Access control is just what it sounds like. It is a means for discriminating who can and cannot gain entry through a door. Access control devices come in a lot of different variety suited to the specific needs of many different security needs. The term access control can apply to relatively simple stand alone devices – such as a keypad device – or to a computer application that manages a host of devices across a distributed network of buildings and their doors. Access control systems can be both highly sophisticated and quite simple.

There are access control systems that are designed for home use, again, such as the more simple keypad-type device. Though uncommon in home setting, there are becoming more common, in particular in high priced neighborhoods or in areas where crime is particularly high. But for the most case, access control systems are used in commercial, government and educational institutions.

In many cases, keeping the bad guys out is not good enough. You have to be able to also let the good guys in. This is always the case in any situation where a lock is used, but the challenges associated with it grow exponentially when applied to commercial situations, or in facilities where large numbers of people must be able to come and go freely and safely.

Traditional access control solutions are managed via computer systems that are scaled for the particular needs of the application. Some provide the ability for multiple users to use and access the system across many different facilities, some are designed for a single facility.

There are also standalone access control systems, perhaps best known as the traditional card key system. These systems work well in commercial settings in a way that traditional locks do not, because business owners do not have to worry about rekeying a lock, or resetting a password, every time an employee leaves. And it means that there is no more worry about having to make sure all the doors to the building are locked at the end of the day.

There are also biometric readers. Biometric readers work by electronically unlocking a lock once activated by some kind of biological trait of the person trying to enter the building. The prototypical example of a biometric reader is one that will open lock after verifying the person by their retina, or thumb print. Even some computers have this type of lock device built into them.

Commercial lock smiths work with all of these devices and can be called upon to design and install these systems.

As with any locksmith you consider, you should always evaluate the extent to which the services they provide fit into their area of expertise. While it is a commercial locksmith that you would look to provide the services, not all commercial locksmiths have the same level of expertise with the more sophisticated types of equipment and computer systems that are required to operate these access control devices. And the expert implementation of the system can be just as important as the features of the systems.