Mul-T-Lock Launches Smart Access Control Cylinder Solution

Mul-T-Lock presents a new Smartair retrofit e-cylinder, which can instantly convert any door from being purely mechanical to access control, without the need to modify a door.

The new Smartair electronic cylinder (e-cylinder) from Mul-T-Lock offers a cost effective security solution, suitable for any application where access control is a need, but budget availability will not accommodate a hard wired option.

The e-cylinder, as part of Mul-T-Lock’s Smartair product portfolio, offers all the same benefits as the Smartair electronic escutcheon; being an intelligent electronic device that is easy to use, adaptable and environmentally friendly due to its battery operation and low power consumption.

Says Lee Howard, Access Control Sales Manager for Mul-T-Lock: “Smartair has always presented itself as a flexible all in one security solution, designed to accommodate the most simplistic or demanding access control requirements.

“The new addition of the e-cylinder complements this offering, and enables more users to take advantage of the ability to instantly convert any mechanical door and reap all the convenience and benefits of access control, without modifying or compromising on door aesthetics.”

The new Smartair e-cylinder from Mul-T-Lock is available in different lengths, to ensure the most suitable size is installed within a door.

Specifically designed for locksmiths, Smartair provides a secure all-in-one access control solution that reduces the cost and inconvenience associated with wiring a traditional access control system. No software or programming is involved, so user cards and fobs can be easily added or removed as required, using a unique management card. This makes it ideal for commercial environments like hotels, where a degree of people management is required.

The Commodore Hotel recently expanded to offer 25 rooms. The Keyhole Surgery recommended Smartair to the hotel owner as an easy-to-install access system that could be quickly fitted without disturbing hotel guests.

For added security, Nemef door latches from Mul-T-Lock were also mortised into the doors and used in conjunction with the Smartair units.

Says Gary Woolaway, owner of the Commodore Hotel: “The aim of our ongoing refurbishment of the hotel is to provide a more luxurious standard of accommodation for our guests. New doors were installed as part of the fresh new look and the Keyhole Surgery recommended the Smartair standalone product as an access control system that won’t compromise the aesthetics.

“The Keyhole Surgery, together with the representative from Mul-T-Lock, demonstrated how easy the system was to manage, including adding and removing user cards and fobs. The Smartair system was installed on all new doors and was done very cost effectively and with minimum disruption, even while the hotel was fully occupied.”

Andrew Pearcy, locksmith at the Keyhole Surgery, added: “Smartair proved really quick and easy to install. I was actually working at the same time as the hotel cleaners to make sure we didn’t disturb the guests and was able to fit the lock case and install the product from start to finish in about 2 hours for each door. I would certainly recommend the system for premises like hotels, as for locksmiths, it’s just like fitting door furniture, so labour time is minimised.”

Smartair offers a wide range of benefits for locksmiths and their customers and overcomes some of the obstacles traditionally associated with upgrading to access control systems. Mul-T-Lock believes Smartair provides a genuine bridge between mechanical security and electronic access control.

Matt Rice, Marketing Manager at Mul-T-Lock, concluded: “As a locksmith company designing products for locksmiths, we constantly strive to deliver products that they will feel comfortable about selling, installing and maintaining. As The Keyhole Surgery has demonstrated, our Smartair standalone system is a great example.”

Smartair is a ‘bolt on’ solution for use on internal and external doors, and in many circumstances, can be fitted to existing door locks with the option of retaining existing key systems.

Smartair is supplied ready to fit in one pack, complete with handles, batteries, a fitting tool and spindles. Additional spindles are also available to suit door thicknesses and centres of 72mm or 92mm are offered to suit different lock cases, with other sizes available to order. It is now available from stock in a choice of stainless steel or white finishes with a range of other finishes available to order.

For further information on Smartair and the full range of security solutions available from Mul-T-Lock, please contact Matt Rice (marketing@mul-t-lock.co.uk).

Traditionally, access control systems have consisted of individual components and have required hard wiring and electrical expertise to install. This has sometimes presented problems for locksmiths who may not have the resource/personnel or the time to install and wire a full access control system.

This is why Mul-T-Lock introduced Smartair; a standalone wireless door management solution specifically designed for locksmiths, which bridges the gap between mechanical security and access control systems.

Smartair is ideal for commercial environments where some degree of people management is required, in offices, care homes and small hotels, for example. The system can also be used in residential applications on main entrances to blocks of flats or on individual front doors.

Smartair offers a number of benefits to locksmiths.

Firstly, it’s easy to install, as there is no hard wiring involved. Smartair uses an integral battery power supply and the latest contactless RFID technology, so if locksmiths can fit door furniture, then this will be a very similar job.

This greatly reduces installation time compared to fully wired access control systems that would usually require trunking, cabling and so on. In fact, Smartair can usually be fitted in under an hour.

Secondly, the system can be used with virtually any existing lock case, making it extremely versatile and an ideal ‘bolt on’ solution for use on both internal and external doors. It can even be used with a Scandinavian lock case, where the handle and cylinder are fitted in reverse positions to traditional UK locks. If the handle does not directly match the footprint of the existing door furniture, then a stainless steel backing plate can be used to mask the previous fittings.

Thirdly, Smartair has all the components of an access control system – power supply, reader, control device etc – but they are contained in one unit. As well as aiding installation, this also eliminates the problems associated with selecting individual components that are compatible.

The Smartair sets for external use also carry an IP 54 rating for protection against moisture and dust. A rubber gasket around the case and reader and stainless steel components provide outdoor protection to a recognised standard for locksmiths to emphasise in external applications.

The PVC-U door market is catered for too, with the special “lift to lock” Smartair version. The lifting action of this innovative Smartair handle allows the lock mechanism to throw multipoint locking devices; easily upgrading PVC-U doors to access control doors with ease.

Finally, Smartair is supplied ready to fit in one pack, complete with handles, batteries, a fitting tool and spindles. Additional spindles are also available to suit different door thicknesses.

The number of user credentials supplied with each system is decided by the individual customer to suit their needs and this is just one of the many benefits for building owners and end-users.

Smartair is operated using a choice of authorised credentials – a user card, a fob or SynerKey – which, when presented to the reader on the front of the handle, will unlock the door.

For added security, Smartair’s ‘brain’ is located on the inside of the door, which means the system cannot be tampered with from the outside. The handle is also ‘free wheeling’ and cannot be operated without a user card or fob. Once access is authorised, users are given one opportunity to retract the latch and enter the building. The handle then returns to its free wheeling state, which prevents anyone from shadowing or following to gain entry.

Smartair is also easy to operate and manage for building owners and occupiers. The number of user cards and fobs can be specified for each individual application and they can also be personalised with customers’ names, logos and contact details. There is no software or programming involved and user cards and fobs can be easily added or removed as required, using a management card

The kit also comes with an installation card for use by locksmiths or fitters during installation. When the management card is presented to the reader for the first time, this disables the installation card, so building owners are then fully in control of who gains access. For a quick cost saving, building owners can also reprogramme the installation card to become a user card.

For even greater ease of use, the transponder contained within the cards and fobs can also be sold as a separate item for fitting to watches, wallets or other personal items.

Users can then gain access by simply showing the transponder to the reader. Smartair now features a passage mode that allows a door to be ‘held open’ on a temporary basis, when an authorised credential is presented to the reader. This is particularly beneficial when external visitors require access during a specific period for meetings or other one-off events taking place within a building.

Finally, while many building owners are now familiar and comfortable with the concept of electronic access control systems, a mechanical back up remains popular. If preferred, Smartair can be supplied with a visible or hidden cylinder that can be used to gain access in the event of battery failure (although this is unlikely as warning lights will flash to advise users that replacement batteries are required). For additional control, the building owner can also use the key to mechanically secure the property once all staff have vacated. The transponder can even be fitted into the head of the Mul-T-Lock SynerKey so both access methods (mechanical and electronic) are combined in one credential.

Additional back up is available in the shape of an emergency override kit that can be sold as an optional accessory. This plugs into the unit and provides enough power to allow a card or fob to be used, in order to gain emergency access.

So, Smartair offers a wide range of benefits for locksmiths and their customers, and overcomes some of the obstacles traditionally associated with access control systems. Smartair offers around 80% of the functionality you would expect from hard wired access control at just 20% of the cost, and is a flexible, cost-effective choice that’s easy to install and will fit comfortably within a locksmith’s portfolio. Smartair has been designed for locksmiths by a locksmith company and can be sold as an easy upgrade that uses a building’s existing security measures. It’s a genuine bridge between mechanical security and electronic access control that locksmiths can feel comfortable about selling, installing and maintaining.

Smartair is available from stock in a choice of stainless steel or white finishes with a range of other finishes available to order. It is supplied with centres of 72mm or 92mm to suit different lock cases with other sizes available to order.

For further information on Smartair and the full range of security solutions available from Mul-T-Lock, please contact Matt Rice (marketing@mul-t-lock.co.uk).

Specifically designed for locksmiths, Smartair Standalone provides a secure all-in-one access control solution that reduces the cost and inconvenience associated with wiring a traditional access control system.

No software or complex programming is involved, so user cards and fobs can be easily added or removed, using a unique management card. Now, with the addition of a shadow card, individual ‘lost’ users can also be managed more effectively.

Says Matt Rice, Marketing Manager of Mul-T-Lock: “As a company we aim to evolve, learn and innovate according to the needs of our customers. So when they recommended the addition of a shadow card option for Smartair, we did not hesitate to ensure it was made available as soon as possible.

“We hope this demonstrates our commitment to delivering product solutions that locksmiths feel comfortable about selling, installing and maintaining. At the same time, it takes that next innovative step towards bridging the gap between mechanical security and access control.”

Smartair is a ‘bolt on’ solution for use on internal and external doors, and in many circumstances, can be fitted to existing door locks with the option of retaining existing key systems.

Smartair is supplied ready to fit in one pack, complete with handles, batteries, a fitting tool and spindle. Additional spindles are also available to suit various door thicknesses and centres of 72mm or 92mm are offered to suit different lock cases, with other sizes available to order. It is now available from stock in a quality stainless steel finish with a range of other finishes available to order.

For further information on Smartair and the full range of security solutions available from Mul-T-Lock, please contact Matt Rice (marketing@mul-t-lock.co.uk).