BRIVO Multifamily Access Control and Home Automation

 

Previously marketed as Parakeet, Brivo’s foray into the multi-tenant video, access control, and home automation market provides a total solution for property management to wirelessly integrate surveillance with building access and smart home features. Properties can make themselves more attractive to new clients by offering a fully mobile experience for access and automation, encouraging them to pay more and stay longer.

 

Anywhere they go with an internet connection, clients will be able to use the app to:

 

  • Adjust apartment temperature or turn on lights
  • Open the lobby door, front gate or garage
  • Access the right floor on the elevator
  • Grant access to guests and take them to the pool
  • Pay rent and submit work orders
  • Save money with energy efficiency controls

 

This all takes place through the cloud, meaning there are no on-site servers to set up and maintain. So long as the location has reliable commercial-grade internet and clients have phones, the solution is seamless and elegant.

From the perspective of the property management, Brivo’s apartment solution makes easier many conventional tasks. Using a single integrated platform, management can:

  • Manage access to doors throughout the property
  • Quickly assign and revoke mobile credentials
  • Monitor common area access and use
  • Control environmental features in vacant units
  • Prevent property damage with real-time alerts
  • Customize reports with actionable data

Furthermore, as many industries look for ways to reduce in-person interaction, self-guided property tours have become an expectation for those looking at upmarket apartment homes. Brivo makes providing self-guided tours easy for both parties while maintaining the security of the complex. With Brivo, showing available units is easier, safer and more convenient.

Multiple properties across an entire portfolio can be managed in one suite of software, with clear delineation between access control features, video surveillance, and automation. Enrolled individuals can be divided into staff and clients and subdivisions thereof, with mass notifications easily sent out to just the group that needs to know. With the elimination of physical keys and fobs, security is improved by reducing the attack surface of your complex to something much more difficult to clone or hack, the personal phone.

Security Technology of South Texas is one of the area’s most experienced and professional teams in physical security, access control, and surveillance. If you would like an assessment made for your business, please contact us at

 

admin@gostst.com

 

Visit at gostst.com 

 

Or call at 210-446-4863

 

HOA Security Assessments and Solutions

For an HOA to meet the expectations of their residents, they must focus on more than amenities and payment systems. A critical issue for the board of directors and association managers is criminal risk and exposure. Whether the security solutions in place are sufficient in addressing the community’s exposure to criminal risk is determined best by a walk-through threat analysis with an industry professional, which can help the HOA board to determine what is lacking in their security measures.

HOA boards of directors are required to quickly respond to risks or suspected criminal activities as part of their fiduciary obligation to their members. If the board fails to act on a foreseeable or reported problem they can be held liable. But before spending on expensive security measures, the HOA must properly assess their risks and determine the solutions that are most realistic for the property.

In many cases boards perform their own walk-through security evaluations or ask local law enforcement to assist. While this can be helpful in identifying risks with simple solutions, HOAs with properties of greater size and those experiencing a string of break-ins, vandalism, or other security threats may benefit from a professional consultation. Such an assessment can help the HOA look for effective and affordable security solutions with a minimal effect on the livability of the community.

 

The Property Security Assessment

This assessment is grounded in the on-site inspection of the property, and includes a walking of the grounds, commons, and an internal and external inspection of several units. Also important is interviewing a sample of homeowners or tenants to get a ground-level perspective on community concerns and security events that may have gone unreported.

 

The inspection should seek to address the following:

  • What are the HOA’s security exposures and vulnerabilities?
  • Are entry doors solid core and installed with deadbolts and eyeholes?
  • Are door strike-plates secured with 3” screws to prevent being kicked or forced open?
  • Are locks re-keyed and not moved to another unit or amenity building? (This is more broadly relevant to a rental community than to ownership units)
  • Are all keys for common area facilities closely controlled and accounted for?
  • Are door jambs constructed with solid wood and free of any rot, breaks, cracks or other damage?
  • Do all windows, including those on the second floor, close properly and are they equipped with locks?
  • Are sliding door locks intact? Do they have more than one lock to prevent lifting the doors out of their tracks?
  • Are the outdoors areas of the HOA complex well lit? (Good lighting should be the norm at all entrances and dark areas, including open parking areas and garages)
  • Are shrubs and other landscaping trimmed to discourage hiding for an intruder?
  • Is there control over who enters and leaves the building or association property?
  • Are fire stairs locked from the outside so that residents can exit but others cannot enter?
  • Are mailboxes and public areas well lit and equipped with good locks?
  • Is the property well maintained? Are burnt-out light bulbs replaced promptly, landscaping maintained, and graffiti removed immediately?
  • Are residents in the complex trustworthy neighbors who watch out for each other?
  • Is there a “Neighborhood Watch Program?

(echo-ca.org)

After the security assessment is performed, the cost of recommended services, equipment, and possible employment of on-site guards can begin to be determined. The HOA can then finalize the threat assessment document, including risks, vulnerabilities, and recommended actions. This document can be used in possible future litigation.

 

Implementing the Solutions

Whatever the board has determined to best address their threat assessment and be within their budget should be installed by a security integrator. This can include IP cameras, visitor management systems, license plate reader cameras on entry and exit points, and access control systems on public areas and management only buildings.

 In addition to these, there are a number of cost-free ways to improve the overall security of the community.

These can include:

  • Maintaining and upgrading (when possible) the overall appearance and upkeep of a community
  • Keeping close cooperation with local law enforcement
  • Removing any graffiti promptly
  • Directing residents to call law enforcement instead of board members or the manager when suspicious activity occurs
  • Working to help neighbors know and recognize one another (community events, newsletters, etc.)
  • Making sure parking space numbers do not match house numbers

(echo-ca.org)

By combining these measures with the implementation of security hardware and systems, the overall safety and security of the community can be greatly improved.

Through a thorough threat assessment and coordinated deployment of these solutions, the HOA can tangibly and measurably better the community. While it may cost up-front, the value of having a reputation as a clean, crime-free community cannot be overestimated and returns value in spades.

Sources:

    (echo-ca.org)

    (https://securitytoday.com/)

 

As a Security Integrator, Security Technology of South Texas is prepared to build a tailor fit system to meet the needs of the HOA and property management markets. Please contact us through email at admin@gostst.com on our website or via phone at  210-446-4863   24/7

FRONTSTEPS: Property Management Solutions

 In an average month, a community management company can expect to spend over 500 working hours compensating for inefficient workflow. That is roughly equivalent to 3 full-time employees. The causes of this inefficiency stem from using too many separate tools, time-consuming and non-centralized communications, and the processing of paper checks.

 

The purpose of an all-encompassing property management solution like FRONTSTEPS is to automate much of the time-consuming processes that drive that number so high. By offering resident requests, work orders, digital payments, accounting and a suite of security options in one centralized solution, FRONTSTEPS can help put those hours back into the company. This saves significant time and money every month and allows for portfolio expansion even without adding to staff.

 

FRONTSTEPS Community and Connect

FRONTSTEPS, the creators of dwellingLIVE, offer a range of products for the HOA and property management market to enhance and streamline visitor management, payments, security and more. Their entry-level solution “Community” aims to bring convenience to the online customer communication and service process and offers a suite of tools for that purpose, document storage, and digital management.  It also provides a secure method for accepting online payments. To create a platform for communication across the entire community, a digital bulletin board, templated emails, and mass texting is built into the solution. Resident feedback can be brought in through single question surveys and residents kept connected by Android and iOS apps.

 

FRONTSTEPS “Connect” is the next level of service and includes all tools from the previous level as well as several advanced features. Connect is ideal for communities with several amenities and public spaces.

 

Some communities feature amenities requiring residents make reservations. This can be handled in the app where managers can keep track of and approve requests. Calls and emails for maintenance can be greatly reduced by making the switch to taking these requests through the app, and scheduling and status of maintenance can be updated easily. Another interesting feature is the Community Classifieds. This private classifieds tool hosts a safe way for residents to buy and sell with others in the community.

 

FRONTSTEPS Secure

As the industry’s only true all-in-one solution for every aspect of property management, FRONTSTEPS’ security offering is integrated with top hardware providers to avoid the expenses of tearing out and replacing existing hardware. Along with accounting, resident engagement, on-boarding and more, it is not uncommon for communities to be using upwards of 4 platforms. FRONTSTEPS securely provides all property management needs in one use-friendly platform. With “Secure”, residents can create and send one-time digital passes to guests and vendors to allow them through a gate. If your community does not have full-time guards or gate attendants, visitors can grant access by phone.

 

 Access control is easy to manage centrally, and times of access are controlled for specific facilities for both residents and staff. “Secure” also features real-time forensic reporting, allowing you to access important data showing who was in various places in the community at any given time. This is crucial in assisting with investigations should an incident occur.

 

The platform integrates with hardware providers Kantech, HID, Doorking and most 26-Bit Wiegand readers. Community directories ensure that intruders are kept out by maintaining a community-wide watchlist. A pet directory exists to help residents keep up with lost animals.

 

Access control involves the monitoring of an unlimited amount of doors, entry points, and vehicle gates in real time. The software integrates with existing system infrastructure. This can include “clickers, key fobs, proxy cards, [and] vehicle transponders” (frontsteps.com) which gives another layer of security for community assets. This web-based system is backed with local storage, allowing admins to view status and connectivity of hardware in real time.

 

Doors can be unlocked remotely and all transactions monitored. In this way, guards and admins can know who accessed a facility and when, improving incident reporting. Another feature is license plate recognition. In seconds, visitor and resident license plates are identified and logged into the system with entry either being approved or denied. Camera integration protects assets and residents through cloud-based surveillance cameras.

 

A key aspect of FRONTSTEPS’ solution is “Mobile Patrol”. The fully mobile application allows security admins instant access “to patrol status updates and critical information, like incident reports and messaging.” (Frontsteps.com) Guards can give live updates in just seconds and share information for different checkpoints along a given patrol route. GPS GeoTagging assists in this process. This vastly improves the productivity and accountability of security staff as they must check in to their patrol checkpoints.

 

FRONTSTEPS Secure can be purchased bundled or in parts. If your community just needs access control then an entry-level option is available. As you add on services, more premium features such as the phone entry system and visitor management are included. Whether you have just one property to manage or an entire portfolio, FRONTSTEPS can help bring the management process into focusand improve the experience for both residents and staff. It is a truly best-in-industry suite of solutions and gives an edge to management by bringing all aspects of the business together.

 

 

Security Technology of South Texas is happy to offer custom access control and surveillance solutions to the HOA market, and is partnered with FRONTSTEPS to bring you the best in property management and security solutions.

Please contact us through email at admin@gostst.com on our website or via phone at 210-446-4863 24/7 to schedule a consultation.

Source: frontsteps.com

STST Partners with 3XLOGIC as Authorized Dealer and Integrator

Not just another IP camera manufacturer, 3XLOGIC is changing how the end user manages and interacts with the IP ecosystem through implementing industry leading software-as-a-service architecture that gives even the newest IT novice the power to manage a complicated network of IP cameras and access control technology like a pro admin.
3XLOGIC makes use of the cloud for all storage and video processing needs, and systems will not feature on-site NVRs. This creates a robust video management structure and shifts processing power requirements away from the end-user or any computers located at the site. Through their proprietary “Infinias CLOUD” cloud hosting technology, a 3xLOGIC system can easily be made capable of handling video monitoring and analytics alongside access control solutions from just a single door all the way to “enterprise” scale operations.
This cloud based service “delivers broad access control capabilities to conveniently secure and manage user location(s)” (3xlogic.com) and uses an easy to use browser-based GUI. Having an easy to understand end-user interface allows for access control to be both practical and affordable for virtually any user, independent of the size of the business or the technical expertise of the end-user.
The user can “view, monitor, and report” (3xlogic.com) on events and alarms, as well as do things like define security rolls and create different levels of access privileges for the individual users.

Unique to the systems that can be built using 3xLOGIC’s hardware are what they term the “rules engine”. This is a logic system in their cloud space that allows the customer to “build the functionality they need such as Lock-down, First-in, last-out, n-man rule, and much more” (3xLOGIC.com) This rule engine can be used effectively on any scale to apply systems of rules and is particularly useful for access control purposes.

The “Infinias” cloud system is also capable of interfacing with wireless locks, which is increasingly a popular method used in large scale security solutions. While the same effect can be achieved by running wire to each door in the facility, the relatively low cost of using wireless locks, cameras, and etc. make this an increasingly attractive option for some. With time and improvements to wireless technology and a greater number of systems making use of cloud technology, wireless “everything” seems to be just on the horizon.

Overall, the solutions offered by 3xLOGIC are some of the most smooth and seamless out there. Technology like this is setting the stage for the future of fully integrated video surveillance, analytics, and access control systems. Above industry standard IP cameras, custom analytics, and a simple yet robust end-user interface all make 3xLOGIC stand out even among what sometimes feels like a crowded security market.
Security Technology of South Texas is an authorized dealer and integrator for 3xLOGIC. Contact us today to see what kind of system is right for your business or project.
Call us 24/7 at    (210)-446-4863     or       email admin@gostst.com

Source: 3xLOGIC.com