HID Global's Mobile Access Technology Pricing and Review

HID Global is mainly known for providing proximity cards and door readers; however, recently it moved into cloud and mobile space providing credentials built for smartphones using the SEOS platform by Assa Abloy.

If you are looking to benchmark or compare HID to some of the alternatives, here is an analysis:

1. HID is a credential and reader provider

HID is only part of a physical security system—it provides the user-facing card credential and wall proximity reader. The actual access control system and management is typically provided by a different provider as well as the mobile credentials. HID collaborates with another Assa Abloy company called SEOS to provide its mobile credentials. The main issue when buying HID is the need to negotiate with different vendors in order to make the system work.

2. Pricing is per downloaded key

IT and door system licenses are charged per managed access point, i.e. per door. In HID mobile's case, there is a charge for every user on the system. Even beyond that, there is a charge for every newly downloaded credential, so if a user switches to a new phone or deletes the app then the company has to pay for another license.

3. Hosting of credentials is on premise

In an HID system, since neither the smartphone credentials or readers are connected to a cloud service, they have to be locally hosted in order to be synchronized with the cloud. This means that although the service looks likes it is mobile and cloud-based, a local Windows server is required.

A Guide to Access Control

To gain a better understanding of access control and how it works you can download our Access Control Guide as a PDF here.

Beyond the general points mentioned above, on a more detailed level here are the main features of HID mobile and HID global solutions:

HID

Company Overview

HID, which is owned by lock manufacturer ASSA ABLOY, is mainly known for providing proximity cards and door readers. However, it recently moved into the cloud and mobile space, providing credentials built for smartphones. HID is only part of a physical security system — it provides the user-facing card credential and wall proximity reader. The actual access control system and management is typically provided by a different provider as well as the mobile credentials.

HID collaborates with another ASSA ABLOY company called Seos, as well as other organizations, to provide its mobile credentials. The brand’s access control can be used in a variety of scenarios, and its mobile access feature means that cardholders can simply use their phones as entry keys. IT and door system licenses are charged per managed access point, meaning per door. There is also a charge for every user entered on the system, including new downloaded credentials for users who happen to change their phone or delete the app.

HID Hardware

HID access control solutions include the following hardware and software, which can be used on their own or as part of a bigger system:

• Biometric readers
• Card encoders and printers
• Access controllers
• Access readers
• E-passports and e-IDs
• Embedded modules
• RFID tags
• ActivID Secure Multi-Factor Authentication

Major Features

HID Global is at the forefront of access credential solutions. The ability to create security identities while managing the use of those identities itself are some of the company's strengths. Unique features include high quality products, innovative designs and leading techniques within the access control industry. Some of the most popular features of HID include mobile-enabled readers, secure identity management, NFC technology and smartphone app-based unlocking.

Using HID’s biometric identification software can also increase your space’s security by a great amount, ensuring that the people who are attempting to access certain areas both have proper credentials and are who they say they are. This is a feature that’s growing in popularity within the industry, but not many companies offer it, so HID has a leg up in that regard. It is worth noting that HID's mobile access passes are a great alternative to hackable cards or Wiegand vulnerabilities.

IT departments and security are increasingly looking for strong authentication and credential management but also card personalization, visitor management and identification technologies, and HID is positioned to offer those services. With a wide assortment of products and software to choose from, any facility will likely find the service they need — especially facilities that require heavier security.