It is no secret that property managers are not only responsible for their buildings, but also the safety of those inside of them. So, it makes sense that anyone managing a commercial or residential property is well-versed in access control systems. Since COVID-19, however, there has been a drastic shift in the way we approach building security. More emphasis is now placed on maintaining health, wellness, and safety. Property managers are faced with new challenges to create healthy environments without sacrificing safety and security. Recently, innovations in touchless access control have helped to solve that problem, benefiting both property managers, tenants, and visitors. 

A Shift in the Access Control Industry 

Since before the pandemic, there has been a subtle shift in the access control industry. Property managers and tenants want more accessible and flexible solutions to apartment building entry. Key cards and key fobs, which preceded the traditional lock and key, were already becoming outdated. Then, COVID-19 hit. 

Those with legacy access control systems were feeling the heat, as dated systems did not align with the environment we suddenly found ourselves in. Social distancing rules made navigating lobbies, mailrooms, and other shared multi-tenant spaces almost impossible. Keys, door handles, and elevator buttons all harbored potentially transmissible disease. An access control system upgrade was no longer an amenity, it was a necessity. 

Touchless Building Access

Touchless building access control has been a new concept and thus relatively unknown. In short, these solutions allow tenants to enter their residential building without physical contact. The home is where everyone should feel safe. So, apartment entry systems that make this possible should be top-of-mind for property managers.  

Cloud-Based Solutions

Cloud-based access control has been revolutionary for multifamily buildings. Instead of having a network server onsite, the cloud can be accessed from anywhere. This is both flexible and promotes operational continuity. Moreover, remote capabilities encourage social distancing, creating a healthy environment without the risk of disease spread. 

Mobile Access Control 

We use our phones every day for so many different functions. It was only a matter of time until mobile credentials entered the access control industry. Like cloud-based solutions, mobile credentials for access capabilities promote physical health in enabling social distancing. Further, they are more secure than legacy systems. Legacy systems are limited to the network which operates them. To enhance security, enterprises are transitioning to digital identity credentials instead. Mobile access control facilitates this identity and access management and thus also increases security. 

Biometric Authentication

Biometrics refer to biological characteristics that serve as credentials for access authorization. Within the access industry, face recognition access control is stepping into the light. It caters to a touchless environment as well as one of the most secure ID verification security tools. In a residential setting, nothing is more important than ID verification, so it only makes sense that facial recognition is the next key. 

Visitor Management

Now, it follows that your residential building will not just host yourself and your tenants. Deliveries need to be made. Guests come to visit friends and family in their apartment. Dog walkers come in and out in the middle of the day. The list goes on. It would be impossible to program the rotating list of authorized users into an access control system for a multifamily building. Thus, access control for visitors has become an evolving trend. 

Touchless visitor management via video intercom is quickly becoming a sought after solution for residential buildings everywhere. These systems essentially allow tenants to be at home, even when they’re not. Keep in mind, they should not be confused with video doorbells. Video doorbells do not have a door release function. Thus, they cannot act as an advanced security system. Video intercom access control is a new level of building operation that allows property managers to scale their security. 

Improving Multifamily Security

Tenant experience is a key consideration for property managers. As the world evolves, so should the way they operate their buildings and cater to their tenants. COVID-19 has caused a huge shift in the way that we all need to operate in our everyday lives. And touchless access control is the clear solution when it comes to building a safer, more secure home for everyone.