Student Housing Business

MAR-APR 2015

Student Housing Business is the voice of the student housing industry.

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SMARTER OPERATIONS MARCH/APRIL 2015 STUDENTHOUSINGBUSINESS.COM 96 THE CHANGING FACE OF SECURITY Advances in technology, along with management and resident needs, is changing the face of access and security for student housing properties. By Amy Bigley Works F For the constantly evolving student housing indus- try, quick and reliable changes in security and access permissions is vital to maintaining and cre- ating a secure environment for residents and staff. And, recent advances in technology are making this easier to achieve for operators and owners. Gone is the day of traditional lock-and-key entrances for many properties, as manage- ment teams have embraced electronic and online security and access systems, as well as other technologies, for amenities and residen- tial units. "Technology is king," says Andrew Gladden, presi- dent of construction with Denver-based Cardinal Group. "Our residents want increasingly integral solutions that lever- age things like near- feld technology and the smartphones that they already carry with them at all times." While many of the changes in secu- rity and access seem high-tech, and maybe even fashy, the technologies are adding much more than fash to student housing properties. One big improvement is the creation of IP-based access control systems. Many of these systems can work together to create a streamlined access and security program for a property, creating a central interface that can be accessed with the proper credentials from various devices or computers, thus elim- inating the need for an access control system hardwired to a standalone computer. These IP-based and online electronic secu- rity and access systems allow management teams to streamline and speed up traditionally labor-intensive activities, like re-keying locks for annual turnover key changes. Equipping a property's residential units with electronic locks can be a huge savings beneft for opera- tors in the long run. Additionally, access to various facilities can be easily adjusted and changed from a central program rather than having to manually recode each lock and access device throughout the property. The growing popularity of technolo- gies — like radio-frequency identifcation (RFID), near-feld communication (NFC) and Bluetooth low energy (BLE) — in the consum- er market and its enhanced end-user experi- ence is making its way into the student hous- ing industry, offering multiple features in one easy-to-use device. And while NFC technolo- gy is gaining popularity, it's still too expensive to install on all unit and bedroom doors for many off-campus student properties. "Unlike 'one-size-fts-all' security options of the past, today's more advanced systems provide facilities with the ability to tailor a solution that can address a property's specifc needs," notes George Winker, vice president of business development with Richardson, Texas-based VingCard Elsafe. "Additionally, these systems can offer end-users a higher level or customized service and convenience." Security and access programs are expand- ing from perimeter and facility access to unit entry and bedroom access, and every aspect of a property can be secured with control access. To meet the needs of each property, compa- nies are offering a variety of packages and service options to create a security and access system that fts the needs of a property and its residents. Companies offer services and products ranging from radio-frequency online electron- ic-locking systems and contactless electronic locking solutions featuring NFC compatibili- ties to Essence by VingCard, which eliminates all lock hardware by encasing all electronic components inside the door itself. While the hardware continues to evolve, so do the software components, especially with mobile devices. Kaba has stepped up to meet the demand for mobile access by creating a state-of-the-art technology that can secure- ly issue, revoke and update credentials on mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets and smartwatches. Top ImplemenTaTIon TIps Security systems and access control can be a huge selling point for a student housing prop- erty, but jumping on the newest fad or trend is not always the wisest decision for a property. Whether implementing a new security and access program or upgrading a property's current system, it's important to diligently consider the security, access and convenience needs of each individual property, including the needs and wants of the staff and residents. "Occupant and employee access conve- nience should always be considered as a top priority when deciding to implement any new security features, yet without causing any sig- nifcant reduction in the ability to offer resi- dents a safe and secure environment," says Winker. Hindsight is always 20/20, so it's important to review security and access problems to make sure new services or programs address any previous problems and concerns, but not get blinded by all the bright new options. "Developers and property management teams should examine all areas of a prop- erty in detail, as this will help determine what hardware and software options are needed to allow for total control," says Bobby Welliver, business development manager for Winston Salem, North C a r o l i n a - b a s e d Kaba. "Owners should be encour- aged not to overbuy or get caught up in hype technologies or new vendors that may not have long-term inten- tions to support their products." Creating a suc- cessful security and access program for a student hous- ing property is a S C K s a o h o th lo ti th c a a in BOBBY WELLIVER Business Development Manager Kaba ANDREW GLADDEN President of Construction Cardinal Group

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