ASSA ABLOY’s new eCLIQ™ electronic locking system combines reliable protection and maximum flexibility to offer users a high security, easy to retrofit solution for existing buildings. This advanced system is equipped with a unique pioneering microchip and 128-bit AES encryption, ensuring quick and secure communication between the lock and the electronic key, delivering exceptional security.

The eCLIQ™ system is based on standard cylinders and padlocks which allow for easy conversion of existing locks to fully electronic and auditable access control systems, enabling security managers to update access authorisations and quickly revoke keys. Time and money spent on changing cylinders and re-cutting keys are also eliminated.

The eCLIQ™ system is useful for businesses like retailers that experience high staff turnover as owners or managers can revoke access permissions when a staff member leaves, ensuring continued security. The system also offers time or area-restricted authorisations for an eCLIQ™ key. For example, contractors like IT technicians could be given access rights for the duration of a specific job. Once the job is completed, access is withdrawn from the eCLIQ™ key.

Other applications include 24 hour fuel stations or technical support environments where members of staff come and go at various times of the day or where delivery drivers are granted time-limited access.

Furthermore, the eCLIQ™ system includes a switch cylinder which makes it suitable for installation onto high value assets such as forklifts, cranes, or electrical plant. The operation of these machines can be controlled through the eCLIQ™ system ensuring that only qualified operators use them and to keep an audit trail of when the machines were used. With specialist cylinders for ATM’s and other applications, every business process from access to equipment use can be easily managed.

Hayley Elwen, Business Development Director: Africa for ASSA ABLOY, says: "Our eCLIQ™ technology has already proven itself by securing buildings all over the world. eCLIQ™ is the next step for this technology, delivering a fully-electronic locking solution. For any organisation needing a powerful locking system, eCLIQ™ provides a secure, flexible solution, with minimum fuss.”       

She adds, "The eCLIQ™ cylinders and keys meet the latest European regulatory standards for electronic locking systems, and work in environments from manufacturing businesses to hospitals, education to government and high security installations. The system has a tremendous range of cylinder and padlock options from office doors and cold storage areas to external gates and even potentially explosive areas. There is also a varied range of compatible padlocks available, designed for all weather conditions.”

The eCLIQ™ cylinders work hassle-free in temperature extremes ranging from -25°C to 85°C and in extremely harsh desert-type conditions. The durable, reversible electronic key is also waterproof to the IP67 standard, ensuring users can rely on eCLIQ™ whatever the weather.

Another key benefit is that thanks to its integrated lubrication reservoir, an eCLIQ™ cylinder can remain maintenance-free for up to 200,000 operational cycles, contributing to reduced time and costs spent on replacement cylinders. And finally, installation is a simple process, with no need for wiring, which makes for a great solution across multiple sites or campuses.

Elwen points out that the use of eCLIQ™ keys and cylinders is nearly the same as the use of a normal mechanical keying system. “The only difference is the sound and visual signals given to the key holder when an eCLIQ™ key is inserted in an eCLIQ™ cylinder.

The electronics in the key and cylinder take only 0.1 seconds to communicate before the key can be turned, so it’s an almost instant turn and unlock operation, just like turning a standard key.”

Cylinder electronics are powered by an easy-to-replace standard battery inside every eCLIQ™ key, with a lifetime of 30,000 cycles, making eCLIQ™ a durable solution, which is easy to install and even easier to use.