The world is going wireless – whether it be a web connection or home speaker systems, the flexibility that wireless communication brings is an exciting option for the building envelope.

But have you ever considered applying wireless communication to a secure door-locking mechanism?

As the advantages and cost savings of wireless technologies are recognised, electronic access control is making the transition from heavy commercial situations to smaller buildings.

Leading the charge in the sector is ASSA ABLOY, manufacturer of local brand Lockwood, which used the 2008 Australian Security Industry Association Limited (ASIAL) Conference and Exhibition to launch its Aperio electronic access control security technology.

The system complements the company’s successful Hi-O technology and is the result of world-wide market research that canvassed from security managers through to end-users.

“What we are talking about is online access security systems, where the user is issued a card or badge in place of a key,” ASSA ABLOY business manager Michael Söderberg says.

“I will say that keys are fantastic – everybody knows how to use them, they are robust, will work in all conditions and you will generally get at least 25 years wear out of them if looked after.

“The problem with the key is that anyone holding it has access through the lock – and you can’t necessarily control who uses that key or at what time.

“If you move to an online access control system, you have a badge or card containing information that is read and can confirm or deny access.

“And you can tailor that access so that a particular card can have access only at certain times, or perhaps it requires an additional pin code for extra security during the evenings.

“An obvious advantage is that if somebody loses a card, the security manager can put an instant block on that card’s access and there is no need to change all the locks and issue new keys.

“Furthermore, the system will record the fact if somebody tries to use the lost card.”

Although online access control is a flexible and secure solution, it is also quite expensive. A single door can cost up to $2500.

For this reason, most businesses and apartment complexes install an online access system at the perimeter of the building and use keys for the offices, personal rooms, board rooms and storage areas.

The extended costs associated with an online access door are in installation and ongoing maintenance. It was in these two key areas that ASSA ABLOY focused the Hi-O system.

“In 2004, our head office established a global research and development organisation called Shared Technologies, which was designed to create platforms with common functionality that could be used through locks and other devices around the world,” Michael says.

“The first technology developed was Hi-O, which set out to dramatically improve the functionality of online access doors and at the same time reduce the lifetime costs.

“With the Hi-O system, all of the components associated with the door contain a micro-controller – which means they can communicate through data to become ‘smart’.

“The simplicity is such that previously required cabling has been reduced to just four cables with standardised contacts, so they work on the ‘plug and play’ system. It’s the same as when you insert a USB stick into your computer and it automatically determines what to do with it.”

The unified four-cable system means easier installation with less margin for error and faults.

“The greatly reduced number of parts and cables decreases the need for continual maintenance – and the incidence of programming errors.

“We have case studies showing that installation costs can be cut 10-40%, and running costs by up to 75% – a significant saving over the lifetime of a door.”

The advantage in running ‘smart’ micro-controllers is that programming is reduced by the plug-and-play ability, and the system can also detect when a component is not working or on the verge of failing.

It even has the ability to notify the user of the specific component so that a technician can come to the site with the part required.

The Hi-O system was displayed at an international show in 2007 and went into production in Australia in 2008. It has been well received.

With Hi-O working well, the aim of the Shared Technologies organisation was to develop a system that would be affordable for interior doors as well as being compatible with existing perimeter online access systems.

“The Aperio technology was in many ways a natural progression from Hi-O,” Michael says.

“It was developed to complement existing electronic access control systems to provide a simple, intelligent way of upgrading the controllability and security level at a greatly reduced cost.”

At the heart of the Aperio system is a short-distance wireless communication protocol combined with a locking mechanism designed to serve as the link between an online electronic access system and a mechanical lock.

It uses Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) via a wireless connection and is fully compatible with RFID technologies.

“What we’re talking about is identifying the advantages of online access security systems over key-based solutions, yet developing it in a more cost-effective manner for internal doors,” Michael says.

“What really costs a lot with the installation of conventional systems is the laying of the cables and connection of the units.

“We estimate that a standard door can take anywhere from six to eight hours to install properly, but this is a wireless technology that comes configured from the factory. We believe it can be fitted in less than two minutes.”

The Aperio system uses standard locking systems and merely replaces the key. Naturally, this is simpler and cheaper for installation, but it also offers the proven strength of locks.

The use of AES means Aperio cannot be electronically manipulated and the standard 3V lithium battery gives about 80,000 operations – much more than an internal door would generally need.

Furthermore, the development undertaken ensures that it will easily integrate with existing perimeter online access systems.

“Our aim with Hi-O was to simplify the installation and maintenance for online access systems.

“With Aperio, we have used a global technology to co-ordinate with those systems and make internal doors and locks affordable.

“By using the two, you have the advantages of an online access system at a cost that small offices can afford.”