• Secure Your Property from Anywhere with American Alarms in Des Moines, Iowa

When it comes to integrating access control with other systems, American Alarms can do more and still keep it cybersecure.

  • Remote User Management (Secure from anywhere)

  • Camera  System Management (from access dashboard)

  • 24 Hour Emergency Service

  • Mobile Electronic Key (No fobs needed)

  • Full Business Integration (HR Software, POS, Visitor Access Software, and more)

   Proudly representing Brivo access control systems.

Frequently Asked Questions - Electronic Access Control

Q: What is access control?

A: This is a way to use electronic credentials to open a door, gate, overhead door, locker/cabinet, safe, or anything with a door/opening.  This allows easy re-keying and management of how people can get into your building, parking, specific rooms, or even a locked cabinet with high-value or restricted materials.

Q: My gym gave me a keychain thing. Is that my key?

A: Most fitness centers, especially if they are open 24 hours, use electronic access control to manage member entry.

Q: Is a fob the only type of key that works on these systems?

A:  No, there are a number of ways to open doors/gates on your system.  A fob is one way.  We can also use ID cards (badges), e-keys that you can store in your mobile device, and biometrics like fingerprint or facial readers.  Systems can also be set up to require multiple credentials (like fob + PIN) for high security areas.

Q: If I have an older access control and I want some updates, how does that work?

A:  Our systems, like our video surveillance, many times only require the head-end equipment to be updated.  Other systems may require more parts to be updated to ensure compatibility. 

Q: I have a visitor management system and time clock software, can that be integrated?

A:  Our systems have many pre-built software integrations, since they have been doing this for longer than anyone.  Give us a few details and we'll check to make sure this integration is already built before you make a decision.

Q: Can video cameras be integrated into this system?

A:  Our systems integrate seamlessly with our video surveillance systems.  They also work with a number of other video systems, we'd just need some specifics to know for sure.

Q: My building has a parking ramp underground. Is that something that can be accessed this way?

A:  We have provided electronic access control on a number of parking ramps.  We can use standard readers and fobs, long-range readers with windshield tags, or even read the license plate with a camera and allow access that way.

Q: I'm an apartment manager and I have residents constantly moving in and out of my buildings. Would this type of system help me do my job?

A:  Apartment managers are one of our most frequent clients.  Electronic key management saves lots of trips to the property (almost always on a weekend) and also allows revoking/removing a key with a click of a button.  Any high-turnover property is a great candidate for electronic access control.

Q: Do your e-keys work with Apple and Android mobile devices?

A:  Yes.  All of our personal credentials and the management app have an Android and Apple version.