Integrated access control systems are the most important components of building automation

Integrated access control systems represent one of the key systems in building automation, where a building's heating, lighting, door access, security and audio visual (AV) systems can be remotely controlled via smartphones, tablets and other digital devices.

Building automation systems span a range of heating, lighting, access control and AV devices and applications. But the majority of people buying them appear to be interested in implementing some form of home security system, whether connected alarms, IP CCTV or a combination of the two.

During a recent panel on the future of home and building automation at IFSEC International 2016, experts have acknowledged that the UK home automation market is still in its infancy, but says demand is growing and UK consumers are becoming savvier.

Most industry players agree that home automation solutions of the past have often been hard to use, difficult to integrate and in some cases prohibitively expensive. However, that situation is changing as easy to use, low cost, do-it-yourself (DIY) devices become more popular among consumers.

However, choosing specialists to install, configure and manage the back-end infrastructure is a key area of differentiation for building automation solution suppliers, as a poorly designed and deployed infrastructure can hinder the proper functionality of any building automation system.

HEATING SYSTEM INTEGRATION WITH ACCESS CONTROL

Like all formerly standalone systems, ubiquitous access control systems are converging and integrating into new and expanded areas of control and facility management, including HVAC. This new integration paradigm offers advantages and efficiencies that are now becoming apparent, thus prompting considerable investment.

As intelligence and capabilities migrate to edge devices, a period is emerging in which we can integrate and control just about every aspect of a business — telecommunications, network and internet access, HVAC control, elevator control, physical access and video surveillance.

The list is limited only by the end-user's needs and the designer or integrator's knowledge and abilities. Pushing intelligence to the edge devices will be the future of convergence in the security sector.

In addition to providing substantial cost, security and convenience benefits, there are other benefits from automating physical security and building control. Scheduled maintenance of all security and building control systems can be combined, thus ensuring maximum return on investment, lower operational costs and reduced system downtime.

If you'd like to find out more about the range of access control and energy management solutions supplied by Tensor, just contact us or Book a Demo, our representatives will be more than happy to answer any questions or queries you might have.