Navigating Electronic Access Control

“The demand for EAC products is increasing, presenting locksmiths with new business opportunities and the chance to acquire additional skills in the security and locksmithing field,” says Eddy Dacius, co-owner of Dacius Facilities Management, who is also an independent trainer specializing in locksmithing and security technology and former department head, Locksmithing & Security Technology, North Bennet Street School in Boston. “The modern security professional is someone who possesses a strong understanding of locksmithing, as well as being skilled in the installation of EAC systems. They are not merely integrators or locksmiths but rather a hybrid of both, adept at handling small, intricate projects that involve electromechanical setups or Power over Ethernet (POE) access control systems.”

Dacius says he is seeing a notable increase in demand for EAC in areas such as multifamily new construction, large retail establishments, and commercial properties.

“Recently, Amazon Key introduced an advanced access control system that utilizes a relay and cellular antenna, integrating seamlessly with existing access control frameworks,” he points out. “In the residential sector, the integration of cameras and smart home devices presents significant opportunities for security professionals, expanding their market reach. Programming is a vital aspect, as EAC commands require effective communication among various platforms to develop credentials, grant or restrict access, and add users, among other tasks.”

Beau Edelen, Senior VP of Sales and Business Development for Lockmasters, agrees, adding, “There has been a steady increase in demand, year over year, for many years now. The public has come to expect certain amenities at work and increasingly at home, and seamless access is often one of those expectations. Every new access control installation pulls through additional product sales and accessories to round out the solution, which is generally a positive thing for the market. As the younger generation continues to grow into the workforce, this trend will only continue.”

Locksmiths Expanding Their Offerings

The growth of smart locks of all types is well documented with the most recent IDEMIA Access Control report showing that they make up more than half of the total access control market.

“We see continued growth, especially in wirelessly connected locksets on enterprise installations,” explains Edelen. “It has gotten easier to manage wireless connectivity to a lockset than deal with getting structured cabling to certain openings. Then on the small business side, there are some new options that have come to market to make access control more affordable and obtainable for small-business owners.”

Dacius agrees, noting that the transition to EAC and smart locks offers significant advantages, especially in the realm of home automation.

“One notable development is the increasing installation of smart residential locks, which often incorporate Wi-Fi cameras and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies,” he points out. “This trend has opened avenues for locksmiths to generate increased recurring monthly revenue (RMR). Companies such as Schlage, Yale, and Kwikset are actively promoting smart entry lock devices, particularly within the residential market. Several firms provide home automation services and offer complimentary training, including Amazon Key, Brilliant, and Resideo, which employ sensor technology. These services can enhance your locksmith operations. Generally, integrators may lack sufficient expertise in hardware installation, creating opportunities for security professionals to subcontract on larger EAC projects.”

Small business continues to be a growing space for electronic access control, and is often a good place for locksmiths to start.

“A lot of the enterprise campus environments already have solutions installed, but many small businesses, like office buildings, medical offices, gas stations, and strip malls, haven’t yet made the leap to access control,” says Edelen, noting that with advancements in technology and products, locksmiths have a real opportunity in this area. “The technology has gotten easier to learn, easier to install, and there is more help available than ever before.”

The biggest barrier to adoption, he adds, is that “the public doesn’t always think of the local locksmith for an access control system, since EAC is often used in combination with the video surveillance and fire/burglary intrusion systems, which are spaces that not enough locksmiths participate in.”

Looking big picture, both Dacius and Edelen see the importance of building a business beyond just mechanical locksmithing to one that includes EAC options.

“The main benefit is making more money and increasing the value of their business by adding additional services, especially ones that allow them to gain recurring revenue from their clients,” says Edelen. “For example, RMR has a huge impact on the value of a locksmith business when it is time to sell the business. Additional services also allow the commercial locksmith to do more for their existing customers, which helps to deepen their relationship to those clients. The customers won’t need to call in another contractor if their local locksmith offers the services they need.”

Dacius notes that locksmiths need to build new relationships, such as with integrators, manufacturers and architects/builders, which could lead to new business.

“In today's competitive market, diversification of operations is essential for any business,” he says. “Establishing on-call services, collaborating on projects with integrators, manufacturers, and general contractors while increasing residential work are vital steps to adapt. While traditional residential locksmithing may be waning, the demand for smart locks and smart doorbells is on the rise.”

In addition, collaborating with architects on access control for their designs “fosters valuable connections and facilitates business growth over time,” adds Dacius. “Another avenue for incorporating EAC involves partnerships with facilities management software and contractor sourcing companies, as they seek qualified individuals to join their technician databases. Unfortunately, many locksmiths tend to avoid networking, feel uncomfortable working with new products, or fail to invest in their professional development. Pursuing appropriate training as a security professional is crucial to ensure the success of your business.”

Learning and Leveraging New Technology

What is great about EAC options today is the technology has gotten easier to learn, easier to install, and there is more help available than ever before, says Edelen.

“I’ve always believed that it is an easier jump for a locksmith to learn integration than for a security integrator to learn locksmithing,” he asserts. “The biggest barrier is that the public doesn’t always think of the local locksmith for an access control system, since EAC is often used in combination with the video surveillance and fire/burglary intrusion systems, which are spaces that not enough locksmiths participate.”

Both agree that the key to installing access control systems is experience, which comes from hands-on training.

“Training builds the confidence needed to take on new projects that may be outside of one’s comfort zone, and no one offers training like Lockmasters,” says Edelen. “Through Lockmasters Security Institute (LSI) we offer a 10-day Access Control Technician training course that is world-class! Students will install every aspect of a live system on actual openings in an instructor-lead, small-group, lab environment. We teach the methods and tools to successfully install cloud-based access control, from the reader to the software.” 

Dacius adds, “I find the following quote particularly relevant: ‘What experience doesn’t teach, books often will — and what books can’t explain, experience reveals.’ This belief inspires my commitment to bridging the gap between novice and professional levels by providing independent and comprehensive training programs aimed at skill enhancement, thereby equipping individuals to confidently enter the security industry with a mindset geared towards achieving a sustainable and successful future.”

While learning the technical side of EAC is getting easier, Dacius does have concerns regarding locksmiths understanding the wide array of solutions available in the market. 

“The overwhelming number of options can be quite intimidating for newcomers to the industry,” he says. “It can be challenging to determine which products are suitable for specific tasks amidst the extensive selection. Proprietary solutions have become increasingly important, as many companies develop EAC systems; however, there exists a significant lack of shared knowledge in this field.”

Dacius says a comparison can be drawn with the mechanical hardware sector, where the ANSI/BHMA standards established by the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) play a critical role in creating and maintaining performance standards for locking hardware. 

“Moreover, this organization is instrumental in setting standards for electronic access control as well,” he explains. “Unfortunately, the deficit of expertise in this domain has led to a shortage of qualified security professionals. It is essential to distinguish between the various EAC solutions and identify the most appropriate products for specific needs.

Mobile Access Benefits and Challenges

No one can deny the impact of the phone on access control, as mobile access is becoming the norm in higher education and multifamily verticals, for example.

“Mobile access is having an absolute impact on the industry, which has created new needs and solutions for the market,” says Edelen. “Many EAC providers have now taken a mobile-first approach, which makes sense in today’s world. There is a definite increase in interest in BLE and mobile phones as credentials. BLE is inexpensive, reliable, and proven as a valid credential type, so I expect to see this trend continue for years to come.”

Dacius agrees, noting, “Mobile credentials are at the forefront of access control, offering convenience and user-friendliness. This aligns with the preferences of end users, prompting a response from employers, organizations, and manufacturers to meet this demand. In the realm of smartphones, mobile credentials play a crucial role in smart locks and access control systems. Increasingly, individuals prefer mobilizing their connectivity through their phones. The digital native generation exemplifies this trend, as many no longer carry physical boarding passes; instead, everything is accessible on their phones, including building access.”

He continues, “Products like the Ring doorbell have taken this concept further, introducing innovative solutions such as Amazon Key. At the recent Apartmentalize conference in Las Vegas, it was noted that while Eufy is not a legacy lock manufacturer like Assa Abloy, Allegion, or dormakaba, they offer mobile credential capabilities for many of their locks readily available in the market.”

This shift indicates a continued move away traditional keys. “While locksmiths argue that keys will persist, a portion of their assertion holds; however, the demand for keys will diminish as an increasing number of locks incorporate phone accessibility,” Dacius explains. “Although I lack concrete data, fewer keys are being cut for residential properties as homeowners increasingly adopt smart locks, resulting in a decreased need for physical keys. While they will continue to exist, their usage will likely be infrequent.”

One of the primary challenges related to mobile credentials is cybersecurity, which remains an ongoing discussion within the security community.

“There is a prevailing optimism regarding the trade-offs, as well as the benefits and conveniences that mobile credentials provide,” says Dacius. “Security professionals utilize firewalls in networks to safeguard against vulnerabilities associated with access control systems. Consumers are also becoming more discerning, with the implementation of AI leading the way in the evolution of access control.”