Commercial smart locks for business

Learn more about smart locks and commercial access control systems

Access control guide

How Kisi works

Smart locks and remote access control

What are smart locks, and how do these compare to access control systems like Kisi ?

Smart locks use an electromechanical lock system to perform the locking and unlocking functions on a door. Smart locks typically feature deadbolt attachment hardware and basic software that’s installed manually.

Smart lock use cases

While smart locks are a suitable option for most consumer use cases, access control systems are, most of the time, a better alternative for commercial use such as office door locks. Think of them as a commercial smart lock that can be managed from anywhere and have more capabilities, including integration with video surveillance, automated access sharing, and detailed analytics.

Powerful access control

Kisi is an advanced access control system with remote and automatic door locks for businesses. The customizable software, unlimited users and customer support make it a more viable solution for offices and commercial facilities than smart locks.

How do commercial smart locks compare with Kisi?

Features

Smart Locks

Control specifics

Hardware controlled remotely
Operate using various technology

Deadbolt attachment hardware
Mostly Bluetooth-enabled

Integration requirements

Integrated installation
Customizable software

Do-it-yourself Installation
Fixed software

User management

Unlimited number of users
Central dashboard management
Customer support

Limited number of users
Basic in-app management functions
FAQ and online tutorials

Reporting and analytics

Unlock heatmaps
Event filtering
Event export

Little or no analytics available

Integration with video surveillance

Native integration with quality video surveillance brand
API compatibility with all brands

No integration available

Access sharing

Automated via directory integration
Remote access sharing available
Self-expiring access

Manual access sharing
Limited access restrictions available

Product Overview

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Upgrade your smart locks

For the untrained eye, Kisi and traditional smart locks are similar solutions. In both cases, you have fancy hardware that gives you an additional layer of control in your facility. The similarities, however, end there. Kisi’s depth in features makes it a much more sophisticated and efficient system for the majority of use cases.

Customizable control

The advantage of Kisi over smart locks is its powerful technology. The Kisi software gives you full control over who accesses where and when (this is fully customizable with alerts, time restrictions and remote access control). Kisi allows your company to build dashboards, create a reporting system and to integrate access control with the rest of your security system and program stack.

Flexible installation

Kisi can be installed on almost any entry point, including glass doors in meeting rooms, storefront doors, gates or elevators. The only requirement being that an electronic lock is in place.

Are smart locks always a bad option?

Absolutely not! In fact, even for commercial uses, there might be situations in which there is no electric strike in place. In these cases, smart locks are still a very solid solution to add more security to your space. The same can be said for some use cases in which the doors do not require a high level of security, and the admin does not have the luxury of being able to make some installation work or having cables showing around.

For these scenarios, we have an existing integration with Allegion .

View integrations

Most popular smart locks on the market

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock

The August lock allows you to unlock doors with your smartphone or Apple Watch. Sharing access to visitors on a time restriction or repeated basis is easy and can enable full control of your doors, although it is primarily intended for occasional access sharing, since granting access is still done manually. Remote unlocks are possible and it can be paired with a keypad as a backup or alternative entry method.

The Kisi advantage: Kisi is a better alternative for high-traffic facilities like corporate HQs, coworking spaces, startup offices, and in general workplaces with a large range of employee schedules and visitors accessing the space. Thanks to powerful automation features, access permissions can be edited in bulk and even synced with third party software like directories and CRM systems.

Schlage NDE Networked Wireless Lock

The Schlage NDE wireless lock is a relatively affordable way to enable mobile access into your facility. It supports proximity cards, bluetooth and NFC and it can be connected to your company’s Wi-Fi network for automatic software updates.

The Kisi advantage: Kisi as a standalone system is the preferred solution for most businesses securing their main doors or elevators, whereas the Kisi integration with Schlage smart locks can be advantageous in specific use cases, for instance managing access to meeting rooms or phone booths (which often feature glass doors).

Kevo Bluetooth Smart Lock

The UniKey powered Kwikset Kevo is the only true touch-to-open smart lock. It requires no interaction with your phone and provides hassle-free keyless entry. It's great in residential-use cases, but not for commercial use due to limited software functionalities. Like other smart locks, it is compatible with Alexa, which can be a nice feature for some users.

The Kisi advantage: from self-expiring keys to alarm and intrusion detection features, Kisi offers a complete security platform that meets the highest IT standards while offering a seamless experience to the end user.

Nest x Yale Lock

Available in 3 different colors, Next x Yale is Google’s answer to companies like August. It uses a keypad which is quite limiting in terms of both user experience and security, but might be an acceptable option for some. Remote unlocks are possible but require the lock to be paired with additional hardware (either Nest Connect or Nest Guard).

The Kisi advantage: unlike old-fashioned key pads, Kisi’s access methods include smartphone tap-to-unlock, Apple watch unlock, remote unlocks from the web app, key cards and fobs and even automated unlocks based on time schedules or via API. Such credentials can be used in parallel, offering maxim flexibility to both small and large businesses.

Other smart lock providers:

While those above are some of the most popular options available at the moment, there are lots of other manufactures offering interesting products, including Salto, Candy House, HAVEN, Poly-Control, and Unikey Technologies.

The Kisi advantage

Lock compatibility

Kisi integrates with all types of electronic locks, so you won’t need to replace your existing system. That means no time and money wasted installing a new lock!

Unlock speed

Due to their battery-saving design, wireless locks are often very slow in responding to your input. Kisi uses Bluetooth or NFC to unlock your door in milliseconds.

Battery lifetime

Being a wired solution, Kisi never has battery issues and you never have to worry about battery performance-related issues. Using a wired solution also prevents you from having issues of interference between the lock and the central getaway used to communicate with the hardware.

Management solution

Wireless locks are usually made by lock manufacturers, while software and credentials are made by a third party. Kisi is a complete solution, which ensures that everything works perfectly together.