MOBILE ACCESS CONTROL IS BECOMING IMPORTANT IN THE CURRENT HYBRID WORK ENVIRONMENT

HID is a U.S. manufacturer of secure identity products. The Integrator had an opportunity to have an exclusive interview with Gustavo Gassmann - Vice President & Head of Emerging Markets

What are the major trends in PACS right now?

The largest impact of trends today is related to identities and the digital transformation of mobile technology. People are using their mobile devices for various activities such as building entry and using credentials. This results in a large transfer of information regarding mobile technology. HID has been talking about mobile access since 2014 and, at the time, it was seen as the future, now it is a rapidly growing trend. In commercial real estate, we are closely aligned with the concept of smart buildings and the integration of mobile technology and solutions into the environment. This is a promising market for us, particularly in the Middle East.

In the past, the focus in commercial real estate was mainly on controlling access through main doors, but today it has evolved to include a wider range of solutions. A significant portion of commercial real estate has some form of automation for almost every door in the building. Although HID may not always be the provider of all the automation, everything can be interconnected, including security. Commercial real estate is a crucial market for us and one of the largest verticals, particularly in the Middle East, where we have a long-standing presence.

Talk about the presence of HID in MEA region?

We have our regional head office based in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. We’ve experienced rapid growth over the years and have continuously adding new team members to help support customers in the emerging markets that our organization serves. Due to high growth in countries such as India and Brazil, we have established centers of excellence in different regions. Our office in Dubai provides support in areas such as sales, technical support, and customer service. Although we do not have production or warehousing in Dubai, all services are still provided to customers through our channels and distributors. About five years ago, we shifted our approach by investing in and engaging directly with end-users, while still utilizing our channels and distributors to add value. Our aim is to understand their needs and gather valuable feedback, which will help us better develop customised solutions and provide better service. Additionally, we have a dedicated team of experts who focus on serving our main global accounts in the region.

Discuss the importance of Access Control in the current environment?

Access control is becoming increasingly important in the current hybrid work environment. With more people working from home, access control solutions are being adapted to accommodate remote work. This has resulted in a significant increase in the relevance and potential of mobile access control in both large and small offices, and some homes as well. Mobile access is the use of a mobile device (e.g., smartphone, tablet or wearable) to gain access to secured doors, gates, networks, services and more., making physical security more convenient and relevant. The growth of smart buildings, where readers equipped with Bluetooth® and Near Field Communication technologies are integrated into every door, has further increased the importance of mobile access control in the industry. The fast-growing industry presents an opportunity for everyone to take a share of the market. Overall, mobile access control is becoming a crucial aspect of every organization as hybrid work becomes the new culture.