Pip Courcoux, Technical and Product Director at Abloy UK, explores how different access control systems meet the diverse needs of organisations of all sizes.

In a world where security and convenience are critical, access control systems play a vital role in safeguarding businesses and organisations of all sizes.

However, not all businesses have the same security requirements and finding the right solution can be a complex process.   

Advanced access for large organisations  

Large organisations, which constitute approximately 0.1% of UK businesses, employ over 40% of the national workforce and often have complex access needs.

Systems like Abloy UK’s Primo solution cater to these large enterprise organisations which make up the top 5–10% of the market.

These businesses require feature-rich systems that offer integrations, compliance, robust security, monitoring and audit trails.  

These types of advanced solutions are also suited to environments such as universities and hospitals, which often have large campuses and estates requiring advanced, centralised solutions.

Despite representing a small percentage of the market, these organisations contribute significantly due to their scale and complexity.  

Simpler solutions for SMEs  

Conversely, the vast majority of organisations – 5.5 million SMEs in the UK in 2024, representing over 99% of businesses – don’t need such advanced systems.

The cost of installing and maintaining full-scale access control often leads SMEs to stick with mechanical key systems.  

For such businesses, simpler access management solutions are opening new possibilities.

For example, the ASSA ABLOY Access cloud-based software can be combined with the Abloy Pulse battery-free digital locking solution or seamlessly integrated with Abloy Cumulus.   

Assessing organisational access requirements  

With access control requirements varying greatly by business type and size, there is a spectrum of needs and a universal approach cannot be adopted.  

When assessing the requirements of large enterprises, such as Microsoft, these companies need highly sophisticated solutions.

With thousands of employees and international offices, they require centralised, secure and flexible systems integrated with tools like Active Directory.

These systems also need to protect intellectual property worth billions, making advanced access profiles, monitoring and compliance essential.  

Small businesses on the other hand, for example a small B&B, have more basic needs.

The manager may only need to provide temporary access to guests for individual bedrooms and common areas, with no requirement for audit trails or complex profiles.

In this instance, a simple, cost-effective access management system suffices here.  

Mid-sized organisations such as nurseries and primary schools fall somewhere in between.

While they don’t require full-scale systems, they need solutions to manage high visitor footfall, safeguard children and provide emergency egress – all tailored to their unique needs.  

‘One-size-fits-all’ solutions rarely meet the diverse requirements of organisations, and a low-cost system may fail to meet enterprise-level needs, while an enterprise-focused system might be prohibitively expensive for SMEs.   

Primo from Abloy UK  

Our Primo electronic access control solution, developed in collaboration with sister company, Impro technologies, offers an innovative and intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) that enhances user experience.

It is the ideal solution for big enterprise organisations with complex access control requirements.  

Primo represents a significant step forward in access control software and is set to define the way security professionals interact with systems, offering a more intuitive, user-friendly and secure solution.  

It addresses a significant challenge in the security industry, which is ensuring that life-safe doors are equipped with electric locks that can offer the same functionality as wired access control systems.  

Primo’s advanced capabilities also include the ability to link with CCTV systems, offering detailed accounts of who accessed a door using a mechanical key.

It can also lock down a site in the event of an electronic failure, enhancing overall security frameworks.  

The system is designed to be user-friendly right out of the box.

This means that there is no configuration needed, customers can simply wire it in and then the software takes over, presenting alarm functionalities immediately.  

Another strength of Primo is its seamless integration with Abloy’s electric locking systems, enabled via the iTRT2-EL controller.

This is particularly crucial for doors classified as life-safe, where compliance and functionality are integral.  

Primo also has a key feature which allows users to natively provision and deprovision HID Mobile Identities from the GUI with no requirement for development.

It allows users to have more intuitive experiences, providing flexibility and scalability.  

ASSA ABLOY Access, Pulse & Cumulus   

On the other end of the spectrum, ASSA ABLOY Access serves the needs of SMEs looking for a simple access management system, rather than full access control.   

ASSA ABLOY Access is a cloud-based software designed to manage various locking solutions like Abloy PULSE and Cumulus.

It provides a unified, easy-to-use platform for key, tag and keyless access management.  

Access is designed to meet a range of access management needs across various sectors.

This software gives users the freedom to decide how access and movement is managed, with the option to mix digital, mechanical and keyless solutions based on specific preferences.  

By combining Access with PULSE, users can implement a sustainable battery-free solution where access rights of the keys can easily be changed.

It is designed to accommodate the diverse needs of multi-residential buildings, SMEs and municipalities. As an integral part of PULSE, Access simplifies digital access management.  

Alternatively, the combination of Access and Cumulus addresses a broad spectrum of access management requirements.

This is ideal for areas where distribution and return of physical keys or access tags is difficult and time-consuming, like self-service or shared spaces, providing a future-proof, keyless solution.  

Compliance to BS EN 13637  

No matter the size or scope of an organisation, compliance with safety standards is a critical consideration, particularly in the context of access control and management.

One key regulation in this area is BS EN 13637, a comprehensive standard that specifies requirements for electrically controlled exit systems.   

This standard not only ensures basic compliance but also introduces enhanced options for security and delayed exit functionality, which are pivotal in safeguarding the well-being of building occupants.

By integrating such features, organisations can balance the need for effective security with enabling swift and safe evacuation during emergencies.  

BS EN 13637 is part of a broader suite of standards designed to cover various scenarios and environments.

For example, BS EN 1125 addresses the requirements for panic exit devices typically used in public spaces, where large crowds may need to evacuate quickly.

On the other hand, BS EN 179 focuses on emergency exit devices for smaller or less frequented areas, such as offices or private buildings.   

Both standards emphasise ease of use, enabling occupants to exit without special knowledge or tools.

However, BS EN 13637 fills a critical gap by providing guidelines for situations where additional measures, such as controlled egress or delayed exits, are required without compromising safety.  

To comply with BS EN 13637, an electrically controlled exit system must include several essential components working in unison.

These typically consist of an initiating element, which allows occupants to request an escape, often in the form of a push button or touch-sensitive device that triggers the system.  

Secondly, an electrical locking system that ensures the door remains securely locked under normal conditions, deterring unauthorised access or exit.

And finally, a control unit that manages the unlocking process, adhering to the selected operational mode, such as immediate release in emergencies or a timed delay to deter misuse.  

A key benefit of systems adhering to BS EN 13637 is their versatility.

They enable building and facilities managers to maintain robust security measures while complying with strict safety standards, offering a tailored approach to access management.   

For instance, delayed exit functionality can be crucial in environments such as healthcare facilities or retail stores, where the controlled movement of people is sometimes necessary to prevent theft or ensure patient safety.

At the same time, these systems are designed to unlock immediately in case of fire alarms or other emergencies, ensuring no obstruction to evacuation.  

By understanding and implementing the requirements of these standards, organisations can effectively manage access, reinforce security, and, most importantly, ensure the safety of everyone within their premises.  

Trusted advice for the right choice  

Selecting the right access control solution can be overwhelming.

Businesses should seek guidance from trusted advisors who understand both the security landscape and their specific industry needs.  

Abloy UK’s vertical business development team specialises in creating bespoke packages tailored to each organisation’s requirements.

Additionally, our Digital Access Solutions Academy helps users fully understand and utilise our product range.  

The Digital Access Solutions Academy is a purpose-built facility to educate, install and test products, with a particular focus on the new digital solutions and ecosystems portfolio.

The Academy provides free training courses for a range of Abloy solutions including CLIQ, Aperio, EDS, Impro Primo and SMARTair.  

Access control isn’t one-size-fits-all. Businesses need tailored solutions that match their size, complexity and budget.

With innovations ranging from advanced systems like Primo to simplified platforms like ASSA ABLOY Access, organisations can find the right balance of functionality, security and cost.  

By understanding the distinct needs of SMEs and enterprises alike, the access industry is better equipped to help businesses enhance their operations and safeguard their assets.  

This article was originally published in the February 2025 Edition of Security Journal UK. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.