Choosing the Right Lock Integration with Acre Access Control
.webp)
When every door has a different role to play, your access control shouldn’t force a one-size-fits-all solution.
That’s why Acre Access Control (AAC) offers seamless integration with two of the industry's most trusted wireless and IP lock families - Allegion ENGAGE™ AD/NDE and ASSA ABLOY IN120/IN220 - giving security teams the flexibility to match lock architecture to the infrastructure, site type, and scale of each deployment.
Whether you're expanding a legacy system, retrofitting a remote site, or planning an enterprise-wide IP rollout, AAC supports the path that fits your environment today and grows with you tomorrow.
Allegion ENGAGE™ AD and NDE Wireless Locks
Acre Access Control connects with Allegion’s ENGAGE™ AD and NDE series locks via two flexible paths, allowing organizations to tailor their deployment based on infrastructure and budget.
RS-485 via Mercury Controllers (RSI Protocol)
- Locks communicate through the ENGAGE™ Communication Device to Mercury controllers
- Real-time access decisions are made at the controller
- Leverages existing RS-485 cabling and Mercury PACS
- Best for: Enterprise environments with standardized mercury hardware
Direct IP via ENGAGE Gateway
- Locks connect to the ENGAGE Gateway and communicate with AAC via a modern API
- No RS-485 wiring required
- Fast, cost-effective installs
- Best for: Remote sites, smaller facilities, or retrofit projects
Shared features include:
- Real-time access decisions
- Support for mobile and card credentials
- Centralized event logging (unlocks, forced entries, low battery alerts)
- Native integration into AAC’s cloud-native platform
ASSA ABLOY IN120/IN220 IP Locks
For organizations ready to go fully IP-native, AAC integrates directly with ASSA ABLOY IN120 (Wi-Fi) and IN220 (PoE) locks via the Door Service Router (DSR) - eliminating the need for additional controllers or panel-based hardware.
This network-native architecture extends access control across buildings, campuses, and distributed locations using existing IT infrastructure, while maintaining the enterprise-level control security teams expect.
Intelligence at the Door
ASSA ABLOY IP locks are designed to operate with intelligence at the edge.
Access permissions, schedules, and credentials are provisioned from Acre using the Lock Configuration Tool (LCT) and stored locally at the lock through the DSR. Each lock maintains up to 10,000 users and 10,000 event records — enabling fast response times and continued operation even if the network connection isinterrupted.
The result is reliability at the door, with full visibility back through the AAC platform.
Built to Scale
The Door Service Router is designed for enterprise environments. A single DSR can support up to 2,048 locks, with multiple DSRs deployed to support larger installations. This flexibility allows organizations to segment deployments by building, department, or region while maintaining centralized oversight in AAC.
Designed for Modern Facilities
ASSA ABLOY IN Series locks are available in multiple configurations — including mortise, bored, and exit device formats — making them well suited for:
- Education campuses
- Healthcare facilities
- Commercial real estate
- Government and municipal sites
From dormitories and classrooms to IT closets and patient care areas, the integration enables secure access control across a wide range of door types and operational needs.
Supporting the Path Forward
For organizations currently using DNA Fusion or Access It!, the ASSA ABLOY IP lock integration also supports continuity during migrations to AAC. Existing ASSA ABLOY IP lock investments continue operating while organizations transition, helping security teams modernize without disruption to day-to-day operations.
Quick Comparison
A side-by-side look at how each integration path stacks up:
Choosing Your Path Forward
No matter your starting point, both integrations make it easier to expand secure access across more doors - without increasing complexity. Whether it’s a large university with existing panels or a modern facility adopting IP-native architecture, Acre makes it simple to scale your security intelligently.
Because securing your spaces shouldn't mean slowing your progress.
Have questions about which integration path is right for your environment?
Our team is here to help you build a system that fits today - and evolves for tomorrow.
Related Posts
