The Digital Lock Increases Security: Smart Homes
One of the reasons for the success of the digital lock is that it increases the security of your home or facilities. The growth in the acquisition of this service is not only due to the convenience of not having to always carry keys around. Contactless access is also a major incentive — not having to touch surfaces that are used by many people adds a layer of hygiene and convenience.
Furthermore, it has been proven that this type of lock offers greater security wherever it is installed. Many of these systems incorporate a locking mechanism that activates if someone tries to force the door. Additionally, there is no possibility of having your keys stolen, lost, or having copies you are unaware of. Finally, they are also a deterrent element, as thieves are aware of this anti-theft system, so on many occasions they prefer to opt for homes with less complicated access.
Smart homes are becoming increasingly common. And we can certainly affirm that the digital lock for automatic door opening has come to stay.
The Digital Lock Fortifies the Security of Tourist Apartments
One of the great uses of the digital lock in terms of security is for tourist apartments or residences.
The problem for owners of tourist properties is having to give the key to temporary tenants with the assurance that it will only be used for a specific period of time and that there is no possibility of them making a copy. If we think about it, we are hosting strangers in our home, and having control in this aspect is essential, and at the same time, complicated.
The smart lock is the great solution to this problem. And we want to point out that if we are talking about a hybrid system, that is, an electromechanical lock, the problem is still solved. Once we remove the key from the equation, our doubts and concerns dissipate, with the advantage that we will always have the key system to enter, but only we will be able to use it.
Our solution consists of an app that can be managed from any smartphone and allows you to open any door where you want to install the system (home, entrance hall, garage, gate, etc.). Additionally, you can set the date and time during which access is allowed, so once the user leaves the property, they will not be able to re-enter, guaranteeing home security. As the owner, you can set whatever permissions you want for whomever you want.
Likewise, many rental property owners are keeping an eye on this system, as the security advantages are more than considerable.
What Elements Should I Look for in an Electronic Lock?
The digital lock offers greater security to the home. But you should also pay attention to another aspect when talking about security, and that is on a personal level. That is, you need to consider what this digital solution offers you and what you should look for when you decide to purchase a digital lock.
There are many models on the market, which can make the purchasing decision difficult if you are not familiar with the product. Furthermore, we are talking about a system that normally nobody is familiar with. What to do?
- First, you need to check that the app is compatible with your device’s operating systems. It is best if it is compatible with both Android and iOS, as you never know if at some point you will need to give access to someone who has a different system than yours. There is also the possibility that you yourself may switch systems at some point.
- Second, it is advisable to make sure there are alternative options for opening. What happens if you lose your phone before getting home? Among alternative systems, there are several possibilities. There may be an installed keypad to enter a code. It may be a mixed system, that is, an electromechanical lock, so you can access with a key. The best option is that the app also has a web version, so you can immediately access the property with your user credentials from any phone.
- Finally, you should require access management for other people. As owners, you need to have the authority to authorize access to whoever you want: family members, guests, workers, etc.
5 Advantages the Digital Lock Offers Over the Mechanical Lock
The digital lock not only offers greater convenience by allowing you to open a door remotely with a single finger. It also offers other advantages that make it an element growing rapidly in the market:
- There is no key, so nobody can make copies, and the owner knows who can have access thanks to the app.
- No more carrying a bunch of keys around. With your mobile phone, you can open as many doors as you want.
- The security code for opening is not visible to other users. The administrator is the one who must grant permissions, so unauthorized users will not be able to open the door.
- Access rights are configured and changed very easily. This is very useful for places such as residences or vacation apartments.
- Digital locks are much more secure than mechanical locks. Most of them have a system that locks the door if someone tries to force it.
Most Widespread Uses of the Digital Lock
Digital lock adoption has grown considerably in recent years, proving that they have the confidence of individuals and organizations as a security and convenience measure. Among the most widespread uses:
- Homeowner communities: Community doors are handled by many people, and digital locks eliminate the need for shared physical keys, improving security and access management.
- Garages: Remote opening eliminates the need for inserting small keys, streamlining access for all residents.
- Offices: Office doors, especially in shared buildings, are handled by many people. Digital locks eliminate key management headaches and provide audit trails of who accessed what and when.
- Vacation apartments: These keys and doors are used by many different guests. Digital locks offer the added value of time-limited access that can be managed remotely from a smartphone app.
Digital Locks and Capacity Control
One of the most practical uses of a remote door opening app is as a capacity control measure. At Reservar Zona Comun, we offer an app for managing bookings and controlling capacity in facilities such as gyms. With the door opening application, you can set an entry schedule — for example, from 5 to 7 in the evening for a specific user. That person will only be able to open the door during that time slot, ensuring they cannot access early and overlap with other users. This way, capacity control is fully guaranteed and complements the booking system to create a complete access management solution.
The Controversy of the Smart Lock and Home Security
The system proposed by Amazon for digital lock security has already been questioned due to a controversy that you have surely heard about. We want to explain what it consisted of so that no one will think that the digital lock is not secure, because as we have mentioned, it is, and more so than the mechanical lock. The problem came from a specific use case.
The smart lock can be activated remotely. Amazon proposes that the user can let a delivery person into the house without having to stop their activities. To do this, the American company proposes installing a webcam alongside the lock. In this way, the courier can scan the package code and make an access request to Amazon. Then, the online store will verify said code and unlock the door. At that moment, the camera will also start recording for security.
So much for the theory. The truth is that it is a very innovative proposal. The controversy arises because an American security company has publicly demonstrated that the system can be tricked to regain access to the home. However, beyond this use and this controversy, the digital lock remains a recommended system.
