What is commercial access control?
Access control is an electronic system that decides who can open which doors and when, using credentials like key cards, fobs, PIN codes, smartphones or biometrics instead of metal keys. Every entry is logged, lost credentials are switched off in seconds, and doors can be locked down instantly. ATEL Technologies, Inc., a licensed low voltage contractor in Miramar, San Diego, designs, installs and maintains commercial access control systems from ProdataKey (PDK io), Brivo and Verkada, and integrates them with video surveillance, intercoms and alarms.
How an access control system works
Every door is made of the same five parts. We design, supply, install and program all of them.
Credentials
Cards, fobs, PINs, mobile phones or biometrics.
Readers
Mounted at each door to read the credential.
Controllers
Decide whether to unlock, with battery backup.
Locking hardware
Electric strikes, maglocks or electrified locks.
Software
Cloud dashboard and app to manage people, doors and reports.
Choosing credentials: cards, fobs, mobile, PIN or biometric
Most businesses mix two or more. We'll recommend the combination that fits your people, doors and security level.
| Credential | How it works | Strengths | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key cards & fobs | Tap or wave at the reader. | Fast, familiar, inexpensive to replace | Most employees and general entry |
| Mobile credentials | Smartphone app via Bluetooth or tap. | Nothing to lose or hand out; issue and revoke remotely | Offices, multi-site teams, contractors |
| PIN codes | Enter a code on a keypad. | No physical credential needed | Secondary verification, gates, back doors |
| Biometric | Fingerprint or face recognition. | Can't be shared or borrowed | Server rooms, pharmacies, high-security areas |
| Multi-factor | Combine two, e.g. card + PIN. | Highest assurance | Sensitive rooms and compliance-driven spaces |
Access control platforms we install
We're vendor-neutral, so we recommend the platform that fits your building, number of sites and budget - from cloud-managed doors to enterprise systems, gates and multi-tenant entry - then install and support it.
PDK io
Cloud-managed access control with a full-featured dashboard and mobile app. Manage multiple locations, delegate admin rights, run access-denied reports and trigger lockdowns from anywhere.
Brivo Access
Cloud access control built for multi-site businesses and property managers, with mobile credentials and video integration.
Verkada Access Control
Cloud-managed doors in the same platform as Verkada cameras, so every door event comes with video automatically.
LenelS2
Enterprise-grade access control for large facilities, campuses and organizations with many doors and complex security requirements.
dormakaba
Electronic locks, door hardware and access control solutions for offices, healthcare, hospitality and multi-tenant buildings.
LiftMaster
Gate operators, commercial door operators and access control for parking lots, garages and gated properties.
DoorKing
Telephone entry systems, gate operators and access control for apartments, gated communities and commercial gates.
MyDoorView
Cloud video intercom and entry management for multi-tenant buildings, lobbies and gates, answered from a smartphone.
What your access control system can do
Custom permissions & schedules
Set which people can open which doors, on which days and at which times - for employees and visitors alike.
Multi-location management
Every building's doors, users and activity in one dashboard on desktop or mobile.
Temporary visitor access
Give contractors and guests credentials that expire automatically at a set date and time.
One-touch lockdown
Lock every controlled door instantly from the software or your phone.
Audit trails & reports
Every entry, exit and denied attempt is logged, with access-denied reports on demand.
Instant credential removal
Deactivate a lost card or a departing employee's access in seconds - no rekeying.
Remote unlock
Let in a delivery or a locked-out employee from anywhere.
Delegated admin
Hand admin rights to a colleague temporarily while you're away, with automatic expiration.
Battery backup
Doors keep working and stay monitorable during a power outage.
Installed on the doors you already have
In most cases we keep your existing doors and replace only the locking hardware, then add a reader and controller. Every installation includes:
- Door-by-door survey of frames, hardware and wiring paths
- Locking hardware chosen to meet fire and life safety egress requirements
- Cabling, readers, controllers and power supplies
- Programming of users, schedules and permissions
- Training for your administrators
Connected to the rest of your security
Access control is most powerful when it's part of one system.
- Match door events to security camera footage
- See and talk to visitors with video intercoms
- Arm and disarm intrusion alarms with a credential
- Tie lockdown to emergency paging
- Run it all on structured cabling we install
Warranty, maintenance and support
1-year manufacturer warranty
Access control hardware is covered by a one-year manufacturer warranty.
Maintenance agreements
Coverage for normal wear and tear, firmware and software updates, and system health checks.
24-hour emergency response
Maintenance agreement customers get 24-hour emergency response for failed doors, readers and controllers.
Access control by industry
Offices, law & accounting firms
Protect client files and records rooms, and keep after-hours access to the people who need it.
Healthcare & medical
Restrict pharmacies, records and staff-only areas, with audit trails for every entry.
Property management & multi-tenant
Lobbies, garages, amenities and tenant suites managed across every property.
Warehouse & manufacturing
Control docks, inventory cages and production areas by shift.
Education
Scheduled unlocks, one-touch lockdown and visitor management for campuses.
Retail, restaurants & hospitality
Secure back offices, stockrooms and cash rooms; give staff access by shift.
How an access control project works
- 1Free door assessmentWe survey each door, frame and wiring path, and talk through who needs access where.
- 2Design & quoteA door schedule, platform recommendation and itemized per-door price.
- 3Install & programHardware, readers, controllers and cabling installed; users and schedules set up.
- 4Train & maintainAdmin training, then ongoing maintenance and 24-hour emergency response.
Access control FAQ
How much does a commercial access control system cost?
Cost depends mainly on the number of doors, the condition of existing doors and frames, the type of locking hardware needed, credential types (cards, fobs, mobile, biometric), cabling distances, and the software platform's subscription. ATEL provides a free site assessment and an itemized, per-door quote.
Can I use my phone to unlock doors?
Yes. ATEL installs systems that support mobile credentials, so employees can unlock doors with a smartphone app, alongside or instead of cards and fobs. Administrators can also unlock doors remotely from the app.
Can one access control system manage multiple locations?
Yes. Cloud-managed platforms such as ProdataKey (PDK io), Brivo and Verkada let you manage doors, users and permissions at every location from one dashboard on a computer or phone.
What happens if an employee loses a card or fob?
Log into the access control software, deactivate the lost credential so it no longer opens any door, and issue a new one with the right permissions. It takes a minute and no locks need to be rekeyed.
Does access control work during a power outage?
Yes. ATEL's access control systems include battery backup, so doors keep working during an outage and you can still monitor the system from a computer or phone.
Can I lock down the whole building in an emergency?
Yes. Access control can trigger a full-facility lockdown that locks all controlled doors so they won't open for regular credentials, from the software or a mobile app.
How do I give visitors or contractors temporary access?
Issue a temporary credential limited to specific doors and set to expire automatically at a date and time you choose.
Do I need new doors to install access control?
Usually not. In most cases ATEL replaces only the locking hardware and adds a reader and controller to your existing doors. Doors or frames in poor condition may need repair.
Can access control work with security cameras?
Yes. ATEL integrates access control with video surveillance, intercoms and alarms so every door event can be matched to video and forced or propped-door alerts can show the camera view.
What warranty comes with an access control system?
Access control hardware comes with a one-year manufacturer warranty. ATEL also offers maintenance agreements that cover normal wear and tear and include 24-hour emergency response.
Related security solutions
Retire the master key for good
Book a free door assessment. We'll survey your doors, recommend the right platform and credentials, and give you a clear per-door quote.
ATEL Technologies, Inc. · 9580 Black Mountain Rd, Suite A, San Diego, CA 92126 · (858) 646-4600