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Technology is laying the foundation for a truly smart home when
it comes to security, where will be in the next ten years?
» » ALREADY THERE ARE SMART
meters to track energy usage, smart
thermostats to control heating systems,
smart doorbells and cameras for home
security as well as smart home assistance
devices such as Amazon’s Alexa and
Google’s Home Mini. Today, the ‘smart,
connected home’ is the exception. In a
decade or less it will be the norm.
Residential smart lock technology
allows the user to go above and beyond
what a standard door lock can offer. The
smart lock provides multiple features
accessed through an app on a smart phone
giving a greater picture of home security.
Undoubtedly a driver for this is that more
people now want everything to be accessed
through their personal device.
'all that's needed is an
online device with an
internet connection'
With a smart home lock there is no
need to carry keys which eliminates the
chance of them being lost or stolen, and
it also allows users to cancel keys on the
go if they need to restrict access. And
because such technology works with most
existing euro cylinders or multipoint locks
(depending on different manufacturers
models), it still complies with current
home insurance standards.
Such locks are battery operated and
wire free, wireless, cloud or mobile
based – so no need for the expense and
inconvenience of hard wiring -
and are already in widespread
use in commercial
markets such as
hotels, universities,
airports, serviced
offices etc.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF THIS
TECHNOLOGY OVER A TRADITIONAL
KEY AND LOCK ARRANGEMENT?
For residential customers in serviced
apartments and the like, more powerful
cloud based solutions are a common
choice. Cloud access control provides a
simple and secure solution to manage
keys, users and doors across multiple
locations – typically using a combination
of smart phone app and smart RFID tag.
No software installation is required; all
that’s needed is an online device with an
Internet connection. An online account is
created and this is used to create access
groups, manage users and view entries to
the property from a smart phone, tablet or
other device.
A hub unit fitted inside the building
uses 2G, 3G or 4Gcellular connectivity
to communicate with the wireless lock
equipped doors. Users simply present
their RFID tag to the lock which instantly
engages so residents, visitors etc can enter
easily and according to their access rights.
WHAT ABOUT THE
INDIVIDUAL HOME?
For the domestic homeowner there are
a number of options on the market and
most make use of the smart phone to take
the place of the ‘key’.
Some take the form of a traditional
handle set and have a prominent reader
unit at the top. Users can configure, control
and unlock their smart door lock from
their smart phone via a secure Bluetooth
app. They can give family and friends
access by sending a virtual key
to their smart phone and keep
track of who comes and goes
via the app.
Another variation is to have a smart
motorised lock. The advantage of this
is that the door looks just like a normal
door with a standard-looking handle
and keyhole; there is no impression from
the outside that the door is smart. The
electronic unit is housed on the inside of
the door and again works with a smart
phone app. But the attraction of this
product is that it also has an auto unlock
feature.
With auto unlock activated, coming
home is as easy as it gets. Automatic
GEO location detection determines your
position when you enter the auto unlock
zone, approx 500 - 1000m from the door,
and when you get in Bluetooth range
approx 0 - 5m, it unlocks your door for
you. Not only that, but with automatic
timed locking it can do exactly the same
thing in reverse and automatically lock the
door when you leave the house.
As with most things, the key to success
lies in recommending the right product
for the customers’ needs. But with smart
security, the technology is already here to
deliver tomorrow’s smart home today.
For further information visit:
www.saltosystems.com
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL.CO.UK | JAN/FEB 2019