Still Using Access Cards? Streamline Building Access with Mobile NFC for Electronic Door Locks and Tedee Smart Locks using Doordeck
Our new integration with Doordeck unifies access to all your property’s networked access control electronic door locks – both wired electronic locks and Tedee smart locks – into a single management platform.
Remove the security risk of unsecure physical access cards and let your employees or visitors unlock doors using their smartphones in-built NFC technology. Centrally managed through a single online platform, Tedee and Doordeck make expanding your keyless access control more secure, easier and more flexible than ever.
Keyless access control has come a long way. Access cards, the mainstay of offices worldwide, have freed workers from the jingle of keys in their pockets. But the revolution continues, and today’s access solutions have now evolved to use our personal smartphones – the most technologically advanced and secure device we own and carry around in our pockets and handbags.
While replacing access cards with smartphones for office access is now widely available, our partner Doordeck approaches it in a different way to the traditional wired setups that are notoriously hard to expand and lead to disruption and high total cost of ownership.
With their software-first approach, Doordeck doesn’t require any new access control system hardware to be installed. By simply sitting on top of an existing system whilst also having the ability to bridge multiple disparate systems, Doordeck can provide mobile credentials to users by turning their smartphones into the powered door access reader. All that’s required is a wireless NFC door tile that is mounted next to the door to activate the NFC technology that communicates with the Doordeck cloud, resulting in the unlocking of the electronic or Tedee smart lock. Doordeck’s centralized management platform unifies access management of Tedee smart locks and already existing networked door locks in a building.
Need to secure a standard non-networked door in your commercial space? Want to divide an open space into meeting rooms?
These used to require:
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- Special magnetic or strike lock networked door setups
- Access control headend and server expertise
- Access panel controllers and door reader wiring
- A qualified security integrator or electrician
- Installation costs
The benefit of Tedee’s new integration with Doordeck makes working with existing access control systems so much easier. Learn how these two systems let you modernize and expand your property’s access control system without extensive replacements, modifications, and costs.
What is Doordeck?
Doordeck is an NFC mobile credential software solution that is interoperable with traditional access control systems of any age and now Tedee smart locks. The Doordeck cloud-based software, is accessible via a mobile app and web browser, and enables building admins the ability to grant and revoke permanent employee mobile access or issue time-limited virtual keys to visitors or out-of-hours staff to securely unlock doors with electronic networked door locks or Tedee smart locks.
For property managers with a combination of access control systems in their portfolio, Doordeck can aggregate disparate access control system brands under its single platform, allowing for streamlined and more advanced user access management across a portfolio of systems and buildings.
To enable NFC door entry, the wireless Doordeck tiles equipped with passive NFC chips and unique printed QR codes are installed outside of doors. When an authorized user brings their smartphone close to the tile or scans its QR code, the door unlocks. Unauthorized users cannot access the door using these methods.
Replace Access Cards with Smartphone Entry – How It Works
Imagine leasing a new office space for your business… Existing office buildings are often equipped with card-based access control systems, with user access cards issued by the security team and card readers installed at every door. Doordeck connects the pre-installed access management system to its cloud platform, making managing user permissions easier and cheaper for the enterprise than issuing and replacing physical access cards.
The platform lets you replace door access cards with your employees’ smartphones. Instead of using their office badges, users can log into the Doordeck app using their e-mail address and simply bring their smartphone close to the Doordeck NFC tile to unlock the door via tap-to-unlock NFC technology.
Doordeck also has the option to unlock via iPhone or Android widgets. The user can simply press the widget before they arrive at the door and walk straight through, offering a seamless and contactless entry experience. Remote widget access can be restricted via geofencing and/or IP restriction to maximise security.
If a user or visitor does not wish to download the Doordeck mobile app, they can unlock a door using an app-less visitor pass. This can be accessed by clicking a link in their e-mail to redirect them to the web portal where they can log in and scan the QR code on the NFC tile with the camera.
In addition, Doordeck offers interoperability with card-based systems used for office parking solutions, shared printers, storage lockers, and more. This way, all interactions between your employees and shared office infrastructure are contained within one app.
In short, Doordeck provides a new lease of life to legacy access systems. Keycard and fob entry is transformed into a smart entry solution via using their smart software solution which sits on top of exisiting and dated access control hardware.
Look at the illustration above to see the difference between both setups.
Left: A diagram of a traditional legacy access control system, with card readers and wired electronic locks and readers wired to access controllers and the main access control server.
Right: A diagram of a Doordeck cloud-based access control system. The access control server is integrated with the Doordeck cloud and electronic door locks. Tapping or scanning the Doordeck NFC tile outside the doors causes a user’s smartphone to connect to the cloud and initiate the door unlocking operation via the network.
Why is This Better Than Access Cards?
According to Doordeck, 50% of workers lose their keycard more than once per year, while 25% of workers lose them more than three times yearly. All of this results in extra costs, hassle, and administration or security personnel’s time – not to mention the security breach risks. As often hundreds of keycards are in constant use by hundreds of people, they should not be considered a highly secure access protection method. Just think of all the action movies where the character steals someone’s pass! With Doordeck mobile credentials your mobile pass is unique to you.
Integrating access control with users’ e-mails is one of the most secure methods, often requiring two-factor authentication or other protection technologies. Doordeck can also be integrated with your business’s Office 365 oulook calendar or Google calendar.
When compared to an e-mail login on a biometric-protected smartphone, Doordeck drastically boosts the security of your premises while still improving the everyday entry and access management routine. In addition, cloud-based smartphone access provides a great opportunity for short-term access permissions for maintenance or cleaning staff, temporary workers, or vacation rental visitors. The usual step of issuing a physical access card is now simplified to a couple of clicks in the Doordeck app or online platform.
In short: Replacing cards with users’ smartphones allows for more secure and smart access experience. Your mobile access credential permissions are unique to you. Furthermore you are able to grant temporary mobile access passes for guests, visitors or contractors quicker, cheaper and more securely.
How Doordeck Works with Tedee?
While Doordeck’s native solution modernizes the management of wired access systems by bringing a building online with cloud-based smartphone access credentials, the software integration with Tedee allows users to expand their setups with easy-to-install, wireless retrofit Tedee smart locks and network doors in their portfolio that are not currently networked.
“Tedee’s proposition complements Doordeck’s offerings with its self-install and scalable smart lock solutions. With the ability to fulfill orders for customers without existing access control systems, Tedee opens up opportunities in residential, short-term rental, and hotel markets for Doordeck,” says Jon Bugden, Head of Marketing at Doordeck.
“Doordeck’s cloud infrastructure enables the ability to unify a commercial building’s networked doors with offline doors, such as meeting rooms, that are equipped with Tedee smart locks. Bringing NFC mobile access all under one platform, whether you’re an iOS or Android user.”
The Doordeck x Tedee integration adds the flexibility of using both wired electronic locks and wireless smart locks under one management platform, which expands application opportunities for commercial and office properties.
On another part of the spectrum, combining Tedee smart locks – installed on the inside of rooms – with Doordeck tiles outside further facilitates door unlocking with NFC and QR technologies. These are great added values for properties such as hotels, aparthotels, and short-term rental accommodations, where guest access granting can be even easier to introduce to visitors.
As the Doordeck platform offers an open source SDK, NFC mobile credentials can even be integrated into customers’ software solutions or tenant experience apps.
In short: Tedee allows Doordeck users to expand their access control systems capability with easy-to-install, wireless smart locks. Doordeck allows Tedee to introduce easy NFC and QR unlocking to Tedee GO and Tedee PRO smart locks paired through the Tedee Bridge.
How Tedee Works with Doordeck
Using Tedee with Doordeck offers an integration of both traditional wired electronic locks and wireless Tedee smart locks within one cloud-based system. Access to all devices is controlled via the same e-mail accounts and administration software. This solution integrates the management of both wired and wireless lock hardware under the same software platform.
Unlocking doors in both setups involves using the Doordeck NFC tile attached outside the room’s door. By bringing the smartphone close to the NFC tile or scanning the QR code with the device’s camera. Each smartphone unlocking operation connects to the Doordeck cloud infrastructure, which then verifies the user’s authorization and sends the unlock order either to an access control server or to the Tedee cloud, which then causes a Tedee smart lock to unlock remotely.
Compare the setups of both doors in the illustration above.
Left: A traditional electronic lock, wired to the access control server and integrated with the Doordeck cloud.
Right: A Tedee smart lock installed on the inside of the room. It connects via Bluetooth to a Tedee Bridge, which is linked to your local Wi-Fi network. Via your internet connection, Tedee Bridge connects to the Tedee cloud system, which is integrated with the Doordeck cloud.
In short: All unlocking operations are triggered by using a Doordeck wireless NFC tile outside a door. A user’s smartphone connects to the Doordeck cloud using cellular data transfer. The Doordeck cloud authenticates the user, then unlocks a door – whether it’s a wired electronic door lock mechanism or a Tedee smart lock.
What You Need to Know
Launching Doordeck at your premises does not require any modifications to your existing door hardware – all integration is based on server software solutions and can be implemented by Doordeck remotely.
Each of your system’s doors requires a separate Doordeck tile, installed outside. Doordeck tiles are wireless and do not require any connections; they can be installed using adhesive pads. Each tile must be set up in the Doordeck system and associated with an individual door.
When expanding your setup with Tedee smart locks, ensure each Tedee GO or Tedee PRO is paired with a Tedee Bridge to integrate with the Doordeck setup. Read our smart locks comparison and learn whether Tedee GO or Tedee PRO is right for you.
Tedee Bridge is a wireless router that connects to Tedee GO and Tedee PRO smart locks via Bluetooth while connecting to your local Wi-Fi. Pairing your smart locks with a Tedee Bridge connects your door to the secure internet cloud and enables smartphone-based controls. Learn more about the Tedee Bridge, here.
Make sure the location of the Tedee Bridge is within the range of your Wi-Fi network. Ensure there is cellular data transfer available for smartphones when used at the door. Users’ smartphones must be able to connect to the internet to unlock the Doordeck door. This solution may not be ideal if cellular service is limited in enclosed, underground, or remote locations.
One Tedee Bridge can service all Tedee smart locks installed within its Bluetooth range, so you can save by installing single Tedee Bridge units in multi-door spaces, such as corridors.
Be aware that while access control is centralized in the Doordeck system, Tedee devices may require maintenance regarding their battery levels, firmware updates, and recalibration in case of issues. These procedures require that someone at your premises – office administrator, technician, or security specialist – has permanent access to a Tedee administrator account, paired with your smart locks and Tedee Bridge routers.
Key Benefits
Unified Management Platform: Integrate all electronic door locks at your premises, including wired electronic locks and Tedee smart locks, into a single access control platform.
Keyless – and Cardless – Access: Replace access cards with smartphones using NFC chips and QR codes.
Simplified User Management: Manage user permissions easily through the Doordeck cloud platform, accessible via mobile apps and an internet browser.
Increased Security: Enhanced security with e-mail-based access control and two-factor authentication.
Flexibility and Scalability: Expand your access control system without extensive replacements, modifications, or costs.
Interested in expanding the capability of your access control system with Tedee smart locks and replacing access cards with smartphone entry?
Contact us at [email protected] for individual step-by-step guidance.
