Anybody who has a physical space for their business should have some form of access control to keep their buildings and assets secure. Access control systems use cards and other devices that are programmed with a unique identifier to allow authorized people access to an area.
ADT is a company that, among other security solutions, provides access control systems. Here, learn about what ADT offers, the pros and cons, pricing, and how the brand compares to others.
ADT Review: Features of ADT Access Control Systems
ADT access control systems provide security and peace of mind via various features, including remote and managed access.
Remote Access
ADT offers remote access, which means you can personally monitor access to your buildings 24/7. While you can use IT personnel or security to help manage and monitor your systems, you don’t need to. Remote access also means you can go without servers. With mobile alerts, you can always be informed regarding what is happening on your property.
You can do more than simply monitor your entrances as well. Remote access allows you to manually lock or unlock an entrance from anywhere. You can also buzz people in without having to physically be on site. The interactive interface ADT offers also allows you to easily manage who has access. It’s simple to create new users or delete existing users.
Managed Access
ADT also offers managed access control if you want to take some of the load off of yourself or other leadership within your organization. For business owners who want to be completely hands-off with their access control management, ADT can provide full system management, including software updates, cardholder administration, and more.
Additionally, ADT offers access control for more than just front entrances. You can restrict access to individual offices, employee vs public entrances, files, IT server rooms, controlled substance areas, elevators, parking facilities, and more. You can also give different types of access to employees, customers, and vendors. For example, you can control who can access which part of your buildings and when they can have access.
ADT Access Control Products
In addition to access control, ADT offers other security solutions that can be integrated, so you can view and manage everything on one platform. For example, you can integrate your access control with video surveillance, intrusion management, and identity management.
To set up and manage access control, ADT offers smart locks, keycard readers, intercoms, and biometrics access control.
Smart Locks
Smart lock technology is what gives you the ability to lock or unlock your doors from anywhere using an app on your mobile device.
Keycard Readers
Using keycard readers, you can program cards to allow certain people access. This also allows you to keep a log of who is coming in and out of your buildings.
Intercoms
With an ADT intercom at your access points, you can communicate with the people who are attempting to access your building.
Biometrics
ADT offers biometric options for access control, which involves using body characteristics to grant access. This is a way to ensure the person attempting to gain access is who they say they are and that they aren’t attempting to use a stolen keycard. Some biometric options include fingerprints, DNA, retina, iris, and voice patterns.
When you combine all four of these access control products, you end up having a lot of control over the access to your buildings.
With a keycard reader and biometrics scanner, you can give predetermined people access to your building. You can also control when they are and are not able to access the building. Using an intercom, you can communicate with anybody attempting to gain access, and with smart locks, you can grant access to people as needed or deny access completely.
You also have access to a log of activity at your access control devices, so you have an accurate history and can investigate any past security events. When looking at access history, you can filter by person, date, and time.
Pros and Cons of ADT Access Control
Pros
ADT has been a leader in both home and commercial security for years. The company caters to businesses, providing access control solutions designed specifically for commercial areas. They understand the importance of controlling access to buildings and restricted areas.
In addition to ADT’s history and experience in the security business, the option for remote and managed control is appealing to many businesses. You can choose the level of involvement you want in your access control.
ADT also has advanced security features for commercial sites. For example, you can instantly run federal and state background checks on visitors entering your buildings. Once you’ve ensured your visitor is safe, you can print a temporary photo ID.
Cons
On the con side, ADT can feel a bit limiting when you need to contact the company for every issue, especially if you choose a managed access system.
Another major con is that once you choose ADT, you will need to sign a 36-month contract. If you decide you don’t like the company for your access control, you won’t be able to get out of the contract without losing some money.
ADT Access Control Pricing
ADT access control pricing can vary widely based on many factors, including the size of your building or site, the number of access control points, and the features you choose.
ADT does not share general pricing numbers for commercial access control systems. To give you an idea of what it might cost for your business, we can look at home security pricing. Monthly pricing for home security begins at $30 per month, and initial installation is around $100. For access control, typically, each access card costs $5-$10. To access these prices, customers are typically locked into this pricing for a 36-month contract.
ADT Access Control Comparison
Let’s take a quick look at how ADT compares to two other access control companies: SimpliSafe and Vivint. All three systems offer professional monitoring and the price of each can vary, although Vivint is typically the least expensive to start. SimpliSafe has cheaper monthly fees, as low as $17.99/month.
ADT typically offers more permanent and professional equipment when compared to Vivint and SimpliSafe. However, ADT locks customers into a longer contract than SimpliSafe and Vivint. SimpliSafe also offers DIY installation, while ADT and Vivint only allow professional installation.
