The Future of Access Control: Innovations in Smart Locks and Readers

Access control is no longer just about securing doors; it’s about how we do it smarter, safer, and simpler. As the industry evolves, challenges like interoperability, user expectations, and advancing technology are shaping what’s next. During this #ACS24Europe panel, Ivan Kravchenko ( CoreWillSoft GmbH ), Sven Teichmann ( Uhlmann & Zacher GmbH ) , Pierre-Antoine LARRERA DE MOREL ( STid ), Aznar Sethna ( Salto ), and Matthew Bell ( 西门子 ) tackled these issues head-on, offering insights into where we are and where we’re headed.

Let’s break down the key themes:

1. Interoperability: Bridging the Gaps

One of the biggest challenges for integrators is making systems and devices from different vendors work together seamlessly. With new products constantly entering the market, ensuring compatibility today is hard enough—let alone future-proofing for updates and new technologies.

The real winners? Those who design systems that talk to each other seamlessly, no matter who makes them.

2. Convenience Meets Security

We’re at a crossroads where users expect access control to be as easy as unlocking their phone, but the stakes for security have never been higher. The panel agreed on some must-haves:

• Devices that are as easy to install as they are to live with
• Future- ready systems that stay ahead of emerging security threats
• Treating edge devices (like smart locks and readers) with the same care we give identity management

The key takeaway? It’s not convenience or security…it’s both, baked into the DNA of every solution.

3. Remote Everything: Diagnostics, Maintenance, and Peace of Mind

Access control systems are becoming more sophisticated, and maintaining them needs to follow suit. The future? Systems that fix themselves before you even know there’s a problem. Priorities include:

• Systems that self-diagnose and resolve issues automatically
• Secure remote access for technicians to reduce the need for site visits
• Scalable solutions that keep pace with the growing number of deployments

These advancements aren’t just about efficiency, they’re about creating sustainable, future-ready systems.

4. The Role of Standards in Keeping Pace with Technology

Standards like OSDP are crucial for interoperability, but the challenge lies in their pace of evolution. Technology is moving fast, and industry standards often lag behind.

The industry needs to speed up how we standardize or risk holding back progress.

5. Hiding Complexity from the End-User

For end-users, access control systems should be simple and intuitive. The growing complexity behind the scenes needs to be invisible to those using the system. This means:

• Designing interfaces that are easy to navigate
• Reducing the need for user intervention through automation and smart design
• Delivering a seamless experience, regardless of the system’s complexity

The goal is to make sophisticated systems feel effortless to use, ensuring that technology enhances rather than complicates the user experience. It’s about creating solutions that just work.

Moving Forward

The future of access control is about more than technology—it’s about creating systems that integrate seamlessly, provide strong security, and remain intuitive for users. Addressing challenges like interoperability, remote maintenance, and evolving standards will be essential to staying ahead in a rapidly changing landscape.

This isn’t just a technological evolution; it’s a shift in how we think about security, convenience, and the role of access control in the spaces we navigate every day. We’re building systems that will define how people move through the world tomorrow.