Managing access control for multiple sites or tenants can be complex and inconvenient. ProdataKey (PDK) offers a powerful solution to streamline this process: the partitions feature. Partitions allow integrators and administrators to divide a PDK access control system into smaller, manageable sections, making it easy to delegate permissions and elevate security. In this article, we explore how partitions can simplify multi-site management.
What Are Partitions?
Partitions with PDK give users a way to segment one access control system into smaller, distinct systems within a single platform. This feature simplifies management for multi-site or multi-tenant applications, allowing specific users to manage only their assigned partitions. For example, a company with offices in Scottsdale, San Francisco, and New York City can create a partition for each location. Each office manager can control their assigned doors and users, while an overall admin can still have visibility and control over the system as a whole.
1. Multi-Site Management
With PDK’s multi-site ready feature, partitions become invaluable. Instead of juggling multiple customer accounts for each location, everything is centralized into one centralized database. This unification simplifies management across various sites. For example, an enterprise business, government municipality, or school district can oversee all locations, while individual site managers can handle their own access management.
“It really makes multi-site, enterprise-style management so much simpler and easier. Headquarters can maintain oversight but doesn’t have to manage every single user. It can go ahead and delegate management to each location,”
Brach Bengtzen, VP of Marketing at PDK
Site administrators are assigned to their own partitions where they can manage their own doors and users without being able to view other sites.
2. Multi-Tenant Management
Not only are partitions beneficial for multi-site access management but also for multi-tenant properties where different organizations share the same building but are broken out into different suites. Each tenant can have its own partition that they can manage independently from the others. Each organization or business has the power to issue and revoke credentials, create specific user groups, set schedules, and run reports without having to contact the overseeing property manager.
“They can speed up that process of removing or adding a new user, if there’s a new employee. They can go ahead and manage their own businesses as they see fit,” says Bengtzen. Using partitions helps property managers not be overwhelmed with access control management while giving each tenant the ability to handle their own security independently.
3. Enhanced Security
By defining management roles for specific areas, partitions reduce the potential for errors and improve overall security. Each partition manager can customize the rules for their own site, including users, doors, and schedules, but they are unable to make changes to any other suite or location.
“It removes that space for error because now there’s one less point of failure. No one has to reach out to a property manager to make sure something gets done,” explains Bengzten. For example, in a multi-tenant environment, if there is ever a misplaced keycard credential, that system admin can go ahead and disable it themselves. That level of immediacy can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
4. Centralized Platform
While partitions allow customers to delegate management, the overall system remains centralized under one unified interface. Having the different locations or suites centralized into one platform means administrators can oversee all partitions without needing to log into multiple accounts or systems. “Having everything under one customer account simplifies everything because you don’t have to go and log into multiple different Cloud Nodes or locations to manage everything,” says Bengtzen. Users who need access to multiple sites can be managed easily from the ProdataKey mobile app or PDK.io web interface. For example, a school district employee who needs access to multiple schools can be added to both partitions with no problem.
5. Scalable Solution
Creating and managing partitions is very straightforward and can be adapted to fit the needs of any organization. Admins can easily create partitions and assign managers to each, ensuring that the right people have the appropriate level of control. Whether managing a few locations or expanding to dozens of sites, partitions allow systems to scale with your organization’s growth. Additionally, each partition can be customized with specific doors, users, and permissions tailored to the unique needs of each site or department.
Partitions within ProdataKey access control systems offer a seamless, efficient solution for managing multiple sites or tenants. By delegating management, customizing permissions, and improving security, partitions are the simplest way to manage access across different locations or within a multi-tenant property. If you aren’t already using partitions, be sure to try them out and discover the new power to streamline your security management.
