Fully managed cloud access control

ACaaS, or Access Control as a Service, is a fully managed Cloud-based solution that allows businesses to control access to doors, facilities, and secure areas from a central platform. Unlike traditional on-premise systems, ACaaS removes the need for local servers or complicated IT infrastructure. Typically, only keypads and card readers are required. It provides real-time monitoring, user management, and reporting across single or multiple sites, making access control simpler, more scalable, and more secure.

Cloud access control systems host all software and data in a secure Cloud environment, rather than on local servers. Users can manage doors, assign permissions, and monitor access remotely through any approved device with internet access. Migration and ongoing maintenance of your system is handled by our team as part of the managed service, ensuring minimal downtime and disruption.

The cost of your hosted access control varies depending on the product you choose, the number of doors and sites, plus connectivity to site. The base price for most ACaaS is around £250.

Cloud access control removes the need for local servers, allows remote monitoring and management, and scales easily across multiple sites. Traditional systems often require IT support, on-site hardware, complex updates, and dedicated backup strategies to protect data. With ACaaS, businesses benefit from a fully managed service, automatic software updates, and centralised control from any approved device.

Key features include multi-site support, role-based user permissions, remote monitoring and administration, integration with other security systems, scalability, and GDPR-compliant data storage. ACaaS from Alert Data includes all these features and offers the added benefit of a fully managed service, giving businesses peace of mind.

Alert Data ACaaS is a fully managed Cloud‑hosted access control service. We host, maintain, monitor and support your access control platform (such as TDSI GARDiS 2) in a secure, GDPR‑compliant UK environment. You still benefit from the same proven access control technology, but without the need to manage servers, updates, backups, or infrastructure yourself.

Going directly to a vendor typically means purchasing their on‑premise software and hardware, and you are responsible for installation, server hosting, software updates, backups and ongoing management (often via your internal IT team or a third‑party integrator).

The key differences:

• Managed service vs. self‑managed: Alert Data handles hosting, updates, monitoring and support; with a vendor alone, you manage these elements yourself.
• Cloud flexibility: ACaaS lets you access your system from anywhere via the web and scale across multiple sites easily, whereas a straight on‑premise deployment is more tied to local infrastructure.
• Lower IT overhead: ACaaS removes the need for on‑site servers and reduces the burden on IT staff; a direct TDSI deployment requires infrastructure and maintenance.
• Integrated support: With Alert Data, you get a single point of contact for support, service updates, and proactive health monitoring — not just the software vendor.

In short, using Alert Data ACaaS gives you the same powerful access control technology with Cloud convenience, lower operational burden, and fully managed support, whereas going “straight to” a vendor means taking on the hosting/maintenance responsibilities yourself.

Yes. One of the main benefits of ACaaS with Alert Data is its flexibility. Existing supported on-premise access control systems, whether single-site or multi-site, can be migrated to the Cloud without replacing your current hardware. This means you can retain card readers, keypads, and door controllers while upgrading to a fully managed Cloud platform. Migration is handled by our team to ensure minimal downtime and disruption.

Alert Data ACaaS supports a wide range of access control platforms, giving you flexibility to choose which access control system is best for your UK business. Compatible access control platforms include TDSI GARDiS 2, Avigilon ACM, Maxxess, Paxton, TDSI, PAC, and Sateon. Whether you have a single site or a complex multi-site deployment, our solution provides centralised control, monitoring, and reporting across all supported hardware.

Absolutely. Security and compliance are at the heart of ACaaS with Alert Data. Your data is hosted in a UK-based, GDPR-compliant Cloud environment with enterprise-grade encryption, automatic updates, and regular backups. User access is controlled via roles and permissions, ensuring that staff can only access what they are authorised to. By removing on-site servers, ACaaS also reduces physical security risks and simplifies audits and compliance reporting.

Yes. Our hosted access control enables full visibility across multiple locations from a single platform. Whether you operate two sites or 200, you can monitor door activity, manage users, and generate reports in real time. The platform’s web-based interface means you can check access events, update permissions, and respond to alarms from any approved device, giving your security and facilities teams a consistent, centralised view of all sites.

Adding new users, permissions, or points of entry is simple and intuitive with ACaaS. Administrators can create new roles, assign access rights, and add doors or readers to the system without on-site visits or technical upgrades. The Cloud-hosted architecture ensures that updates propagate instantly across all connected sites, meaning your access control grows seamlessly as your organisation expands.

No. ACaaS is designed to eliminate the need for bulky on-site servers and reduce infrastructure overhead. Only essential edge devices, like card readers, keypads, or door controllers, are installed at your site. The software, user data, and access logs are all hosted in our UK-based Cloud, reducing maintenance, lowering IT costs, and enabling remote management from any approved device.

Yes. ACaaS can seamlessly integrate with additional security systems such as CCTV, alarms, and intrusion detection. This allows businesses to create a unified security ecosystem where access events can trigger video recording or alarms, providing a proactive approach to site security. Integration is designed for minimal disruption, ensuring that new systems can connect without affecting day-to-day operations.

Alert Data is TDSi’s hosting partner of choice for their GARDiS Pro access control platform, which is the replacement for Exgarde. Hosting with us means you benefit from professional setup, continuous monitoring, automatic updates, and 24/7 support. You can scale the system across multiple sites, add new doors or users without downtime, and maintain compliance with GDPR. By leveraging our Cloud hosting, organisations can remove the complexity of managing servers while ensuring their access control remains reliable, secure, and future-proof.