As organisations modernise their physical access control systems, a partnership between HID and Sharry is redefining what’s possible.
By combining HID’s security technology with Sharry’s smart access management platform, organisations can create access control strategies that are not only secure and efficient, but support their unique digital transformation journey.
The modernisation of PACS (physical access control systems) using connected technologies has improved efficiency, flexibility and security benefits to end-users, administrators and building owners alike.
But just as species evolve differently in response to environments, each organisation’s digital transformation reflects its own DNA and conditions, depending on the culture, goals, infrastructure and financial readiness.
Technology and threats are continuously changing, so staying current is essential to ensure that security systems remain strong, resilient, adaptive and aligned with customer expectations.
And because digital transformation never truly ends, organisations must continually modernise their approach to access control.
Understanding the full benefits of a modern PACS ecosystem, regardless of where organisations are in their digital transformation journey, is the key to unlocking the value of their investment and securing their digital assets now and in the future.
According to HID research, the biggest digital transformation challenges organisations face on a day-to-day basis are: Improving user convenience (47%); making physical access administration easier (41%); integrating with other enterprise systems (28%).
These ongoing challenges highlight why the partnership between HID and Sharry is so valuable.
By working together, HID and Sharry are uniquely positioned to help organisations address these issues – delivering solutions that enhance convenience, streamline administration and enable seamless integration across enterprise systems.
Smart devices are ubiquitous and people now expect digital experiences across all aspects of life.
Organisations are increasingly combining physical access control with a more digital experience via mobile devices; mirroring what we see in the consumer market.
Users no longer need to carry a physical badge to access their workplace.
With Sharry’s mobile-first platform, they can simply use their phone or smartwatch – just as they already do when paying for purchases or scanning tickets in their mobile wallet.
The digitised process of distributing their HID mobile credentials saves valuable time by removing the need to collect physical access cards from HR or the security department.
Through the Sharry platform, users can receive access almost immediately, meaning they can enter their new workplace from day one using only their phone.
And what if the user’s phone battery dies? With an employee badge in Apple Wallet, your digital office key will still work for up to five hours with power reserve – even if your iPhone needs a charge.
Aker Security, a member of the Norwegian industrial holding company Aker ASA, has recently undergone this transformation with HID and Sharry, with Anders Dahlby Berg, Chief Operating Officer stating: “Our employees can now generate their access badge directly in the app.
“In addition, manual steps, such as photo capture and PIN code creation, are now included in the initial mobile credential setup, significantly reducing time and effort for the end-user.”
Gone are the days when PACS software only managed entry and exit.
Smart workspaces today also rely on access systems that connect to cloud services, room and desk booking apps, parking and elevator access, smart vending and even device authentication – creating a seamless, connected experience across the workplace.
This means that no matter how technologies evolve, PACS must flex accordingly to ensure uncompromised security.
The management of digital credentials in multi-tenant office buildings, for example, brings a host of benefits: Much faster administrative workload when distributing new cards, remote management of access permissions, no wait times for printing and personalising badges and even a positive ESG impact due to less plastic card usage.
Mobile access successfully addresses all these benefits. HID and Sharry offer a web-based provisioning of credentials meaning property or office managers can now distribute hundreds or thousands of access badges simply by sending one email.
This was the exact experience of Shoptet, a leader in the Czech e-commerce solutions market, when it relocated its headquarters and transitioned to HID Mobile Access, powered by a smart access platform developed by Sharry2.
On the first day of the Shoptet HQ office opening, more than 100 employees were able to generate their mobile badges remotely.
“Distributing a similar number of plastic badges (100+) would have taken much longer – potentially weeks – as some employees commute to the office only occasionally.
“Others might be sick, delaying the distribution further and requiring more staff involvement,” explained Barbora Bláhová, Shoptet’s Event Specialist.
Mobile credentials also enhance security. Users are almost guaranteed to notice a missing phone than a forgotten physical access card and workplace experience platforms empower them to take quick preventive action.
Smart access management also makes sense for environments that still use physical badges.
With Sharry, users can upload a duplicate of their physical card into the workplace app and if they lose their plastic badge, they can block it remotely with a single click in the app.
The market is clearly shifting from siloed access control and security technologies toward integrated workplace experience platforms.
This not only improves operations and strengthens security but also provides a smoother, unified experience for end-users, who can interact with their workplace through a single interface.
So instead of juggling several apps for parking reservations, service requests and meeting room bookings, everything is managed under one software ecosystem.
Integration with other building management systems is also an important differentiator for organisations in commercial real estate, as they can charge more rent too due to these value-added services.
As Anders Dahlby Berg, Chief Operating Officer at Aker Security explains: “Mobile access enables more data-driven insights into space utilisation and visitor flows, which helps us make better-informed decisions.”
That’s why open API platforms play such an important role.
They allow organisations to connect their existing enterprise software and systems, making scaling easier and adoption faster – without forcing them to replace existing infrastructure elements and allowing for integration of future technologies.
This interoperability allows different products or technologies to exchange usable information, even across different manufacturers or technology platforms.
For example, an effective system will ideally work across multiple applications, from accessing a conference room to entering a parking garage.
A direct API integration within the mobile access system allows integration with multiple types of mobile devices, like iOS/Android phones and/or wearables as well as back-end systems, like human resources management platforms.
With more than half of organisations planning to upgrade at least some of their PACS components (software, readers and credentials or controllers) within the next six years, it is mission-critical for organisations to ensure equipment is upgradable to match the pace of technological change.
The right solution means that they can have the peace of mind that their equipment is flexible and upgradable to accommodate future technologies and expanded integrations.
Ultimately, it all comes down to having the right options. Like digital transformation, security is not one-size-fits-all.
Every organisation is at a different stage in their digital transformation journey, navigating unique goals, resources and challenges.
The key is selecting solutions that fit their specific needs today – whether maintaining physical credentials, transitioning to mobile access in phases or fully embracing the benefits of employee badges in digital wallets.
But it is important to remember that bridging the gap between physical and digital products and solutions requires a strong ecosystem of partners – something HID and Sharry deliver together.
With the right approach, your PACS strategy can be transformed to not only secure people and assets but also enhance experiences, streamline operations and unlock new value, no matter where a company is on its journey.
This article was originally published in the December edition of Security Journal UK. To read your FREE digital edition, clickhere.
