6 Benefits of Installing RFID Locker Locks

In recent years, RFID locker locks have become a popular safety and security option for commercial as well as residential premises. Although the technology was first used by the US military in the 1940s as a type of convenient surveillance equipment, RFID locker locks have since been successfully redesigned for the safety and security of our homes and businesses.

What is RFID Technology?

RFID or Radio-Frequency Identification uses radio signals for detecting and identifying an object in order to allow or deny entry to individuals, as and when necessary. This technology first came into the limelight in the 1940s and the first version of this technology was used for surveillance purposes by the US military.

It was not until the 1970s that the RFID was launched in the commercial sector as a viable security option. However, not many businesses could use the RFID technology for creating new products due to its exorbitant price and complexity. The technology was therefore limited to the hands of corporate conglomerates and government agencies, which had the resources to purchase and develop state-of-the-art security measures using RFID. However, technology is ever changing and by the 1990s, RFID lockers and locks became more accessible, leading to their massive popularity.

The Working Mechanism of RFID Locker Locks

Two key components, namely, the tag and the reader, come together to form an RFID locker lock. The function of the reader is similar to that of a gatekeeper and it is kept safe inside a cabinet. The reader continuously transmits radio signals for the purpose of detection and identification of an object.

The tag, on the other hand, is an object that has been given an exclusive signature for identification purposes. The tag is usually a card or a fob that is either tapped against or waved in front of the reader to open the locker. Once the tag receives the radio signals emitted by the reader, it sends back its unique identification code to the reader to open the locker. If the reader successfully recognizes the unique identification code then the lock will open automatically, otherwise the door will remain closed. RFID locker locks are now used in a number of business establishments like gyms, schools, colleges, hotels, offices, and many other industries.

Advantages of Installing RFID Locker Locks

1. Pick-Proof

As stated earlier, the reader of RFID locker locks is encased inside a cabinet for safety. Thus, there is no opening for a key to be inserted to open these locks. This feature makes the RFID locker locks pick-proof, and prevents break-ins as the burglars will be unable to bump or pick the lock using traditional techniques. Opening RFID locker locks without the keycard is a complex and time-consuming affair and requires hefty technical resources to break the lock.

2. Ease of Use

RFID locker locks and keycards offer convenient and easy installation options. They are also much easier to carry as they use the tag, rather than forcing you to carry a set of keys for different locks. The tags, in the form of cards, can be clipped to the shirt or carried in purses, unlike ordinary keys. Moreover, the keycards for RFID locker locks do not need to touch the reader to open the lock. It just has to come close enough to the reader to trigger the locking system which will unlock the door. In case a person is carrying a lot of objects in their hands, this feature would prove to be quite useful in opening the locker door without any physical contact.

3. Cost Effective

There was once a time when RFID technology was quite expensive and could burn a hole in your pocket. However, today RFID chips and tags are mass produced are are reasonably inexpensive. Costs usually vary between 7 to 15 cents per chip. Coming to the keycard, it costs the same as a standard photo identification card. The major portion of the cost in an RFID security system lies in the manufacturing of the reader and related accessories like the lock management software. Overall, RFID locker locks are a cost-effective security option for a business.

4. Monitor and Track the Lock

Certain RFID locker locks enable the business administration to monitor the occupancy, battery status of the lock, breakdown alarm, and audit trail with the help of the lock management software. This technology enables the business administration to monitor and track all the locks from a single place and not make constant rounds to keep everything running smoothly.

5. Smartphone Access

RFID locker locks can also be accessed through smartphones and not only keycards. Given that RFID locks make use of wireless technology, Bluetooth Low Energy or BLE can also be used to trigger the lock system and gain entry. To make things easier, some security companies have developed RFID Mobile Access locker locks that enable the user to gain access to the locker by using their smartphone instead of a keycard.

6. Secure Data

One would need special equipment to read the data stored in RFID keycards. Therefore, the unique identification code stored in the RFID chips is quite secure. Moreover, the data stored in the keycard needs to be relevant only to your business, which is why you can create an ID that is known only to your company. A lost keycard with a unique ID code would be nothing more than gibberish to someone else who has no knowledge about the security system of your organization.

In Conclusion

RFID lockers locks are the new-age security system for both the commercial and residential sectors. Its multifarious benefits and cost-effective pricing make RFID a convenient and easy-to-use security system for all medium and high-level corporations.