Formerly known as Vanderbilt, the company recently rebranded to Acre Security, aligning with its parent company, Acre, LLC. The name change comes at a time when the company is heavily investing in access control, fitting given that “Acre” stands for Access Control Related Enterprises.

But what exactly is Acre Access Control? That question goes to Alex Holmström, Vice President for the EMEA and APAC markets.

“It’s a flexible and innovative access control system designed to manage both physical and digital security in various environments. The platform offers the option of either cloud-based or on-premise solutions, giving companies the flexibility to choose what best suits their needs.”

What are the key advantages of the system?

“Besides the option to deliver it as both a cloud service and an on-premise solution, scalability is a significant advantage. This makes the system suitable for both small and large organisations. It also offers enhanced cyber security and improved efficiency through tools that simplify visitor management and real-time monitoring.”

“Mobile authentication via smartphones and support for multiple technologies like Bluetooth, NFC, and RFID should also be highlighted, along with the system’s intuitive and user-friendly design, which ensures smooth operation across all types of industries.”

What features, aside from access control, does the solution offer today?

“There are many possibilities for integration, including visitor management, building automation, and intrusion alarms.”

In the market for smart buildings, technical solutions for ID management and access control are seen as vital. What can Acre Access Control bring to smart buildings?

“Acre Access Control can serve the smart building market in several ways, thanks to its flexibility, integration capabilities, and advanced security features that support mod-ern, connected environments.”

Can you give an example?

“Absolutely. The system is designed for seamless integration with building management systems, including HVAC, lighting, and energy monitoring. Acre Access Control enables automation and optimisation, which is incredibly useful in smart buildings. For example, the access control system can trigger other systems to activate or deactivate. Lights and climate control can adjust automatically when someone enters or leaves a room.”

Do you have more examples of how Acre Access Control contributes to smart buildings?

“Practically all the system’s advantages benefit smart buildings. Our mobile authentication and support for touchless access via Bluetooth, NFC, and RFID cards meet the demand for user-friendly solutions. The ability to verify cre¬dentials and grant access via smart¬phones creates a smoother working environment. At the same time, property managers can streamline key administration and access control through digital handling, which also enhances security.”

I assume scalability is another key point?

“Yes, scalability is essential for smart buildings, which are designed to evolve over time – whether that’s adding new floors, more employees, or integrating additional security systems. Acre Access Control’s scalability allows the system to grow with the building or business’s needs without requiring a system overhaul.”

“It’s crucial to be able to grow with the business and manage increasing security needs without needing to replace the entire system.”

How does the system deliver real-time data and analysis, and what are the benefits?

“Acre Access Control provides real-time data and analysis, which is vital for the operation of smart buildings. By collecting data on movement patterns, access times, and user behaviour, property managers can optimise space utilisation, energy consumption, and tailor their security protocols.”

What’s the advantage of a cloud-based solution in the context of smart buildings?

“With cloud integration, property managers can monitor and manage security systems remotely, which is highly prioritised in smart buildings where multiple systems across various locations need to be coordinated and monitored in real time. With Acre Access Control’s SaaS model, property managers can control security, perform updates, and conduct remote diagnostics in real time, no matter where they are. This offers flexibility and improves operational efficiency.”

In smart buildings with IoT devices and interconnected systems, concerns about cyber threats are high. How protected is the access control system?

“It’s designed with cyber security in mind, featuring robust encryption and secure cloud management to protect clients from potential cyber threats.”

“We also use Amazon Web Services (AWS), which adds an additional layer of security through the cloud infrastructure’s built-in protections, such as redundancy and disaster recovery. AWS also helps us meet high cyber security standards regarding data encryption and regular security updates.”

Is Acre Security as a company certified as well?

“Yes, Acre is certified according to ISO27001, the globally recognised standard for information security management. This certification verifies that we have strict processes in place to handle sensitive data, reducing the risk of data breaches. With our certifications and infrastructure, Acre Security offers advanced security features such as multi-factor authentication, secure cloud management, and real-time monitoring to protect our clients against potential cyber threats.”

Acre Access Control is sold as a SaaS solution. Why should customers choose a SaaS solution instead of owning the system outright?

“There are many reasons, but a key one is the low upfront cost, as the customer doesn’t need to invest in their own hardware. Instead of a large investment in technology, security becomes an operational cost. It’s simply a smart financial choice, especially considering that the subscription-based pricing model includes software updates, maintenance, and technical sup¬port, allowing costly IT resources to be avoided.”

Finally, Acre is going big with the launch of Acre Access Control. Why do you think the system will capture a significant market share?

“Because Acre Access Control is an enterprise-level system that, despite its complexity, is easy to manage, integrate, and use. I don’t think any access control system can match ours in these regards.”