CREJ

October 2020 — Property Management Quarterly — Page 21 www.crej.com Vendor Trends W hen you hear words like business security, you might immediately think of alarms and buzzers. In reality, those are only supplementations to your preexist- ing security locks. You might need a commercial smart lock to ensure safety. Commercial-grade smart locks endorse strength, durability, function, corporeality and intended application. A large number of com- mercial locks can be utilized to provide security. A smart lock is an electromechanical lock. They could be an excellent choice and an excel- lent investment for your business. n Types of commercial smart locks. There are plenty of options avail- able for someone who is consider- ing getting a commercial-grade lock. Most of the smart locks are installed on already existing mechanical locks, for example over a deadbolt, and their purpose is to upgrade the average lock physically. Over recent years, a wide variety of smart locking controllers have also appeared in the market. Among the many options include keyless entry or keypad door locks, electronic locks and magnetic locks. Other options could be card reader locks, fingerprint locks, mortise locks and cylindrical locks. The choice of your lock depends upon your preference, budget and business needs. Smart locks, with the help of a virtual key, allow users to grant access to a third party. You can send this vir- tual key to the receiver smartphone over standard messaging protocols. n Keyless locks. These types of locks require a passcode to provide entrance; there- fore, it’s manage- able and effective. An added benefit is the ability to keep track of who is going in or leav- ing. This feature protects from pos- sible employee theft. It also comes with the ben- efit of providing multiple people access without getting everyone a separate key. All these features make keyless locks an excellent choice for businesses employing numerous people, such as office buildings and headquar- ters. n Electronic locks. When utilizing an electric lock a keypad is placed outside the door, so all you have to do is to enter a series of num- bers. This is termed as a coded entry. Other than that we have the biometric door locks that store a picture of your fingerprint. Some of these feature voice recognition and an eye scanner as well. Based on the circuitry mechanism of the lock, we can classify electric locks into two basic categories – fail safe and fail secure. n Magnetic locks. Magnetic locks are a superb option for businesses located in areas that face frequent power interruptions or nasty weath- er. These electromagnetic locks are quite similar to strike locks. There- fore the door will stay shut in cases of power interruptions. n Card reader locks . One of the most preferred lock systems for a business is the card reader lock. This type of lock makes the entire process of locking and unlocking the door faster and more conve- nient. Aside from having a modern and sophisticated design, this type of digital door lock is weather- and vandal-resistant. No need to worry about forgetting your key or fidget- ing at the door to get it open, as long as you have this sophisticated lock installed. n Selecting the appropriate lock for your business. When selecting a lock, I urge that you consider your office size, as well as the traits and habits of the people in your prop- erty where you intend to install it. Installing even the most fail-proof lock in the wrong door would fail. Selection and installation of the right lock can be an important con- cern, especially for those commer- cial businesses that are interested in enhancing the safety of their workplace environment. n Why choose a commercial lock. When you are running your busi- ness, the speculation that at some point you might have to deal with burglary and theft, caused by either criminals or misguided employees, must keep you worried. A small- or medium-scale business cannot risk getting into such a compromising situation. It is smart to foresee the problems that you might have to face then and invest in a commer- cial-grade lock. You might need the expertise of a commercial locksmith who knows how to make your premises foolproof and establish business security. They ensure the security of your company’s financial information and important docu- ments. A commercial locksmith will replace any locks that are damaged during the break-in and reinforce overall security around your proper- ty. A commercial lock protects from internal threats as well. Some smart locks come with features that provide additional options, such as using a camera to see whoever is at the door, and the convenience of being able to oper- ate a door remotely makes them a great choice. Criminals can target even the safest of business locations if not appropriately secured. It is great to be proactive and thoughtful about the security of a business to reduces the chances of a break-in and theft. Choosing the most appro- priate smart lock for your business premises could keep such worries at bay. s Smart locks can help ensure business security David Lahav Owner, Advanced Locksmith Commercial-grade smart locks endorse strength, durability, function, corporeal- ity and intended application.