10 | FEBRUARY 2023
News
Read online at www . proinstaller . co . uk
A SMARTER APPROACH TO SECURITY
David Jennings , CEO of UAP , explains how customer insight and advances in technology are delivering more secure and user-friendly electronic locks .
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No longer considered a luxury or ‘ nice to have ’, smart technology is now an expectation in the home . More and more people are turning to smart devices to make their lives easier and to feel safer and better connected . In line with this trend , electronic locks are growing in popularity across the residential sector .
In response , technology has quickly evolved , and this has brought a variety of new products to market , giving fabricators , installers and end users more choice than ever before . When selecting an electronic lock , there are however , several factors to consider to make sure it meets consumers ’ changing needs .
Key requirements
Ensuring the highest levels of security will always be a top priority for homeowners and residents . But in an increasingly fast-paced world , populated by tech-savvy consumers , an electronic lock must tick other boxes too .
Improving the overall customer experience is crucial and that requires a lock that is both very easy to use and flexible . These factors are also important for those who own or manage properties such as social landlords and those working in the private rented sector .
From our own research with customers , flexibility means being able to tailor a smart lock to individual needs . To satisfy the demand for ease of use , people want to be able to shut their door and for it to automatically lock , without having to lift a lever and turn a key . If the door lock is
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operated using a smartphone App , that needs to be simple too , allowing people of all ages to use it without an issue .
This simplicity extends down the chain to fabricators and installers . Removing the need for complex wiring is essential to deliver a quicker installation , especially across multiple residential properties .
To make sure an electronic lock is ultra secure , some technologies can be counterproductive . Biometrics such as fingerprint readers for example , can increase the risk of hacking . Earlier this year , research revealed that off the shelf hardware combined with minimal hacking knowledge could harvest fingerprints via a consumer smart lock , largely due to a lack of dedicated secure storage .
The rise in keyless car theft has also left some consumers worried about the effectiveness of electronic door locks that use the same system .
Next level tech
Advances in technology and new approaches to design are helping to address these needs and expectations . The IONIC for example , is a new electronic lock that follows five years of research and development .
The design is based on the Fullex Crimebeater lock and can be operated using a smartphone App , a fob , push button on the inside , or a thumb turn . A simple interface hides complex technology built into the App . This enables several access functions , including the ability to add new users and set times for entry at the click of a button .
A wireless unit , which fits easily to a door frame , connects to a control unit and is used to power the Iock . Customers can either use a USB wire with a plug or a power pack to charge the lock via this system . If there
was a power cut , a charged lock can operate for up to four weeks without a power supply .
An override key can be used in an emergency and when tenants leave a property ensuring a swifter and safer handover . This key , and the main control unit on the inside of the door , can be replaced by a landlord in less than 10 minutes , meaning there is no need to change the whole lock or the door when a tenant vacates the building . After unscrewing the unit , the wiring loom can be simply unclipped , requiring no special skills . Any existing fob can be reprogrammed in seconds .
Using our extensive knowledge of mechanical and car vehicle technology , the IONIC has been developed to offer the most advanced security encryption on the market . The fob codes can ’ t be stolen by intercepting the signal in the same way that thieves target keyless cars . This is because every fob has been manufactured with two million rolling codes , making every transmission unique . Face recognition further enhances security and no server is needed to control the lock which holds no data .
As a 45mm backset multipoint lock , the IONIC can be installed on timber , aluminium and composite doors of any thickness between approximately 44 to 54mm . No complex wiring is needed making the product as simple to fit as any multipoint lock .
Once installed , the risk of any future maintenance or troubleshooting is minimal . The electronics have been developed by a specialist in Hungary which manufactures printed circuit boards for the car industry . Each one is tested multiple times before being shipped to the UK . This not only maximises reliability , but ensures EU GDPR compliance .
uapcorporate . com