Automatic access control finds its way into the residential sector

In the utility and hospitality sector, access control has traditionally been desirable. Where several people need to use a few entrances, there is a desire to have control over who can enter where. The switch from mechanical access control - key systems - to electronic systems was made years ago in those sectors. Digital access control with associated software-based solutions therefore had a soft introduction because no one had to get used to the idea. Thanks to wireless communications and the Internet of Things, the possibilities are more extensive than ever and administrators have more and faster insight into visitors' corridors. However, we are currently seeing a major shift to the residential market. Of course, electronic and digital access control has been possible in the residential sector for some time, only implementing it was no easy task. 'Retrofitting' - retrofitting the technology - sometimes had far-reaching architectural consequences and specialists in this field were not used to serving private individuals. The result: only the 'happy few' could afford it, because for home use it came with a hefty price tag....

Welcome to the world of home automation

The reason automatic access control is currently taking such a big hit within the private realm has everything to do with the fact that "we" are totally ready for it. Thanks to our smartphone and tablet use, we've become accustomed to being able to control everything with an app - which is how the evolution from manual to remote control once went as well - and companies like Google, Apple and Amazon have made sure that developers of remotely controllable devices have conformed to the communication protocols used.

Whereas automatic access control was once an extreme luxury for private use, there it is now seen as normal. The question is not whether you can afford it, but rather whether you want to spend money on it. Whereas in the early days you could still see miles of cable being installed in a new house and the meter box looked more like a system administrator's patch box, now as much as possible is connected wirelessly.

Thanks to our smartphone and tablet use, we have become accustomed to having everything with an app
be able to operate.

Of course, cables will always be needed, for power and, if it has to be really reliable, for data. However, no more cutting and breaking is required.

Elsewhere in this magazine, you will read about the possibility of even using smart door hinges, which ensure that cabling to the door no longer suffers. And, form follows function, here too. In addition to a comfortable access control system, of course you also want something beautiful.

You can read more about that too in this issue, there is a profile brand that provides its window frames with integrated access control. Neatly finished, just in the profile. Whether it's smart doorbells, camera systems, digital keys via smartphone, finger scan sensors or even facial recognition; we can monitor and adjust almost as much at home as the janitor of any modern office building. The entry of home automation within our living area has paved the way for bringing automated access control into the home.