When multiple people with different security clearance levels are moving in large commercial spaces, such as lobbies, parking lots, and entryways, keeping everyone safe without slowing them down gets tricky. While you don’t want to create an unnecessary obstacle for anyone, you need to properly manage who’s entering and exiting your building.
To solve this problem, many corporations now use gate access control systems that effectively detect tailgating while minimizing inconveniences to building visitors, guests, and occupants. With an effective gate access control solution, you can protect everyone in your building without creating obtrusive and annoying barriers.
What is a commercial gate access control system? #
A gate access control system allows you to decide who can enter a gated area. With this type of system, you can grant access to your premises without having to manually unlock the gate. It’s a smart and convenient way to secure your building or property.
Common components of gate access control systems #
The typical setup for access control gate systems usually consists of a few core components. These include:
- The gate itself
- Electronic locks to secure the gate
- Entry system readers that scan user credentials
- Door controllers that control the gates and trigger the unlock
- Access credentials, which might involve cards, fobs, or mobile devices
- Software that allows you to manage your gate access control system, such as Kisi’s cloud-based web and mobile app
Depending on the design, gate access systems might also include other elements. For instance, if you want to communicate directly with anyone who approaches the gate, you can install an intercom system. When someone arrives at the gate, they can use the intercom to request access or explain the purpose of their visit.
For some gate styles, you might also install a gate opener that moves the gate to an open or closed position. This allows people to enter the property without leaving their vehicles or manually opening the gate.
How gate access control systems work #
A gate entry system limits who can use the entrance or exit gate of your building or property. You can choose to leave the gates unlocked during business hours so that anyone can enter, or you can keep them locked at all times for maximum security. When the gates are locked, only authorized personnel or individuals with temporary access can open them.
To operate an access control gate, users place their credentials near or in front of the reader. It scans those credentials and, if access is authorized, triggers the gate to unlock. After the individual passes through the gate, it closes and relocks to prevent additional people from gaining access without first providing their own credentials.
The specific operation of gate access control systems differs based on the provider. Kisi offers one of the highest-rated access control systems on the market, an innovative enterprise-grade system that’s simple and easy to use, whether you’re a brand-new user or an expert.
Gate access control in action #
Gate access control systems are an effective option for essentially any commercial space with some kind of gate entry. For example, one of our customers—a Brooklyn-based hardware incubator called NewLab—uses Kisi to manage access for their roll-up gates.
With Kisi, they can:
- Open and close any of the gates remotely
- Track who opened and closed the gate last
- Allow truck drivers to open the gate from their smartphones without leaving their cabins
Installing Kisi has enhanced NewLab’s security and eliminated challenges related to after-hour deliveries and short-term access.
What are the benefits of using a gate access control system? #
Using an access control gate can improve your organization in a variety of ways. Your visitors, employees, and clients have a lot to gain from the improved safety this kind of system provides.
Constant security and access control #
The primary goal of a gate and access control system is to prevent unauthorized people from entering your property. By installing a high-quality commercial gate access control system, you can ensure that the exits and entrances to your building are secure. Only people who have received official credentials can gain access, giving you full control over who you allow into your facility.
This is especially important for businesses that don’t have on-site security staff working around the clock. With security gate access control systems, your property is protected at all times, regardless of whether employees or security personnel are physically present.
Improved entry management #
With commercial and industrial gate security entry management, you can control who enters your premises at any hour of any day, be it midnight on a Saturday, bright and early on a Sunday morning, or on a busy weekday afternoon. With a system like Kisi, you can grant long-term access to employees or people who regularly visit your property. This gives them a fast and efficient way to enter the property.
You can also issue temporary credentials for guests, visitors, contractors, and other individuals who only occasionally need to gain access. Rather than having to contact an employee or security guard and wait for the gate to open, they can immediately enter using your pre-supplied, short-term credentials.
Crime prevention and deterrence #
In some cases, particularly after business hours, people might enter your property for nefarious purposes. Theft, vandalism, and property damage commonly occur in unmonitored spaces, such as parking lots. Property crimes in the United States have recently ticked up after several years of decline, making it more important than ever to secure your premises.
Installing security gate access control helps prevent individuals with criminal intentions from entering your property and creating expensive problems for you and your employees. It also prevents tailgating, where people closely follow behind someone else to gain entrance without drawing attention.
An effective access control system tracks every entry and exit from the property and alerts you if someone forces or holds open a gate or door. These notifications and tracking help you detect people who attempt to enter without authorization so you can respond and, when necessary, contact law enforcement.
Other kinds of gate access control solutions #
In addition to traditional gates, you can also implement access control for different types of entry points. This allows you to achieve the best possible security even if your business is located inside a larger, multi-use commercial space or doesn’t feature an external gate.
Speed gates #
Speed gate systems give you control over all entries and exits to your building or office. Also called speed lanes, these walk-through gates generally use sensors and card readers to verify user credentials. With new advancements in technology, you can customize your speed gate solution to include anti-tailgating features and mobile and contactless access.
Turnstiles #
The tripod turnstile is a classic gate access control system that’s used to protect government buildings, public transportation systems, and commercial spaces around the world. These systems allow only one person to go through at a time, helping to slow traffic and control access.
Speed gates and other access control solutions have begun to overtake turnstiles—and for good reason. Turnstile systems are much slower and usually aren’t as secure as more modern solutions because someone can simply jump over them. However, integrating entry readers into modernized turnstiles makes them more secure, allowing only people with verified credentials to pass through.
Full-height rotor turnstiles also offer a higher level of security than tripod turnstiles because they’re too tall for the average person to jump or climb over. Their design is similar to access control vestibules, better known as mantraps, where each person has to pass through a small space with interlocking doors to enter a space.
Doors and smart locks #
If you can’t or prefer not to use a gate, you can choose from a wide range of door and smart lock integrations that will only unlock when certain requirements are met. These easy-to-install systems often include mobile phone access, keypads, biometrics, or keycard access options.
As with gate access control, doors with smart locks require an individual to provide the correct credentials or information to the access control system to unlock the door. This simple solution can help keep residential and office spaces more secure without the added expense of installing a separate gate.
What does Kisi have to offer? #
If you’re looking for a reliable gate access control solution, turn to Kisi. Our system offers a combination of security and convenience that simplifies your entry management.
What Kisi can do #
Kisi’s advanced features are an asset for any entry point, whether that’s a gate, door, or elevator. With Kisi, your team can:
- Manage capacity in a certain area of your building
- Remotely open and lock any gates and other entry points
- Schedule automated opening hours for gates and other entry points
- Review and export access events
- Set granular restrictions on who has access, where, and when
- Set alarm zones and get intrusion alerts
- Manage multiple facilities from the same dashboard
- Combine access events with video camera recordings
- Give users the access methods you prefer: in-app unlock, smartphone tap-to-unlock, touchless or keycards, and fobs
With Kisi’s access control system, your facility admins can keep tight control over who has access to every area of your property.
The advantages of managing gate access with Kisi #
Kisi provides both hardware and software for your gate systems to meet the specific needs and requirements of your facility. The upsides of using Kisi include:
- Versatility: Kisi’s access control systems are a good match for properties of every size and design, from a single-door residency to a large-scale enterprise. No matter what type of gate or entry you use, Kisi can equip it with a smart access control system.
- Ease of use: Kisi is user-friendly for administrators and team members alike. Admins can quickly issue credentials to visitors, employees, or paying members, who only have to hold up their credentials to gain access.
- Integrations: Kisi easily integrates with hundreds of solutions, including data analytics, video surveillance, and identity management systems. You can also integrate with your existing access control and security hardware and choose a deployment option based on your needs.
- Remote access: Using Kisi’s cloud-based platform, you can easily monitor your access control system from your phone no matter where you’re located. With remote gate access control systems like Kisi, you’ll receive intrusion alerts and can make adjustments to your settings even when you’re not on-site.
- Convenience: Kisi allows you to set access timers, holiday schedules, and authorization levels to keep certain spaces open for particular people at specific times. With Kisi’s Apple CarPlay dashboard functionality, users can also unlock gates from within their vehicles.
- Future-proofing: With extensive enterprise-grade features and state-of-the-art technology, Kisi will bring the future into your office. Even better, scaling our system as your business grows is simple, so you never have to worry about security or access issues.
With incredibly powerful features and consistent performance, Kisi is an ideal option for organizations across every industry, from industrial and logistics companies to coworking spaces and schools.
Get a better handle on your gate access control #
A gate access control system makes your property a safer, more productive environment for every employee and visitor. Although there are many options available on the market, Kisi remains a step ahead of the rest. We pride ourselves on our extensive experience and high level of expertise. To get an up-close look at our top-of-the-line, innovative and dynamic systems, reach out to request a free demo.