What are Electronic or Digital Locks and How Do They Work?

What are digital locks?

Electronic or Digital locks are electronic or battery-operated locks that do NOT require the use of physical keys for access. They’re used as an alternative to the conventional mechanical locks, with the automated features giving a more creative security solution depending on its intended use.

Like any other door lock, digital locks also use a latch or a bolt that can run across the door and the doorframe to prevent access. What differs is how the latch or bolt is controlled. Digital locks work by the use of any of the following: RFIDs, Pin codes, fingerprints, smartphones, and more.

Digital locks are commonly found on cars and doors, but they can also be used for lockers, furniture and cabinets. Reviews of these locks for cars and doors are sometimes mixed, but for businesses who use lockers and cabinets, the benefits of digital locks are greater compared to the traditional key locks.

 

Why use digital locks?

There are numerous benefits when using digital locks, especially for various businesses. They’re generally more economical, with no need for any physical keys (except for RFIDs that may need keycards). They can also keep records of who accessed which locker at what time. This comes in handy for those businesses that need to keep track of their logistics. One example would be the medical industry where their supply of medicine should be monitored.

 

What makes a digital lock smart?

Not all digital locks are smart. The following are some of the general features that a digital lock can be defined as a smart lock:

  • Several authentication methods or backup
  • Multiple access solutions
  • Alarm integration
  • Tamper-proof integration
  • Custom programming
  • Customized LED signals
  • Troubleshooting options
  • Smartphone operated

 

There are only a few lock models out there that are smartphone operated, including Nuesmart’s NS1000. Troubleshooting, lock programming and lock management are easier when done on mobile or tablet.  This gives businesses more control over their locks and better user experience for the end-user. For example, a gym can easily set up multiple locks for their lockers and assign them to specific members. The gym members then can set up their pins via an app on their mobile.

 

There are a lot of other scenarios in other industries that can showcase the advantages of smartphone-enabled digital locks over mechanical or even other digital locks. With additional advantages like these, the possibilities for use for these locks are endless.

 

For more information on how your industry can benefit from the smartphone managed NS1000 smart lock, contact us now by sending an email to info@nuesmart.com.