I attended ISC West for the first time this spring and it was quite an interesting experience, featuring extravagant booth displays bigger than my house, lots of AI and cutting-edge technology and even a model of the Lourve Museum. Beyond the hype of dancing robot security guards, there was also plenty of electronic access control and door hardware on display.  After walking the enormous show floor and visiting with some key customers, I had two key takeaways.

First, biometrics is the credential of the future. Fueled by AI, the technology has advanced by leaps and bounds, as has acceptance. Fingerprint readers are still around, but most newer biometrics products are touchless, relying on facial recognition. I learned more at booth visits with RealSense and Suprema. RealSense ID Pro’s situationally aware facial authentication is unbelievably fast and accurate, almost out of a sci-fi movie. The company is partnering with dormakaba to develop intelligent access control solutions that integrate vision-based AI into doors and entry systems. Suprema USA President Bob McKee demonstrated biometric readers that install easily and urged locksmiths to dive into this market. 

Second, electronic access control doesn’t have to be complicated. Centrios, an ASSA ABLOY brand, demonstrated their scalable system designed for the growing small- to medium-sized business market. INOX Smart previewed their access control in a box system, which I’m looking forward to checking out at ALOA. All the big lock companies – Allegion, ASSA ABLOY, dormakaba and NAPCO – showed their full range of EAC products, and some smaller companies like ProdataKey and startup Kindoo were on the floor as well.  

There’s no point in installing any EAC system if the doors themselves can’t handle it. Locksmiths are experts here and should consider partnering with integrators and manufacturers to serve the total opening. Integrators and facility maintenance staff are not well-equipped to address hinge issues and misalignments which will prevent electronic locks from working correctly. No matter what the credential or how smart the lock, some mechanical part inside the lock must latch/unlatch or release for the lock to work.

Heading to ALOA…I’ve been to quite a few ALOA shows over the years, and it’s definitely my favorite trade show (though I’m not looking forward to the Vegas heat). It’s my one chance to talk to a bunch of locksmiths in one place. ISC West may have been a one-off for me (helping out sister site SecurityInfoWatch.com), but if my company needs me to go again, I’m certainly on board.

Please stop by Locksmith Ledger Booth 302, June 26-27 at the South Point Hotel and Conference Center, pick up some magazines and share your ideas with us.

Emily Pike