Local authorities are looking for ways to improve security, while streamlining the security management process, at their public facilities, such as leisure centres and libraries.
With multiple requirements from a legislative, insurance and public safety perspective, local authorities need a solution that provides flexibility through technology. Security must be closely monitored and access restricted where necessary, while at the same time enabling easy access to public areas.
Through electronic keys, local authorities can simply and cost-effectively replace existing mechanical locks, with a solution that provides integrated intelligence in the key, with permissions stored within it. If your key has authorisation for that lock, it will open. If you don’t, you won’t be allowed to enter and all of the activity carried out by your key will be recorded.
With high volumes of people entering and exiting local authority facilities, it is important to be able to trace who has been where, when and for how long. Software can provide access to all operations performed by users, including an audit trail. This information is often used by local authorities for audits, improvements or compliance.
Magnetic induction
Using contactless further enhances the electronic key, enabling multiple access options and deeper levels of access rights. A system can be compatible with badges and cards, and the keys come with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) module. Combining the solutions enables local authorities to manage access operations in detail, with access rights granted depending on specific conditions. For example, the members of an orchestra may only be able to access the music conservatory, using their membership card or badge, if a music professor has already entered the premises using his electronic key.
Permissions can be added or updated from a computer or, more conveniently, using an app on a smartphone, which will update key permissions via Bluetooth. This allows shortened validity periods, constrains movements to be in line with local authority access policies and removes travel and fixed authoriser costs. In turn, this delivers increased flexibility and higher levels of security.
LOCKEN offers its software-based LOCKEN Smart Access.
Case study: French town
Using LOCKEN electronic cylinders since 2010, Saint-Avertin’s access points are now managed by the new LOCKEN solution.
Laurent Lacour, head of the municipal police, said: “It is a very positive step for us. Firstly, because the new contactless key is much faster than the previous one. It is impressive and very important for our day-to-day work: as soon as the key is entered into the lock, the cylinder opens. It opens regardless of whether any dust or foreign bodies have built up. Above all, the MyLocken app significantly enhances the system’s security by allowing rights to be allocated anywhere and at any time.”
Christophe Fort, deputy head of the police, added: “The new-generation keys offer another vital advantage for our town. The system is compatible with the use of badges and the keys are equipped with an RFID module, which acts as a badge. While an electronic key cannot be given to every member of a sports association, it is possible to give the members a badge. This means that, eventually, several thousand people will have access to the facilities while respecting the security of the premises as a whole.
“Combining the solutions does not stop the management system from remaining perfectly effective. On the one hand, because the program manages access operations in great detail. And on the other, the badge reader specific to a building is only triggered if access to the site has previously been unlocked by an electronic key belonging to a manager. For example, the members of a swimming association will only be able to access the building if a swimming pool manager is already on the premises.”
The future prospects mentioned by the two police officials – installation in a new gymnasium, fitting electronic padlocks to the mobile barriers around the château – demonstrate the extent to which the solution meets the municipality’s needs across the board.
Visit www.locken.co.uk.
