For most, the holidays are a joyful time spent with family and friends, but it can be stressful beyond belief for businesses. Hospitals see a spike in ER visits, shipping and receiving areas for retail distribution centers get slammed, theft-related crime increases by 20%, and even parking lots aren’t safe around the holidays. Just as the hustle and bustle of shopping and preparing for incoming family keeps most people busy for weeks on end, the same can be said for business owners and property managers. This is why access control installs or upgrades before the holidays are so important.
Access Controls and Monitoring Equipment
With an influx of out-of-town travelers and higher foot traffic from family gatherings, events, and shopping, the holiday season is a perfect storm for potential theft, health scares, and fender benders. An effective access control system can help manage the flow of people or traffic and offer enhanced security features like real-time monitoring, remote access, and immediate alerts, which are crucial during high-risk times.
Some of the access controls and monitoring equipment available include: 
- Key Card Access: Convenient for properties with multiple users.
- Biometric Systems: High-security option for sensitive areas.
- IP Video Surveillance with Virtualized Servers: Allows monitoring and access from anywhere for extra convenience and protection.
These can be combined to create an intrusion prevention system for commercial properties such as:
- Healthcare Facilities
- Call Centers
- Government Buildings
- Apartment Complexes
- Distribution Centers
- Educational Campuses
Access controls are necessary for the holidays for the same reasons they are needed before the season begins. But how do you plan an install during the holiday season when there are so many people around?
Preventative Protection Measures
If you do your holiday shopping early, you’ll avoid all the crowds. Applying the same philosophy to installing access control systems ahead of time will allow for proper planning so everything functions correctly when the crowds hit.
Benefits of Early Service
Testing
Systems can be tested extensively to make sure everything functions correctly.
Training
There’s plenty of time to train staff on using the new system.
Reduced Stress
Avoid potential issues that pop up when you install a new system in the midst of the holiday shopping season and the last-minute rush to get it fixed.
When it’s time for your system install or upgrade, take the time to assess your facility needs so you can choose the right system. If you have budget constraints, you might consider integrating monitoring equipment like cameras and perimeter defense with your existing access controls to create a hybrid system. If you’re not sure where to start, call the experts with more than thirty years of experience so you know you can trust the work, call Guardian.
