Paxton discusses how mobile first, cloud-hosted access control is reshaping the security landscape.
Smartphones and cloud platforms have transformed the way we work, live and interact with technology.
Yet access control – the first line of defence for physical spaces – has often lagged.
Professional-grade access control can be costly and difficult to deploy, especially for smaller organisations, temporary sites or locations without dedicated IT support.
That is beginning to change.
A new generation of mobile-first, cloud-hosted systems is redefining what access control looks like.
Ask any installer what slows down a project and the answers are familiar: Network requirements, cabling, server setup or navigating an organisation’s IT policies.
These obstacles don’t just add complexity – they often make access control unattainable for small businesses, residential applications or short-term installations where cost and disruption outweigh the benefits.
Today, nearly everyone carries a powerful device in their pocket: A smartphone.
If access control were designed from scratch today, it would be built around this device, taking full advantage of cloud connectivity and mobile convenience.
Smartphones and cloud infrastructure have fundamentally changed what’s possible in access control.
By using the phone as the interface, installers can create and manage systems without the traditional dependency on networks, servers or dedicated PCs.
That simplifies installation significantly and reduces the overall cost of ownership for customers.
At the same time, cloud-based platforms allow systems to scale easily, remain resilient and benefit from continuous updates and security improvements over time.
For installers and users alike, it creates a much more flexible and future-proof approach to access control.
A key trend in mobile-led access control is the goal to do one thing – and do it flawlessly.
In a world where there is an app for everything, users expect the ones they rely on to simply work.
In access control, this focus on simplicity represents a merging of two traditionally separate worlds: The ease of standalone systems and the capabilities of fully networked solutions.
Cloud-hosted platforms remove the need for on-site servers or PCs, while phone-based administration eliminates reliance on fixed networks entirely.
Installers can create and manage systems directly from a smartphone, using secure, built-in authentication such as fingerprint or facial recognition.
For end users, this replaces cards and fobs with credentials they are far less likely to lose or forget.
What makes this transformation meaningful is that it does not dilute security standards.
On the contrary, modern mobile-first systems are built to meet rigorous cybersecurity frameworks from the outset – a necessity as the industry faces increasingly sophisticated cyber-threats.
There’s sometimes a perception that making access control simpler could mean compromising on security, but the opposite is true with modern cloud platforms.
Strong cybersecurity compliance and resilient infrastructure are built in from the beginning.
Because the system is cloud managed, it can also evolve over time through continuous updates and improvements, rather than relying on static hardware.
That helps future-proof installations, reduces the total cost of ownership for customers and gives installers a scalable platform they can support and expand as their clients’ needs change.
Innovation isn’t just about technology – it’s about business impact.
Paxton research shows that 80% of installers want repeat business to be easier, reflecting a growing demand for solutions that support ongoing service revenue without increasing workload.
Mobile, cloud-managed access control is well positioned to deliver this.
Installers are looking for solutions that make repeat business easier and more predictable.
Cloud-managed, mobile-first access control simplifies installation and ongoing management, which not only reduces their workload but also opens opportunities for subscription-style support.
Systems that can scale, evolve through continuous updates and remain resilient over time give installers confidence that they can support customers long term while generating recurring revenue.
Subscription-style support is becoming increasingly common across the security industry.
Customers expect flexible systems that can be maintained and upgraded without disruption.
By simplifying installation and ongoing management, mobile-first access control allows installers to offer long-term service and support efficiently, reducing operational complexity while opening the door to recurring revenue opportunities.
Mobile-first access control makes professional security systems accessible for locations that were previously not possible, including:
For installers, these markets represent significant growth potential.
For end users, mobile-first solutions remove barriers to modern security, enabling a seamless move from traditional locks and keys to centrally managed access control.
We’re always looking at how technology can be applied to create real value for installers and their customers.
Mobile-first access control, combined with cloud services, makes sites that were once difficult to secure – like small businesses, temporary units or remote buildings – more accessible.
The simplicity of administration, flexibility of deployment, and scalable architecture are creating new opportunities for installers while raising the standard of security across the market.
The question for the security industry is no longer whether access control will embrace cloud and smartphone technology – but how quickly.
The most successful solutions will be those that balance the convenience of mobile technology with strong cybersecurity foundations and thoughtful engineering that reduces onsite work, all for a reasonable cost.
Paxton believes that access control doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective.
This month, the British security manufacturer launches Solo, a brand-new phone-based, cloud-hosted access control system.
Solo combines the straightforward installation of a standalone system with the capability of networked access control.
There is no requirement for an on-site data network, server or centralised PC.
The system is created and managed entirely from a smartphone.
In effect, the phone is both the system and the key.
Using the phone’s built-in biometric ID, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, Solo provides secure, convenient access without cards or fobs.
Centralised administration, event reporting and real-time activity logs are all available directly on the Paxton Solo app, making real-time visibility and management fast, flexible and intuitive.
By fully embracing cloud and mobile technology, we’ve simplified both the equipment and the installation, dramatically reduced cost and created something that opens up entirely new opportunities for installers.
To help installers understand the benefits of the new system, Paxton it committing to a true first, giving away 10,000 free Solo starter kits, placing their new technology directly into the hands of security installers.
Paxton Tech Tours across the UK this spring and summer give installers the chance to experience Solo first hand and explore its commercial potential.
Attendees can claim a free Solo starter kit.
Register at paxton-access.com
This article was originally published in the April edition of Security Journal UK. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.
