Setting demands for digital locks - #2.1 Administration of digital locks

Don't miss previous posts in the series:
#1 Objectives and value creation

‍

The key management and administration of digital locks and mobile keys is a watershed between professional digital locks and consumer locks. The professional digital locks can handle users and locks on a large scale while the consumer locks can more or less only be handled on a limited scale of about 5 locks with 10-20 users.

Let's back the tape! One should not be mistaken that it is precisely the digital lock that is the critical part to demand. The underlying software and platform are just as important.

Are you the owner of a holiday home or a small premises to be rented out, or are you a property owner managing apartments and/or premises on a large scale? How you will use digital locks affects the requirements for access management and administration.

‍

The interface to administer

There are three different main categories of interfaces for administering mobile keys; smartphone app, web portal and/or via integrations. Under the requirements, an important aspect is to know which of the interfaces is best for one's application areas, both now and in the future. 

‍

Smartphone app

Managing mobile keys from the smartphone app that belongs to the digital lock is smooth and easy for the smallest user cases. The app administers between 1-5 different locks and up to 20 users, where they have access and when. 

access management via app is usually associated with consumer and home automation locks, like those you can buy from NetonNet, Elgiganten, Webhallen, Bauhaus and others. As professional digital locks enter the market, it is clear that these are also enriched with the possibility of administration via an app as a complement to, for example, a web portal. 

‍

Web Portal

access management On a larger scale and at a commercial level, a web portal is preferable. By being able to log in to an administrative interface, you have more possibilities to manage users and doors and present data on a larger scale.

Often it is responsible for real estate, offices or other commercial spaces who appreciate using a web portal. 

A Web portal should not be confused with the software of older and traditional access control systems that need to be installed on a computer or local server. A web portal is usually continuously updated with new functionality and is also accessed remotely via a web browser on a computer, smartphone or tablet.

‍

Integrations

With the advent of digital locks and administration via the cloud, additional ways of administering keys have been opened up; integrations mella systems. By connecting different systems such as business, booking, case management or CRM systems with digital locks, mobile keys can be sent out automatically and only be valid, for example, in connection with a booking.

The fact that systems have open APIs (which are also maintained) is very important if you as a claimant are to gain extra leverage using fully or partially automated access management flows. learn more integrations via this link.

‍

Centralized and distributed administration

Smaller installations, such as in the villa or individual office, are often administered by a primary administrator, also known as central administration. Central administration is also common in traditional, fob- and access card-based access control system.

For large-scale installations of digital locks, it is desirable to be able to allocate administration to more people such as commercial tenants, apartment owners and contractors. The reason is partly that you as an owner can reduce your administration costs, but also an increased level of service and customer satisfaction. Distributed administration has been given a boost with the digital locks and administration via the internet. 

The advantage of centralised administration is that the control is held by only one or a few people, but it is also a disadvantage from an efficiency perspective. In order to take advantage of the positive effects of the distributed administration, it is very important that you as a claimant and owner of the system have the opportunity to be able to add restrictions such as;

• What locked spaces administrators can give access to
• Number of users allowed to be invited
• Time constraints
• Possibility to revoke administrative rights

‍

Distribution of access - online or offline?

A common trap is to believe that digital locks need to be connected to the internet in order to administer and distribute mobile keys, which is false. What should be considered when demanding digital locks is that you should be able to administer and distribute mobile keys online. 

It's only when mobile keys are managed and distributed online that digital locks can gain significant leverage. The alternative is "offline" administration and distribution, which is how traditional access control system and solutions work with physical items such as fobs and access cards.

The unlocking itself can be done in other way, for example offline via Bluetooth, which Parakey and most home automation locks use. By using a hybrid solution where administration takes place online and unlock offline, you also get these added value in the bargain:

• Not dependent on the internet to open locked spaces
• Lower investment costs due to reduced necessary infrastructure
• Safer and more robust solution as users must be near the door to unlock. (The myth that Bluetooth is unsafe, which is false, we address during upcoming posts in the series).

‍

Digital locks on a large scale, interface combinations and administration methods

When digital locks are introduced commercially and on a larger scale, it is usually desirable to be able to combine different interfaces and ways of administering mobile keys through both centralized and distributed administration. At present, there are a few suppliers offering this, of which Parakey is one of them. In other cases, there is the need to combine different services, suppliers and even self-development in order to get the same functionality. 

In upcoming posts, I mention examples of how customers of Parakey use combinations of interfaces and ways to administer digital locks on a large scale. The post also summarizes part 2 with a requirement matrix of functionality for different uses.

Keep an eye out for upcoming posts in the series by following Parakey on LinkedIn or Parakey's Blog and Newsletter.

Stay safe! - Jonas, CEO and co-founder of Parakey

‍

On to posts #2.2 Interface combinations and administration methods