Do you remember the word problems in math class that always had two trains about to crash into one another? One travels at one speed and the other travels at a different speed and you had to figure out what time the trains were going to crash, which, now that I think about it, seems incredibly morbid, but hey—math.

If you try to keep track of employees who enter and exit your building and you encounter a theft, however, you might feel like you’re stuck in the middle of one of those word problems all over again. Thank goodness there’s a solution to this problem—and it doesn’t involve a brain (or train) explosion: Audit Trails.

We’re asked on a pretty regular basis what access control locks work best for audit trails and it all goes back to exactly what you want the lock to do, because technically, most of the time, audit trails are based on the software, not necessarily the lock or at the door. However, if you just need audit trails that are very basic, you have a couple of options.

The Basics

There are a few standalone electronic locks (Trilogy, E-Plex, iQwik by Marks) that hold audit trails. Doors that use these systems need a code or a badge swipe to gain entry.

Audit trails on these locks give you the basic information of what code was used or which badge was swiped and the time. If you need a higher level of security, these aren’t your best option. Codes can be given out or seen while punched in and badges can be stolen.

For most facilities, these are fine, but those in search for a higher level of security need something more advanced. To read audit trails, a laptop is connected to the lock and the data is downloaded.

More Advanced Audit Trails

There are different levels of tracking with audit trails. The basics only show the code and/or badge used and time, but you can get advanced data, such as the date, the time, the person who entered, and how long they stayed. The possibilities are huge when it comes to the information you want pulled. It all depends on the locking system and software you have.

Some access control systems even offer the option of a REX (request to exit) switch on the inside portion of the door. This only allows patrons to exit through one particular door and their request is noted in the audit trail.

Audit trails are an excellent defense against theft and the use of it can often be enough to help employees walk the straight and narrow. If you’re interested in an access control system with audit trails, we have people here who can answer any questions you might have. Give us a shout!