Quick Answer
Incedo is a flexible access control platform from Assa Abloy (the Abloy parent company) designed for commercial properties that need scalable, integrated security. It connects access control, intruder alarms, CCTV, and building management into one platform. For businesses in Northern Ireland with multiple doors, shifts, or integration requirements, Incedo provides enterprise-grade security without the enterprise complexity.
Modern businesses need more than a lock and key. They need to know who accessed which door, when, and often need to integrate access control with other systems like alarms and CCTV.
Incedo is Assa Abloy’s answer to this need — a unified security management platform that scales from small offices to multi-site enterprises.
What Is Incedo?
Incedo is a connected access control ecosystem. It combines:
- Online access control — Locks and readers connected to a central controller
- Management software — Browser-based dashboard for managing users, doors, and access rights
- Integration capabilities — Connect with alarms, CCTV, and building management systems
- Scalability — Add doors and sites as your business grows
Key Incedo Components
Incedo Control Panel
The brain of the system. It connects to your network and manages communication between doors, users, and the management software. Supports from 4 to hundreds of doors.
Incedo Readers
Wall-mounted card/fob readers installed at doors. They communicate with the control panel and grant or deny access based on programmed credentials.
Supported credentials include:
– Proximity cards/fobs (MIFARE, DESFire)
– Biometrics (fingerprint, facial recognition — available on higher-spec readers)
– Mobile credentials (BLE, NFC from smartphone)
Incedo Locking Hardware
Electromechanical locks that the system controls. This includes:
– Electric strikes
– Magnetic locks
– Motorised lock cylinders
– Abloy Smart Air cylinders (for smaller sites or retrofit)
Why Businesses Choose Incedo
1. Centralised Management
Manage all doors and users from one dashboard. Perfect for:
– Multi-site businesses
– Properties with many users
– Businesses with complex access requirements (different areas, different times)
2. Real-Time Monitoring
See the status of every door in real-time. Know instantly:
– Which doors are open or closed
– Who accessed which door last
– Any access denied events
3. Integration
Incedo connects with:
– Intruder alarms — Auto-disarm when valid card presented
– CCTV — Trigger recording when access events occur
– Building management — Link access to HVAC, lighting
– Time and attendance — Track staff hours via access logs
4. Scalability
Start with what you need and expand:
– Add doors without rewiring (using wireless or networked locks)
– Add sites with cloud-based management
– Upgrade readers without replacing the entire system
Incedo for Different NI Business Types
Offices
Control access to floors, server rooms, and meeting rooms. Integrate with CCTV to see who’s at the door before letting them in.
Retail
Manage staff access to stockrooms, offices, and tills. Restrict after-hours access to authorised personnel only.
Schools and Education
Control classroom access, staff areas, and sports facilities. Different access rights for teachers, admin, and students.
Healthcare
Restrict access to drug storage, patient records, and treatment rooms. Full audit trail for compliance requirements.
Manufacturing and Industrial
Manage access to production areas, warehouses, and offices. Time and attendance tracking for payroll.
Installation Considerations
Wired vs Wireless
For most commercial installations, we recommend wired access control for reliability and security. Wired connections between controllers and readers are not susceptible to interference or signal dropout.
For sites where running cables is impractical, we use:
– Incedo wireless locks — Where running wires isn’t possible
– Ubiquiti wireless bridges — For connecting remote buildings or gates where a dedicated point-to-point link is needed
CCTV Always Wired
For CCTV cameras specifically, we always recommend wired (PoE) cameras. The reliability and image quality of wired cameras is significantly better than wireless cameras for security applications. If cable runs are impossible, Ubiquiti wireless bridges create the backbone connectivity.
Managing Incedo
Administration
The management interface is browser-based, meaning you access it from any computer or tablet with an internet connection. No software installation required.
Administrators can:
– Add and remove users
– Assign and modify access rights
– Set time schedules (e.g., Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
– Generate access reports
– Receive real-time alerts
User Experience
Staff and visitors present their card/fob at the reader. If their credential is valid for that door at that time, access is granted. No keys to lose, no codes to remember.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many doors can Incedo support?
A: The system scales from small 4-door systems to thousands of doors across multiple sites. Your configuration depends on your requirements.
Q: What happens if the network goes down?
A: Incedo controllers have onboard memory. They continue operating and logging events even if disconnected from the cloud. When connectivity is restored, all events are synced.
Q: Can I use my existing cards/fobs?
A: Probably. Incedo supports standard MIFARE and DESFire credentials. If your organisation uses these (common in office access cards), we can usually migrate them to Incedo.
Q: How does Incedo compare to Smart Air?
A: Smart Air is designed for smaller sites (typically under 20 doors) and operates more independently. Incedo is enterprise-grade, designed for larger deployments with centralised management and deeper integration capabilities.
Q: Can Incedo generate reports for compliance?
A: Yes. The system logs every access event. You can generate reports by door, by user, by time period, or by event type. Useful for GDPR compliance, health and safety audits, and investigating incidents.
Summary
Incedo provides:
– Scalable access control — From small offices to multi-site enterprises
– Centralised management — One dashboard for all doors and users
– Integration — Connect alarms, CCTV, and building management
– Audit trail — Know who accessed what and when
– Flexibility — Add doors and sites as needed
For NI businesses that need professional-grade access control without enterprise complexity, Incedo is an excellent choice.
Ready to See If Incedo Is Right for Your Business?
Advanced Overwatch designs and installs Incedo access control systems across Northern Ireland. We provide free site surveys to assess your doors, users, and requirements.
Contact us for a free survey — we’ll recommend the right access control solution for your specific needs.
