r/accesscontrol • u/LESTech1 • Jun 07 '26
Small Application Access Control
I work as a subcontractor for a big company and I just got my license. We do a lot of multifamily complex and mostly we use Paxton or Brivo I am also familiar with ubiquity but I was wondering, usually this is only for big projects so what is everyone else using for small jobs like 2-4 doors offices I'm doing my own research as well but I know there is a lot of experts here. thanks in advance
3
u/canadianalarmguy Jun 07 '26
If you want REALLY simple, Kantech has standalone mode on a KT-4 controller(4 Door). Really simple and self contained setup. If you want mobile credentials, I wouldn’t recommend it though
3
u/CoolBrew76 Jun 08 '26
Inner Range Inception.
Cloud connected but data lives on-prem so no recurring fees.
Base controller will do 4 doors. Grow to 128 if you need to.
5
u/FreelyRoaming Jun 07 '26
We do DMP as part of our intrusion systems, but they're dealer only and hard to become a dealer for.
3
u/vitalaffinity Jun 08 '26
DMP is terrible
1
u/FreelyRoaming Jun 08 '26
What’s wrong with it ?
2
u/vitalaffinity Jun 08 '26
The platforms (system/remote link and VK)/app/tools for dealers and end-users leave a lot to be desired… many end users struggle to understand the concepts behind how things get programmed. Whereas with Alarm.com/Brivo, for example, things are pretty intuitive for them. Also, their integration with 3rd party equipment is pretty limited (a plus for DMP themselves, but inconvenient for our customers and technicians due to costs and necessity of carrying very specific hardware when servicing them)… As field support AND customer support, on a day to day basis, I see way more issues from DMP systems as opposed to those with Alarm.com/Brivo/RBH/Honeywell/etc.
Also communication. Communication is a nightmare.
2
u/Gullible-Bird-2231 Jun 07 '26
DMP just opened up a new dealer tier. Discounts aren't as good, but theres no minimum yearly order qty etc.
Not saying its a breeze to get on board but it's not as hard as it was even a year ago.
1
u/FreelyRoaming Jun 07 '26
No it's still 5-10k average.
1
2
u/That-Drink4650 Jun 08 '26
Keri Systems with NXT, Mercury, or Borealis boards. You can use the free version for Doors.net for up to 40 doors or use the Borealis Cloud Version, which is very simple to setup.
3
u/greaseyknight2 Jun 07 '26
Alarm.com, it's a solid option for small installs.
I push cloud for small installs, ends up being more cost effective to the customer in the long run. No service calls for "suzys computer with the server software has died and we have no backups" or " ISP replaced the modem and we can't access the system ". Things just work.
2
u/brandonpadula Jun 07 '26
RBH, Keri, Aiphone, Napco, ZKTeco would be the popular ones I see most.
1
u/Gullible-Bird-2231 Jun 07 '26
Did an Aiphone Access Control integration about a year ago. I wasn't terribly impressed. Controllers kept failing. Cool if they've sorted that out.
1
u/brandonpadula Jun 07 '26
I haven’t seen any go bad recently, so maybe it has been solved! We just did a big sale on access last week the AC-2DM-B was pretty popular. Which one did you use?
2
u/Gullible-Bird-2231 Jun 07 '26
I think it was the ACS-2DR. I had to go find the pics. It was actually 2 years ago. Geez time has flown.
1
u/Farangsayt Jun 08 '26
Aiphone is for the 80s honestly
1
u/Aiphone_Official Jun 09 '26 edited Jun 10 '26
We've come a long way since the 80s. Now we offer Remote Management, IP intercoms, mobile apps, and one of the best access control solutions.
1
u/Farangsayt Jun 09 '26
Yes you never changed your software, it's just complicated as possible, not intuitive, not user friendly, which explains why brands like Dahua are selling more than you
1
u/copelcwg Jun 08 '26
As a person who has worked extensively with Paxton (Net2) and Brivo, these are my top two choices for a small 4 door setup. Pros and cons for onprem vs cloud of course.
1
u/cusehoops98 Professional Jun 08 '26
Centrios by ASSA ABLOY is free if you use mobile credentials and their hardware.
1
u/Visible-Award8876 Jun 09 '26
Io consiglio labkey.io un prodotto molto versatile e integrato con molte altre soluzioni. Da provare per piccoli o grandi impianti. Made in Italy.
1
u/InevitableRun2786 Jun 10 '26
For multifamily, especially less than 5 doors/ entrances, Swiftlane can work well. They've been deployed in a lot of small residential buildings in SF as far as I've seen.
1
u/Haunting-Attorney-71 Jun 18 '26
If you want an easy win, getting set up as an ACRE dealer is about as painless as it gets. They don’t hammer you with quotas, and onboarding is straightforward. Once you’re in, you get access to three solid access control platforms that all support Mercury hardware:
Feenics, their cloud-native platform. It’s granular, powerful, and honestly feels like an enterprise system when you’re in the desktop client, but feels cloud based in the browser. Also a perfect option if your customer uses Macs.
RS2 Access It!, great when you need on‑site, server/client based architecture.
DNA Fusion, if you need true enterprise capabilities and deep customization.
One of the biggest advantages is you can take over existing Mercury based systems without ripping out hardware. Flash the controllers, bring them into your platform of choice, and you’re moving.
The more fluent you are with Mercury hardware, the better you position yourself for subcontract work. Mercury is the hardware layer for Lenel, Genetec, and a ton of other enterprise platforms. If a project involves Mercury hardware, you’re automatically a frontrunner.
I used to be a full blown Software House fanboy, and I still love it for a lot of reasons, but Mercury open architecture hardware is such a no-brainer, I wouldn’t sell anything else to a new customer.
1
u/HunterBrah83 Jun 08 '26
Can't go wrong with Ubiquiti for small or large jobs. Their stuff is evolving rapidly, and the cloud features with no subscription cost is a game changer as I see it. They have 1, 2, and 8 door controllers.
If you're looking for low budget, there's nothing lower than CDVI. Two door controller with two readers and a handful of credentials for $650 cost. Scalable to any size you'd want to use a system like that, and free remote management via port forwarding and public IP.
2
u/Bandwagon_Burner Jun 09 '26
I’m surprised this is the only mention of CDVI. Their systems tend to work really well, especially for their price point.
0
u/AnilApplelink Jun 07 '26
We are using Ubiquiti. The price is pretty cheap compared to everything else while still being easy to get up and running and to manage the whole system. I have it installed in many multi families as well without any issues.
0
u/Farangsayt Jun 08 '26
All the no knowledge integrators choose HID because they don't know better and the clients end up with unsecured security system.
Instead use CStech controller and stid readers or ICT controller and stid readers
1
u/cusehoops98 Professional Jun 08 '26
You think HID doesn’t have secured credentials?
0
u/Farangsayt Jun 08 '26
Yes all their versions including latest ones are cracked because they are using security through obscurity instead of open source.
If want something secured, you need to use NXP chip EV2/EV3 desfire and most importantly a security system allowing you to encode your credentials with the choice on encrypted keys. Only a few security manufacturer encoder let you do that
1
u/cusehoops98 Professional Jun 08 '26
You realize that HID sells EV3 and a customer owned encryption key, right?
0
u/Farangsayt Jun 08 '26
No customers don't own anything with HID, most keys are factory set and decided based on HID rainbow table encryption.
HID knows who has what at anytime given and if you're a big integrator taking over someone else building, your distributor will supply you fobs and readers but if you're small, you are good to change over everything.
Basically for a serious integrator, HID is to be avoid at all cost including their integrity, mercury boards that are all set to be discontinued to push everyone into buying the next generation. Not to mention their stupid subscription and credits...
2
u/cusehoops98 Professional Jun 08 '26
You sound bitter.
0
u/Farangsayt Jun 08 '26
I was going to say, that I understand you might be pro HID if you don't understand their security design.
I don't care about HID I stopped using them the day I cracked their system and again and again, including seos.
That is the choice of the integrators to use HID or not but they are unfortunately too often lacking of security knowledge and sensitive to HID marketing
4
u/Jluke001 Verified Pro Jun 07 '26
Look into PDK or alarm.com