Access control systems
A gate creates a physical entrance. Access control determines who can use it and how they get through — a remote at a private driveway, individual credentials at an apartment community, or separate methods for employees, contractors and deliveries at a commercial property.
1950
In business since
75+
Years of fence projects
100%
Employee install crews
1 yr
Workmanship warranty
Control who can enter without making access difficult
Modern Fence Company provides vehicle and pedestrian access control systems throughout Fort Smith, Western Arkansas, and Eastern Oklahoma.
Our capabilities include
- Keypad entry
- Cellular keypad options
- Card access
- RFID access
- Telephone entry
- Intercom systems
- Gate operators
- Remote gate access
- Camera integration
- Solar-powered options for suitable entrances
- Access control repair
- Periodic service and maintenance agreements
We also fabricate and install gates, which allows us to consider the physical entrance and access equipment together.
The operator moves the gate. Access control decides when.
A property may have a perfectly functioning automatic gate and still have an access problem — if everyone shares the same code, visitors have no practical way to request entry, or former users cannot easily be removed from the system.
The simplest suitable solution is often better than installing features the property will never use.
A good access-control plan considers
- Who needs regular access
- Who needs occasional access
- How often users change
- Whether visitors need entry
- Whether deliveries occur after hours
- Whether vehicle and pedestrian access should be separate
- How the property is managed
- What happens if equipment needs service
What we install and service
Keypad and card access
Keypads, cellular keypads, card readers and RFID credentials for driveways, employee entrances, service gates and apartment properties.
Telephone entry and intercoms
A way for visitors without permanent credentials to reach someone inside the property before the gate opens.
Gate operators
Swing, slide and cantilever operators selected around the gate type, size, weight, cycles, site conditions and available power.
Access control repair
Keypads, readers, RFID equipment, telephone entry, intercoms, operators and the gate components connected to them.
Maintenance agreements
Planned service for high-use entrances rather than waiting for the system to stop operating.
Camera integration
Selected projects may be coordinated with CCTV equipment, depending on the existing cameras, communications setup and project scope.
Residential, commercial and multi-user properties
Residential
For private driveways, estates, rural homes, farms, ranches and shared private entrances. A homeowner may only need remote controls or keypad access; larger estates benefit from more options when contractors, household employees, maintenance providers or frequent guests need entry.
Access technology works best when it supports everyday routines rather than creating extra steps that encourage people to leave the gate open. Our automatic gates can be planned with access control from the beginning.
Commercial
One entrance may serve employees, managers, vendors, contractors, delivery drivers, customers and maintenance personnel.
A shared keypad may work for a smaller property. A property with frequent employee changes may benefit from individual cards or RFID credentials. Access control can be used with commercial and industrial gates — planned around actual operating hours and traffic rather than simply adding a device beside the gate.
Apartment and multi-user
Residents need convenient daily entry, management needs to add or remove credentials as occupancy changes, visitors need a way to request access, and maintenance personnel may have different requirements. A property may combine resident credentials, keypad access, telephone entry, intercom communication, pedestrian access and automatic vehicle gates.
When everyone uses the same gate code, controlling access becomes difficult as residents, contractors, or employees change.
Codes, credentials or a conversation
Keypad entry
Practical for residential driveways, small businesses, employee entrances, service gates, apartment properties, contractor access and selected pedestrian gates.
The value of a keypad depends partly on how the codes are managed. If one code is shared with a large number of people, it may continue circulating after someone should no longer have access. Cellular keypad options may also be available. See our keypad and card access systems.
Card and RFID access
More control when a property has many regular users — credentials assigned to individuals instead of one shared code. Useful for apartment communities, warehouses, industrial facilities, offices, employee parking, storage facilities and municipal properties.
Individual credentials make it easier to manage changes when an employee leaves, a resident moves, or a contractor no longer needs access.
Telephone entry
Helps properties manage visitors who do not have permanent credentials — apartment communities, gated residential properties, commercial facilities, office properties, storage facilities and controlled parking areas.
The equipment should be located where a visitor can use it without stopping in the path of the moving gate. If several visitors may arrive at once, the entrance should provide enough room so waiting vehicles do not block the roadway.
Intercom systems
Another method for communication between the entrance and someone inside the property. The entrance layout should consider:
- Where visitors stop
- Whether they remain in the vehicle
- The distance from the device to the gate
- Traffic behind the visitor
- Pedestrian access
- Weather exposure
- Property operations
Where the device goes is part of the design
The gate operator moves the physical gate after the access-control system sends the request. The operator is selected around gate type, size, weight, expected frequency of use, site conditions and available power; the access equipment is selected around who needs entry and how those users are managed.
Vehicle access planning
- Vehicle size
- Driver position
- Driveway width
- Approach angle
- Gate setback
- Roadway traffic
- Trailer use
- Vehicle stacking
A keypad may work well for passenger vehicles but be difficult for a driver pulling a wide trailer if the approach is poorly designed. The device location should be planned as part of the entrance rather than added after everything else is installed.
Pedestrian access control
A separate pedestrian gate is a more practical route than asking people to walk through an automatic vehicle entrance — at apartment communities, offices, industrial facilities, schools, municipal properties and commercial buildings. The walkway and gate should be positioned where people naturally approach the property.
Fix the gate first, then add the technology
Access control can sometimes be added to an existing automatic gate. The gate itself should move correctly and remain properly aligned, the operator should be suitable, and there must be an appropriate location for new devices.
An upgrade may be less practical when
- The gate is dragging or sagging
- The operator is already unreliable
- Support posts are moving
- The entrance is poorly positioned
- Vehicle access is difficult
- Existing equipment is incompatible with the desired system
Device, operator or the gate itself?
A malfunction may involve keypads, card readers, RFID equipment, telephone entry, intercom equipment, gate operators or connected gate components.
We first determine whether the problem appears to involve the access device, the operator, or the physical gate. Replacing an electronic component will not correct a gate that is dragging or mechanically out of alignment.
Automatic gate and access-control systems contain moving and electronic components that need periodic service — especially at apartment communities, commercial sites, industrial facilities and storage properties.
Our access control process
1
Understand who needs access
We identify the regular users, occasional visitors, deliveries, contractors, and management requirements.
2
Evaluate the entrance
We review the physical gate, operator, driveway or walkway, available equipment locations, and property layout.
3
Select the entry method
Keypad, card, RFID, telephone, intercom, remote, cellular, or other supported options.
4
Coordinate gate and operator
For new entrances, the physical gate and operator are planned along with the access system.
5
Prepare the proposal
The proposal identifies the major equipment and installation included in the project.
6
Install the approved system
The approved access equipment is installed and coordinated with the gate system.
7
Review operation
We review the installed equipment according to the project scope and provide applicable operating or maintenance information.
A gate that will not open may have an access-control issue, an operator issue, a mechanical gate problem, or a combination of those conditions.
Access control across
Western Arkansas & Eastern Oklahoma
We install and service access-control systems throughout the region. Residential, commercial, industrial, apartment, municipal, and government properties all have different access requirements, so each entrance is evaluated individually.
Controlled entrances, operators and entry devices
Visit our project gallery for automatic entrances, access-controlled gates and completed fence and gate projects. You can also read customer reviews.
What is a gate access-control system?
It is the equipment used to determine how an authorized user requests entry through an automatic vehicle or pedestrian gate.
What access-control options do you install?
Available options may include keypads, card access, RFID, cellular entry, telephone entry, intercom systems, remote access, and camera integration.
Can access control be added to an existing automatic gate?
Possibly. We first evaluate the gate, operator, equipment compatibility, and available installation locations.
Is a keypad enough for a commercial property?
It may be for a smaller property with limited users. Larger or frequently changing user groups may benefit from individually managed credentials.
Can apartment residents have individual credentials?
Selected card or RFID systems may support individual user credentials depending on the equipment chosen.
Do you install visitor entry systems?
Yes. Telephone entry and intercom systems may be used for qualifying residential and commercial properties.
Do you install access control for pedestrians?
Yes. Selected pedestrian gates can use keypads, cards, RFID credentials, intercoms, or other compatible equipment.
Can access control work with cameras?
Selected systems may be coordinated with CCTV camera equipment depending on compatibility and project scope.
Can a gate access system use solar power?
Solar-powered options may be available for suitable properties. Power requirements, sunlight, gate use, and equipment must be evaluated.
Do you repair access-control systems?
Yes. We service qualifying access-control, automatic gate, and related entry equipment.
Do you offer maintenance agreements?
Yes. Periodic service agreements are available for qualifying access-control systems.
Do you provide free estimates?
Yes. Contact us with the property location, gate information, number and type of users, and the access methods you are considering.
The best system is not the one with the most features
It is the one that gives the right people convenient access while making the entrance practical for the property owner or manager to control. We will evaluate the entrance and help identify a system appropriate for the property’s actual needs.
Tell us
- Where the property is located
- Whether the entrance is residential or commercial
- Whether an automatic gate already exists
- Who needs regular access
- Whether users change frequently
- How visitors should request entry
- Whether pedestrian access is needed
- Whether keypad, card, RFID, telephone, or intercom access is preferred
- Whether camera integration is being considered
- Whether conventional power is available
- Whether the property is interested in ongoing maintenance