Managing Access Control For Your Business With Alarm.com
Managing access control for you business can sometimes be overwhelming to get started. This process
involves setting
up systems and policies to ensure that only authorized individuals can access sensitive areas,
resources, or
information. This blog will help guide the process to balance security with convenience to protect
sensitive areas,
data and assets effectively.
System Overview
Sentry offers different types of access control but in this blog we will be covering access control with
the
alarm.com platform. Here is a system overview of the most commonly used Access Control features
available on the
Home page and User Access tab of the customer website and customer app.
Home page
The Home page provides quick access to real-time door control, Scenes, and account activity.
Real-time door control allows you to lock, unlock, and temporarily buzz open doors. Navigate
to the Access Points
(called Doors in stand-alone Access Control systems) card on the home screen to control your
doors.
User Access tab
The User Access tab is where the configuration of the system takes place. Sub-tabs are
available for Access Plans, Users, Access Points, and Manage Logins.
Assign an Access Control card or PIN to a user
Important: Access Control hardware must be programmed and doors added to the account before cards,
fobs, or pins
can
be added to users. For more information, contact your service provider.
To assign a card, fob, or PIN to a user using the customer app:
Note: When adding new user credentials, changes made to new or existing users go into effect 2
minutes
after
the last user credential change is made. When revoking a user’s access, the change goes into effect
immediately
after saving.
- Log into the customer app.
- Tap .
- Tap User Access.
- Tap next to Access Plans.
- Tap Users.
- Tap Add or tap followed by next to edit an existing user.
- Tap Add Credential, then tap Access Badge or PIN to set the user’s required credentials. A badge
can be
assigned
by manually entering the badge number or by scanning it. A PIN can be assigned by entering the
desired
code.Note: If there are already credentials associated with the user, tap to add more.
- In Access Plans, tap Manage Access to select the desired Access Plans the user will be a part
of.
Alternatively,
you can navigate back to the Access Plans page and add the user to the desired plan.
To assign a card, fob, or PIN to a user using the customer website:
Note: When adding new user credentials, changes made to new or existing users go into effect 2
minutes
after
the last user credential change is made. When revoking a user’s access, the change goes into effect
immediately
after saving.
- Log into the customer website
- Click User Access.
- Click Users.
- Click Add User or click followed by next to edit an existing user.
- Click Add Credential followed by Access Badge or PIN to set the user’s required credentials. A
badge can be
assigned by manually entering the badge number or by scanning it. A PIN can be assigned by
entering the
desired
code.Note: If there are already credentials associated with the user, click to add more.
- In Access Plans, click Manage Access to select the desired Access Plans the user will be a part
of.
Alternatively, you can navigate back to the Access Plans page and add the user to the desired
plan.
Managing Access After Setup
Many of our customers have gates and/or garage doors with their access control systems. Sometimes
there are
malfunctions that are simple fixes that can be troubleshot but please give us a call if you continue
to have
issues.
- Add Access Control users in bulk
- Add Access Control Users with access to multiple locations
- Add an Access Control locking or unlocking schedule
- Manage Access Plan
Gate control device is in malfunction
The Malfunction trouble condition indicates a device is unable to properly communicate.
Note: The gate control status may also appear as offline.
If a gate control device is in malfunction or offline:
Flex IO™
- Check the batteries and replace if necessary.
- Check the red and yellow LEDs for more information about the device trouble.
For LiftMaster gates
- Open and close the gate from the wall control.
- Request an update on the equipment status using the customer app or customer website.
- To update the equipment status on the customer app, tap on the Gate status in the Garage
Doors card,
then tap Reconnect.
- To update the equipment status on the customer website click Details on the garage card,
then click
Refresh.
- Verify the gate is within communication range of the router.
- Verify the internet connection it is associated with is active.
- Verify the gate control device has power.
If the gate control device is still in malfunction or offline, please contact
us.
Garage door opener is in malfunction
The Malfunction trouble condition indicates a device is unable to properly communicate.
Note: The garage door opener status may also appear as offline.
If a garage door opener is in malfunction or offline:
- Open and close the door from the garage door opener’s wall control.
- Request an update on the equipment status using the customer app or customer website.
- To update the equipment status on the customer app, tap on the Garage Door status in the
Garage
Doors
card, then tap Reconnect.
- To update the equipment status on the customer website click Details on the garage card,
then click
Refresh.
- Verify the garage door opener is within communication range of the router or panel.
- If using a Wi-Fi (e.g., LiftMaster, Genie, Overhead Door) garage door opener, verify the
internet
connection it is associated with is active.
- If using a Z-Wave garage door opener, verify the device is within range of the Z-Wave
network.
- Verify the garage door or wall controller has power.
- If it is still in malfunction or offline, please contact us.
Have more questions? We have answers. Call us today.
817-632-4246