Vodafone piloting emerging access control tech
Vodafone has partnered with HID Global to pilot emerging mobile access solution, enabling employees to physically access the workplace using their smart phones.
The systems use either contactless Near Field Communication or Bluetooth Low Energy. Once installed and activated, the app enables employees to access secure areas of the workplace.
Thirty employees have tested the app at Vodafone’s Viaduct office in Auckland, New Zealand. “Mobile access is an easy and secure way for Vodafone to manage staff access in the workplace, and delivers a new level of convenience for employees,” said Grant Hopkins, Vodafone’s Head of Enterprise. “People are much less likely to forget their mobile phone, and ultimately this reduces the costs around access cards – many of which are lost and can be expensive to replace.
The system can be remotely provisioned for contractors so swipe cards don’t have to be issued and access can be revoked without having to turn in a card.
The trial follows Vodafone’s pre-commercial launch of mobile payments application, SmartPass, earlier this year, enabling customers to make purchases using their smart phone.
