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How to choose the right smart lock

A step-by-step guide to choosing the right smart lock for your business.

Image provided by iStock.

May 9, 2022 by Linzi Agnew — Marketing Executive, Camlock Systems

The world around us is full of technological innovation. Smart locks are commonplace in our homes and control access to buildings, but when it comes to industrial locking and access control for equipment, your options can seem limited. Equally, there's often not enough accessible information to help guide you.

The development of new technologies feels as though it is being held back. But that doesn't have to be the case.

Common problems seen across the locking industry include:

• Mechanical locks are limiting. You want to upgrade the mechanical locks you're using to electronic, but don't know where to start. Rolling out across your business feels like a big undertaking.
• Security. Visible locks are often the attack point for break-ins, or attempts aimed at prying the lock open. Upgrading or changing security levels is not a simple process.
• Lack of data and communication. You can track and audit every area of your business, except access to your machines. Having locks that can't provide data or communicate with other machine elements presents a problem, e.g., security breaches only being discovered after the fact, leaving no indication of the source.
• Lack of access control. An inability to easily grant or revoke access leads to long operational steps that may not always result in a simple fix. The cost of fixing an offline, mechanical system like losing a master key can be expensive.
• Key management and associated expenses. Managing keys can be time consuming and costly when they need to be replaced. Especially when you must replace the lock and the keys to prevent future unauthorized access.
• Supply chain. Once you've decided on the locks you want, securing reliable fulfilment is the next hurdle.

Advancements in locking hardware and access control place connected, smart locks as a value-adding piece of IoT technology and a solution to these problems.

Mechanical locks

Problem: Mechanical locking acts as an island — unconnected and unable to communicate with your machine.

Solution: Smart locks that integrate with other elements, such as alarms or sensors, to enhance your machine's ecosystem.

Your locking system can be much more than a method of keeping the door closed. It can be security, peace of mind, data gathering and remote control.

There's no "one size fits all" when it comes to locking. While your options may seem limited, they aren't. You can choose off-the-shelf locks, build standalone systems with smart locks and compatible controllers, or create custom, integrated solutions that work with your existing software, telemetry or payment systems and peripherals.

Whatever your locking needs, there is a solution.

If you're just starting out with electronic locking, what are you hoping to gain from it?

Security

Problem: Visible attack point and a lack of information on asset security.

Solution: Upgrade to concealed smart locking with door monitoring, providing visibility on the state of your lock and the door.

Lock picking and break-ins are unfortunately common in outdoor vending machines.

Therefore, removing the visible attack point can be an easy prevention method. Concealing the lock also protects it from the elements, reducing the need for IP ratings.

Incorporating lock monitoring provides an additional security feature, as well as visibility on the security of your assets. If you wish to add further deterrents — along with enhancing your machine — you can integrate your locking system with sensors and alarms.

Lack of data

Problem: The only area of your business not collecting data is the locking system

Solution: An easy way to gain locking data is to add lock and/or door monitoring.

This is the simplest way to start gathering basic access information. If you want to scale this and gather a complete profile of access data, look to an electronic locking system that connects with your existing software.

One of the benefits of a fully connected system is it will do the hard work for you, so you can easily manage and audit the data. You could even look to integrate with your inventory management system.

How would real-time lock and door states improve your business operations?

Access control

Problem: Lack of control and knowledge over access, as well as costly key management.

Solution: Incorporate an access control system in order to grant access remotely, as well as see who has access, when and how.

Access control lifts the burden of expensive physical key management by utilizing digital keys that can be authorized or revoked instantly, as well as remotely.

Control who, when and how your applications are accessed.

Integrating access control with other peripherals such as telemetry systems enhances the lock and access control functions.

What if you could have full visibility of machine access, as well as maintenance data, showing exactly who has opened your locks, when, where and for how long?

Integrations

Problem: Existing locks cannot communicate with the other technology inside your machine.

Solution: Smart locking with the capability to not only communicate but also work in conjunction with other external applications.

Smart locking isn't just Wi-Fi enabled locks; with the right integrations it can elevate any application.

By utilizing incorporated I/O ports, you can enhance your locking systems to communicate with external applications. These could be sensors, alarms or lights. Anything you need to work seamlessly with the door opening and closing can be integrated.

How could smarter locking enhance your existing integrations?

Supply chain

Problem: Extremely long lead times affect your supply and customer delivery dates.

Solution: Look for suppliers who can plan fulfilment around your delivery location and required frequency, hold components and buffer stock quantities, just in case.

The type of smart locks you choose is irrelevant if stock doesn't show up on time, when you need it. When vetting a supplier, look for someone who can demonstrate expertise in sourcing. This is to help keep lead times to a minimum as they will likely use multiple sources.

The next element to question is their supply chain: where are products made and assembled?

Do they use more than one location with the ability to ship directly from the best location for your preferred delivery hub?

If you can't or don't want to take a year's worth of stock, do they offer stock holding, set delivery schedules and buffer stock quantities in case of unforeseen courier delays or events that may prevent you and your customer getting goods on time?

About Linzi Agnew

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