UniFi Access Complete Review

In this video, we do a comprehensive deep dive into the UniFi Access door control system from Ubiquiti, Inc. UniFi Access is a new product designed to retrofit existing access control solutions - but how does it stack up?

Products featured in this video (Amazon affiliate):

Timecodes:
00:00 Intro / What is UniFi Access?
00:42 UniFi Access prerequisites
02:10 UniFi Access components
06:10 Pricing
07:45 UniFi Access test setup
10:49 UniFi Access dashboard
15:58 Types of NFC cards
16:50 Elements tab
22:58 Users tab
26:15 Policies tab
30:14 Visitors tab
33:55 Access logs tab
35:20 Settings
36:29 Access Reader Pro local interface
39:10 Trying to break UniFi Access
43:38 Access control considerations and security
51:32 Final thoughts and likes/dislikes
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[hellatyteman]

One important thing to consider for installing the request to exit sensor (motion sensor to unlock door from the inside) is the potential for bad actors to try and get into the door by banging on it and then someone walks up to it and immediately have it unlock. We installed Brivo in our Houston location and the parking lot has some bad activity sometimes and the installers wanted to put these sensors in place which we declined. We simply have the door handles/pushbars work from the inside only which allows people to exit freely. We just can't track when they leave which is the trade off.

[doorSi]

51:01 Exit buttons and motion sensors can be wired in-line to the power of the mag lock to work as a kill switch independently of the hub. There also exit buttons with electronic timers or pneumatic timers that can facilitate different scenarios where the distance from the button to the door is further away. With that said, all devices can still fail, even physical exit devices such as panic bars. It’s a matter of maintenance from there.

[bricktop]

Thanks for this. Went with this system recently for our smaller size business and it worked out nicely. The detailed look at all the components sold the boss on it.

[Nicoleise]

The key cards should not be automatically removed (placed in available pool) when a visitor or other access expires, as you suggest at around 33 min. The reason is that the visitor could still have the card, and you'd like information on who had card 100007 when it wasn't handed in. Or it could be a recurring visitor who gets to keep a card permanently but has to call in for scheduling attendance to have the card active for the required period.

Automatic actions like those you suggest can be really useful, but they can also quickly become a real nuisance. :)

[webluke]

I installed a group of these in an office last year when they were beta. The software seems to have been updated a lot and includes a few of the things I suggested. They still don't include or sell a standard 1 gang US electrical plate that lets you mount the scanners. We found that many people wanted an NFC sticker that they would put on their phone case (I had one and it was great, but NFC on the phone sometimes clicked in so depends on where you put the sticker). If the app comes out and works great with both Android and iPhone that would be great. I also still want them to have a wifi reader that is used for setting up users so the manager or HR person could log in and add users from their desk. On the install side of things, we ran home runs to the server room, and had to screw DIN rail to the wall for the controllers, but if you got an enclosure to put above the door in the drop ceiling that may work better so you don't have to run more than one drop back to a BT POE switch.

[dizquier]

in regards to ToF.. I know most higher-end smartphones use a time-of-flight sensor for creating fake blur by figuring out what is in the foreground vs background. I wonder if ToF stands for time of flight, that would allow the camera to not allow pictures of people to be used because it needs to recognize the face as a 3d object.. Just my thought.

[AndrewMcJannettSmith]

You can have the exit button and the movement sensor wired in together if you are using a normally cpen circuit on both devices, that way either one will allow the circuit to open when either are activated.

[Cleofizoid]

Your security consultant comments are spot on. Mag locks are inherently Fail-Safe. Door locks, by code cannot be battery backed up. All electronic door locks must be subordinate to the fire alarm. So, mag locks should only be installed on appropriate doors that during a power outage or fire alarm it doesn't compromise the access control/security plan. Alternate means of egress has to be provided in case your normal evac route is blocked by fire. Door strikes are inherently free egress and they can be set up fail-safe or fail-secure. So its important that access control be designed and installed by a licensed professional, planned checked and permitted by the Authority Having Jurisdiction and inspected/tested by the AHJ before going operational with the system. Otherwise, a "man trap" is a possibility, or the building perimeter doors or secure areas could be left un-secure in the event of a fire emergency/power loss, or worse, somebody killed due to a poor design.

[dereksantomo]

Can the bell on the pro reader be setup to ring phones on a generic SIP connection to a phone system? If so can you press a selected number key to buzz open the door or gate?

[tomschulte]

Hi Chris! As usual a great help when it comes to Ubiquiti gear!
About "Turning Off NFC" at the UA Pro:
When you turn of the NFC you can still use it as an video interactive door bell. That is supposed to be a feature with the upcoming Unifi Talk. It makes your phone ring, shows an image from the integrated camera and you can grant access via the phone.
From a security perspective there is no need to have NFC enabled, when you use a key. Then it's great to check whether ist is OK to grant access for a friend or expected guest or better be at the door yourself.

Anyway - best regards from Munich

[cpanic]

I can’t find anything about the upcoming Unifi ID app. Anyone have a link?

[EsotericArctos]

I could see that you could have a Motion Detector and button at the same time. A Motion Detector just is a dry contact inside, so it works as a switch. You can just put the Motion Detector switched connection in series with the push switch so no matter which one activates it will release the door. I haven't checked the Unifi specific motion detector though so not sure if it works that way or on some proprietary system, but a generic motion detector like one used in an alarm system could work that way.

[omargarcia]

Hello, 2 forms of door release are needed for mag locks. REX or push button for the automation side and an emergency door release (push button or mortise key switch) for other then fire emergencies interrupting power of the mag lock.

[SteveTonar]

ToF stands for "Time of Flight" for a Time-Of-Flight Camera system

[zachcrews]

Access Control installer here, and Unifi installer. I would love to implement something like this in my company. Prices are not as high as other manufacturers (Galaxy, Paxton, etc.) and most of all our access control users have unifi anyway. The only downside I see is the requirement of the UDM Pro, not a stand-alone server install. We generally install USG's and add them as additional sites.

[crossfirebass]

I would like to use this unit to open my front gate that is 300 feet from my house and log entries. I also plan on installing a G4 Pro over the same gate. Can I install this unit inside my home and connect the keypad/camera via wifi bridge? Or would all of this equipment need to be installed at the gate and connected to the UDM Pro via bridge?

[jeremymyers]

Any plans to do a video on Unifi Talk? I would be interested in it to deploy as a home phone setup.

[yentung]

for the 28:30 holiday issue. You can create multiple policies and schedules to complete the same goal.

[chrislai]

They have a doorbell, would that work with this system and the door can be remotely unlocked for a guest during locked hour?

[szabi]

Nice review! I’m wondering if it is possible to use the system with multiple access reader pro’s but a single access hub? The reason for this would be to be able to open a “common” door in an multi apartment zone where someone would like to ring a specific apartment only.