Why South Shore Businesses Are Replacing Keys with Access Control
If your business still relies on traditional keys, you're dealing with problems that access control systems solved years ago. Lost keys mean rekeying every lock. You can't track who enters which areas or when. Fired employees might still have copies. For businesses across Plymouth, Brockton, Quincy, and the South Shore, upgrading to electronic door access control is one of the smartest security investments you can make.
What Is a Door Access Control System?
An access control system replaces traditional locks and keys with electronic credentials — key cards, fobs, PIN codes, or smartphone apps. Every door entry is logged with a timestamp and user ID. You can grant or revoke access instantly from a web dashboard, set schedules (office staff get access 7am-7pm, cleaning crew gets 8pm-11pm), and receive alerts when someone tries to enter an area they shouldn't.
Types of Access Control Credentials
Key Cards and Fobs
The most common credential type for South Shore businesses. Proximity cards and fobs are inexpensive ($2-5 each), easy to program, and familiar to employees. When someone leaves the company, you deactivate their card in seconds — no rekeying required.
Mobile Credentials (Smartphone Access)
Increasingly popular with businesses in Plymouth and the South Shore. Employees use their smartphone as their credential via Bluetooth or NFC. No cards to lose, no fobs to replace. Systems like Openpath and Verkada Access support mobile credentials out of the box.
Biometric Access (Fingerprint and Facial Recognition)
Best for high-security areas — server rooms, pharmaceutical storage, financial offices. Biometric readers eliminate the risk of shared or stolen credentials. We install these for healthcare practices in Brockton, law firms in Quincy, and manufacturing facilities across Plymouth County.
PIN Code Access
Simple and cost-effective for low-security interior doors. Often combined with card access for two-factor authentication on sensitive areas. Common in medical offices that need HIPAA-compliant access controls.
Access Control System Components
A complete door access control installation includes:
- Readers — mounted at each controlled door (indoor or outdoor rated)
- Controllers — the brain of the system, manages reader inputs and lock outputs
- Electric locks — magnetic locks (maglocks), electric strikes, or electrified hardware
- Power supplies — with battery backup so doors remain secure during power outages
- Management software — cloud-based or on-premise dashboard for adding users, setting schedules, and pulling reports
- Request-to-exit (REX) sensors — motion sensors or push buttons for egress compliance
How Much Does Door Access Control Cost in Plymouth MA?
Costs depend on the number of doors, credential type, and system complexity:
| System Size | Doors | Typical Investment | |-------------|-------|-------------------| | Small office | 1-4 doors | $2,000 - $5,000 | | Medium commercial | 4-10 doors | $5,000 - $15,000 | | Large facility | 10-25+ doors | $15,000 - $40,000+ |
Monthly cloud management fees range from $5-15 per door depending on the platform. On-premise systems have no recurring fees but require more upfront infrastructure.
Choosing the Right Access Control System for Your Business
Cloud-Based vs. On-Premise
Cloud-based systems (Verkada, Openpath, Brivo) are ideal for most South Shore businesses. No server to maintain, automatic updates, and you can manage access from anywhere. Perfect for business owners who travel or manage multiple locations.
On-premise systems (Lenel, Software House, Genetec) make sense for larger organizations with dedicated IT staff — hospitals, municipal buildings, and manufacturing plants in Plymouth County that need complete data control.
Integration with Security Cameras
The best security comes from integrating access control with your camera system. When someone badges into a door, the nearest camera automatically saves a clip. If an unauthorized access attempt occurs, you get a video alert showing exactly who tried to enter.
Fire Code and ADA Compliance
Massachusetts building codes require that access-controlled doors unlock automatically during fire alarms. This is non-negotiable and a common failure point in DIY installations. Doors must also comply with ADA requirements for accessibility. Our installations always meet state and local code requirements — we coordinate with Plymouth, Brockton, and other South Shore building departments regularly.
Best Practices for Access Control on the South Shore
Segment Access by Zone
Not every employee needs access to every area. Create zones: - Public areas — lobby, reception (no credential needed) - General employee areas — offices, break rooms (standard card access) - Restricted areas — server rooms, financial records, inventory (manager-level access only) - High-security areas — safes, pharmaceutical storage (two-factor: card + PIN or biometric)
Set Time-Based Schedules
Limit access to business hours for most employees. Grant after-hours access only to those who need it. This is especially important for retail businesses in Kingston, Hanover, and along Route 3A where break-ins tend to occur overnight.
Audit Access Logs Monthly
Review door access reports at least monthly. Look for: - Unusual after-hours access - Failed access attempts (possible stolen/shared cards) - Doors propped open (using door-position sensors) - Credentials that should have been deactivated
Plan for Power Failures
South Shore nor'easters knock out power regularly. Your access control system needs battery backup. Magnetic locks fail-safe (unlock when power is lost) — which is code-compliant but means doors are unlocked during outages. Electric strikes can be configured fail-secure (stay locked during outages). We help you choose the right lock type for each door based on fire code and security requirements.
Industries That Need Access Control on the South Shore
Healthcare and Dental Offices
HIPAA requires controlling access to areas where patient records are stored. Medical practices in Plymouth, Brockton, and Quincy need access control for records rooms, medication storage, and server closets.
Manufacturing and Warehouses
Plymouth County's industrial parks in Carver, Kingston, and Middleborough house manufacturing and distribution facilities that need to control access to production floors, chemical storage, and shipping areas.
Professional Services
Law firms, accounting offices, and financial advisors across the South Shore handle sensitive client data. Access control creates an audit trail showing who accessed file rooms and when — critical for compliance and client trust.
Retail and Restaurant
Control back-of-house access, office areas, and safe rooms. Multi-location restaurant groups can manage all locations from a single cloud dashboard.
Common Access Control Installation Mistakes
- Forgetting REX sensors — doors that don't have request-to-exit sensors create fire code violations and nuisance alarms
- Using the wrong lock type — maglocks on fire exits require integration with the fire alarm panel
- Weak network infrastructure — IP-based access control needs reliable [network cabling](/services/structured-cabling) and PoE switches
- Not planning for growth — choose a system that can scale from 4 doors to 40 without replacing everything
Get a Free Access Control Assessment
Power Up Boston designs and installs access control systems for businesses across Plymouth, the South Shore, and Southeastern Massachusetts. We work with leading platforms including Verkada, Openpath, and Genetec to match the right system to your needs and budget.
Contact us today for a free on-site security assessment. We'll evaluate your facility, recommend the right system, and provide a detailed proposal — typically within 48 hours.