More and more businesses are realizing the value of investing in an electronic access control system for their place of business. They recognize that this is no longer safe to leave your doors open to the world and that controlling and monitoring who is coming and going from through your place is an essential part of safety for all. They realize that eliminating traditional keys and locks, not only improves that safety but minimizes headaches and stress for the management as well.
CLOUD-BASED ACCESS CONTROL VS. ON PREMISE-BASED ACCESS CONTROL
Once a business determines that an electronic access control system is for them, the customer then must choose whether they want a cloud-based database or local on premise-based software. The database is the brains of an access control system. It is where you set door schedules, grant users access, manage doors, etc. When choosing what form of database is best for your company, there are valid arguments and good points made for both sides. However, typically (minus the exceptions) Total Access Security prefers to recommend a cloud-based software for the majority of our customers and here is why.
1. YOU CAN ACCESS A CLOUD-BASED DATABASE FROM ANYWHERE
If you are an IT manager or HR manager, or a superintendent of a school or anyone that might need regular access to the access control database, then you probably would like the idea of being able to access it from anywhere. The cloud-based service allows you to log on and manage your database wherever there is cellular service or internet access and on any device that you choose, making this the best access control solution for work, travel, emergencies on vacation, and work from home. Local server-based software limits you in that the program is installed on the local server at work and is only accessible via specially designated computers. Having to be on site at a specific computer hampers your ability to quickly access the database when needed.
2. CLOUD-BASED DATA BASES ARE SECURE
Cloud-based databases are hosted by a company that is not your own, meaning that all of the time and effort you took to log door schedules, program key fobs, and manage users is kept safe from potential catastrophes. For example, if your company utilized a local server-based software all of the data would be logged in this software and on this server. If this data was never backed up and that server crashed and they all do crash at one point or another, all of that information would be lost and the company would have to begin from scratch. Losses like these create a very stressful scenario for everyone involved, and unfortunately, we have seen more than a few customers deal with situations such as this. That is why we recommend cloud-based hosting for anyone that wants to eliminate the possibility of catastrophes such as this and keep their data secure.
3. CLOUD-BASED SOFTWARE GETS UPDATED AUTOMATICALLY
When your database is cloud-based, you do not have to worry about software updates. For example, if you update your server to the latest version of windows, then you would have to pay and go through the process of updating your local server-based access control software to the newest revision for it to work correctly. With cloud-based hosting, there is no software or updates with which to be concerned.
WE RECOMMEND A CLOUD-BASED ACCESS CONTROL SOFTWARE
Both types of electronic access control databases have their place and there are pros and cons to both. As you start down this road of researching access control systems and designing one that best fits the needs of your company, we hope that you reach out to us here at Total Access Security. We would be happy to assist you and offer any advice that we can.