How Do Smart Locks Work?

The fundamental basics of home or workplace security are that is has to be robust, and it has to be practical. Having security that is effective and serves its purpose – ie. securing and protecting a property, is pretty obvious, but the practicality element is not something we always consider. Today there are lots of different ways to activate a lock, and with this functionality comes options that we can adapt to suit our circumstances. So do you have a business with lots of employees lining up to enter a building and getting frustrated because people have lost their keycard or can’t remember a keycode? Or are you securing your home and the kids keep losing their keys? Or you are forever having to fumble around in pockets to find a key, and it’s always raining at the time.

Your solution is a smart lock. It fulfils the basic purpose of providing robust security, and also offers convenient functionality which you can tailor to your circumstances.

What is a smart lock?

A smart lock can be broken down into two essential elements:

A traditional mechanical lock, the same as a standard lock that requires a key
An interface that utilises smart technology and provides a means of conveniently activating the door lock, plus providing various other potential benefits

So a smart lock can be used via a smartphone app, which connects to your home or workplace WIFI network. This means you can activate the lock with a simple touch of a smartphone button, and essentially, your smartphone replaces a physical key, or the requirement to input a code into a keypad. The smartphone sends a digital signal to the locking mechanism, which is a command telling it to open or close.

Extra features of a smart lock

Remote locking – Using a smartphone to activate your lock means you can carry out this function anywhere. So if your son or daughter has arrived home unexpectedly without a means of entering the property, you can open it for them wherever you are. The same for if guests arrive early before you have made it home.
Temporary access – You can override the normal function by setting up a temporary access system for guests. So maybe you are away for the weekend and someone is looking after the dog or the kids. You can give them a temporary code to use, which means they don’t need your smartphone to lock/unlock the door.
Notifications – Your smartphone will receive a notification from your smart lock app if the door hasn’t been locked after a certain defined period. So you never need to worry about leaving home and forgetting to lock the door, your smartphone will tell you and you can lock it remotely.
Activity tracking – Some smart lock systems allow you to track who is coming in and out of the property, and when. This is useful as a human resources tool for tracking attendance and punctuality, but can also be useful in a domestic situation.
Extra security – You can also enhance the security of your smart lock by securing your WIFI connection so people can’t hack it. This can be done by updating your software frequently, changing the password frequently and setting-up two-step verification.

The benefits of a smart lock

There are a number of benefits to a smart lock, compared to using a traditional key system or even a key code system:

Fast and convenient – People should always have their smartphone on them and typically don’t lose them like they could lose a key, a keycard/fob or forget a keycode.
No copying – With a smart lock you do not have multiple copies of a physical key hanging around, or to be potentially stolen, and people can’t inform unauthorised people of a keycode. You need to physically have the smartphone to be able to activate the smart lock
Integration – A smart lock can be integrated to work with other smart systems around the home or workplace, such as smart speakers, doorbells and security alarms. A business can also integrate HR systems which can track attendance and punctuality, and from a health and safety point of view, can inform a business who is on site at any particular time.
Management – An authorised administrator can control the system and change access requirements, update passwords and software etc, if there has been a security breach or if temporary changes to the security system are needed.
Security – A smart lock uses the same physical security methods as a traditional lock, so the robustness of the lock itself doesn’t change, just the convenience, practicality and available functionality.

Contact MB Direct for more information on smart locks

At MB Direct we have a wide range of smart locks and smart products, which can be combined to provide amazing convenience and functionality, so contact our team at MB Direct today and make your home or workplace security as smart as possible.