Openpath, a provider of touchless access control and security automation for the built environment, has reimagined the digital badge for today’s modern workforce and workplace.

According to Openpath, 35 percent of all their support requests are the result of users not having the right access rights; and getting locked out, even when they have their badge is a recurring frustration for people and their organizations every day.

“Our solution has a new "Call for Help" capability that connects users with those who manage the access control system in case you’re locked out of the building or don’t have permission to go through the door, and they can remotely unlock the door,” said James Segil, co-founder and president of Openpath. “You have to have a reliable way to open the door, and we turned your mobile phone into a portable and secure access control method to get you into your building.”

• A customized digital badge design tool so your physical ID badge and picture now match your digital credential.
• Call or email for help feature to eliminate lock outs at the door.
• Single sign-on app authentication through Okta to ensure security compliance.
• Door auto-detect technology recognizes closest door on home screen.
• Dynamic Status tags can change your work group or vaccination status in real time.
• Streamlined support options to determine where and how employee questions are answered, either via Openpath or directly by the company’s security operations center.
  

Segil said there will always be a role for the physical ID badge, and instead of trying to eliminate it, Openpath has chosen to improve it with a digital twin and features that other mobile solutions simply don’t offer. As physical security continues to merge with cybersecurity, different companies and institutions pace at different velocities with varying and unique security requirements, and Openpath offers the appropriate solution for whatever a company’s specific needs are, with greater focus and functionality for system administrators.

“We wanted to connect the physical security strategy with a cybersecurity strategy,” Segil said. “We wanted to find a way to enhance and improve the badge and work with the badge, which means you have a mobile credential that looks the same as your badge.”

Mobile security has advanced, and the security vulnerabilities of a physical keycard with visual identification and branding still remain. Mobile badging ensures a unified security and safety experience across all of an organization’s apps, whether on browser or mobile, and for the first time, it lets companies know right at the door if there is a cybersecurity issue, and helps them resolve it quickly and easily with the appropriate steps — meaning less work for security systems integrators.

“The beauty of Openpath’s open architecture system is that it allows us to continuously innovate and create new options for companies that weren’t thought to be possible with older technologies,” said Alex Kazerani, CEO and co-founder of Openpath. “We have been breaking barriers to mobile access control since day one and we are so excited to deliver a new digital badge that surpasses the security of a physical badge, plus offers custom features and extensive functionality for system administrators of all types of companies and sizes.”

Learn more at www.openpath.com. — By SDM Managing Editor Courtney Wolfe //

The unique benefits offered by Feenics are only enjoyed by those alliance members that qualify for this program. A sample of benefits include lead generation, collaboration opportunities with other alliance members and direct involvement with product strategies.

The relationship provides a convenient, single source for LenelS2 VARs to procure and build their video surveillance solutions. VARs will be able to leverage a unified support infrastructure for products across both company product lines. LenelS2 and Bosch are developing tighter integrations between products to enable advanced features for future product releases. Bosch cameras integrate with all LenelS2 OnGuard and NetBox ecosystem video management solutions including LenelS2 NVR (LNVR), UltraView, VRx and NetVR. Bosch cameras also integrate with Milestone XProtect in support of LenelS2 and Milestone’s distribution agreement.

“Bosch Building Technologies is a longtime partner and member of the LenelS2 OpenAccess Alliance Program (OAAP), so this was a natural step to take,” said Jeff Stanek, president, LenelS2. “This alliance further supports our commitment to providing open platforms and comprehensive healthy building solutions, enabling our customers to select the best solutions for their security needs.”

Tanja Rückert, president, Bosch Building Technologies, added, “By providing direct access to our portfolio of IP cameras, this collaboration makes it easier for LenelS2 VARs to meet the needs and requirements of end users with intelligent Bosch devices. This agreement will enable innovative solutions made possible with features like built-in video analytics, tighter product integrations and greater choice for customers.”

LenelS2 and Bosch have decades of combined industry experience in providing customers with proven security solutions. Bosch Building Technologies has been a part of the LenelS2 OAAP since 2010. Learn more at www.LenelS2.com. //

The new Ultimate Sunset Offer automatically credits the security professional with 18 months of free interactive service for replacing a sunsetting device with an Alula BAT-Connect. The service credit will be applied automatically upon activation and allows the security professional to eliminate the service bill for the first 18 months.
“The BAT-Connect basically pays for itself,” said Russell Vail, executive vice president of market development at Alula. “We know that security pros are burdened by the onrushing sunset, and in 2021 we are quickly running out of time.”

Because Alula uses CAT-M1 cellular technology, the BAT-Connect is 5G-ready. BAT-Connect not only solves the 3G sunset but will help carry the account into the 5G era.

Although the offer primarily was designed for BAT-Connect customers, Vail says Alula’s Ultimate Sunset Offer will include Connect+ and ConnectXT units that replace sunsetting devices as well.

“This is such an important advance for our industry in solving this chronic problem and we want to make sure all security pros are able to access it and use it to affordably scale their business,” Vail said. “By letting you keep that money in your pocket with 18 months of free service, we’re giving you a cushion for when you need it and the ability to rapidly scale your business to new heights using the freed up capital.”

Learn more at www.alula.com. //

“We designed MKSynergy to bridge the gap between uncooperative systems, and to seamlessly connect all of what is going on inside of your business with your central station,” said Micro Key Solutions President Victoria Ferro. “There are many black holes created by running multiple systems that aren’t linked such as duplicate data entry and costly errors … and this is a solution that has been created to solve all such problems.

“We’re so excited to work with premier wholesale alarm monitoring centers like AvantGuard to bring tools like MKSynergy to their dealers. Both of the teams at Micro Key Solutions and AvantGuard take pride in utilizing the most advanced technologies to give alarm companies the tools they need to boost efficiency and ultimately profitability.”
Troy Iverson, vice president of sales and marketing at AvantGuard, said, “Many of AvantGuard’s dealers use MKS for their accounting, service scheduling, inventory and CRM management. We are pleased to have completed our integration with MKS and Stages so our dealers will no longer be required to do double data entry. That means more efficient processes and less room for data entry errors. Victoria and her team at MKS have been great to work with.”
MKSynergy connects an alarm dealers’ two most important business products.
“The primary goal of our program is to achieve synergy to increase productivity and profitability for our valuable customers, and to increase the value of your company,” Ferro said. “It’s been a continued goal to make that dealer/monitoring center relationship a stronger one that allows for more sharing, collaboration and transparency. Our desire was to go beyond platforms and vendors and just focus on what’s best for the alarm companies. I think we’ve hit that mark with MKSynergy.”
Learn more at www.microkey.com/dealer-solutions/mksynergy/. //