How much does a commercial access control system cost?

It depends on how many doors you’re securing, the readers and locks each door needs, and whether you choose cloud or on-site software. We price every project after a free site assessment and send a written quote with options, so you can compare before you commit.

Can access control work with our existing doors and locks?

Usually, yes. Most doors can take a reader and an electric strike or magnetic lock without being replaced. During the site assessment we check each opening and tell you which hardware can stay and what, if anything, needs to change.

Can employees use their phones instead of key cards?

Yes. Mobile credentials let staff unlock doors with an app on their phone, and you can issue or revoke them remotely. Many buildings use phones and cards side by side, so you don’t have to switch everyone at once.

What happens to the doors if the power goes out?

Controllers and locks are typically backed by batteries, so the system keeps working through most short outages. Each door is also set to fail safe or fail secure. Fail-safe locks release without power, which is common on exit paths. Fail-secure locks stay locked, which suits storage and server rooms.

Does access control integrate with security cameras?

Yes. We connect door events to your video system, so you can pull up the clip for any badge swipe, forced door, or denied entry. Access control can also work with intrusion alarms, turnstiles, and HR databases.

Can I manage the system from my phone?

Yes. You can add or remove cardholders, change door schedules, lock or unlock doors, and review activity from the iOS and Android apps or a web browser, wherever you are. Changes take effect right away, so a lost badge or a schedule change never has to wait until you are back in the office.

Does access control meet fire and life safety codes?

It has to, and we design it that way. Doors on an exit path must always let people out, and many systems tie into the fire alarm so locks release during an alarm. We have NICET certified technicians, Imperial is an NFPA member, and we plan every installation around your local code.

Should we choose cloud or on-site access control software?

Cloud software runs in a browser or app, updates itself, and works well when you have more than one location. On-site software keeps the system on your own server and network. We install both and will recommend one based on your sites and your IT requirements.

How long does an access control installation take?

It depends on the number of doors and how much new wiring is needed. Smaller projects can be finished quickly, and larger buildings are installed in phases so you can stay open. You’ll get a schedule with your quote.

Where does Imperial install access control systems?

We work with businesses across the Chicago area and throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Florida from our locations in Elgin, Chicago, Milwaukee, Fort Wayne, and Sarasota. Mention your address when you request a quote and we’ll confirm coverage.

Access Control Systems

Decide who gets in, where, and when. We install card, fob, and mobile access control for offices, schools, warehouses, and multi-site businesses, and you manage every door from your phone.

Get a Free Quote Call (847) 375-0300

Free on-site assessment · Licensed in IL, MI, and FL

Vehicle gate with a pedestal card reader at a commercial delivery entrance

20+

Years Securing Businesses

10,000+

Systems Installed

2,600+

Documented Apprehensions

24/7

Live Monitoring

Trusted technology partners & certifications

Digital Watchdog video surveillance partner

What is a commercial access control system?

A commercial access control system replaces keys with credentials you can grant, schedule, and revoke. Each door gets a reader and an electronic lock, and a controller decides in real time whether a card, fob, phone, or code is allowed through.

Every attempt is logged with the person, the door, and the time, so you can see who came in after hours or tried a door they shouldn't. When someone leaves the company or loses a badge, you turn off their access in seconds instead of rekeying the building.

Credentials

Key cards, fobs, mobile phones, PIN keypads, and biometric readers

Management

Web dashboard plus iOS and Android apps for doors, schedules, and cardholders

Scale

Unlimited door licensing, from a single entrance to multiple buildings

Reporting

Custom activity and exception reports, plus system health alerts

Integrations

Video surveillance, intrusion alarms, turnstiles, and HR databases

What our access control systems do

Every system is designed around your doors, your people, and how your building is used day to day.

Credentials for every door

Cards and fobs for staff, mobile credentials for people who always have their phone, and keypads or biometric readers where a door needs a second factor.

Mobile access

Schedules and permissions

Unlock the lobby during business hours, keep the server room limited to IT, and give contractors access only on the days they're scheduled.

Remote management

Add a new hire, lock a door, or check who badged in last night from the iOS or Android app or a web browser.

Activity and exception reports

Get reports on denied attempts, doors forced or held open, and after-hours entries, sent to the people who need to see them.

Video tied to every event

Link each door event to the camera that covers it, so you can watch the clip instead of guessing what happened.

Security cameras

Alarms, turnstiles, and HR

Connect intrusion alarms, light and sound alerts, turnstiles, and your HR database so access changes when employment does.

Turnstiles

Person holding a key fob to an access control reader on a glass entrance door with an Imperial Surveillance decal

Move off keys without replacing your doors

Most doors can take a reader and an electric strike or magnetic lock without being replaced. We check each opening during the site assessment, then add readers and locks to the doors you already have and connect them to the systems already in your building.

Electric strikes and maglocks for existing doors
Card, fob, mobile, keypad, or biometric readers
Works alongside your cameras and alarms
Lock and unlock schedules for each door

Ask About Your Building

Keys vs. access control

Keys work until one goes missing. Here's how they compare with cards, fobs, and mobile credentials.

Traditional keys compared with an electronic access control system
What matters	Electronic access control	Traditional keys
Lost or stolen	Turn off the credential in seconds	Rekey the lock and cut new keys
Who came in	Every entry logged by person, door, and time	No record
Schedules	Doors lock and unlock on a schedule	Locked and unlocked by hand
Copying	Modern encrypted cards and mobile credentials are hard to clone	Keys can be copied at a hardware store
Visitors and contractors	Temporary access with an end date	Hand out keys and collect them later
Remote control	Lock or unlock doors from your phone	Someone has to be there

Access control by industry

The doors that matter most are different in every building. These are a few of the places we secure.

K-12 Schools

Control entrances during the school day and limit who reaches classrooms and offices.

Healthcare & Hospitals

Restrict pharmacies, records rooms, and staff-only areas.

Corporate Offices

Badge access for employees, with schedules for visitors and contractors.

Property Management

Manage tenants, amenities, and entrances across your buildings.

Data Centers

Layer cards, PINs, and biometrics on server rooms and cages.

Industrial & Manufacturing

Control production floors, tool cribs, and loading docks.

Banking & Finance

Keep public areas separate from vaults, cash rooms, and offices.

Cannabis & CBD

Log every entry to grow rooms, vaults, and storage areas.

How it works

Site Assessment

We walk your building with you, count the doors, and check the existing locks, wiring, and network.

System Design

We recommend readers, locks, and software for each door and send a written quote with options.

Installation

Our technicians install the hardware, program your doors, schedules, and cardholders, and test every opening.

Training & Support

We show your team how to run the system and stay available for service and changes.

Schedule Your Assessment

Frequently asked questions

Have a question that isn't answered here? Call (847) 375-0300 or request a free quote.

How much does a commercial access control system cost?
It depends on how many doors you’re securing, the readers and locks each door needs, and whether you choose cloud or on-site software. We price every project after a free site assessment and send a written quote with options, so you can compare before you commit.
Can access control work with our existing doors and locks?
Usually, yes. Most doors can take a reader and an electric strike or magnetic lock without being replaced. During the site assessment we check each opening and tell you which hardware can stay and what, if anything, needs to change.
Can employees use their phones instead of key cards?
Yes. Mobile credentials let staff unlock doors with an app on their phone, and you can issue or revoke them remotely. Many buildings use phones and cards side by side, so you don’t have to switch everyone at once.
What happens to the doors if the power goes out?
Controllers and locks are typically backed by batteries, so the system keeps working through most short outages. Each door is also set to fail safe or fail secure. Fail-safe locks release without power, which is common on exit paths. Fail-secure locks stay locked, which suits storage and server rooms.
Does access control integrate with security cameras?
Yes. We connect door events to your video system, so you can pull up the clip for any badge swipe, forced door, or denied entry. Access control can also work with intrusion alarms, turnstiles, and HR databases.
Can I manage the system from my phone?
Yes. You can add or remove cardholders, change door schedules, lock or unlock doors, and review activity from the iOS and Android apps or a web browser, wherever you are. Changes take effect right away, so a lost badge or a schedule change never has to wait until you are back in the office.
Does access control meet fire and life safety codes?
It has to, and we design it that way. Doors on an exit path must always let people out, and many systems tie into the fire alarm so locks release during an alarm. We have NICET certified technicians, Imperial is an NFPA member, and we plan every installation around your local code.
Should we choose cloud or on-site access control software?
Cloud software runs in a browser or app, updates itself, and works well when you have more than one location. On-site software keeps the system on your own server and network. We install both and will recommend one based on your sites and your IT requirements.
How long does an access control installation take?
It depends on the number of doors and how much new wiring is needed. Smaller projects can be finished quickly, and larger buildings are installed in phases so you can stay open. You’ll get a schedule with your quote.
Where does Imperial install access control systems?
We work with businesses across the Chicago area and throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Florida from our locations in Elgin, Chicago, Milwaukee, Fort Wayne, and Sarasota. Mention your address when you request a quote and we’ll confirm coverage.

Get a free quote

Tell us about your building and the doors you want to secure. A local specialist will follow up to schedule your site assessment and put together pricing.

Free on-site assessment
Cloud or on-site software
Licensed and insured in IL, MI, and FL

Prefer to talk it through? Call (847) 375-0300.

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If you are interested in securing your facility, upgrading your current system, or requesting a quote for a new installation, please complete the form below. A member of our team will contact you to confirm your consultation and discuss your specific security requirements. Imperial Surveillance is a licensed security integrator serving commercial, industrial, and multi-site clients across the region. Please select your preferred date and time, and one of our sales consultants will reach out to you to confirm your consultation.

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