Vodafone North Sydney Centaman Entrance Control

Five Signs You Need to Upgrade your Entrance Control System

What is the lifespan of your entrance control system? It’s not always as simple as waiting for it to bite the dust before you consider replacing it.

The longevity of your entrance control system is about more than how long the various components remain in working order. With software and technology evolving so quickly, while your system might continue to do what it was purchased to do, that might not be enough anymore.

Efficiency

The push for efficiency by businesses, organisations and consumers goes beyond purely energy use. Your entrance control solution also needs to represent the most efficient use of space and save time for both facility management staff and building users.

How your entrance control system integrates with other relevant security and building or facility management systems is also important. Systems that share information and work together can save a lot of time. Conversely, those that don’t can cost your business a lot of time.

Incident or security breach

This is an obvious one. If your existing system has had a breach or failure, it’s likely there is a need to look at a system that better meets the demands and challenges of your building or facility.

Consider how your security system is intended to be used, how it’s used in reality, and where any weaknesses lie. For example, do you have a Security Guard on duty at all times? Are breaches intentional or unintentional (e.g. someone holding a door open for someone else)? This will help identify the features you need in a new security system.

Not user-friendly

As technology and software evolves, so too do user expectations. If your users find your access control system difficult to use, they will look for ways to get around it, compromising its effectiveness.

Not accessible to people with disabilities

Traditional old style tripod or tri-arm turnstiles are not compliant with Australia’s Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA).

To allow for wheelchair access, many leisure centres have installed a single widened swing gate. These gates often require staff attendance to open and then close and lock again to prevent unauthorised access by other visitors.

Modern speedgates are designed to enable access to people in wheelchairs or with mobility impairments whilst also providing effective security. This allows recreational facilities to have all of their access lanes available for all users, whether they are in wheelchairs or not, ensuring compliance with the DDA.

EasyGate SG Kardinia Aquatic Centaman

A modern DDA-compliant speedgate at Kardinia Aquatic Centre in Geelong.

Aesthetics

If your current entrance control solution is intimidating, unwelcoming or no longer fits with the aesthetics of your building, it may be time to consider a makeover.

Many modern entrance control systems can be customised to better match a building’s interior – Entrance Control speedgates offer a wide variety of colours, textures and materials, as well as lighting options.

These same features can be used to guide users in the use of your access control system, think green gates or pedestals to identify inward lanes, and red for outward, or lighting features that do the same thing.

So I need a new system – what next?

Changing your existing access control system needn’t be an intimidating, or even expensive, exercise either. The wide variety of options available mean there’s likely to be one that fits with the operational, aesthetic and financial requirements of your specific building or facility.

If you’d like to discuss the benefits of moving from a full-height turnstile-style barrier or other older system to one of our EasyGate speedgates – easier to use, better looking, faster throughput and Disability Discrimination Act compliant, just to name a few – get in touch with our expert sales team, call +61 02 9906 7522 or email.