Steps to Upgrade Your Access Reader to be Wallet Ready
It's the talk of the town, the bee’s knees, the cat’s pajamas… you name it — Wallet credentials are here and they are the future of access control. But how do you get ready to make the switch? It all starts with your reader technology. In this guide, we'll walk you through the essential steps to upgrade your readers to support wallet credentials, the challenges you might encounter, and the options available to ease the migration. By the end, you'll know how to assess your current reader setup, explore various upgrade paths (including programs to make the switch more affordable), and understand the benefits of modernizing your access control system. Let’s dig in!
First things first: It all starts at the reader.
The first step in upgrading your solution to incorporate wallet credentials is to evaluate the technology of the reader. The data exchange for a wallet credential and a reader happens through Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. With the requirements of NFC technology in the reader, one of the primary barriers to migrating to wallet credentials is the cost associated with upgrading existing readers to support the NFC technology. Traditional card readers are often incompatible with the new wallet credential systems, necessitating a comprehensive overhaul. This upgrade can be expensive, especially for large organizations with numerous access points. Additionally, the installation or update process can be time-consuming, potentially causing disruptions in daily operations. Organizations must weigh the long-term benefits of enhanced security and convenience against the immediate financial and operational impacts.
The good news is that some devices are field upgradable, but the path to an upgrade can be time-consuming. Typically customers fall into one of four scenarios when upgrading to Wallet. We’ve outline all four scenarios and compiled recommendations on how to make the process to upgrade readers easier below:
- ❌Labor-intensive, Unpredictable and Time Consuming: Take Reader Off, Purchase BLE Backpack, Install Backpack and Upgrade Reader Firmware and Keysets
This is the most complicated option. It involves removing each reader, purchasing and installing a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) backpack, and then upgrading the reader's firmware and keysets. If a reader becomes "bricked" (i.e., non-functional) during this process, it needs to be replaced with a new reader. This method also requires ongoing visits to update the readers as needed. While this approach can enable older readers to support modern wallet credentials, it is costly, complex, and time-consuming.
- 😕Labor-intensive and Unpredictable: Update each device individually via BLE communication.
In this method, an integrator/installer visits each reader to configure and manually upgrade the firmware and keysets. While this approach ensures that each reader is properly updated, it can be labor-intensive and time-consuming, especially for large organizations with many access points. It also requires physical access to each reader, which can disrupt normal operations.
- 🙂Efficient and easy: Utilize OSDP communication to upgrade all reader firmware and keysets.
This approach involves sending an OSDP (Open Supervised Device Protocol) file to all existing readers to update their firmware and keysets. This method can be efficient as it allows for remote updates without the need for physical intervention at each reader location. However, it requires that the existing readers support OSDP and have the capability to receive and apply these updates.
- ✅Simple and Predictable: Replace the Reader with a Wallet-Ready Reader
If the existing reader does not support wallet credentials, the best option is to replace it with a new reader designed for wallet credentials. This option has additional benefits - you receive a device with the latest security technologies and allows your solution to become more modernized.
To facilitate this transition, Wavelynx is offering programs like Accelerate by Wavelynx, which ensures compatibility and reduces the financial burden of upgrading readers, making it a more straightforward and cost-effective solution for everyone involved. Learn more about how you can take advantage of Accelerate for your business.
By carefully considering these approaches, organizations can select the most suitable method for upgrading their readers to support wallet credentials, balancing costs, and operational impacts with the long-term benefits of enhanced security and convenience. We recommend option 3 if you already have an OSDP-enabled reader. For most, option 4 is the best choice.
The time is now. Let's migrate together.
Despite the potential challenges we’ve addressed, the long-term benefits of enhanced security and convenience can make the investment worthwhile. The Wavelynx team is here to remove barriers and assist in the planning, budgeting, and analysis of implementing Wallet which are essential to navigate this transition successfully. We’re here to make modern security accessible for everyone.
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