0333 900 0101

Access Control System Installation London

An access control system is a security measure that manages and regulates entry to various areas within an organisation. Combining advanced hardware and software, these systems authenticate and authorise individuals using credentials like identification cards, biometric data, or passwords.

Commercial Access Control Installation London

If you’re still relying on physical keys, shared door codes or unmanaged visitor access, you’re carrying unnecessary security risk — and creating admin headaches every time someone joins, leaves or changes roles.

ACCL designs, installs and commissions commercial access control systems across London and the South East. From single‑door upgrades to multi‑site estates, we help you control who can enter which areas (and when), create a reliable audit trail, and integrate access control with CCTV, door entry and intruder alarms where required.

Call 0333 900 0101 or email sales@network-data-cabling.co.uk to discuss your access control installation.

Commercial access control installation is the end‑to‑end process of specifying and fitting the controllers, readers, locks and management software that control entry to doors and zones in your building. A properly designed system lets you grant or revoke access instantly, apply time schedules, and keep an audit trail of entries — often with integration to CCTV, intruder alarms and door entry.

  • Best for: offices, warehouses, schools, healthcare, retail, shared workspaces and any site with restricted areas or high staff/visitor movement.
  • Typical deliverables: door schedule, access groups & permissions model, installed hardware, configured software, testing/commissioning report, admin training and as‑built documentation.
  • Outcome: fewer lost‑key incidents, clearer accountability, simpler onboarding/offboarding, and improved control of sensitive areas.

What a commercial access control system actually does

A commercial access control system replaces (or supplements) traditional keys with managed credentials. Instead of re‑keying locks when a key is lost, you simply disable the credential in software. You can also restrict access to specific doors, floors or zones and apply schedules (e.g., staff access 07:00–19:00, cleaners 19:00–22:00).

Most systems include a combination of door controllers, readers (card/fob/keypad/biometric/mobile), locking hardware, and management software. For larger sites, your system can scale to multiple doors and buildings while keeping central control and reporting.

Upgrade your security with a reliable access control system

Types of commercial access control systems we install

We specify the credential type and door hardware around your risk profile, user experience and compliance requirements. Common options include:

Here’s an overview of the most common types:

  • Access control cards& Fobs

    A proven, cost‑effective option for most commercial sites. Credentials are easy to issue, replace and revoke.

    Easy activation/deactivation: Manage access with the touch of a button.
    Customisable: Cards can be branded, printed with photo IDs, and equipped with credit card chips for transactions at vending machines.

  • Biometric access control

    Fingerprint/face/iris options for higher‑security areas where credential sharing is a concern. Requires careful privacy planning and policy controls.

    High security: Unique biometric data enhances security.
    Convenience: Similar functionality to access control cards after initial setup.

  • Proximity Fobs

    Proximity fobs allow users to open locked doors without presenting them to a reader physically. They provide authorised personnel with access and enable them to exit, all while maintaining an audit trail. Key advantages include:

    Ease of use: Simply carrying the fob grants access.
    Tracking: Records and tracks user movements for security purposes.

  • Pin Codes / Keypad Access

    Useful for low‑risk doors or combined with cards/fobs for two‑factor entry. Also common for plant rooms and back‑of‑house areas.

    Easy to set up: Codes can be individually assigned and changed as needed.

    Personalised: Users can choose their own numbers to prevent codes from being forgotten or copied.

  • Visitor management integration:

    • Temporary access for contractors and visitors, with expiry rules and audit trails. Helpful for reception‑led environments and regulated estates.

Wired vs wireless access control

Some doors are best served by traditional wired controllers (particularly where reliability and integration are critical). Other doors can benefit from wireless locks/handles where cabling is difficult, expensive, or disruptive. ACCL can advise on the right mix based on door construction, power availability, fire safety requirements and your desired management model.

If you’re comparing approaches, see: Wired-vs-wireless-access-control-systems

Cloud-managed vs on‑premises management

Access control can be managed via on‑premises software, cloud platforms, or hybrid models. Cloud-managed systems can simplify multi‑site management and remote administration. On‑premises systems can suit organisations with strict internal control requirements. We’ll help you select an architecture that fits your estate, security policies and IT constraints.
Read more: Knowledge base Access Control

Integration with CCTV, alarms and door entry

Access control becomes far more powerful when it’s part of an integrated security system. ACCL can integrate access control with:

  • CCTV so you can quickly verify events against door logs (who badge‑in/out, when and where).
  • Intruder alarms to set/unset based on authorised entry and schedules.
  • Door entry/intercom systems for controlled visitor access.
  • Security barriers, gates and turnstiles (where appropriate).

Integration design is specific to each site — we’ll recommend the approach that reduces false alarms, improves incident response and keeps reporting consistent.

What to expect from our access control installation process

ACCL projects are designed to minimise disruption while delivering a system your team can confidently operate.

1) Discovery & site survey

We review the doors/zones you want to control, user groups (staff/contractors/visitors), risk areas, and how people move through the site. We also assess door construction, power availability and cabling routes.

2) System design & specification

We define the permissions model, access groups, schedules and integration requirements (CCTV/alarms/door entry). You receive a clear scope and a bill of materials aligned to your estate.

3) Cabling & infrastructure preparation

Where needed, we install the required structured cabling, PoE switching, containment and any supporting network infrastructure to keep the system reliable and secure.

4) Installation & configuration

We install readers, controllers, locks/handles and management software, then configure users, schedules, zones and reporting. We can stage deployments to keep critical areas live.

5) Testing, commissioning & handover

We test every door, failover behaviour, reporting and integrations. You receive admin training, documentation and an “as‑installed” pack.

6) Ongoing support & maintenance

We can provide planned maintenance, upgrades and responsive support to keep your system reliable as your team and estate changes.

What you receive (handover pack)

  • Door schedule and zone map (what’s controlled and how).
  • Admin and operator training for your facilities/security/IT teams.
  • Configuration notes: access groups, schedules, integrations and reporting settings.
  • As‑built documentation and labelling notes where applicable.
  • Commissioning/test results (doors, readers, power and integration checks).
  • Recommendations for maintenance, credential management and future expansion.

Compliance and privacy (UK)

Access control systems create logs of building entry/exit activity. If you use biometrics (fingerprint/face), there are additional privacy and policy considerations. ACCL can support with technical controls and best‑practice configuration, and we recommend you align implementation with your internal policies and data protection guidance.

Helpful resource: gdpr-and-access-control-a-compliance-checklist

What affects the cost of commercial access control?

Pricing is driven by site complexity and the specification required. The most common cost drivers are:

  • Number of doors and readers (single door vs multi‑door/multi‑site).
  • Credential type (cards/fobs vs mobile vs biometrics).
  • Door hardware and locking requirements (maglocks, strikes, handles, panic hardware).
  • Cabling complexity (route difficulty, out‑of‑hours working, listed buildings, etc.).
  • Integration requirements (CCTV, intruder alarm, door entry, fire system release).
  • Management model (cloud subscription vs on‑prem licensing) and reporting needs.
  • Handover requirements (documentation depth, training, SOPs).

For an accurate quote, ACCL will usually start with a short discovery call and (where needed) an on‑site survey.

FAQs

Q: Do you install access control for single doors as well as large sites?

A: Yes. We handle everything from single‑door upgrades (e.g., staff‑only doors) to multi‑door and multi‑site estates with central administration.

Q: Can you upgrade or take over an existing access control system?

A: Often, yes. We can audit the current system, confirm compatibility, and then recommend whether to extend, modernise, or replace components to improve reliability and control.

Q: Do I need network cabling to each door?

A: Many systems use wired controllers and readers that require power and data connectivity. Where cabling is difficult, wireless door hardware can sometimes reduce disruption — we’ll advise after assessing your doors and infrastructure.

Q: Can access control integrate with CCTV and intruder alarms?

A: Yes. Integration can link door events with video, reduce false alarms, and improve investigations by tying access logs to recorded footage.

Q: Is biometric access control GDPR compliant?

A: It can be, but biometric data requires extra care (policies, security controls and a clear lawful basis). We can help with the technical configuration and recommend aligning your rollout with your data protection guidance.

Q: Can you install out of hours to reduce disruption?

A: Yes. Many access control installs are scheduled around business operations, including evenings, weekends or phased deployments.

Q: Do you cover Kent and Surrey as well as London?

A: Yes. London is a core service area and ACCL also supports organisations across Kent, Surrey and nearby areas.

Q: Do you provide ongoing maintenance and support?

A: Yes. We can provide planned maintenance, user/admin support, upgrades and troubleshooting to keep your access control system reliable as your business changes.

Upgrade your security with a reliable access control system

If you need better control of staff and visitor access, faster onboarding/offboarding, and clearer accountability for restricted areas, ACCL can design and install a commercial access control system that fits your estate and policies.

 

What our clients think

  • As the client I can only say thanks and its an amazing piece of work by all involved. Believe me that the work to coordinate this work around other issues was challenging but Wayne and ACCL were great.

    TUI / Scott Ronan

  • We would like to take this opportunity to thank, You, Wayne and the team for such an excellent and professional implementation.

    The organisation was fantastic and the way you worked within the building was great 😊 the business users did not even know what was going on in the building 😊 We would definitely not hesitate to use you guys again.

    Wise Music Group

Upgrade your security with a reliable access control system.

Ensure the safety of your organisation’s personnel and assets. Chat with one of our team about your security needs.