Managing Access Control For Your Business With Alarm.com

Managing access control for you business can sometimes be overwhelming to get started. This process involves setting up systems and policies to ensure that only authorized individuals can access sensitive areas, resources, or information. This blog will help guide the process to balance security with convenience to protect sensitive areas, data and assets effectively.

System Overview

Sentry offers different types of access control but in this blog we will be covering access control with the alarm.com platform. Here is a system overview of the most commonly used Access Control features available on the Home page and User Access tab of the customer website and customer app.

Home page

The Home page provides quick access to real-time door control, Scenes, and account activity.

Home page (Customer Site).png

Real-time door control allows you to lock, unlock, and temporarily buzz open doors. Navigate to the Access Points (called Doors in stand-alone Access Control systems) card on the home screen to control your doors.

Select a door.png View current status.png

User Access tab

The User Access tab is where the configuration of the system takes place. Sub-tabs are available for Access Plans, Users, Access Points, and Manage Logins.

Assign an Access Control card or PIN to a user

A card, fob, or PIN code can be assigned to a user using the customer app or customer website.

Important: Access Control hardware must be programmed and doors added to the account before cards, fobs, or pins can be added to users. For more information, contact your service provider.

To assign a card, fob, or PIN to a user using the customer app:

Note: When adding new user credentials, changes made to new or existing users go into effect 2 minutes after the last user credential change is made. When revoking a user’s access, the change goes into effect immediately after saving.

Log into the customer app.
Tap .
Tap User Access.
Tap next to Access Plans.
Tap Users.
Tap Add or tap followed by next to edit an existing user.
Tap Add Credential, then tap Access Badge or PIN to set the user’s required credentials. A badge can be assigned by manually entering the badge number or by scanning it. A PIN can be assigned by entering the desired code.
Note: If there are already credentials associated with the user, tap to add more.
In Access Plans, tap Manage Access to select the desired Access Plans the user will be a part of. Alternatively, you can navigate back to the Access Plans page and add the user to the desired plan.

To assign a card, fob, or PIN to a user using the customer website:

Log into the customer website
Click User Access.
Click Users.
Click Add User or click followed by next to edit an existing user.
Click Add Credential followed by Access Badge or PIN to set the user’s required credentials. A badge can be assigned by manually entering the badge number or by scanning it. A PIN can be assigned by entering the desired code.
Note: If there are already credentials associated with the user, click to add more.
In Access Plans, click Manage Access to select the desired Access Plans the user will be a part of. Alternatively, you can navigate back to the Access Plans page and add the user to the desired plan.

Managing Access After Setup

Once your access control system is installed and set up, ongoing management will be needed to maintain security and efficiency. Here are some links to help guide you in the process.

Add Access Control users in bulk

Add Access Control Users with access to multiple locations

Add an Access Control locking or unlocking schedule

Manage Access Plans

Gates and Garage Doors Troubleshooting

Many of our customers have gates and/or garage doors with their access control systems. Sometimes there are malfunctions that are simple fixes that can be troubleshot but please give us a call if you continue to have issues.

Gate control device is in malfunction

The Malfunction trouble condition indicates a device is unable to properly communicate.

Note: The gate control status may also appear as offline.

If a gate control device is in malfunction or offline:

Flex IO™

Check the batteries and replace if necessary.
Check the red and yellow LEDs for more information about the device trouble.

For LiftMaster gates

Open and close the gate from the wall control.
Request an update on the equipment status using the customer app or customer website.
- To update the equipment status on the customer app, tap on the Gate status in the Garage Doors card, then tap Reconnect.
- To update the equipment status on the customer website click on the garage card, then click .
Verify the gate is within communication range of the router.
- Verify the internet connection it is associated with is active.
Verify the gate control device has power.

If the gate control device is still in malfunction or offline, please contact us.

Garage door opener is in malfunction