Today, telecommunications technologies are developing rapidly, and what seemed impossible just a few years ago now does not even cause surprise. This trend has led to the rapid development of user software used on mobile devices – smartphones, tablets, and similar gadgets. Until recently constant users of desktop computers, they increasingly prefer mobile devices that provide the ability to use PC functions remotely, at any time and in any place where there is network coverage, 3G or WiFi.
Consumers dictate their rules, and the market is forced to adapt to their requirements. This also applies to the security market – in particular, to access control and management systems (hereinafter ACS).
The modern development of mobile technologies, especially NFC (Near Field Communication) and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) technologies, not only allows for the full use of a user’s smartphone in an ACS but also brings new capabilities and functions that were previously unavailable.
Global giants like SALTO Systems never lag behind modern trends and create more and more new technologies. One of these technologies is the JustIN mobile key. By the way, at the beginning of the year, this solution received the prestigious “GIT Security Award 2016”.
The mobile solution from SALTO can be applied in any room where door access control is required; it can be used on main entrance doors, elevators, parking lots, turnstiles, conference rooms, hotel rooms, etc. Two scenarios for using users’ smartphones in SALTO systems are envisaged:
• JustIN mSVN app (SALTO mobile Virtual Network).
• JustIN mobile key app.
So, let’s look into each scenario in more detail.
What is JustIN mSVN?
Mobile SVN is an innovative mobile virtual network developed by SALTO for wirelessly updating user access rights using the JustIN mSVN app, available for smartphones supporting NFC technology.
The interaction between the mobile device and the user account increases productivity and flexibility without compromising security. The access card update occurs without requiring the user’s presence at some specific card update point (central office, checkpoint, etc.). It is also not necessary to have a permanent network connection with a remote controlled door, whether it is an autonomous off-line controller or an electronic lock – the smartphone’s NFC chip will overwrite new access rights (provided by the system administrator) directly onto the user’s card, on the fly, using data-on-card technology and secure encryption modes available for MiFare and DESFire keycards.
Now, what exactly is the JustIN mobile key.
JustIN Mobile uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology for secure data transmission between the smartphone and electronic locks and other access points equipped with readers with a Bluetooth low energy antenna. The encrypted “mobile key,” created in the SALTO access system software – ProAccess SPACE, is sent to the user’s smartphone “Over the Air” (OTA), supported by the mobile operator.
A smartphone with the installed JustIN Mobile app that has passed the mandatory registration and user verification procedure receives and decrypts the mobile key – after which the user simply needs to tap the icon on the window in the smartphone and hold the phone up to the reader to open the door. Simultaneously with sending the encrypted key, a text message can be sent to the user – for example, with additional instructions, a greeting, or an indication of the hotel room number and the period of stay.
Despite the fact that such an application is quite simple, it cannot be duplicated, unlike mechanical keys and some obsolete RFID technologies that do not use proper security algorithms.
Thanks to the use of modern encryption and anti-cloning technologies, the JustIN Mobile app not only brings a new level of freedom when assigning and managing access rights, regardless of how far away the users are, but also ensures a serious level of security!
But that’s not all! SALTO not only tries to keep pace with market trends, they also create these trends. Exactly such a breakthrough is the SALTO Clay technology, which became very popular in Europe in a short time, as well as an even newer development – SALTO KS (Key as a service) – this is a unique solution that allows increasing the productivity of small businesses, based on a combination of a cloud service with wireless access point systems from SALTO.
Next, we would like to list the components of this system.
- At the heart of the system is the web-resource software Saltoks.com and the SALTO KS (Key as a service) mobile app. It doesn’t matter what operating system you use, it doesn’t matter what device, you can download it for free on your smartphone, register using a web browser, and… start working.
The account you create on Saltoks.com makes it possible to manage access and track the movements of employees or guests within the premises, as well as use security functions or receive reports.
Using the web interface for profile creation and editing, open or close access, assign access points and times, moderate users and work schedules.
Next come the technical components of the system.
- IQ. A gateway that connects locks, cylinders, or online controllers to the cloud. An excellent solution for rented premises where there is no possibility to lay cables, drill, or break walls, but full access control is highly needed. The user simply adds the required number of IQ gateways and repeaters, plugs them into an outlet, installs the access points – electronic locks or cylinders, adds all this to their account on Saltoks.com, and manages this property using a PC or the SALTO KS mobile app and their smartphone.
And all without noise and dust.
- Electronic locks or wall readers
Use a combination of electronic locks, cylinders, and wall readers to manage access inside the building and along its entire perimeter. All access devices are equipped with SALTO Wireless transmitting antennas, which receive commands from IQ gateways and transmit information about their
status back to the system. Also, all access devices are equipped with Bluetooth Low Energy repeaters, which allows you to manage access through the mobile app on your smartphone equipped with Bluetooth 4.0 and higher.
- Tag (key fob)
And finally, the last element of the system – the Tag key fob – an RFID tag made in a modern design that provides access for regular users of the office where this system is used. Access rights management, adding or removing keys, again, is carried out using the account on Saltoks.com.
Thus, the cloud technology “SALTO KS”, the web-resource software SALTO KS, electronic locks, and readers equipped with SALTO Wireless and Bluetooth technologies make it possible to manage access in your office remotely, using a mobile device, from anywhere in the world where there is internet.
For example, your employee forgot their personal key fob at home and urgently needs to get into the office, and this is also on a weekend. Usually, in such cases, one has to return home, at least, and at most, give up the idea of getting into the office on a weekend altogether… But with this technology, you will forget the word – impossible. The system administrator can send an online key from their mobile to the mobile of their forgetful employee, and they, in turn, will open the office using their smartphone.
Everything is very simple, isn’t it?
Modern technologies bring more and more mobility, flexibility, and security into life and business. They are created by people and for people. Such developments are aimed at your comfort and the success of your business. SALTO Systems and your humble servants – Smart Security – have already taken care of this.
