Physical access control systems can be configured in several different ways and can have a number of different components.

However, the main goal is always the same: to increase safety and security at a site.

Most people are familiar with the basic idea of access control, but oftentimes an access control system is viewed as just another way to lock doors.

After all, that's what they're supposed to do, right?Just let some people in, and keep other people out?

Well...not exactly.

While it's true that card readers and compatible locks are key parts of a good access control system, the truth is that an access control system is so much more than a series of locks and card readers.

Aside from managing access to doors, an access control system is able to enhance security at your site in a number of ways.

It has become a predictable pattern: each time a new survey on violence in healthcare facilities is released, the numbers paint an increasingly alarming picture of the daily dangers faced by doctors, nurses and other staff members.

Unfortunately, the latest survey to come out is no different, and this one should raise eyebrows among the hospital security community.

This recent survey was conducted by the American College of Emergency Physicians, also known as the ACEP. The ACEP is a leading advocacy group for emergency physicians and the patients they serve, so it makes sense that those emergency physicians were the ones responding to the survey.

The results gathered from the survey of more than 3,500 medical professionals do not paint a rosy picture of the healthcare safety and security space.

Nearly half of respondents reported being assaulted on the job

A good school ID badge can go beyond just identifying students and staff — it can also boost safety on your campus.

In an effort to make campuses as safe as possible, today’s schools are leaving no stone unturned when looking for the latest and greatest security enhancements.

Schools that previously left doors unlocked are now turning to smart lock systems that can be controlled remotely. Campuses that formerly used a volunteer with a notebook to register guests are now using robust Visitor Management systems.

In an ideal world, schools wouldn’t need to spend any time worrying about taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of students and staff, but the threats today’s schools face are too serious to ignore.

However, in a rush to add surveillance cameras and metal detectors, schools are overlooking a more basic way to enhance security: the use of school identification cards for students and staff.

Visitor Management!

We talk about it a lot, and you know it's important.

You want it. You need it. You gotta have it!

But how do you go about finding the system that's right for you?

Truthfully, there's no simple answer to that question: choosing a Visitor Management system is one of the more difficult ID/security-related purchases an organization can make because each system is unique to the site at which it's installed.

Basically, there's no "one size fits all" solution when it comes to Visitor Management. And because there are a ton of different options to choose from, finding the right one can be tricky.

However, there are several key questions you can ask that will help you zero in on the perfect Visitor Management system for your needs.

Asking yourself certain questions about what you need from a system and about how certain aspects of your site operate will eliminate some options while elevating others to the top of the pile.

The result? The perfect Visitor Management system for you.

When it comes to choosing a system, you've got all the answers

The specific reasons why an organization chooses to adopt a Visitor Management system vary from site to site, but the overarching reason is the same across the board: Visitor Management is added in order to solve a problem.

The problem being solved could be obvious, like enhancing security site-wide after a violent incident. It could also be a more subtle, behind-the-scenes problem, like a facilities manager choosing to add Visitor Management to better analyze the number of guests his or her building sees on a given day.

Regardless of the impetus, Visitor Management systems aren't usually installed for no reason whatsoever; something is driving the adoption.

The good news is that today's electronic Visitor Management systems are versatile and powerful enough to solve a wide variety of problems, from logistical issues to security concerns.

How do we know?

We've used Visitor Management to solve a number of problems for our customers.

Fake names, no records and more

Modern healthcare facilities are busy places. 

Each facility has dozens of different staff members, from doctors and nurses to technicians and maintenance staff, on-site at any given time. 

It's no surprise, of course, that healthcare is one of the most heavily regulated industries when it comes to identification programs and visitor policies.

With that in mind, a post on how a hospital or clinic needs good ID cards would be preaching to the choir: if you're a healthcare facility with no identification program, chances are the government has already come calling for you.

Instead, we wanted to point out ways to make your ID program better: by using Badge Buddies!

Those in the healthcare industry are probably at least somewhat familiar with Badge Buddies, even if they aren't known by name. 

"Those things with the letters that go behind our ID badges," you say.

Yup! Those are them. And while Badge Buddies are perfect for simple, effective role recognition, they can also be used to do so much more.

How can Badge Buddies make your healthcare ID program better?

The key. It's such a simple thing, something most people interact with on a daily basis without giving it much thought.

Keys have been around in a form similar to the metal ones most currently use for nearly 6,000 years, standing the test of time to remain a useful, functional tool.

However, as property managers and management companies of multifamily buildings know, keys can be a real pain in the neck to deal with.

Property managers are responsible for all aspects of keys at their site, including keeping track of the number of keys issued and the prevention of the creation of duplicates. Also, when a tenant moves out, new keys may need to be issued. If a set of keys is lost, locks need to be changed for security reasons, meaning more new keys. If you want to limit access to certain rooms, like gyms or resident lounges, that's another lock and another key. 

Keys, keys and more keys. In today's ever-changing, technology-laden world, isn't there an easier way to manage multifamily buildings?

Why yes, there is.

Property managers, meet PremiSys^™.

PremiSys is our access control system that,  due to integration with ENGAGE^™ technology from Allegion^™, allows you to say "goodbye" to keys, and say "hello" to a modern, secure wireless lock and security solution.

Find out the 5 reasons why PremiSys will have you saying "goodbye" to keys

For most organizations, the impetus for adding Visitor Management to a site is pretty obvious: the organization would like to boost site security.

A Visitor Management solution increases safety as soon as it's installed, serving as a way of preventing unauthorized guests from gaining access to a site. Visitor Management systems also go a step further by deterring potential troublemakers from even attempting to gain access.

While increased safety is the focus, installing a Visitor Management system at your site also comes with a number of tangential benefits that are often overlooked by the average consumer.

For example, things like guest arrival alerts can help make your organization look more professional by ensuring that each guest is greeted promptly by his or her host.

One of these tangential benefits might seem a little boring on paper (unless you're a spreadsheet guru, of course), but it's among the most useful features when it comes to analyzing what goes on at your site on a daily basis.

Visitor Management, reporting for duty

If you've been to a large medical facility recently, chances are you encountered Badge Buddies on your visit.

Even if you're not familiar with the term "Badge Buddies," you'd know one if you saw it: those large ID tags with bright colors and big letters hanging behind the ID badge of your nurse, x-ray technician or doctor.

Healthcare facilities of all kinds rely on Badge Buddies to provide clear, effective role recognition for their employees.

While some facilities issue Badge Buddies simply to make things easier on patients, others are required by law to ensure that employee job functions are easily identifiable, and Badge Buddies are just the most convenient solution.

Basically, Badge Buddies are known as being great for making a worker's title clear.

However, custom Badge Buddies can also be used for another purpose: to keep staff members informed of a facility's emergency codes and procedures.

Combine Badge Buddies and emergency codes for a safer facility

When creating new ID cards, most organizations are going to put at least a little bit of thought into ID card security features. The amount of thought will vary from site to site, of course: a gym printing membership cards won't be as security-conscious as a government office printing employee ID badges. 

No organization wants its cards to be easily counterfeited. That's why many of today's card security features exist: things like UV printing and holographic stamping are ways to ensure that forgers and scammers can't copy a badge for illegitimate purposes.

Learn more about today's most popular on-card security features.

Other card security products exist as well, including things like shielded badge holders and locking card cases. Card security is big business, and organizations go to great lengths to keep their cards protected.

But if you're printing ID cards on site, one of the bigger threats to your ID card program is probably sitting in your nearest trash barrel: used printer ribbons.

Stop throwing away sensitive card data