Is It Time to Upgrade Your Access Control System Before the New Year?

As the year winds down, many businesses take stock of what’s working and what needs to change. One area often overlooked is access control, even though it plays a critical role in how you protect people, property, and information. Whether you’re still using physical keys, outdated badge systems, or access software that lacks flexibility, now is the right time to evaluate if your current setup is still serving your team. At i.e.Smart Systems, we help clients identify access control gaps before they become security or compliance issues.

Why Outdated Access Control Creates Real Risk

Access control systems are not set-it-and-forget-it tools. As your team grows, people shift roles, and hybrid work evolves, systems that were once effective can quickly become a source of friction or even a liability. Many companies can’t easily remove former employee credentials, have no visibility into access logs, or still rely on physical keys that are impossible to track. These issues may seem manageable, but they create risk every day they go unresolved.

Even small issues like inconsistent door reader performance or limited integration with scheduling systems can lead to headaches and lost time. According to HID Global’s 2024 State of Physical Access Control Report, 56% of organizations say upgrading their current access control system is a priority. If you’ve been postponing your upgrade, now is a smart time to act. Especially if you’re planning broader technology improvements in the new year.

Signs It’s Time to Upgrade

There are several signs that your access control system may be due for an upgrade. If any of these apply, your current solution may be holding you back:

• You can’t easily add or remove users without IT support or manual workarounds
• Your system doesn’t support mobile credentials or cloud-based management
• You lack detailed access logs or reporting for compliance or investigations
• Your access system doesn’t integrate with other platforms like video surveillance or room scheduling
• You’re using outdated hardware that’s no longer supported or frequently fails

Modern systems make access control simpler, not harder. Features like real-time credential updates, remote management, visitor access automation, and mobile badge support are no longer optional, they’re becoming expected. These upgrades not only improve security, but also the user experience for employees and facilities teams.

How i.e.Smart Systems Helps You Make the Switch

At i.e.Smart Systems, we take a consultative approach to access control upgrades. We don’t just replace readers, we evaluate your full environment to understand how access works across people, departments, and locations. Whether you need to migrate from legacy hardware or integrate your access system with other platforms, we design solutions that improve control without adding complexity.

We work with top-tier access control technologies and build systems that can grow with your business. That includes cloud-based platforms, mobile credential support, and integrations with video, AV, and scheduling tools. Our team handles everything from site evaluation to install, so you can make the transition without disruption. If you’re looking to close security gaps and start the new year with a more reliable, modern access system, now is the time to act.

i.e.Smart Systems is a Houston, TX based technology integration partner that specializes in design and installation of audio/visual technology and structured cabling. For more than three decades, our team of in-house experts has partnered with business owners, architectural firms, general contractors, construction managers, real estate developers, and designers in the Houston market, to deliver reliable, scalable solutions that align with their unique goals.