Future Of Open Architecture

Openness has proven to be a winning approach in physical security systems. By easing integration and interoperability, open platforms empower businesses to build best-of-breed systems matched to their needs and adapt those systems in the future.

In addition to helping users today, this approach lays the groundwork for innovations in the access control space. The flexibility it provides enables industry leaders to partner and pioneer new solutions. It is a transformative foundation for collaboration, standardization and regulatory compliance.

Unlocking Innovation Through Partnership

As systems for access control, security and automation become increasingly complex and interconnected, the need for collaboration grows. The open future is one of constructive collaboration among industry leaders. Openness allows more systems to interact and create new functionality and simplicity for those who interact with them.

At Mercury, we embrace a collaborative approach, aiming to empower partners to offer advanced products that add value to existing access control systems. Instead of locking the doors, we open the marketplace to increase innovation and speed to market. We believe our customers will choose the ability to stay ahead of operational and security challenges by adopting the latest innovations.

Striving for Standards

Historically, one of the biggest challenges in access control has been the lack of standardized integrations. Each vendor had their proprietary protocols and interfaces, complicating the communication process among products from different manufacturers. While many vendors still prefer to offer proprietary solutions, this approach results in fragmented ecosystems and interoperability issues, hindering innovation and flexibility.

Open architecture is an intentional step away from this dynamic. One way we further the goal of standardization is through our technology partner program, which brings together manufacturers of related solutions. Together, we build standards that enable seamless communication between Mercury Controllers and third-party products.

Standards help everyone. For OEMs, they streamline integration, reducing development costs and time-to-market. Standards create a broader solution marketplace for customers, freeing them to choose the right components to meet specialized needs. For end users, standards drive the adoption of new features like mobile access and integrated authentication across locations and devices.

Simplifying Compliance

With the proliferation of cyber threats and the accompanying regulatory requirements related to network infrastructure and data protection, ensuring compliance with regulations is paramount. This is particularly true in regions like Europe, where stringent regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) impose strict requirements on handling and processing personal data.

These regulations set up minimum security standards for products, placing demands on end-user networks. Access control products must align with regulatory requirements to uphold network security even as they change.

Open architecture provides the flexibility and agility to adapt to changing compliance standards. Mercury Controllers enable end users to make a single investment accommodating changing security requirements and application demands. Despite a variable regulatory landscape, open architecture promotes economical solutions for access control systems that are genuinely sustainable.

Enabling a Seamlessly Secure Workplace

Openness will benefit security in workplaces and other facilities by integrating different services seamlessly. Imagine a scenario where the controller is part of a connected ecosystem that bridges physical and digital security, connecting physical devices and hosts to enable automation, optimization and next-generation user experiences. In this way, open architecture makes access control systems an enabler of critical current and future scenarios such as:

• Universal access control: The access system uses technology to identify individuals and grant access to authorized areas, including parking, buildings, elevators, floors, offices, meeting rooms and shared spaces.
• Flexible workspaces: As companies adapt to the evolving needs of their workforce, shared workspaces with hot desks are becoming increasingly popular. With secure authentication, employees can enjoy a personalized workstation experience, promoting flexibility and productivity.
• Cashless payments: A secure and efficient payment system enables employees to buy in the cafeteria and at vending machines without needing cash or credit cards.
• Secure printing: Printers with advanced security features verify user identities, preventing unauthorized access to confidential information and company resources.
• Automatic time tracking: The access system automatically logs employee work hours when they enter or leave the building, ending the need for manual time tracking.
• Simple sign-in: Employees use a single set of credentials to access the building and company computers, including cloud-based applications 365. This simplified sign-in process enhances security and convenience.

Open standards enable integration of these capabilities based on unified identities, centralized management and updated security — all tailored to each organization’s needs.

A Vision for the Future

Openness and collaboration will shape the future of access control systems. Mercury aims to push the access control industry forward by championing open architecture. Businesses can thrive in an ever-changing security landscape through seamless integration and the flexibility to update systems as needed.

Collaboration adds value for our partner OEMs and those who work with access control systems daily. Through our partner program, standardized integrations accelerate product development and deployment. That means organizations can respond faster to changes in available technology and privacy regulations.

Open architecture ensures that security solutions evolve alongside business needs. With the flexibility to seamlessly integrate fresh solutions into existing access control systems, businesses can confidently support modernized security.

Learn more about how Mercury ensures you have the necessary solutions to secure your facilities today and tomorrow.