let you set up Mobile Access Controls with your Smartwatch.

Mobile Access Control Keyless Entry and other Touchless Solutions from Harry's Locksmith

Share & Save This Article’s Infographic On Social Media!

Harrys Locksmith Safe Reopening Upgrades Infographic 1

Alternate Entry Solutions for Businesses

Alternate Entry Solutions for Businesses

Here are Alternate Entry Solutions for Businesses

Alternate Entry Solutions

In the real estate industry, the adage is location, location, location.

But no matter where a business is located, there’s another thing that matters in creating a successful atmosphere: curb appeal. If the entrance isn’t friendly, if it doesn’t invite people in, the business probably won’t be in business for very long. And if it isn’t user-friendly, and provide your employees and customers with the right technology, you could be losing sales.

A front door has a lot of job requirements. It must be tough enough to withstand rain, wind, cold, and the hottest summer sun. It must stand strong against an intruder looking for an easy way through. And it must create a good first impression, inviting people in.

That’s a pretty tall order for a front door. If you’ve never thought much about your entry system, maybe it’s time you did.

Wood or wood veneer can warp, crack, or break. Metal won’t last forever either as it can discolor over time and peel away. Glass has its own unique problems; it can break and allow people to see in.

Of course, those aren’t the only considerations. How a door opens is just as important as how it looks.

With all of those considerations to take in, what’s a business owner to do?

Accessibility

Doors open. Doors close. But there’s a lot more to it than that when it comes to designing entrances for different kinds of businesses. Depending on what products or services you offer, alternate entry solutions can strengthen the process.

Standard doors come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you’re looking for elegance and select an exotic wood, or want something simple and choose a standard glass door, ease of use is mandatory.

Do you have locks in place that are easy for employees to enter?

Do you have controls in place that make it easy to change the locks as employees are hired or quit?

Do your doors function properly, to open and close easily without a catch?

Do you offer alternative entry solutions for people with disabilities, doors that are ADA compliant?

It’s important to ensure a safe entry for all of your employees and customers with disabilities as they enter and exit your location. You can select low-energy doors that are opened using push plate technology or go with full-energy sophistication, which opens for people as they approach the doorway.

Also pay attention to door openings and width. Most entrances to commercial locations use 36 inch wide doors to ensure accessibility for everyone. If you have older, narrower doors in place, it may be necessary to make adjustments using special hinges.

Pay attention to door hardware as well. Turning knobs, for example, might not be the best choice with disabilities that limit grasping, such as arthritis. This is where multiple opener options come in handy. While it’s important to understand your customer base, it’s equally important to think beyond as well.

Durability

How many times will your doors open and close throughout the day? The more customers and employees you have, the more abuse your doors will take.

It’s not just people that may enter your location. Sometimes you need alternative entry solutions for other resources entering and exiting.

Does your business utilize shopping carts? Do young parents routinely enter your location pushing strollers? Or maybe you cater to a population that frequently uses walkers and wheelchairs?

All of that action can result in bumps and scratches as they try to enter.

Of course, different sized businesses often have more than one entry. Or maybe you use different entry points for different things. Do you routinely get deliveries through stockroom entryways? Or maybe you have employees use one entrance, while customers use another.

The larger your commercial space, the more you can cater to individual needs. Don’t just provide the same entry techniques for everyone. With slight changes, you can make entry a much more appealing process.

In some cases, you may even call attention to different parts of your building. Why not cater to young families by having stroller-friendly entrances? Or offer special entrances for seniors needing a little extra support.

All of that opening, banging, knocking, slamming, crashing, and closing can have an impact. If your doors grow weaker over time, not only can they create an unsightly mess, but they can also increase your risk.

Security

In today’s world, you can’t operate a business without putting security at the top of the list. And the weakest points of every business are the places people can get in.

That means you should install security devices that meet your needs. To do that, ask yourself two questions:

• How high is the risk?
• What are you trying to secure?

A jewelry store requires different methods of security than a daycare. A grocery store has different needs than an art gallery. The best way to install the right security is to understand who needs access.

Maybe you want video surveillance to record movement 24 hours a day. Or maybe high security and restricted key access is a must to ensure only those who need to get in are the ones who can.

From traditional keyed entries to keyless entry pads to sophisticated smart technology, there are entry systems to meet every need. It starts by understanding your options. And keep in mind, it’s not always just the front door that needs control. Sometimes your entry points are inside your building.

Do you have medical equipment in need of protection? Or maybe you have a data room you need to secure? Sometimes an alternative entry solution involves sophisticated tracking, something a knowledgeable locksmith can help you install.

A thorough inspection from one of our technicians can help you hone in on your weakest points and discover the easiest ways to ensure security.

Service

Alternative entry solutions are only as good as how they work. If you rely on too simple of a lock system or don’t maintain your entry points on a regular basis, you’re leaving your doors wide open for potential problems or criminal behavior.

Having a locksmith on your team ensures your doors remain open to your customers every day of the year. From simple lock and key solutions to sophisticated security measures, we have the right technology for your commercial location.

Are you ready to upgrade your entry system?

[maxbutton id="9"]
[maxbutton id="4"]

Any Good Locksmith Will Share The Importance of Access Control

Any Good Locksmith Will Share The Importance of Access Control

Any Good Locksmith Will Share The Importance of Access Control

There are so many reasons why more business owners are turning toward access control for their building needs. It seems like the word keeps spreading that access control is the best way to protect your commercial building from theft, security threats, vandalism, and crime, while also granting security access to large numbers of people — and it’s true!

In fact, a study conducted by Markets and Markets reported that by 2023 the access market will reach $10 billion in the U.S. It’s more than just a trend.

Access control is becoming the norm when it comes to security and if you’re thinking about upgrading your current security system or are starting a new business it might be time to ditch your clunky key set and upgrade to this instead.

When planning your next commercial property, any good locksmith will advise you on the differences between a mechanical lock and access control, but as more businesses are using access, let’s focus on the ways that access control will vastly improve the safety of your business.

First things first, what is access control?

TechTarget best explained access control as “a security technique that regulates who or what can view or use resources in a computing environment. It is a fundamental concept in security that minimizes risk to the business or organization.”

Often access control will use tools such as credential passes, access card readers, control panels, or auditing reports that will track who comes into your facility, even noting what time they enter and exit the building. This is valuable information.

Access control gives employers more control over who is allowed in their space and doors can easily be locked or opened from your access control mainframe. Many businesses who have a large number of employees use access control as a way to grant access to their buildings, and you can even control varying levels of security clearances.

But there are even more reasons why a good locksmith will recommend this dynamic and robust system. Take a look at five key reasons why a good locksmith will show you how access control can be a major asset.

1. Use access control to protect your employees

Unfortunately, we live in a time where security threats are real. Many employers feel a sense of duty toward their employees and want to protect them in times of real danger. An access control panel can automatically lock any or all entrances to a building, preventing intruders from making their way inside.

Don’t allow your staff to be vulnerable in the face of a threat. Keep them safe and use access control, which can be immediately deployed to protect the people who make your business run.

2. Use access control to track the flow of traffic in your building

Every access control system is able to audit the flow of traffic in your commercial building, which is a useful tool if you run a retail business or want to track visitors. Anyone who runs a retail store knows that the number of “converted” customers, or the percentage of people who walk into your store versus the number of people who actually purchase merchandise, is an insightful figure that can help make informed decisions about advertising, buying, and perhaps even sales abilities.

But even if you aren’t selling merchandise, auditing who comes into your building can be valuable information when trying to understand how often your commercial space is used and at what times there is the heaviest and lightest traffic flow.

Remember, when running a large shared space, knowledge can be king. A good locksmith will encourage you to use access control instead of traditional mechanical security, which will not provide you with the same kind of data.

3. Use access control to provide access to a large number of people

Let’s face it, handing out large numbers of keys and then trying to get people to return them in an orderly way is a burdensome task. Keys are bulky, can easily be copied, or even passed around, which is a security risk that no one should take.

Access control credentials, often in the form of key passes or key fobs, are relatively inexpensive, lightweight, and when you wish to discontinue access to a particular key fob you can easily shut the power off from your main access control panel. Similarly, access can easily be granted in a matter of minutes, which is excellent news for growing companies or companies where employees number into the hundreds.

4. Use access control to manage your energy bills and environmental impact

One of the best things your access control can do is monitor how often different parts of your building are being used and electronically work with your building management system to turn off lights or other energy-wasting utilities like heating or air conditioning. Reduce your waste and lower your bills by using your access control effectively.

5. Use access control to allow custom access for your employees

A unique feature of access control is that you can customize security access for a large number of people with the touch of a button. If you have employees who are at different levels of expertise, an access control system can grant varying levels of security clearance.

You can also minimize the risk of exposure to your employees by granting access based on your employees’ schedules. This is a beneficial feature to staff who might be in your building after normal working hours, like cleaning and janitorial staff. Your access control mainframe can take into account whatever specific needs your business has and a good locksmith will understand this innately.

If you’re still not sure if access control is for you, give us a call. We have experienced staff who will work with you to answer your questions and we specialize in many different types of commercial services including access control. We guarantee that our customers will leave happy.