CloudSource Smart Buildings

Cloud-Based Access Control Systems for Your Doors Across Every Site

A cloud-based access control system lets you manage the doors at your locations from one place, with no door software running in a back room. CloudSource designs it, coordinates the installation through qualified installation partners and stays on as your technology partner.

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We serve clients nationwide and coordinate onsite installation through partners based on project location and requirements.

The basics

What cloud access control is and how it works

Access control decides who can open which door and when. The cloud changes where those decisions are managed and who has to maintain the system.

  1. 01

    What a cloud-based access control system is

    It is a door system you manage through a web and mobile platform instead of software installed on a server at each site. You add people, change their access and lock or unlock doors from anywhere. Verkada, the platform CloudSource builds on, describes its access control as hybrid cloud, with devices and users managed from a web and mobile platform from anywhere.

  2. 02

    How an access control system works

    Someone presents a credential at a reader, such as a keycard or a phone. The system checks that person's permissions for that door and time, then unlocks the door or keeps it shut. Every attempt is logged. That log is the point of access control. It limits who can enter a building and shows you who did.

  3. 03

    Cloud vs on-premise access control

    With on-premise systems, someone has to maintain the server and apply updates, and some systems support remote administration. With a cloud system, permissions and settings live in one managed platform, and updates do not depend on a local machine. Verkada says its system updates firmware and software automatically and eliminates servers.

What you can do

What cloud access control gives you at the door

These are the capabilities facilities teams ask about, described as Verkada describes them.

One view of your connected doors

Verkada Command is Verkada's cloud platform for managing all Verkada products from one interface across all sites. Doors at a headquarters and a branch office sit in the same place.

Doors that keep working offline

During an internet outage, powered controllers continue using the last synchronized configuration and store events locally. New configuration changes synchronize when connectivity returns.

Reuse compatible readers and keycards

Compatibility depends on the existing hardware and is confirmed during assessment. Verkada says you can reuse compatible readers and keycards or upgrade to its own on your schedule.

Cards, phones and plates

Verkada's credential options include mobile credentials, including Apple Wallet, for supported hardware and configurations, plus keycards and license plate recognition unlock for vehicle entrances. Availability depends on the hardware and configuration selected.

Door events with video

Verkada access control works natively with Verkada cameras. Verkada lists door events with video and tailgating alerts, so you can review a door event alongside its video.

Manage people in bulk

Verkada supports SSO and SCIM integrations and bulk user management, which is meant for adding or removing people without going door by door.

Choosing a system

What to look for in a commercial access control system

Lists of the best cloud-based access control systems rarely match your building. Start with these questions instead.

Questions to settle before you choose
Office building or commercial building access control

Look for control by door, by group and by schedule, so tenants, staff, cleaners and contractors each get the right access. Make sure visitors are handled too, which is where visitor management fits in.

Small business

Pick a system you can run without an IT team. Browser and phone management, automatic updates and no server to maintain matter more than a long feature list.

Multiple locations

Ask whether you can see and change every site from one account. If each location needs its own login or its own software, the work grows with every new door.

Your existing hardware

Ask which readers, keycards and door hardware can stay. Verkada says it can bridge Command to existing door hardware, and that keeps the upgrade smaller.

How we deliver it

From plan to support

CloudSource works with commercial properties and property management organizations, healthcare facilities, multi-location businesses and corporate offices, and coordinates the project from solution design through deployment oversight.

Assessment first

Projects start with an assessment of your sites and requirements before anything is deployed.

Hardware and coverage

CloudSource is a Verkada reseller and solution provider. CloudSource brings together solution design, procurement, installation coordination through qualified partners, configuration and ongoing technical support. We serve clients nationwide and coordinate onsite installation through our partners based on project location and requirements.

Support

CloudSource provides configuration assistance, troubleshooting and coordination with Verkada under your service agreement. Verkada provides 24/7 technical support for its products and platform.

Questions

What buyers ask

01What is a cloud-based access control system?
It is a door access system you manage from a web and mobile platform instead of software on a local server. You set who can open which door and when, and you can change it from anywhere. Verkada describes its own access control as hybrid cloud, with devices and users managed from a web and mobile platform from anywhere. CloudSource Smart Buildings
02How does an access control system work, and why does it matter?
A person presents a credential, such as a keycard or phone, at a reader. The system checks their permissions for that door and time, then unlocks it or keeps it closed, and logs the attempt. It matters because it limits who can enter your building and gives you a record of who did. Visitors need their own path, which is covered under visitor management.
03What is the difference between cloud and on-premise access control?
On-premise systems rely on a server and software at each site that someone has to maintain and update, and some support remote administration. Cloud systems keep permissions and settings in one managed platform with automatic updates. Verkada says its system updates firmware and software automatically and eliminates servers.
04What is the best door access control system for a small business or office building?
The best fit is the one you can actually run. Look for control by door and group, management from a browser and phone, automatic updates and the option to keep hardware that still works once we assess what can be retained, integrated or replaced. If you have more than one site, make sure every door you have configured shows up in one account. An assessment shows what your building needs.
05Can we reuse our existing readers and keycards?
Reuse compatible readers and keycards. Verkada says you can reuse compatible readers and keycards or upgrade to its own on your schedule, and that it can bridge Command to compatible door hardware. We assess existing door hardware, cabling and infrastructure to determine what can be retained, integrated or replaced. Compatibility depends on the existing hardware and is confirmed during assessment.
06What happens if the internet goes down?
During an internet outage, powered controllers continue using the last synchronized configuration and store events locally. New configuration changes synchronize when connectivity returns. Door events can also be paired with camera video once your cameras are on the same platform. cloud video surveillance
Next step

See your doors on one platform

Request a walkthrough to discuss your doors, readers and sites.

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Send a request through our contact page and mention Smart Buildings. CloudSource will reply to discuss your sites, scope and next steps.