Take Control of Building Security with Akuvox ACMS Pro

Designed as an access control management system, ACMS Pro creates one central place to manage people, doors, devices and access permissions.

Instead of treating every door as a separate part of the building, administrators can see and control their wider door access control system from one platform.For installers and system integrators, that means a more complete Akuvox access control solution to offer customers. For building managers, it means greater visibility and much simpler day-to-day control.

What is Akuvox ACMS Pro?

Akuvox ACMS Pro is an on-premises, PC-based access control management software designed to help organisations manage who can enter a building, which doors they can use and when they are allowed through.

Administrators can manage staff and departments, connect compatible access control devices and create different access groups and schedules.

Put simply, the system helps answer three important security questions:

Who can enter? Which doors can they use? When can they use them?

Those questions are at the heart of a good access control system.

Rather than giving everyone the same level of access, a business can set permissions around the way its building actually works. For example, a member of the warehouse team may need access to different areas than someone working in reception. A cleaner may only need to enter during certain hours, while a senior manager could need wider access across the site. ACMS Pro allows these rules to be managed from a central system, helping businesses create a safer and more controlled environment.

With Akuvox ACMS Pro, administrators can create access groups and schedules that control where and when people are allowed to enter. Personnel information can also be organised by department, helping make larger user lists easier to manage.

This can be especially useful for:

• Offices and commercial buildings
• Schools and education sites
• Warehouses and industrial facilities
• Healthcare environments
• Shared workspaces
• Multi-door and multi-area sites

If someone’s role changes, their access permissions can be updated to match. Equally, when a person leaves an organisation, their access can be managed centrally rather than relying on physical keys that may never be returned.

ACMS Pro or Akuvox Cloud?

While Akuvox Cloud and ACMS Pro both help make access control easier to manage, they are designed for different requirements.

Akuvox Cloud provides an off-premise, web-based platform that allows authorised users and installers to manage compatible door entry and access control systems remotely, making it particularly useful for multi-site or multi-user environments. ACMS Pro, by comparison, is PC-based access control management software focused on the central management of personnel, departments, access schedules, authority groups and security logs across connected devices.

This makes ACMS Pro a strong option for organisations that want dedicated access control management from a local PC-based system, while Akuvox Cloud is better suited to customers who value remote, web-based management.

See More of Your Access Control System

Good security is not only about locking a door. It is also about knowing what is happening around it.

ACMS Pro provides a central dashboard for managing devices, doors, departments and personnel. Administrators can also check the current status of selected doors, including whether they are locked, being held open or placed into lockdown.

This gives security teams a clearer picture of their system without having to manually check each door one by one.

The platform also records access and system activity through its logs.These records can be important when a business needs to understand what has happened at a particular entrance or investigate a security event.For facilities and security managers, this turns an access control system from a simple way of opening doors into a useful building management and security tool.

Take Fast Control of Your Doors

There are times when a security team needs to act quickly.

ACMS Pro includes quick door controls that allow authorised administrators to manage doors from the system. Depending on the configuration, doors can be unlocked, held open, locked or placed into lockdown.

This can support both day-to-day building management and a wider security response. With the introduction of Martyn’s Law (the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025), organisations are placing even greater focus on how they prepare for, and respond to, serious incidents. Effective access control can form an important part of a wider security strategy by giving authorised teams greater control over entrances, exits and restricted areas when circumstances change.

Having these controls available through the management platform can help teams respond more effectively to what is happening across the building and support the security procedures put in place for the site.

A Clearer View for Larger Sites

Managing several entrances across a large building can be difficult if you only have a list of door names.

ACMS Pro offers a map management feature which can place doors onto a visual floor plan. Administrators can then see and manage doors based on where they are actually located. For sites with several floors, areas or zones, this can make the access control system much easier to understand. Instead of searching for a device name, a security operator can look at the building layout and identify the relevant door.

It is a simple idea, but one that can make a big difference when managing a larger security system

Advanced Access Control for Greater Security

ACMS Pro also supports more advanced access control functions for sites that need them.

These include anti-passback, which can help stop the same credential being repeatedly used without the expected entry or exit movement. Alongside this feature is the interlock controls, this can help prevent selected linked doors from being open at the same time.

These tools give security professionals more options when designing systems for controlled or higher-security areas.They also show why modern access control is about much more than replacing a traditional key. It’s about controlling movement through a building in a way that fits the organisation and its security needs.

Supporting Emergency Access Control

Door security is important, but in an emergency people may need to leave a building quickly.

Akuvox ACMS Pro includes an Emergency Action function which can be configured so selected doors respond when an emergency alarm is triggered. Administrators can also manually apply emergency door actions through the system.This gives system designers another tool when creating a joined-up approach to building access and emergency procedures. Any emergency access control system must be designed and installed in line with the site’s wider fire, safety and legal requirements.

Why Central Access Control Management Matters

As buildings become smarter, the systems protecting them need to become easier to manage too.

Using separate systems, spreadsheets or manual records can make access management harder as a business grows. A central access control management system helps bring that information together.

Staff can be organised.

Access rights can be changed.

Doors can be monitored.

Events can be reviewed.

And security teams can have a clearer picture of what is happening across their site.

For the customer, that can mean less administration and stronger control.

For the installer or integrator, ACMS Pro creates an opportunity to deliver a more complete Akuvox access control solution, rather than simply supplying individual door entry devices.

Smarter Access Control Starts with Better Management

The best access control technology should make security easier to manage, not more complicated.

Akuvox ACMS Pro brings user management, door control, access permissions, schedules, system monitoring and security records together within one access control platform.

That makes it a valuable option for organisations looking to move beyond traditional door security and take greater control of who can access their building.

Whether the requirement is managing staff at an office, controlling restricted areas or overseeing multiple doors across a larger site, Akuvox ACMS Pro gives security teams the tools to manage access with greater visibility and control.

For installers, integrators and building managers planning their next door entry and access control system, ACMS Pro provides another powerful way to put intelligent security management at the centre of the solution.

Find out more about Door Intercoms & Access Control

• What is Access Control?

• 17 Tips for Access Control System Design

• NFC Keyless Entry for Access Control

• QR Code technology in Access Control

• Face Recognition in Access Control

• Choosing the right door intercom

CIE is one of the UK’s leading distributors of professional access control and door intercom products from leading innovators Akuvox.

Our professional system design team provide a unique system architecture service for installers and integrators to help you deliver the best in door entry and access control technology.

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The post Akuvox ACMS Pro: Smarter Access Control Management Software appeared first on CiE Group.

It turns access control from something that primarily manages credentials and records activity into a system that can also react to what is happening.

What are Akuvox Event Trigger Rules?

Event Trigger Rules are an automation feature within the Akuvox Smart Access Cloud.

A rule connects an access-control event with one or more actions. In simple terms, it works like:

When this happens → automatically do this.

Akuvox currently supports actions including email notifications, SmartPlus App push notifications, third-party HTTP API calls using webhooks, relay activation and door-control actions such as opening doors or putting them into lockdown. A single rule can contain up to five actions.

This means Event Trigger Rules can be used for much more than basic alerting.

Why are Event Trigger Rules useful?

The main advantage is simple:

Important events can produce an automatic response without relying on someone constantly monitoring the access-control system.

Consider an invalid access attempt at a restricted door. Recording the event is useful, but notifying the right person automatically can make that information much more valuable.

Akuvox also provides emergency-related actions. Depending on the rule being created, Smart Access can open selected doors, place doors into lockdown, release a lockdown or hold doors open. The result is a more responsive approach to access control, where information from the system can become the starting point for an automated security workflow.

What can trigger an automated action?

Akuvox supports a wide range of events within Event Trigger Rules.

These include door-status events, access events, alarm events, emergency scenarios and selected device or input events. This flexibility allows organisations to create rules around the events that matter most to a particular building rather than applying the same response everywhere.

Akuvox allows up to five actions within one Event Trigger Rule, making it possible for a single event to start several responses rather than just one.

Who could benefit from Akuvox Event Trigger Rules?

Event Trigger Rules are particularly relevant to commercial sites using Akuvox Smart Access, especially where administrators or security teams need to know about important access events quickly.

That could include offices, education sites, healthcare environments, warehouses, multi-tenant commercial buildings and other premises where different doors, users and security situations may require different responses.

For building and security administrators, the feature can reduce the need to manually watch event information and help important incidents reach the appropriate people.

For installers and system integrators, it adds another layer to what can be designed around an Akuvox deployment. An access-control event can now become the trigger for notifications, physical relay actions, door behaviour or communication with another compatible platform.

For organisations with more complex security procedures, Event Trigger Rules can therefore help turn those procedures into repeatable workflows.

Webhooks are useful for integrators because they allow Smart Access to send event information to compatible third-party systems, helping different security or building systems work together.

An important step towards automated access control

Event Trigger Rules may look like a relatively simple addition, but they change what Smart Access can do with the information an access-control system already produces.

• A failed entry attempt no longer has to be only a record in a log.
• A break-in alarm can start another action.
• An emergency event can initiate a predefined door response.
• A Smart Access event can be passed to another compatible system through a webhook.

That moves Akuvox Smart Access further beyond straightforward credential and door management and towards event-driven access-control automation.

For installers, integrators and commercial users, the value is in being able to decide not just who has access, but also what should happen when something important occurs.

As more building systems become connected, that ability to automatically turn events into actions could become an increasingly useful part of designing responsive and manageable security systems.

The post What Are Akuvox Event Trigger Rules and How Do They Work? appeared first on CiE Group.

With Akuvox Apple Wallet Access, they could become a thing of the past.

No separate card to carry. No fob to remember. Just a simple, secure and convenient way to access your building using a device that is already part of everyday life. Akuvox has made everyday building access even more convenient with the introduction of Apple Wallet access for SmartPlus app users*.

Your iPhone or Apple Watch becomes your access credential

Once Apple Wallet access has been enabled, and the credential has been added through the Akuvox SmartPlus App, opening an authorised door is straightforward.

Simply hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the supported door reader.

Akuvox also enables Express Mode by default when the credential is added. With Express Mode, users can present their device to the reader without first unlocking their iPhone. If Express Mode is disabled, the phone will need to be unlocked before it is presented to the reader.

It creates a familiar contactless experience for people who already use Apple Wallet as part of their everyday routine.

Convenient for Residents, Controlled by Property Managers

Property managers can easily enable Apple Wallet for residents and control which doors they are allowed to use through the SmartPlus Cloud portal. Door-opening activity can then be viewed through the platform’s door logs, including filtering events by the Apple Wallet action type.

This makes the feature useful for residents and for property managers looking to offer modern mobile credentials while continuing to manage permissions centrally through SmartPlus.

The feature isn’t limited to residential developments.

Akuvox also supports Apple Wallet credentials within Smart Access commercial projects, allowing authorised personnel to use an iPhone or Apple Watch to enter permitted areas.

Installers, project managers and administrators can enable the feature for personnel through the Smart Access Cloud portal. Access events can also be reviewed through the system’s door logs.

For offices and other commercial environments, this provides another credential option alongside the access methods already available through the Akuvox ecosystem.

How do you add an Akuvox credential to Apple Wallet?

For the end user, setup is designed to be simple.

Once their installer, property manager or administrator has activated Apple Wallet access for their account, the user opens the Akuvox SmartPlus App and goes to:

Me > Authorisation > Apple Wallet Pass > Add to Apple Wallet

A simpler way to arrive and unlock

With Apple Wallet support, Akuvox is giving residential and commercial users another convenient way to interact with their access control system. Add the credential to Apple Wallet, approach an authorised door and present your iPhone or Apple Watch to the reader.

No separate access card to find. No additional credential to carry.

For installers and property managers already using the Akuvox SmartPlus ecosystem, Apple Wallet access is a significant new option for delivering a more seamless, mobile-first building access experience.

*Akuvox specifies this is available with the latest Akuvox SmartPlus version with supported iPhones running iOS 17 or later, Apple Watch support requires watchOS 8.0 or later.

The post Akuvox Apple Wallet Access: How Does It Work? appeared first on CiE Group.

As a CPD-accredited provider, Zenitel delivers structured learning designed to help industry professionals strengthen their knowledge, develop practical skills and remain informed about important standards and technologies.

PAVA – Introduction to EN 54 System Design course

The latest course available through Zenitel Academy is PAVA – Introduction to EN 54 System Design. This CPD-certified course introduces the principles and requirements that underpin EN 54-compliant Public Address and Voice Alarm (PAVA) system design.

It provides a valuable learning opportunity for professionals seeking to improve their understanding of the considerations involved in designing dependable voice alarm solutions in accordance with relevant EN 54 requirements.

Zenitel PAVA System Design course

This course provides an overview of Zenitel PAVA system design, helping participants develop their knowledge of the technologies, principles and design considerations associated with effective public address and voice alarm systems.

Together, the two courses provide a useful learning pathway for professionals who want to build their understanding of PAVA system design and the role of EN 54 standards.

Receive formal recognition of your learning

Participants who successfully complete either course will receive a course completion certificate featuring the official CPD Certified logo.

The certificate provides formal recognition of the learner’s achievement and demonstrates participation in a CPD-certified learning activity delivered by a CPD-accredited provider. It can also be retained as evidence of ongoing professional development.

Who could benefit from these courses?

The courses may be particularly valuable for professionals involved in the specification, design, installation or support of public address and voice alarm systems, including:

• System designers and consultants
• Security and life-safety professionals
• Systems integrators
• Installers and engineers
• Distributors and technology partners
• Facilities and building professionals
• Anyone looking to develop their knowledge of PAVA systems and EN 54 requirements

The online format offered through Zenitel Academy makes it easy for learners to develop their knowledge at a time and pace that suits them.

Start learning with Zenitel Academy

To access Zenitel Academy, please register for the Zenitel Learning Community Programme:

Register for access to Zenitel Academy

Start your professional development journey today and gain formal recognition for expanding your PAVA expertise.

Zenitel PAVA Solutions Available Now from CIE 

Whether you’re specifying a compact all-in-one voice alarm system, upgrading an existing installation, or designing a large-scale critical communication network, the Zenitel PAVA portfolio provides a scalable solution tailored to your project requirements.

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The post Expand Your PAVA Expertise with Zenitel’s CPD-Certified Courses appeared first on CiE Group.

The new EL2 Series delivers reliable surveillance performance across a wide range of commercial applications, making it the ideal choice for retail, education, hospitality, healthcare, commercial buildings, financial institutions and other security-conscious environments.

Available from CIE Group, the EL2 range includes four camera models to suit virtually any installation requirement:

• EL2 Bullet Camera
• EL2 Motorised Dome
• EL2 Fixed Dome
• EL2 NanoDome

Each camera combines Full HD 2MP imaging, intelligent analytics and rugged reliability while integrating seamlessly with the March Networks Command video management platform.

AI-powered surveillance built into every camera

Unlike traditional entry-level surveillance cameras, the EL2 Series features built-in AI analytics that help security teams move beyond simple video recording.

Depending on the model, the cameras can intelligently detect and alert users to events including:

• Tripwire detection
• Intrusion detection
• Loitering detection
• Abandoned object detection
• Object removal
• Human and vehicle detection
• Smart motion detection
• Camera tampering
• Audio detection

These intelligent analytics reduce false alarms, improve operational efficiency and allow operators to focus on genuine security events instead of reviewing hours of unnecessary footage.

Exceptional image quality, day and night

Every camera in the EL2 range captures crisp 2MP Full HD video while utilising Smart IR technology to deliver excellent low-light performance.

Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) ensures balanced images in challenging lighting environments, while intelligent infrared illumination automatically adjusts brightness to prevent overexposure when subjects move closer to the camera.

With up to 30 metres of IR illumination, the EL2 Series provides dependable surveillance around the clock, both indoors and outdoors.

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The post Introducing the EL2 Series from March Networks appeared first on CiE Group.

The enhanced solution transforms the guest journey from check-in to check-out, enabling hotels to offer a frictionless, contactless experience without compromising on security.

A Seamless Guest Experience

Designed for modern hospitality environments, Salto Room Key in Apple Wallet allows guests to securely access their rooms using their iPhone or Apple Watch—eliminating the need for traditional plastic keycards.

The latest enhancements introduce several powerful features designed to improve convenience and operational efficiency.

Express Mode

Guests can simply tap their iPhone or Apple Watch against the lock to unlock their room without needing to wake or unlock their device or open an app, making access fast, effortless and intuitive.

Power Reserve

Even if an iPhone’s battery is depleted, Room Key continues to work for up to five hours using Apple’s Power Reserve feature, ensuring guests aren’t locked out when they need access most.

Skip Reception with Automatic Check-in

Once a room is ready, guests automatically receive their mobile room key in Apple Wallet, allowing them to bypass reception altogether and head straight to their accommodation. The streamlined check-in process reduces queues, enhances convenience and creates a premium arrival experience.

Smarter Property Management

The benefits extend well beyond the guest experience. Through the Salto Space platform, hotel staff can manage room access remotely and respond instantly to changing guest requirements.

Automatic Room Updates

Whether extending a stay or moving guests to another room, access permissions can be updated remotely without requiring new keycards or a visit to reception.

Secure Key Sharing

Guests can securely share their room key with family members, colleagues or travelling companions directly through Apple Wallet. Granular permissions allow hotels to control exactly when and where shared keys can be used.

Enhanced Security 

If a guest’s device is lost or misplaced, Room Keys can be instantly revoked, helping maintain property security while minimising disruption.

Privacy by Design

Guest privacy remains a priority. Apple does not track where or when Room Keys are used, ensuring access activity remains private and secure.

Compatible Across the Salto Smart Lock Portfolio

The enhanced Apple Wallet integration is compatible across the complete Salto smart locking hardware portfolio, making it an ideal solution for both existing Salto installations and new hospitality developments.

Hotels can introduce mobile credentials without replacing their current locking infrastructure, while new projects benefit from a future-ready access control solution built around digital credentials and cloud-based management.

Hospitality Access, Reimagined

The latest enhancements reinforce Salto’s position as a leader in smart hospitality access control, combining the convenience of Apple Wallet with the flexibility and intelligence of the Salto Space platform.

Featured Products:

The post Go Beyond the Room Key: Salto Expands Apple Wallet Integration for Smarter Hospitality appeared first on CiE Group.

The way we unlock doors is changing.

Keys, fobs, cards and clunky access apps have been part of daily life for decades, but a new global standard could make secure entry smarter and simpler. The Connectivity Standards Alliance has announced the release of Aliro 1.0, a new access control specification designed to create a unified way for people to use digital credentials across homes, workplaces, hotels, universities, apartment buildings and more.

At its core Aliro aims to make digital keys work more like contactless payments. Instead of juggling different apps, cards or proprietary systems, users could access approved doors and entry points using their pre-existing smartphone or wearable.

What is Aliro 1.0?

Aliro 1.0 is a new communication protocol and credential standard for access control. It has been created to help devices and security systems speak the same language.

Why? Because today’s access control market is often fragmented.

One building may use a card. Another may need an app. A smart lock may only work properly with certain phone brands. A workplace system may rely on a specific manufacturer’s hardware.

Aliro is designed to reduce that complexity.

The goal is simple: make secure access easier for users, simpler for installers and more consistent for manufacturers.

Why Aliro matters

For years, digital access has promised convenience. But in reality, the experience has often been inconsistent. Users may need different credentials for different places, while building owners and installers have had to manage systems that do not always work neatly together.

Aliro 1.0 is designed to change that by creating a shared standard for digital keys and access readers.

It also gives manufacturers a clearer framework to build around. Brands that want to offer Aliro-certified products will need to follow the specification, helping create a more reliable and interoperable ecosystem.

Backed by major technology names

One of the biggest reasons Aliro is attracting attention is the support behind it.

The standard has been developed through the Connectivity Standards Alliance, the organisation also known for Matter, the smart home standard. Aliro brings together major players from across technology, mobile wallets, access control, locks, silicon and security.

The announcement highlights involvement from companies including Apple, Google, Samsung, ASSA ABLOY, Allegion, HID, Kwikset, Nuki, NXP, STMicroelectronics and others.

That broad industry backing is important because access control only becomes truly useful when the ecosystem works together. A standard is only powerful if manufacturers, platforms and security providers build around it.

Aliro is that common foundation.

How will Aliro work for everyday users?

For users, the experience should feel familiar.

Think about tapping your phone to pay at a shop, Aliro is aiming for a similar level of simplicity, but for secure access. Depending on the device and installation, users may be able to:

• Tap a phone or wearable to unlock a door using NFC
• Use Bluetooth Low Energy for longer-range access
• Benefit from hands-free unlocking through Bluetooth LE and Ultra-Wideband technology
• Access approved doors even in places with limited network coverage, such as underground car parks or lifts

The key point is that Aliro is not only about smart home locks, it has been designed for a much wider range of access control environments.

Better security without making life harder

Security is at the heart of Aliro 1.0.

The specification uses asymmetric cryptography, a modern security approach that helps devices and readers verify each other in a trusted way. For non-technical users, the benefit is straightforward: access can be made more secure without making the experience more complicated.

That balance is important. Security systems only work well when people actually use them properly, if access is slow, confusing or unreliable, users find workarounds. Aliro is designed to make secure access feel natural.

What Aliro means for manufacturers

For manufacturers, Aliro 1.0 provides a shared rulebook.

Rather than building isolated systems that only work with selected platforms or partners, manufacturers can work toward a recognised interoperability standard. This should help reduce integration challenges and give customers more confidence that devices will work across a broader ecosystem.

Aliro certification will also give the market a clearer way to identify products that meet the standard. Becoming a major differentiator as more organisations look for future-ready access control systems.

What Aliro means for installers and building owners

For installers, integrators and facilities teams, Aliro could help reduce one of the biggest headaches in access control; compatibility.

When systems from different providers do not work together, installation, troubleshooting and long-term maintenance become more difficult. A unified standard can help make mixed environments easier to manage.

For building owners, this could mean more flexibility. Instead of being locked into one supplier forever, they may have more choice when selecting hardware, software, readers and credential systems. This flexibility is especially valuable for commercial buildings, apartment blocks, hotels, universities and large estates where access needs change over time.

Will Aliro replace keys and access cards?

Not overnight.

Physical keys, cards and fobs will not disappear immediately. Many buildings still rely on existing infrastructure, and adoption of any new standard takes time. However, Aliro 1.0 marks a clear shift toward mobile-first access control.

As manufacturers begin releasing Aliro-certified products, digital keys could become much more common in everyday life.

The likely future is not an instant replacement, but a gradual transition: fewer plastic cards, fewer separate apps, fewer compatibility issues and more access credentials living securely inside phones and wearables.

A turning point for smart locks and access control

Aliro 1.0 is more than another smart lock update. It is a step toward a more connected access control ecosystem where convenience, security and interoperability are built into the standard from the start.

• For consumers, it could mean unlocking doors with less friction.
• For businesses, it could mean easier management and stronger security.
• For manufacturers, it creates a common path forward.

And for the wider access control industry, Aliro may become one of the most important developments in the move from traditional credentials to secure digital access.

The key to the future may no longer be a key at all. It may already be in your pocket.

Find out more

• Akuvox Quarterly Updates
• Akuvox MR01: Smarter, contactless care monitoring for safer living spaces
• The rise of 4G LTE Intercoms for Remote Access and Gate Automation
• The Integration Exchange Podcast Launch
• Holliday & Canal Wharf uses Akuvox Biometric Access Control

The post Aliro 1.0 Arrives: New standard for digital keys and smart security appeared first on CiE Group.

Rather than simply displaying calls or device controls, AKClaw helps users better understand what is happening around their property and respond more intelligently. Through the X937’s large touchscreen interface, users can manage connected systems, interact through touch, voice or smart-home integrations, and bring CCTV feeds, sensors and third-party equipment together in one intuitive device.

A smarter approach to intercom and surveillance

Traditional intercom monitors are usually focused on answering calls, unlocking doors and viewing visitors. AKClaw goes further by combining intercom functions with surveillance monitoring and AI-assisted decision-making. The panel is designed to support camera feeds through HDMI-connected NVRs, giving users a central point from which to monitor entrances, shared spaces, driveways, garages or other key areas.

This makes AKClaw especially useful in environments where security and convenience need to work together, such as luxury villas, apartment complexes, home automation projects and modern residential interiors.

AI-powered “agentic” control.

The word “agentic” refers to AKClaw’s ability to do more than simply display information. The panel is designed to interpret events, coordinate responses and support intelligent automation. With OpenClaw integration and large-language-model intelligence, AKClaw can help identify unusual situations, generate alerts and connect security events with wider smart-home actions.

For example, if sensors detect movement, a door event or another trigger, AKClaw can work with connected systems to provide a more coordinated response. Instead of asking the user to manually check every device, the panel can help bring information together in one place.

Sensors, cameras and smart devices working together

AKClaw is particularly powerful when used as part of a wider smart-building or smart-home ecosystem. The panel can bring together information from sensors and third-party devices to allow them to work as cohesive system rather than separate pieces of technology.

This joined-up approach is important because modern security is no longer just about seeing who is at the door. It is about understanding context. A sensor may detect movement, a camera may show what is happening, and the intercom may provide communication or access control. AKClaw helps connect these layers so users can respond faster and more confidently.

Find out more

• Akuvox Quarterly Updates
• Akuvox MR01: Smarter, contactless care monitoring for safer living spaces
• The rise of 4G LTE Intercoms for Remote Access and Gate Automation
• The Integration Exchange Podcast Launch
• Aliro 1.0 Arrives: New standard for digital keys and smart security

Featured Products:

The post What is AKClaw? A New Kind of AI-Driven Smart Intercom Panel appeared first on CiE Group.

In the first episode, CIE-Group’s Kevin Sherwood gets straight into one of the biggest questions in access control: is cloud just industry hype, or is it changing buildings for the better?

Cloud is not just a technology shift. It is a business shift.

For many people, cloud access control sounds like a technical upgrade. Something newer, sleeker and more connected than traditional on-site systems.

But the conversation quickly moved beyond the technology itself and into something much more practical: how buildings are actually run.

One of the strongest themes from the episode was the value of remote management. For property managers, student accommodation providers, build-to-rent operators and commercial landlords, the ability to manage access from a central location can make a real difference.

Instead of needing staff physically present in every building, cloud-based systems can allow teams to issue access, remove permissions, respond to problems and support residents or tenants remotely.

That matters because people are often one of the biggest operating costs in a building. 

Sustainability starts with fewer wasted journeys

Sustainability is a word used often in building technology, but the podcast made an important point: it has to mean something practical.

One clear example was maintenance.

With connected systems, a support team can often diagnose an issue before sending someone to site. Sometimes the problem can be fixed remotely. Or when a visit is needed, the engineer can arrive knowing what they are dealing with, with the right replacement parts and have a much better chance of fixing the issue first time.

That means fewer wasted journeys, less disruption for the customer and a more efficient use of time.

The same thinking applies to everyday access credentials. Traditional cards and fobs can be lost, replaced and reissued again and again. In a large residential development, even a small percentage of lost credentials each month can create a steady stream of plastic waste, admin and staff time. Digital credentials and remote provisioning can reduce that burden.

In other words, sustainability is not always about grand gestures. Sometimes it is about making the day-to-day running of a building smarter.

The cheapest option is not always the best value

Another standout theme from the episode was the difference between upfront cost and long-term value.

In construction and development, decisions are often driven by the need to deliver a building as cost-effectively as possible. That is understandable. But the podcast highlighted a common challenge: the person choosing the system may not always be the person who has to live with, manage or maintain it afterwards.

A cheaper system may look attractive at the specification stage, but if it limits how the building can operate, creates more admin or needs replacing sooner than expected, the long-term cost can be much higher.

The right system can support better service, smoother operations and a more attractive building. A slightly higher investment at the start may help avoid costly changes later.

Integration is where cloud becomes really powerful

Perhaps the biggest message from the first episode is that cloud becomes most valuable when it helps systems work together.

Access control does not exist in isolation. It connects to people, places, lifts, reception desks, security teams, mobile phones and building management processes.

The podcast explored how cloud-based systems can make those links easier because more devices and platforms are now using standard network-based communication. That opens the door to integrations that can make a building feel much more seamless.

That is the real promise of integrated technology: not technology for its own sake, but systems sharing useful data to create better outcomes.

So, is cloud access control hype or real transformation?

The first episode of The Integration Exchange suggests the answer depends on how cloud is used.

Cloud is not a magic wand. It does not automatically make every building smarter, greener or more efficient. But when there is a clear problem to solve, it can be a powerful tool.

• It can help property teams manage buildings remotely.
• It can reduce wasted journeys and repetitive admin.
• It can support more sustainable ways of working.
• It can improve the resident, visitor and staff experience.
• It can unlock integrations that make buildings work more intelligently.

Most importantly, it can shift the conversation from “what does this product do?” to “how should this building operate?”

That is where the real transformation begins.

Watch The Integration Exchange

The first episode of The Integration Exchange is now available to watch on YouTube.

Whether you are an installer, consultant, property manager, developer, manufacturer or simply interested in the future of connected buildings, the podcast offers practical insight without the jargon.

Because connected systems deserve connected conversations.

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Designed to provide a complete overview of an access control estate, Access Commander allows administrators to monitor devices in real time, manage multiple sites and companies, automate user administration and generate detailed event and access logs from a single platform.

What’s New in 2N Access Commander 3.6?

The latest release introduces several major enhancements focused on improving efficiency, visibility and operational flexibility for installers and end users.

Device Templates – Faster Deployment Across Multiple Devices

One of the most significant additions is the introduction of Device Templates.

Administrators can now save the configuration of a 2N device and deploy it across multiple devices either individually or in bulk. Templates can be created from existing devices, configuration files or backups, helping to reduce commissioning times and ensure consistency across larger installations. Automatic backups are created before deployment, providing an additional layer of protection during updates and configuration changes.

Unified Call Logs for Greater Visibility

A new centralised Call Log feature provides a consolidated view of communication activity across all managed intercoms and emergency communication devices.

Administrators can view incoming and outgoing calls, monitor door unlock events associated with calls and export logs for reporting and auditing purposes. The feature can also capture images when calls begin, helping provide a more complete picture of events across the system.

New Company Admin Role

2N has introduced a dedicated Company Admin role, allowing organisations to delegate management responsibilities without granting full system administrator privileges.

Company administrators can manage working hours, visitor settings, LDAP synchronisation, email templates and other company-specific settings while maintaining separation between tenants or departments. This enhancement is particularly beneficial for multi-tenant and multi-company environments where administrative responsibilities need to be distributed securely.

Improved Mobile Credential Management

The latest version also delivers improvements to 2N’s WaveKey mobile access technology.

Users can now pair their My2N mobile application more quickly using QR codes or email-based activation links, simplifying onboarding and reducing administrative effort. The enhancements help organisations accelerate the deployment of mobile credentials while maintaining a seamless user experience.

Enhanced Flexibility with Shared MIFARE DESFire Cards

Another valuable update is support for encrypted MIFARE DESFire cards that can be shared with third-party applications.

This enables organisations to use a single card for multiple purposes, such as access control, cashless payments, visitor management or other building services, reducing card issuance costs and improving convenience for users.

Easier Network Discovery

Access Commander can now be discovered more easily on local networks thanks to new mDNS support. Administrators can locate and access the platform without needing to manually identify IP addresses, simplifying setup and ongoing maintenance.

Simplifying Access Management at Scale

With the introduction of Device Templates, unified Call Logs and enhanced administrative controls, 2N Access Commander continues to strengthen its position as a powerful platform for managing modern access control and intercom systems.

Whether managing a single building or a multi-site estate, the latest release helps organisations reduce administration time, improve system visibility and maintain greater control over users, devices and access permissions.

The post 2N Access Commander enhanced with new management and monitoring features appeared first on CiE Group.