January 27, 2021  |  Indianapolis, IN

Colleges and universities are responsible for protecting students and staff, educational facilities, records, technology, and equipment in clean, safe environments. Campus security technology includes everything from traditional mechanical keys and small format interchangeable cores (SFICs) to electronic and mobile-activated access systems.

Slippery Rock University, located in Pennsylvania, strives to make its security practices as effective and efficient as possible. Although many parts of campus use card access, Dan Brown, Director of Housing, admits that some parts of campus – like residence halls – still use traditional keys. Transitioning from SFICs to electronic access control has not been a high priority due to scale and budget, although housing leaders acknowledge the inefficiencies of their key-based system.

“We typically don’t make changes to our access systems as long as they’re working,” said Brown. “When we need to upgrade, we prioritize changeouts to maintain good budget stewardship.”

In 2020, Slippery Rock (SRU) IT and Housing Department’s leadership team moved some of its offline locks into an online system in student residences. Their goal was to improve security and enable student credentials to be reprogrammed from a central location rather than at each door site to improve efficiency. This beta test would serve as a model on which to develop larger scale plans to reduce reliance on keys in student housing.

dormakaba worked with SRU officials to install its new BEST Switch™ Tech platform, a digital replacement for SFICs. SRU installed Switch™ Cores and integrated them into the school’s existing Lenel system to retrofit doors in student residences. The results, according to SRU, have been very positive.

The new system makes it easier to control who gains entry and provide greater access visibility and tracking control. While challenges associated with the coronavirus pandemic have disrupted the overall student experience on campus, the Switch Tech platform is enabling the school to upgrade access control in strategic areas and prioritize future change outs to digital technology.

“We have so many doors,” said Brown. “We don’t want to start changing them if we don’t have to. Switch Core fits into existing cores, significantly reducing the costs of adding digital access and it’s easy to install and use. It’s also compatible with our existing Lenel system for a complete plug and play install, and our own locksmiths can take care of it.”

“The nicest feature is that I don’t have to go to the lock to reload it,” said Maria Malacaman, Information Technology Generalist II on SRU’s housing staff. “I can see right away if a student or card holder is having issues with access. I can troubleshoot from my office rather than going to the door site and take care of the student quickly.”

Affordable Access. Greater Control.

The Switch Tech platform extends electronic access control to applications previously not practical. Switch Core will work wherever SFICs do, including cylindrical, mortise and other locks by BEST, Sargent, Yale, Corbin Russwin, Schlage and more. It is ideal for retrofitting electronic control into existing doors on interior rooms, closets, cabinets and cases.

Specific benefits include:

Low Cost
At approximately 10% of the cost of a hardwired access control door, it is far less expensive than traditional electronic access control.

Quick Install
Installation takes just minutes with no advanced knowledge (handing or door thickness) needed.

Versatile
Switch Core can be easily installed in a wide range of applications–almost any SFIC lock–and integrates with existing access control software.

Scalable
Switch can be added strategically where and as needed when site needs expand.

Easy Management
Credentials can be easily added via Switch Deck, which includes a tool for battery replacement.

Saves Time
Switch reduces mechanical key management (lost, stolen, new keys) for facility managers.

Tamper Resistant
No exposed fasteners or points of attack.

Reduces Risk
Makes visitor management easy while reducing risk compared to temporary keys.

Over 100 years ago, BEST founder Frank Best invented what would become the defacto standard mechanical lock in the door hardware industry. There are an estimated 100 million SFIC cores in use today in storage rooms, file and display cabinets, equipment cages, locker rooms and many more. BEST’s Switch Tech platform continues that commitment to innovation by thinking past the door to create a whole new level of opportunities for improved, affordable access control.

About BEST

BEST pioneered the development of the small format interchangeable core and sets the standard for door hardware. BEST door hardware products are engineered to fit institutional applications and outlast expectations in even the most demanding and complex of projects. A member of the dormakaba family, BEST brand products include a wide range of locks, exits, closers, hinges and more. Further information at bestaccess.com.

About dormakaba

dormakaba is one of the top three companies in the global market for access and security solutions. With strong brands such as Dorma and Kaba in our portfolio, we are a single source for products, solutions, and services related to doors and secure access to buildings and rooms.  With around 16,000 employees and numerous cooperation partners, we are active in over 130 countries. dormakaba is headquartered in Rümlang (Zurich/Switzerland) and generates an annual turnover of over CHF 2 billion.

SIX Swiss Exchange: DOKA (formerly: KABN / KABNE) Further information at www.dormakaba.us.

CONTACT:

dormakaba

Phone: +1.317.806.3874

Email: pr.amer@dormakaba.com

www.dormakaba.us