London, February 2021 – Another large survey confirms the growing importance of integration across building security functions. According to the Wireless Access Control Report 2021*, “95% [of security professionals] cited system integration [of access control] with other building/security management functions to be ‘somewhat’ or ‘very’ important” for the coming five years. Extensive expertise in the security sector made Plexus’ procurement team aware of this growing need for connectivity across functions — including access control.

Plexus managers sought a more flexible access system for their own head office in Swansea, Wales. Alongside integrated control, Plexus prioritized modern access control with lower maintenance costs than their current system, as well as the potential to be operated securely from the cloud.

Any new installation should offer the option to further scale — in any direction — in the future. They require a broad choice of wireless and wired door devices and readers for multiple types of opening — and of course a straightforward upgrade path for both hardware and software.

ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions’ Incedo Business platform is now running at Plexus. Installing wireless locks, readers and controllers from the broad ASSA ABLOY range was fast and simple, streamlining their switch to Incedo Business.

“Hardware architecture is well manufactured, and this goes hand-in-hand with software that has fantastic ease of use,” says Marcus Elphick, Operations Director at Plexus Fire and Security.

Coming soon: fully featured cloud management
With keyless locking and Incedo Business management software, Plexus managers control exactly who goes where around their offices. They can set times when defined user groups may open specific doors. It keeps staff moving and safe without the hassle of physical keys.

The “new software has been seamless, much simpler and [with a] common sense approach to structure,” says Marcus Elphick. Incedo Business software is intuitive to operate from any PC. The entire Incedo platform is fully flexible and modular, allowing Plexus to add more locks or change management software options whenever they need. They are already planning to extend control: remote sites, entrance gates and warehouse access control will be covered, too. “We have been so pleased with the system and its capabilities,” he adds.

Plexus aim to quickly upgrade to new Incedo Business Cloud management, which offers them real-time 24/7 access from anywhere, and for a greater number of doors, as they look to expand coverage to more sites. “Incedo’s integrated access control platform already delivers connectivity and convenience,” says Stephanie Ordan, VP Digital and Access Solutions at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions EMEA. “Now it delivers in the cloud, too. Incedo keeps premises secure and filters access intelligently, to manage the ever-changing movement of people — from anywhere.”

“Your business is not static, and there is no reason why your security should be.”

“Incedo’s system management options scale from entry level up to cloud-based administration,” adds Kevin Hoare, Incedo Product Unit Director at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions EMEA. “You can manage multiple sites and third-party integrations, including security solutions like CCTV. Scale up and down, add or remove hardware and credentials on demand — or switch system management options — all within your single environment. Migration between local and cloud management is always seamless in any direction, ensuring total flexibility for your business.” Whatever the 2020s bring next, Incedo gives security the flexibility to adapt.

To learn more about the new Incedo access control platform, visit https://campaigns.assaabloyopeningsolutions.eu/incedo-business

London, February 2020 – Planning elderly care involves thinking about the long term. Building and managing residential homes with a sustainability ethos is increasingly important — to local governments and private providers. Security technology decisions can have an impact on whether they succeed.

Tegs Äldrecenter in Umeå, Sweden, chose an access control solution from Tidomat including around 100 ASSA ABLOY Aperio locks wirelessly integrated with the system. Aperio locks are battery powered and operate without any connection to mains electricity. As well as enabling centre residents to move around in safety and convenience, Aperio helps the care facility reduce its daily energy consumption.

“With Aperio we offer our customers energy savings and extended access control in one,” says Lennart Eriksson, Tidomat’s CEO.

The World Green Building Council identifies energy efficiency as an essential feature in any “green building”*. The appetite for investing in this and other sustainability-friendly improvements is growing. In one recent access control report, “findings suggest sustainability is now a major consideration when it comes to procurement.”**

A survey for recent Euromonitor publication “Rethinking Sustainability” identifies the focal points for these investments over the coming five years. Both “energy” and “sustainable sourcing” are high on the priority list**. A recent benchmarking study estimates that choosing wireless over wired locking can reduce operating energy consumption, and therefore costs, by around 70%***.

“Battery-powered electronic locks with inbuilt RFID readers are a cost-effective way to upgrade existing access control and bring it to more doors,” says Lars Angelin, Business Development Manager for Wireless Locks at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions EMEA. “Our Aperio wire-free locks are much more cost-effective to install and run than traditional electronic door security.”

Tegs’ energy-efficient Aperio installation is flexible and future-proofed. Because Aperio locks are modular and scalable on demand, Umeå Social Services can bring more facilities into the same access management system whenever required at a later date. Wireless locks typically enjoy a longer lifetime, too: they can usually be moved if building spaces are reconfigured or doors are repositioned — unlike wired locks which are installed and cabled invasively. Maintenance requirements for wire-free locks are minimal: all they need is a new standard battery every 2 years (on average).

To view a short sustainability video case study about Tegs Äldrecenter, and learn more about Aperio wireless access control, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qk5Fub_J7-k

London, January 2021 – Aperio® wireless locks from ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions now integrate seamlessly with the versatile AEOS access control by Nedap to bring a range of concrete business benefits. Optimising access control with these battery-powered wireless locks can boost convenience for building users and help make better use of spaces. It can increase efficiency by enabling the integration of functions and processes across the organisation.

Existing AEOS users can integrate battery powered Aperio devices to extend the reach of their system. Or, by combining Aperio with AEOS, you can build a cost-efficient, wire-free access control system from scratch.

Aperio cylinders, escutcheons and locks with online (or offline) capability can be implemented alongside existing or new wired doors connected to AEOS. This gives security managers more control over additional rooms or other defined areas at their premises.

Fast, seamless installation and secure integration

Devices from the Aperio lock range that integrate with AEOS include the award-winning wireless handle (H100), escutcheon (E100), cylinder (C100) and security lock (L100). Aperio devices are available for almost any interior or exterior door, including wooden doors, glass doors and fire doors.

Because all Aperio locking devices are wireless, they can be installed quickly, without causing disruption to buildings or work schedules. One recent ASSA ABLOY benchmarking study finds labour costs for installation are over 80% less for wireless locks versus wired locks.*

There’s also no inconvenience when it comes to identification: site users continue to gain access with the same credentials they were using before the integration.

Aperio online integrations can use different interfaces (for example, RS485 or IP). The locks are connected to AEOS via communication hubs that allow control of up to 16 locks each. Offline Aperio integration meets the important OSS-SO industry standard for offline access control, so customers have the freedom to choose the best devices to connect to AEOS. Facility managers can connect both online and offline Aperio devices interchangeably.

More choice, improved flexibility and efficient management

These multiple integration options allow AEOS users to select the most appropriate locks — whether Aperio wireless or wired — for their specific requirements at each door.

“ASSA ABLOY’s Aperio wireless locks enable a complete access control solution using wireless technology,” says Christian Nagel, Nedap channel manager. “It enables us to offer a system with a high level of flexibility.”

The AEOS control panel provides a powerful set of functions. It displays events for any Aperio device, including door and battery status, as well as tamper detection. The AEOS software enables full control and efficient management and eliminates unproductive tasks, including the need to duplicate data entry.

End-users already benefit: cost-savings and real-time control

At Ghent’s Hospital Maria Middelares, Aperio locks combine with AEOS to protect staff, visitors, patients and confidential data, as well as medicines and valuable equipment. Around 700 doors are equipped with Aperio offline locks. They are connected to AEOS, which controls every door, credential and user from a one interface, saving facility managers time and money. Staff and visitors open each door for which they’re authorised with their individually programmed MIFARE credential.

Similarly, at Rotterdam’s 16,000-capacity Ahoy Arena, offline integration between Aperio and AEOS offered an affordable way to incorporate mechanically locked doors into an existing electronic security system. Facility managers at Ahoy extended access control without having to change card readers or control panels.

The Aperio–AEOS integration at InHolland University of Applied Sciences is online, giving security managers real-time control over their multi-site premises. More than 500 Aperio wireless door devices are deployed at 7 separate InHolland campus locations. These battery-powered locks provide tested and trusted protection for the university’s most important areas, including offices and exam storage rooms.

“I am very satisfied with the implementation and operation of the Aperio solution,” says Frans Bruggeman, Facility Services Consultant at InHolland.

To learn how the integration of Aperio and AEOS brings security and versatility to protect all kinds of premises, watch this short video. https://youtu.be/G4KfCXog9h8