As a property manager, you juggle countless responsibilities—from tenant satisfaction to operational efficiency. But at the foundation of a well-managed building is security. Your access control system is the first line of defense, responsible for protecting your tenants, assets, and property. If that system is outdated, it’s not just an inconvenience—it’s a significant liability.
How can you tell if your system is behind the times? Here are seven tell-tale signs that it’s time for an upgrade.
1. You’re Still Relying on Physical Keys & Low-Frequency 125kHz Cards
If your building’s security still revolves around metal keys or basic low-frequency 125kHz cards, you’re facing unnecessary risks. Physical keys can be easily lost, stolen, or duplicated without your knowledge, leading to costly and time-consuming lock changes. Similarly, older 125kHz cards offer minimal security and are relatively easy to clone.
Modern Solution: Secure, encrypted credentials like high-frequency smart cards (MIFARE/DESFire), mobile access on smartphones, and biometrics offer layers of protection that are nearly impossible to duplicate. Systems Integrations specializes in implementing these advanced credential technologies through our partnerships with PDK and Feenics.
2. You Can’t Manage the System Remotely
Do you have to be physically on-site to add a new tenant, revoke access for a former employee, or check an activity log? This is a major sign of an outdated system. In today’s world, the inability to manage your property’s security from anywhere is a massive operational bottleneck, especially when dealing with after-hours lockouts or security incidents.
Modern Solution: Cloud-based access control platforms like PDK allow you to manage users, grant or revoke credentials, and monitor activity in real-time from any web browser or smartphone. As a certified PDK partner, Systems Integrations can transition your property to a modern, cloud-managed system that gives you complete control from anywhere.
3. There’s No Clear Audit Trail
When a security incident occurs, the first question is always, “Who was there and when?” If your system can’t provide a clear, easily searchable log of every door access event, you’re flying blind. Outdated systems often have limited logging capacity or store data on a local computer that is difficult to access and review.
Modern Solution: Today’s systems provide detailed, instantaneous audit trails. You can quickly filter by user, door, or time to investigate incidents and ensure accountability. This level of transparency is critical for liability protection and tenant safety.
4. It’s a Standalone “Security Island”
Your access control system shouldn’t operate in a vacuum. True security comes from integration. Can your system automatically trigger a camera to record when a door is forced open? Can it disarm the intrusionalarm when an authorized manager unlocks the main entrance in the morning? If not, you’re missing out on a powerful force multiplier for your security.
Modern Solution: An integrated system connects access control with video surveillance, alarm systems, and visitor management platforms. Systems Integrations designs unified security ecosystems using Rhombus video surveillance and PDK access control, creating intelligent automation that enhances protection while reducing manual oversight.
5. Maintenance is a Constant Headache
Are you frequently calling for service? Are replacement parts for your card readers or control panels becoming hard to find and expensive? Like any other technology, legacy access control hardware becomes less reliable over time. Frequent downtime and mounting maintenance costs are clear indicators that your system is past its prime.
Modern Solution: Modern IP-based hardware is more reliable, easier to troubleshoot, and often receives automatic firmware updates to enhance security and functionality over time. Systems Integrations provides comprehensive support through master service agreements and maintenance contracts, ensuring your system stays operational with minimal disruption.
6. The User Experience is Clunky
Security shouldn’t come at the cost of convenience. If your tenants and staff are fumbling with worn-out keypads, dealing with unreliable card readers, or complaining about having to carry multiple credentials, your system is creating daily frustration. In a competitive rental market, a seamless living or working experience is a key differentiator.
Modern Solution: Features like mobile credentials—using a smartphone as a key—are becoming the expected standard. They offer a frictionless, highly secure experience that modern tenants demand. Systems Integrations can implement mobile-first access solutions that enhance tenant satisfaction while strengthening security.
7. It Can’t Grow With You
Your building’s needs change. You might take over management of a new property, renovate a floor, or simply need to add a few more secure doors. An outdated system often makes expansion difficult or impossible without a complete and costly overhaul.
Modern Solution: Scalable, modern systems are built for growth. Adding new doors, users, or even entire new buildings to your platform is a straightforward process. Cloud-based solutions from PDK and Feenics ensure your security investment can adapt to your future needs without expensive infrastructure upgrades.
It’s Time to Modernize Your Security
If you recognized your property in any of these signs, your access control system is likely exposing your building to unnecessary risks and inefficiencies.
Don’t wait for a security incident to force your hand. At Systems Integrations, we specialize in designing and installing modern, integrated access control solutions tailored for property managers across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. As a certified partner for PDK, Feenics, Rhombus, and Hanwha, we deliver fully licensed, professionally installed systems backed by our team of certified technicians.
Contact Systems Integrations today at (866) 417-3787 for a free security assessment and let’s build a safer environment for your tenants.