Legacy systems based on mechanical technology, including locks, manual key control, and logistics, are vastly inferior in operational efficiency, safety, and security than the modern digital technology available.

There are challenges with mechanical legacy systems, as most of the equipment and security is mechanical and can’t simply be connected to a remote or wireless network. So there is no transparency or awareness of the security situation across the operation. Nor is there centralised control of keys or access management.

In addition, legacy systems usually rely on slow manual processes that are error-prone and labour-intensive. For example, mechanical keys are commonly used in physical security systems to grant access to sites, vehicles, and other assets. Managing physical keys with a mechanical legacy system can be a cumbersome and time-consuming process, and it’s not uncommon for keys to get lost or copied without authorisation.

How do digital systems solve these issues?

Embracing digital solutions is leading the way in transforming legacy systems making them more secure, efficient, and cost-effective. The advanced digital solutions available connect all essential locks, keys, and access management needs into a digital ecosystem that can be managed remotely via a browser-based web manager. This enables remote key and access control, with the convenience of a single key or completely keyless access to everywhere.

Whether you are considering an electromechanical or keyless solution to restrict access to your sites, both make access control very simple and secure at the same time. When different stakeholders visit your sites, an audit trail is always available with a digital locking solution.

There are huge cost savings in reducing key logistics and management alone, not to mention the tighter security and convenience of being able to track all the movement across every lock and key.

Checklist for companies: aspects to consider before moving to a digital solution

Moving to a digital solution is an exciting prospect, but it is important to make sure your company is fully prepared before taking the leap. Here are some important aspects to consider before moving to a digital solution:

•  Policies

Knowing how your operations’ site security is governed and how your operations manage it is essential. This helps you set the right goals and move in the right direction.

• Standards

What are your industry and organisational standards that will meet your security and safety compliance policies? Each region and company has its own standards, so you need to be fully aware of this before planning. Make sure that the new system is flexible enough to adjust to your unique needs.

• Processes

Define your processes to create adherence to your security and safety compliance requirements. With clearly defined ownership, roles, and responsibilities, you will be able to define and implement the right plan.

• Technology

Having a good idea about your existing capacity and capability for integration is vital in choosing a partner with the compatible digital solution and cloud-based setup that suits your business.

The beauty of digitalisation is that once you have your initial digital setup, it is scalable and easily updated, and legacy systems will be a thing of the past.

Read more about CIPE Manager, and how it enables a fully connected future across your entire operation and across all industries:  https://www.abloy.com/gb/en/product-solutions/cipe-manager