The Critical Advantages of Contactless Entry Solutions

Top Advantages of Contactless Entry Solutions

Contactless entry solutions are transforming the way businesses manage access and security. During the 2019 pandemic, keyless entry systems that used key cards or key fobs have given employees the ability to enter their facility without having to touch anything.

This benefit has played a key role in securing the safety of employees and visitors throughout the pandemic and will continue to be beneficial in the future.

By leveraging technologies such as RFID, mobile credentials, biometric recognition, and cloud-based systems, these systems offer a wide range of benefits that traditional key-based methods cannot match.

1. Enhanced Hygiene and Safety

One of the most immediate benefits is the reduction of physical contact, helping prevent the spread of germs and viruses. This is especially important in healthcare, education, and high-traffic environments where shared surfaces can pose a health risk.

2. Streamlined Access Control

Contactless entry systems allow for fast, seamless entry without the need for keys, badges, or touching keypads. Mobile apps, facial recognition, or proximity cards provide secure, convenient access while reducing wait times and congestion at entry points.

3. Improved Security and Auditability

Digital credentials are more difficult to duplicate than physical keys, and lost or stolen access can be revoked instantly. Most systems also log every access attempt, providing a detailed audit trail for enhanced accountability and compliance.

4. Remote Management Capabilities

Administrators can grant, modify, or revoke access from anywhere in real time. This is ideal for businesses with multiple locations or hybrid workforces, offering unmatched flexibility and operational control.

5. Integration with Other Systems

Modern contactless solutions can integrate with surveillance cameras, alarm systems, HR platforms, and visitor management systems. This creates a centralized, cohesive security ecosystem that’s easy to monitor and maintain.

6. Scalability for Growing Organizations

Whether expanding to new offices or onboarding new employees, contactless systems are easily scalable. Cloud-based platforms, in particular, allow businesses to scale access control without major hardware investments.

7. Positive User Experience

Contactless entry enhances the daily experience for employees, customers, and visitors. The convenience of not having to fumble with keys or remember PINs adds a layer of comfort and modernity to any facility.

How Do Touchless Entry Solutions Work?

Touchless entry solutions use advanced access control systems to streamline the entry process without the need for physical contact. These systems typically integrate automatic doors, mobile devices, and cloud-based software to create a seamless, secure, and hygienic contactless operation.

Here’s how they generally work:

1. Credential Assignment – Users are issued digital credentials, often via mobile devices such as smartphones or wearables. These credentials are stored in an app or digital wallet and are used to grant access to specific areas.
2. Proximity Detection – As the user approaches an access point, the system detects their device using Bluetooth, NFC, or QR codes. This triggers the access control system to verify credentials in real time.
3. Automatic Activation – Once verified, automatic doors open, allowing entry without touching any surfaces. This reduces germ transmission and improves efficiency.
4. Contactless Check-In – In environments like offices or healthcare facilities, the same system can be used for contactless check-in, tracking time of arrival and ensuring authorized access only.
5. Audit Trails and Security – Every interaction is logged, enabling administrators to monitor the entry process and ensure only authorized users are granted access.

Whether in commercial buildings, healthcare environments, or secure facilities, these systems improve security, efficiency, and hygiene by leveraging contactless operations.

Contactless Entry Solutions for Businesses

The following touchless technology solutions can be added or retrofitted for your office or commercial building:

Motion Sensor Activated Doors

This type of door doesn’t need a handle to be turned or even to be touched to open it. As someone approaches the door, it will open automatically. This works especially well for high-traffic areas, like main entrances.

Automatic doors can be combined with keyless entry readers too. To enter, someone simply needs to enter or scan the proper access credentials. Then, the electromagnetic lock will be released, and the doors will slide open when activated by the motion detector.

Revolving Doors

With revolving doors, people can easily enter and exit high-traffic buildings. These are a contactless solution because there is no need to pull a lever or twist a knob. Additionally, with continual rotation or motion-detected activation, people can use the door without even pushing on the leaves to initiate their pivot around the central axis.

When someone approaches the door from the inside or outside of the building, the door automatically starts rotating. Electronic sensors and motorized gear assemblies control the speed of rotation and rotate the leaves without the need for manual pushing.

Keyless Entry & Touchless Security Gates

It’s possible to add touchless capabilities and keyless entry to existing commercial door hardware. A keypad or card-swipe reader can be added just outside building entries to allow employees and visitors access, but for touch-free entry, these are the better choices:

• Proximity readers – Users are identified by access cards or fobs with unique credentials that are held near the reader.
• Biometric readers – Iris and facial recognition scanning requires not physical contact with the people entering the door or security checkpoint.
• Touchless access buttons – Required only a hand-wave in front of the infrared reader to capture and identify hand gestures or multiple fingerprints in an instant.
• Behavioral biometric authentication – For access control, these sophisticated readers identify people by their posture and gait as they walk through an entry point and check authentication against saved behavior profile data.
• 3D touchless readers – These access devices authenticate fingerprints and palmprints using biometric vein scanning technology.
• Mobile app authentication – Smartphone access control takes mobile phones, tablets, and wearable electronic devices and allows them to function as a user’s credentials to enter offices or other business facilities.

Related article: Which Type of Biometric Scanner is the Most Secure?

Other Significant Contactless Commercial Solutions

Creating a fully touch-free facility goes beyond just access control—and Great Valley Lockshop is here to help you get there. As a trusted partner in commercial security and automation, we offer a wide range of advanced solutions to help your business minimize physical touchpoints, improve hygiene, and streamline operations. From entry systems to interior technologies, our team can recommend and install the latest contactless innovations tailored to your building’s needs.

Here are several additional contactless solutions that can enhance your facility’s safety, efficiency, and user experience:

No-Touch Elevator Controls

Infrared and proximity-based sensors are increasingly replacing traditional elevator buttons and light switches. These systems detect the presence and movement of a person’s hand or fingers near the control panel—no physical contact is required. Using advanced algorithms, they interpret gestures with impressive accuracy, recognizing both shape and depth to initiate the desired action.

Contactless Purchasing and Check-In Kiosks

Touchscreen kiosks have evolved to support fully contactless check-in and ordering. Leveraging 3D depth-sensing cameras, these systems allow users to interact with digital menus and on-screen prompts simply by hovering their hands near the interface. Already in use across restaurants, retail stores, and hotels, these kiosks enhance the entry process while maintaining high standards of cleanliness and convenience.

Wi-Fi and Voice-Activated Printers

Modern commercial printers now support contactless operation through Wi-Fi connectivity and voice commands. Employees can print, scan, or copy documents directly from their desktops or mobile devices or even via virtual assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant—minimizing shared touchpoints in communal office areas.

Hands-Free Bathroom Fixtures

Automated restroom accessories such as motion-activated faucets, soap dispensers, towel dispensers, hand dryers, and touchless flush toilets allow for a completely hygienic experience. These systems reduce the need to touch doorknobs, handles, or buttons, promoting better sanitation. Additionally, many of these solutions are designed to improve sustainability by conserving water and energy in high-traffic restrooms.

Traditional vs. Contactless Entry Solutions: What’s Best for Your Business?

As security technologies continue to advance, businesses are reevaluating how they manage building access. The decision between traditional entry systems and modern contactless solutions can have a lasting impact on safety, efficiency, and overall operations. Understanding the differences can help you choose the right fit for your facility and long-term goals.

Traditional Entry Systems

Traditional systems use mechanical locks, physical keys, and simple keypads or keycards. While they’re familiar and affordable upfront, they often fall short in flexibility and security.

Key Features:

• Mechanical keys and locks
• PIN code keypads
• Basic access cards or fobs

Benefits:

• Lower initial cost
• Easy to install and use
• Doesn’t rely on internet or power

Drawbacks:

• Lost or copied keys pose security risks
• Access changes require manual rekeying or reprogramming
• Limited tracking of who accessed what, and when
• Not ideal for growing teams or multi-site management

Contactless Entry Solutions

Contactless systems use digital credentials—via mobile devices, biometrics, or RFID—to provide seamless, secure access without physical touchpoints. These systems are increasingly popular in commercial offices, healthcare facilities, schools, and high-traffic buildings.

Key Features:

• Mobile app credentials
• Proximity readers and automatic doors
• Biometric authentication
• Cloud-based access control platforms

Benefits:

• Hands-free entry enhances hygiene and convenience
• Real-time control to grant or revoke access
• Detailed access logs for security and compliance
• Scales easily across multiple locations
• Integrates with surveillance, alarms, and other building systems

Drawbacks:

• Higher upfront investment
• Requires reliable internet and power backup
• Staff may need initial onboarding or training

Contactless entry offers superior security, hygiene, and flexibility—ideal for high-traffic and growing businesses. Traditional systems may suit smaller operations but can also be enhanced with partial upgrades.

Great Valley Lockshop helps businesses across Pennsylvania—including Chester, Montgomery, Delaware Counties, and the greater Philadelphia area—upgrade to smarter, safer access systems. From retrofits to full contactless installations, we offer expert consultation and professional service.

Contact us today for a free consultation.

Common Challenges With Contactless Entry and Appropriate Solutions

While contactless entry systems offer significant benefits, businesses may encounter a few challenges during implementation or everyday use. Fortunately, with the right planning and support—like the kind provided by Great Valley Lockshop—these issues can be resolved effectively.

1. Compatibility With Legacy Infrastructure

Challenge: Many buildings still rely on traditional locks, wiring, or older access control panels that may not support modern contactless systems.

Solution: Conduct a professional site audit to evaluate current infrastructure. Great Valley Lockshop can recommend retrofit-friendly solutions or phased upgrades that integrate with existing systems while preparing for full modernization.

2. Connectivity and Power Dependence

Challenge: Cloud-based access control systems and mobile credentials rely on strong network connectivity and stable power sources, which can be vulnerable to outages.

Solution: Invest in battery backups and redundant connectivity options. Working with experienced installers ensures system reliability and fail-safes are in place.

3. User Adoption and Training

Challenge: Employees or tenants may resist change or struggle to adopt mobile-based or biometric entry processes.

Solution: Provide user-friendly onboarding, clear signage, and optional support materials. Great Valley Lockshop can assist with system training to ensure a smooth transition for all users.

4. Mobile Credential Management

Challenge: Managing access via mobile devices requires IT oversight and secure credential distribution—especially for large organizations or multiple locations.

Solution: Use centralized cloud-based platforms that allow administrators to easily grant access, revoke credentials, and monitor usage remotely. We help configure and maintain these systems for maximum efficiency.

5. Privacy and Data Security Concerns

Challenge: Biometric and mobile access data must be stored and processed securely to comply with privacy regulations.

Solution: Choose systems that encrypt data and comply with industry standards (e.g., GDPR, CCPA). Great Valley Lockshop partners with trusted manufacturers to ensure your solution meets both physical and digital security requirements.

6. Cost of Implementation

Challenge: Upgrading to a fully contactless system can be a significant investment, particularly for large or multi-site facilities.

Solution: Consider scalable, modular solutions that allow you to upgrade in phases. Our team helps you prioritize upgrades based on traffic patterns, budget, and security needs.

Modernize Business Security with Contactless Entry Systems from Great Valley Lockshop

Touchless access control is no longer a luxury—it’s a vital upgrade for hygiene, security, and operational efficiency in today’s business environment. As organizations look to eliminate shared touchpoints and future-proof their facilities, contactless entry systems are delivering unmatched benefits across all industries.

At Great Valley Lockshop, we help Pennsylvania businesses transition seamlessly from traditional locks to advanced, contactless entry solutions. Whether you’re retrofitting a single entrance or implementing cloud-based access across multiple locations, our team provides expert consultation, professional installation, and customized solutions tailored to your building and workflow.

Here’s what you should do next:

1. Assess your current entry system – Take inventory of all doors, access points, and existing infrastructure to identify opportunities for contactless upgrades.
2. Prioritize high-traffic and high-risk areas – Focus on main entrances, restrooms, elevators, and shared workspaces to maximize hygiene and access control benefits.
3. Schedule a free consultation with Great Valley Lockshop – We’ll evaluate your space, recommend the best contactless options, and create a phased plan that fits your budget and business goals.

Let’s secure your facility with smarter, safer technology—reach out to Great Valley Lockshop today to start your contactless entry transformation.