Residential care homes often find a major renovation is the ideal time to upgrade or replace an outdated access system, whether based on mechanical keys or an obsolete wired technology.

Like so many organizations operating in France’s closely regulated EHPAD sector, the Résidence Sainte Anne chose a SMARTair wireless access control system. The residence site spreads over multiple buildings. Some are more than a century old; others date from the 1980s and 1990s.

During a full overhaul of the premises in 2017, it was decided to seek a replacement for an old, card-based and wired access control system. Facility managers chose a combination of SMARTair Wireless Online and Update On Card management to provide a flexible solution for delivering resident care.

Now Sainte Anne staff control and monitor access to ensure the security of 67 residents, as well as 42 employees, 12 regular independent contractors and numerous external maintenance workers. Important doors including staff and technical areas, as well as sensitive rooms such as the infirmary, are protected with 30 wireless escutcheons or wall readers. A terminal at the main entrance is equipped with both RFID reader and keypad to add an extra layer of security at such a critical access point. Using the intuitive software, staff have scheduled it to stay open between 6am and 11pm, with valid credential and/or PIN needed at other times. For easy monitoring and control in real time, critical doors on the ground and lower-ground floors are managed by the fast Pro Wireless Online system. The SMARTair admin software makes system operation straightforward for facilities staff, also for remote door opening from a computer, tablet or a smartphone.

“The system helps us to be sure our residents are safely on the premises,” says Olivier Debruyne at Résidence Sainte Anne. “It is an effective and affordable solution.” Other doors at the site run via the system's Update On Card management. Installation was fast and affordable because SMARTair devices are wireless and battery-operated. System operation is very cost-efficient, thanks to the devices’ minimal power consumption and long maintenance schedules.