Smart Phone Access Control Pilot Gets Good Reviews at Vanderbilt U

Pilot participants cited convenience as the top attribute of the technology.

HID Global has completed its access control pilot at Vanderbilt University.

The pilot featured HID Mobile Access, which supports Bluetooth Smart and includes mobile ID’s, mobile apps, iClass SE readers, and the HID Secure Identity Services portal for granting and revoking mobile ID’s to other mobile devices.

In addition to HID Mobile Access, Vanderbilt utilizes CBORD‘s CS Access solution with VertX access control panels. CS Access is a component of the CS Gold campus card solution, which enables students to unlock campus buildings by tapping their smart phones over the lock, reports HID Global.

The university’s current CBORD system did not undergo any changes during the pilot.

In a survey of Vanderbilt pilot participants, respondents cited convenience as the top attribute of the technology, since their smartphones are always with them and they are less likely to lose them as compared to their access card. Respondents further pointed out the benefit of using their phone as a backup in cases where their cards were lost or stolen. Pilot participants indicated they liked using HID Global’s “Twist and Go” gesture technology to open the garage parking gate as they drove up to the reader, including the convenience of not even having to roll down their windows as they approached. In addition, they validated the efficiency and simplicity of installing and registering the app, citing that it required five minutes or less to complete the process, and it was a self-explanatory and intuitive experience. Respondents also stated that HID Mobile Access is an innovative alternative to access cards.

For new buildings, Vanderbilt University will install iCLASS SE readers so they can leverage the valuable new capabilities of mobile access in the future, while still retaining interoperability with legacy card technologies.

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