Key Card And Fob Access. There Are Better Options For Your Gym.

While key card door entry systems can be less expensive than other alternatives up front, there are some important disadvantages to this type of gym access security you should be aware of.

Security risks of fitness centre key card/fob systems

• Swipe cards are unreliable, and can be prone to damage to the magnetic strip that makes them unreadable. While swipe cards are inexpensive up-front, the cost of maintaining both the reader and cards due to constant wear-and-tear will add up over time. Swipe cards are also inconvenient, requiring a free hand and close range for the person to use them.

• Wiegand key cards are easily copied, and put your facility at greater risk for a security breach. Wiegand protocol has been around since the 1970s, which means hackers have had plenty of time to discover fast and effective ways to breach Wiegand systems. In fact, almost anyone could purchase a

  key card copying device

  for as little as $10, and gain access to your system.

• Key fobs are easy to misplace. Anyone can pick up a dropped or stolen key fob and gain access to your space. According to Buildings.com, the average 40,000 person company loses 10,350 key cards and fobs a year. Without two-factor authentication or added security measures your space is less secure on a legacy key card access system.

• Waiting times can vary while the keys are being made or registered for your key card entry system. This takes staff time that can really add up. Receiving your new key cards could take a few days, and can cost the gym owner significant extra time.

key fob door entry systems can sometimes be configured remotely, but they still use a physical credential that needs to be given to each individual that requires one

Key cards are inconvenient to use and expensive to manage

• Key fobs and cards are not hands-free. While key cards are definitely easier to use than traditional keys and locks, digging around for a key card can cause a extra time at the door, not to mention it’s nearly impossible to get a key card out of your wallet while carrying a gym bag, water bottle, phone and protein shake.

• Gym owners or staff will

  continuously

  deal with lost, stolen or forgotten keys. Humans are forgetful and there are many reasons why people are prone to losing wallets and keys. Every time a member loses or forgets their fob, staff have to reissue a new one or administer a guest pass, and either temporarily or permanently deactivate the old credential.

• Registering and deactivating key fobs is time consuming. Your staff have a lot on their plates, and the extra time it takes to reconfigure individual cards and fobs, especially during busy gym times is likely eating into their other important tasks.

• You have to meet with people to physically give them their key fobs. Key card and key fob door entry systems can sometimes be configured remotely, but they still use a physical credential that needs to be given to each individual that requires one.

Key fob door access systems lack scalability

• Delays in issuing and revoking credentials on a key fob entry system mean a longer on-boarding process and potential loss of revenue for gyms that need to move quickly.
• Any time you have a change in branding or need to add a new location, you’ll have to order and distribute all-new cards to the entire membership.
• Members with access permissions at multiple gyms need to carry multiple key fobs or keys. Nobody likes having to worry about carrying the right key card at the right fintess centre.

Alternatives to gym key fob and card systems

• Mobile credentials are more secure than key cards, thanks to end-to-end encryption and the ability to use multi-factor authentication.

• Smartphone-based access control minimizes the possibility of gym goers sharing their credentials. Members are very unlikely to share their smartphone with a friend than a physical key card or key fob.

• Cloud-based security management helps eliminate some of the disadvantages of key fobs and key cards. This type of technology doesn’t require localized servers, so it’s

  easily scalable

  to include more doors and more fitness centres, and saves your fitness business money on staff and maintenance.

• Remote management in the cloud means your staff with the appropriate permissions can easily administer credentials, revoke access, and customize entries at any time from anywhere.

• Guest passes and punch card style memberships can be easily administered with an email or text message, and configured to expire once access is no longer needed. One less thing to worry about!

• Completely touch-less access control. A mobile access system like Kinect, which uses Wi-Fi and cellular data in its technology, can be configured to respond to motion detection, as well as integrate with automatic door opener hardware for germ-free access.

• Having the latest version of your software is easier with a security solution that’s mobile app-based, as upgrades can be automatically installed with zero down-time to your system.

Cost analysis of key card and fob access control systems

• Key cards are a physical credential that you will need to purchase for every user. Not only will you need enough cards for your existing members, you’ll also need to order additional cards for new members, to replace lost or stolen cards, and fobs that can serve as temporary guest access. If you have multiple gyms, you will need to order separate cards for each site, and make sure everyone who has access to those sites has the right key cards.

• Key fobs usually require manual setup on a local server. This means your staff will need to take time to enter new information into the system, set permissions, and issue the credential. That additional time will be factored into your labour costs.

• With a mobile access control system, your smartphone serves as your credential, meaning there are no key fobs or keys to order, maintain, or hand out. People are also much less likely to lose their phone or leave it at home, so you won’t need as many temporary passes.

• You can set site-specific permissions for each user, all on the same system. Instead of purchasing a new key fob for each building, mobile credentials work for all your gym locations, anywhere in the world.

• Cloud-based access control eliminates on-premise servers. This means you won’t need to worry about expensive maintenance, and access control software upgrades are done instantly over the cloud.

• Another cost-savings benefit of a cloud-based platform is that all your sites can be managed remotely. New members can be set up with just a few clicks,

  and revoking credentials is instant and easy

  . Plus, with remote unlock features, you no longer have to waste time going to the gym to let somebody in who’s forgotten their key fob.

Upgrading your access control system

• Kinect for your gym can be configured to support unlock requests via the mobile app on cell phones, both Android and iOs, tablets and custom custom key fobs, with extra security features to ensure your gym is secure.
• With the Kinect dashboard, each staff member has the ability to display only the data that’s most relevant to them, whether they’re monitoring a single entry on a tablet or phone, or managing a global security network on multiple monitors.

It’s no secret that staff are busy enough, and if your key card security system is adding to their workload instead of making it easier, it may be time to consider an alternative solution. A smartphone-based, keyless access control system can eliminate a few of the stresses and hassles.A gym access/entry system can be a significant investment for any fitness business, and how much your access control system will cost is always a consideration. Your final cost will depend on the number of readers and control panels you need, the type of hardware you choose, and which credentials the system requires. Up front, a key card access reader system may seem like the less expensive option. You can expect a key card door access reader installation to cost $2,500 or more, depending on the existing wiring in your space, and the type of reader you select. However, there are additional costs associated with key card access control that can quickly add up over time.Especially for multi-location facilities and growing businesses, an access control system needs to be able to scale without adding to overhead costs. When comparing the long-term cost benefit of access control systems, a mobile solution can offer surprising savings in the long run. Most smartphone-based access readers are a bit more expensive for the up-front installation labour, but there are cost savings that dramatically increase the ROI over time. Smartphone access control is a great upgrade to your gym access system, but what if you still want to keep your key cards, too? With the Kinect smartphone access control system, you can get the best of both worlds. The innovative cloud-based system is designed for maximum interoperability and flexibility to meet your unique business needs.If you’d like a keyless access system that offers scalability, reliability and security check Kinect from Facility Kinetics to see how our smartphone access system can seamlessly integrate with your existing or new gym.