VTS Activate’s built to give the best access control experience both for members and for building staff. With automatic mobile credentials, people can come and go with a simple tap, and connections to a property’s access control system vet and log everything your staff needs to keep things running. In this guide, we’ll take a look at how the general process works for members and for admins. If you’re looking to learn about specific integrations, check out some of our other guides in this section.
The access process
Access control involves a lot of people and variables—and technology to match. But Activate’s set up to give the most seamless experience possible for everyone involved. VTS has three major access offerings.
Standard access
With standard access, members can use their app with bluetooth enabled to interact with readers that connect to your access control system. You'll even get basic reporting for engagement around your property.
Digital wallet
When someone enters their workplace, all they have to do is interact with a reader that integrates with your access control system—like HID or OpenPath—to validate their credentials and send them on their way. Instead of fumbling with phone settings or in-app navigation, Activate even lets you tap and go.
While a lot of solutions use bluetooth or location permissions, Activate can use NFC (near-field communication) to cut through the noise and access the credentials stored on a member’s phone—they don’t even need to unlock their device. It’s as simple as signing up through the Activate app and tapping away.
Access and portfolio management
Instead of juggling both the app and your access control system, you can manage your users and their mobile access right in the Activate platform. Admin teams—either for the whole property or for specific tenants and spaces—can invite users, automatically enable their mobile access, edit their access control groups, and more. You can even manage multi-building access and get portfolio analytics about usage around your properties.
Access for members
Members can sign up for mobile access in just a few steps. If your workplace has mobile access enabled, you’ll either see it in your app or you'll receive an email invitation to sign up. Each system is a little different, but here’s how it works:
- Head to Mobile Access in your app.
- Follow the steps to get set up.
- Verify your email and enter 2-step verification, if you need to.
- Get your digital key.
You can check out each guide in this section for system-specific instructions—just search for your workplace's access method.
Once you’re all set up, all you need to do is present your phone to a reader for seamless access. It might take a few seconds the first time, but then you’re good to go.
If your workplace’s system uses bluetooth or location permissions, you might have to enable the bluetooth or location settings on your phone to use mobile access in the Activate app. Check in with your workplace admins if you need more help or information.
Access for admins
Each configuration is a little different, so the setup is a little different too. If you’re interested in enabling mobile access for one of your properties, reach out to your partner at VTS and we’ll explore the best solutions together.
Right now, VTS partners with Datawatch, HID, OpenPath, and SafeTrust, but we're working on new options all the time—give us a shout for more information.
No matter what system you currently use, you have the ability to control how frequently VTS Activate syncs with your Access Control System (ACS). First, navigate to your Property Settings, then to Advanced Configuration. From there, enter your sync interval - you can select 1, 2, or 10 minutes, hours, or days.
In case you need to expedite the process, you can trigger a Manual Sync for one user at a time from their User Profile. Navigate to User Management > Users > the individual user. From there, select the Building Access tab, then under actions, select Re-sync.
You can also monitor the Last Sync Time shown at both the property and user levels to confirm successful updates, and adjust sync frequency at any time if usage patterns or building needs change.
Apple Wallet
Members can store their access credentials in Apple Wallet for easy tap and scan. This feature's in limited availability right now, but here are some things to consider if you're looking to get your building set up soon:
- Apple Wallet works with HID and CCURE.
- We'll work with HID to assess your reader capability and get your member experience created.
- We'll also help you with your CCURE integration to manage your members' mobile access credentials.
We've got plenty of documentation to help you through this process, so reach out to your partner at VTS if you're interested and want some more information. Here's a general outline of what you can expect, if you're looking to get set up at one of your properties:
- VTS walks you through the integration between Apple Wallet and HID.
- You'll fill out an HID survey for review.
- If you need to, upgrade and install compatible HID readers.
- You'll give VTS Apple Wallet Pass artwork for review.
- You'll also give VTS access control information for HID.
- VTS will let you know when onsite testing's ready.
- We'll also give you all the training and education you need when the time's right.