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Special Feature: Access Control
Editor: Lennart Alexandrie
Cloud-based access control
the key to effective facilities management from anywhere
Efficiency and convenience are important drivers
across almost every area of economic activity. They
certainly continue to drive global demand for cloud
infrastructure -- growing at an estimated 33% year-
on-year, according to a report by IT analyst house
Canalys.
In this article Joachim Mahlstedt, at Assa Abloy
Opening Solutions, gives his views on cloud-based
access control and Incedo Cloud in particular.
"Access control is no different. Per-
haps a third of security end-users
have already adopted cloud-based
software for access management,"
states Joachim Mahlstedt, Product
Marketing Director EMEIA, refer-
ring to the "Wireless Access Con-
trol 2021" report by Ifsec Global.
"Managers want the power to
manage from anywhere, at any
time. This can be especially impor-
tant in security, where unexpected
issues are usually urgent -- or time-
sensitive, at the very least."
No matter of the organisation's
size, the manage-from-anywhere
ethos powers an increasingly hybrid
work landscape and is a major
benefit of the cloud, according to
Thomas Schulz.
"From wherever they are, a fa-
cilities manager remains in control
of their premises," he says.
Security, agility
and efficiency
As well as complete control from
the cloud, a modern access control
solution should offer a wide range
of digital locks and credentials,
allowing a business to manage
workspaces and workflows with
maximum efficiency. Assa Abloy's
Incedo access control platform was
designed for this purpose, accord-
ing to Joachim Mahlstedt.
"When Incedo is chosen, organ-
isations secure almost any opening
with autonomous electronic locks
or in real time with online devices.
They issue building users with
credentials of their choice. And
they manage everything from one
place, via scalable, intuitive Incedo
software," he comments.
Easy to get started
As one major advantage Joachim
Mahlstedt emphasises how easy it is
to get started with Incedo.
"Businesses choose from a vast
range of hardware. Doors, cabinets,
gates, server racks and almost any
other opening may be locked
with a wireless or wired device."
User friendliness and conveni-
ence are further advantages, accord-
ing to Joachim Mahlstedt.
"Building users gain access via
smartcards, mobile keys stored on
their smartphone, or battery-free
smart keys. Incedo software man-
ages doors and users securely in
the cloud, if required."
Moreover, hardware and soft-
ware installation are easy, with no
complex integrations required.
"The entire ecosystem is modu-
lar, designed for simple adoption
and easy expansion at any time and
in any direction," states Joachim
Mahlstedt and concludes his view
on Incedo.
"Incedo leaves business owners
with more time to focus on their
main task: the business".
The easy way to
take control
Different areas of a building often
have different security require-
ments. Where entrance doors or
critical areas need real-time moni-
toring including alerts, some other
areas might have lower demands for
physical security.
"Here, autonomous hardware
can be installed faster and more
cost-efficiently, with no need for
network cables or wireless hubs,"
comments Joachim Mahlstedt, and
explains further.
"Any Incedo system can include
both wired and wireless locks, all
natively integrated and covering al-
most any application. A vast choice
of door and other hardware, to
secure any type of opening, is avail-
able from a single manufacturer.
Incedo controls everything."
Whatever hardware is in place,
building users can carry almost
any credential. All common RFID
technologies are supported, includ-
ing Iclass and Mifare.
"Users can also unlock with
an Incedo Mobile Key stored on a
smartphone. A shared Seos back-
bone ensures all credential types
may be deployed together in the
same system, which makes gradual
site upgrading easier," says Joachim
Mahlstedt.
All managed in the cloud
Incedo Cloud has the option to
combine online and offline man-
agement. For example, controlling
access to secure areas including
entrances, labs, server rooms in real
time, with online management.
"Adding autonomous offline
devices alongside these enables
the business to control access to
areas that previously have been
uneconomical tp protec due to
location, environment, or cost. It
gives security managers even more
choice and control," adds Joachim
Mahlstedt.
Because Incedo is built for flex-
ibility, switching between online
and offline management is always
seamless, for both end-users and
administrators. The only difference
is how credentials are managed:
online or via updaters.
Bike rental an example
An example of the benefits of
Incedo Cloud remote management
is found at Kolovna Bike Rental in
the Czech Republic.
Kolovna has placed secure bi-
cycle containers at popular cycling
locations all over the country. Ac-
cess to each container is filtered by
electronic locks, so customers can
safely park their own bike or rent
one from the container.
The containers combine
security with easy customer access,
including unlocking via mobile
keys on a smartphone. Kolovna
needed an access control platform
which could multitask without
additional technologies, software,
or staff. Now, with readers, a
controller, and a door module in
every container, Incedo connects
all Kolovna's security software and
hardware within one seamless
system.
"Cloud management keeps
Kolovna staff in control of their
premises from anywhere. They can
work in an office -- at home or
on the road," concludes Joachim
Mahlstedt.
Perhaps a third of security end-users have already adopted cloud-based software
for access management," states Joachim Mahlstedt.
Joachim Mahlstedt, Assa Abloy Opening Solutions
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