Customer-centricity is defining the new era of access control says Tomáš Vystavěl, Chief Product Officer, 2N
IP technology has transformed access control in recent years. It has enabled the development of smart, flexible, fully customisable solutions which can be integrated into comprehensive security systems. The kinds of solutions that are commonplace today would simply not be possible without it.
Indeed, after hundreds of years of the humble lock and key, followed by 50 years of RFID cards and chips, IP technology has, in our opinion, ushered in the third access control ‘revolution’. We call it Access Control 3.0.
One of Access Control 3.0’s characteristics is the speed of technological progress, with improvements to the security, convenience and reliability of intercoms and answering units being made all the time. In some cases, technological progress runs ahead of customer demand and goes on to shape it. In others, it has enabled us to respond to lifestyle trends and changing working patterns. Either way, if access control companies want to be successful in the current era, they need a customer-centric approach in every area of the business.
One example is the recent launch of the 2N® IP Verso 2.0. The 2N® IP Verso is 2N’s best-selling intercom. It is hugely popular because of its modularity and reliability. However, based on surveys of our customers, it was clear that there were three areas where they wanted additional functionality – all of which we were able to incorporate into the new 2N® IP Verso 2.0.
First, superior camera technology to enhance security. The 2N® IP Verso 2.0 includes a full HD wide-angle camera which is now a requirement in more than 50% of office projects (and is increasing being requested by homeowners too). The camera provides crystal-clear image quality even in very poor light. The camera also supports Wide Dynamic Range (WDR), which eliminates black silhouettes in cases when the sun is shining directly behind the visitor.
Tomáš Vystavěl, Chief Product Officer, 2N
Second, adaptive Face Zooming, which automatically zooms in on the visitor, allowing the user to identify them more easily on their answering unit or smartphone.
Third, the 2N® IP Verso 2.0 now supports a fifth type of access credential: QR codes (as well RFID cards, PIN codes, fingerprint and smartphone access). QR codes are becoming more and more popular because they are easy to distribute via email and are ideal for one-off or time-limited access – say for couriers or contractors.
Adding new functionality like this is one of the features of Access Control 3.0, and it was a response to what our customers told us they wanted. But this customer-centricity shouldn’t just be restricted to device manufacturers. The truth is that developers, property managers and system integrators can – and should – focus on customers in exactly the same way because IP-based access control allows them to respond to their customers’ changing needs by upgrading devices or adding new credentials. It’s a new dynamic, and it might well prove to be IP technology’s most important legacy.
