As smartphone technology developed over the last ten years, applications (apps) became more and more useful. Instead of having to go to a website you can access your account right from an app on your smartphone. As such, more businesses are using apps to offer better access to their services. This is the same with proptech. Property technology has developed nicely along with the internet of things and naturally, these developments have integrated nicely into phone apps.
One of the main questions we see people asking when concerning property technology is whether you can get an app to open electric gates. The answer of course is yes – we provide an app to our customers that provides unbridled connectivity to all electric gates you use in your home, business, or gated community. However, to get this app working with your gate there are a few things you’ll have to do first.
An App To Close Gates: User Study
Phones have become vital to work and life. They provide connectivity to the world around us while also ensuring you can easily speak to friends and family. Because they’re so vital, people want to be able to control other aspects of their life, from their phone. If there’s a remote to open an electric gate, or a key fob, they want it replaced with their phone. Same with a dated four digit answer phone. Instead – they want to be able to use their smartphone.
As 5G develops and gets better, connectivity will only become easier and less of a problem, too. Nowadays, you just open the right app on your phone and tap open and the gate will open. Whether for you, a courier or friends.
Users find this functionality far easier because it’s less to carry and less to remember. It also means you can open the gate while maintaining security when you’re not in your home – you’re not giving any codes out which can be shared further – you’re just opening a gate directly.
What Steps Do You Take To Get An App To Open Electric Gates
Unfortunately, you can’t just download an app and expect it to work on your electric gates. Technology is good, but it isn’t’t quite that good. Not yet anyway. Here are a few steps to take to ensure you can control your electric gates from an app on your phone.
Step 1: Ensure you have electric gates
This is easy. Your gates need to be electric before you can control them with an app. If you don’t have electric gates installed, you’ll need to cross this off your list first. This applies to a gated community, home, or business. The cost for electric gates vary depending on state and
If you’ve already got electric gates but want to upgrade the opening mechanism, then skip this step.
Step 2: Choose Your Cellular Software Provider
The next step is in choosing your provider for an upgrade. There are a multitude of software providers who can upgrade your security so that an app can open your electric gate. However, they come with different reputations. At Nimbio, we pride ourselves on our customer service and have a track record of top level feedback evidenced in our testimonials.
Step 3: Install the hardware
Once you’ve chosen a software provider you’ll need to install the hardware. It can be pretty technical depending on the gate model you have so it’s recommended that you use an approved installer to help you out. However, if you feel like you’re technically versed in electrical wiring you can try it out yourself.
There will need to be an install of hardware so that the app can work. You can’t really skip this part of the process and it can be frustrating if you have to wait for an installer to do it for you. Yet, it’s better to make sure it’s done property and wired up safely than rushing it ruining the gates electrical system.
Step 4: Download the app
This is relatively easy and straightforward. You just navigate to your cellular providers app store (app store for Apple, Playstore for Android, for example) and search for the app you’re looking for.
For example, if you’re looking for Nimbio, you’d search for the Nimbio gate entry system. Then you just download, it shouldn’t take long. Once the app is downloaded, open it and go through the initial set up. Depending on your provider it’ll ask for your name etc.
Step 5: Connect to the hardware
Your app needs to now connect to the installed hardware…basically connecting your app to the gate. To do this, you must ensure that your Bluetooth setting is turned on. Then you need to sync the two up. Providing your app install went well you should be able to find the gate device. For example if you were looking for Nimbio on the installer app, you’d select the system with the strongest signal…something like this:
Step 6: Activate the Hardware
Once the two are connected you just need to activate the hardware. Usually, this means activating the SIM attached to the hardware itself. It’s usually just a push of the button and you’ll be good to go.
Step 7: Name your community
Is this for your business? Your home? A whole community? You need to name your community so others can find it if they need to connect to it. Once this is done, and you’ve inputted the right data regarding your community, you’ll be good to go. At this point you’ll probably set the time zone, location and device programming too.
Step 8: Test it out.
Here comes the fun part. You can test the connection directly on the board.If it opens, you know the device can open your electric gate.
Then you can test it on your smartphone. With a tap of a button on your app you can open and close the gate from wherever you are.
There is a caveat here: different providers offer different services and take payments at varying times during the setup process. If you ever run into problems with getting an app to open electric gates contact your provider and they should do all they can to help you get set up and working.
Now you’re done…you can get an app to open electric gates pretty easily; you just need to get it set up first.
