The DoorBird range of products understands that the IP Video Doorbell at your door or gate, can and should be part of a greater ‘Access Control’ system for your house. So not only can you see and talk to a visitor when they arrive, but if they are welcome, you can let them in.

But not all visitors need to be announced over the intercom; sometimes they are friends or family, service professionals you’ve organised a visit from, or delivery people with that important package. Then there’s also you and your immediate family who want to be able to simply but securely get through doors and gates. All while keeping your home and your people safe.

So a Doorbell on its own is only a small part of the story. It needs to be one element of an Access Control system to truly create a safe and convenient home using keyless entry.

Well… with a full-featured brand like DoorBird, you can always unlock a gate or door from anywhere in the world using the app. But realistically, you probably don’t want to be the ‘concierge’ of your house, that could end up being a Full-time job. It could also be inconvenient if you are in a meeting, at the movies, on a plane, or relaxing at the beach. So there are 3 main ways you can control access to your property without answering a doorbell press ‘live’ every time.

1. Enter a key code on a Keypad

2. Swipe your finger on a Finger print reader

3. Swipe a keyfob 

The great news is that all of these are available in the DoorBird range, and all of them can be set up on a schedule. For example the cleaner might have access with a keycode but only on Mondays and Fridays between 9am and 1pm. Your sister may have fingerprint access 24/7. The plumber has a ‘works once’ code for a service visit while you are not at home, and once its used to gain access, it gets disabled and is no longer valid.

As for which technology, there are a number of pro’s and con’s and which is best will often depend on variables such as how many access points you have, who typically visits, if children are among the frequent users, and if access requirements tend to be ad-hoc or pre-meditated. Keep in mind, you don’t have to choose only 1 of these solutions for your home. You can incorporate multiple or all of these technologies, or even have 1 style at one entry point, and another at a different access point.

The humble keypad is probably the most versatile keyless entry method. With a 4 - 6 digit code, you can set up unlimited or scheduled access for just about anybody. The two best benefits of a keypad are: 

1) You can create and program a unique keycode for someone without being at home or with them, and 
2) You can create that code to be single use only. 

In many cases this makes keypad keyless entry more convenient than any of the other styles. 

Pro’s

• You can create a unique code for someone without being at home or with them in person
• You can create a code that works 24/7, only on certain days and times, within a certain period, or single use
• You can track who accesses and when
• You or your visitor doesn’t need to carry keys or keyfobs to enter
• You can disable an existing code immediately and from anywhere

Con's

Biometrics, or a fingerprint reader, is easily the most secure of all of the access control styles. After all, no one can share or lose their fingerprint! So your children for example, can’t share their fingerprint with 20 of their friends like they can a keycode, or pass on a keyfob to a friend. 

So if security is more important to you than convenience, a fingerprint reader at each access point is what you should consider.

Pro’s

• Most secure - Can’t be shared with others (Great for children!)
• You can set up a fingerprint that works 24/7, only on certain days and times, or within a certain period
• You can track who accesses and when
• You or your visitor doesn’t need to carry keys or keyfobs to enter
• You can disable an existing fingerprint immediately and from anywhere

Con's

Keyfobs that use RFID are the most traditional and recognised method for access control. Typically its a small plastic tag that is attached to one’s keyring and is ‘swiped’ across the face of the DoorBird intercom to gain access. 

Like Keycodes and Finger Prints, in DoorBird world Keyfobs can be programmed to work all access points 24/7, only some and on particular days or times, or any combination.

Pro’s

• Simplest to use, no need to remember a code
• Typically inexpensive to purchase fobs
• You can set up a keyfob that works 24/7, only on certain days and times, or within a certain period
• You can track who accesses and when
• You can disable an existing fob immediately and from anywhere

Con's

The beauty of the DoorBird range of products is that to supplement the market leading video intercom doorbell solutions, they have standalone keypads and fingerprint readers for secondary access points that don’t need the video and audio the intercom door station provides.

For example, once your electrician has called your intercom at the gate and you’ve granted access (or he uses his code and you get a notification and an image of him at the gate), he gets access to the property with your approval. From there, he can access the shed, the pool gate, the storage room, the front or back doors; all from a keypad or fingerprint reader without having to make another video intercom call at those access points. 

In the world of DoorBird, there are other ways you can control access through your door and gates as well. Here are a few:

Press to Exit

This is a button that is installed somewhere on your property that typically opens a gate or door to allow for easy exit. So if you are saying goodbye to visitors as they leave, a well positioned button can let them out rather than having to go into your smartphone and click a relay button in the DoorBird app.

There are some specifics to how these wire in and are used, so make sure to chat with us first if you like the idea of a press-to-exit button. 

Bluetooth Remote

DoorBird have recently released a Bluetooth remote that works with the D11* range of door stations. These have 2 buttons that can be programmed, and allow another great option for pedestrian or vehicle entry or exit. 

Geofencing

This is a fantastic feature that is mainly used for vehicle access by you or immediate family and controlling motorised driveway gates or garage doors. Imagine you are driving home and as you drive up your street the gate starts to open automatically and allows you to drive straight in without waiting. 

So most doorbells will allow you to interact with your visitor wherever you are, but you have to be available to answer, and with most brands on the market, you won’t be able to let them in. Unless of course you switch to another app if you happen to have a different brand of technology controlling the door or gate. DoorBird has a suite of products that encompass all of the access control technologies above, along with a range of door stations and indoor stations, many convenient accessories, and all German designed and engineered to last and look amazing.

For more information on how DoorBird controls your doors and gates, see our guide here….