Learn more about smart locks and commercial access control systems
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.
Smart Locks
Control specifics
Integration requirements
User management
Reporting and analytics
Integration with video surveillance
Access sharing
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.
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.
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.
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 .
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.