For over two decades, I lived in a world of tumblers and keys. As a mechanical lock manufacturer, I took pride in crafting intricate locking systems.

My expertise lay in creating complex biting lists-those precise key cut numbers that formed the backbone of multi-tiered master and grand master keying systems. I even honed the art of splitting a No. 2 master pin, a technique that allowed for the creation of construction master keys.

But then, three letters changed everything: IoT.

The Internet of Things (IoT) burst into my meticulously ordered world of mechanical security, ushering in a new era of digital access control. Suddenly, my realm of physical pins and levers was being challenged by a virtual landscape of cloud-connected devices and smartphone credentials. From pins to pixels, this is the story of how a traditional lock manufacturer embraced the digital revolution, and how it transformed not just my career, but the entire landscape of access control and security.

loT Cloud-panel: Rethinking Access Control for Multitenant/Multi-location Security

In multifamily and multi-tenant settings, managing physical keys is a perpetual headache. These environments face unique challenges: frequent tenant turnover, diverse user levels at different hours.

Traditional digital or cipher locks may not always be able to address the complexities of user permissions and access schedules. Conventional access control systems offer higher security and credential management capabilities but can be limited in

scalability and may be too expensive.

As a result, many businesses find these solutions financially out of reach, leaving them struggling with outdated and inefficient key management systems.

Multi-tenant businesses and multifamily properties require a flexible, cost-effective approach to access control that can adapt to the dynamic nature of these spaces

without breaking the bank. Modern IoT-based solutions are emerging as promising alternatives, offering scalability and affordability that traditional systems lack.

The Cloud-connected Ecosystem: How loT Revolutionizes Access Control

IoT-enabled locks and access controllers, whether battery-powered or hardwired, form the backbone of modern cloud-based security systems.

Here's how they work:

• Device-to-smartphone Communication: Each lock or controller contains communication modules, typically a low energy Bluetooth chip that is dormant

  (sleeping) to preserve power consumption until "being called." These modules interact directly with a smartphone via a dedicated app.

• Smartphone-to-cloud Network: The smartphone acts as an intermediary. It

  communicates with the cloud server or IoT platform using 5G or Wi-Fi networks.

• Cloud-to-device Connection: The cloud server connects to multiple locks and controllers. It manages credential verification, permission validation, and lock/

  unlock commands.

• Physical Locking Mechanism: Devices incorporate conventional motors, clutches, or NO/NC (normally open or normally closed) relays and they are

  controlled by programmable electronic boards. These components control the mechanical locking/unlocking hardware.

• Cloud-based Roles and Permissions: A smartphone app is used to set up the roles, permission and access management policies. These functions commonly include credential verification, role assignment, permission management and time-based access.

Adding a new lock to the system is essentially like adding it to a virtual cloud-panel- the cloud-based loT platform. This results in the ability to add or manage unlimited numbers of smart locks or access readers from anywhere in the world when connected to the internet.

This is the dream I always had: one unique credential with infinite access. It is a solution that redefines multi-tenant security across global boundaries. "The door hardware industry is undergoing a revolutionary transformation," Russ Anderson,

Sales Director at INOX Smart, says.

The Universal Key: Compatible Devices and a Seamless User Experience

The limitless cloud panel offers unprecedented flexibility in access control, supporting a wide array of smart devices:

BATTERY-POWERED SMART LOCKS:

• Mortise locks

• Cylindrical locks

• Interconnected tubular locks

• Sliding door locks

• Glass door locks

• Cabinet locks

• Padlocks

SMART READER/CONTROLLERS:

These can be connected to both new and existing electrified hardware, including:

• Cylindrical locks

• Mortise locks

• Exit devices

• Electric strikes

• Magnetic locks (maglocks)

If the locking device is equipped with a smart communication module and an electronic board programmed for the mobile app, it can be added to a virtual cloud panel. The device setup process is remarkably swift, typically taking less than 30 seconds for initialization. Bluetooth-enabled devices are especially quick to integrate, leveraging the ubiquity of Bluetooth integration in smartphones.

This ecosystem creates a seamless user experience across multi-tenant properties. Users can access various areas using a single mobile credential, RFID tag or passcode.

The cloud-based nature of the system allows for unlimited expansion across locations, cities, states or even countries. This means users can potentially use a single mobile credential- often their email login- to access multiple locations, buildings, doors and devices globally.

From Super Mario to Super Manager: Cloud-based Access Control Empower Property Management

Robust scalability is not the only benefit from cloud-based smart access solutions. They simplify access management and offer additional convenience for administrators and end users.

For multi-tenant environments, such as office complexes or residential buildings with amenities, retail stores and offices, property managers can easily assign, modify or revoke access rights, roles and permission for individual tenants or groups. This ensures that security protocols adapt swiftly to changing occupancy needs.

Traditional property managers might feel like Super Mario, running around the city from location to location to meet tenants or maintenance workers. With a Smart App, property managers can efficiently manage diverse properties without the need for constant physical presence, truly becoming super managers in the digital age.

Real-time Security and Customization Flexibility

Cloud-based IoT smart access systems support additional security features, including built-in door position monitoring. If a back door is held open by a staff member on break over a preset time limit, an alert will automatically be sent, notifying a manager that the door is still open, even if the hardware device is in a locked position. Similarly, if a door is ajar, latch bolt or deadbolt monitoring data will be transmitted through the cloud, indicating that the door is not secure.

Passage mode can be automated for public access during scheduled hours, while privacy mode adds extra security by restricting access to certain areas for regular credential holders during specific hours.

An IoT smart access system's multilocation capabilities truly shine in enterprises with geographically dispersed sites. Whether managing a chain of retail stores, a network of data centers or a portfolio of properties, property managers can oversee and control access across all locations from a single app with a single login. This streamlines operations and significantly enhances security awareness and control.

Cloud-based IoT-driven access solutions that integrate smart locks and reader controllers represent a significant leap forward in multitenant, multi-location security

management. By harnessing the power of connected devices and cloud computing, this solution offers control, flexibility and intelligence in access management, paving the way for a more secure and efficient future in property protection.