Alfred Product Spotlight

Alfred DB2S Smart Lock

This month, we are featuring the DB2S smart lock from Alfred for our product spotlight. Alfred Locks is a new company that was founded in 2018 and is based in New York and Ontario, Canada. Though they are relatively new to the scene, they have managed to bring the Bently of smart locks to market. However, they don’t have as much social reach as other companies in the industry, like Allegion, as their social media following is currently limited to hundreds, not tens of thousands. If you take a look at the smart lock industry, you would be hard-pressed to find any automatic deadbolt that has all the bells and whistles of Alfred’s DB2S.

Hardware

The Alfred Smart Door Locks are designed to replace traditional deadbolts. Inside the box, you will find the interior and exterior parts of the smart lock, the WB2 Wi-Fi bridge, and the deadbolt. Strike and reinforcement plates are also included, along with a screw and battery pack. Additionally, the package contains two RFID cards, two physical keys, a reset tool, and a USB-C charging cable.

The DB2S is powered by a lithium-ion battery that operates for 8 to 12 months on a single charge. The lock will alert the user when the battery is low, but just in case you forget to recharge the battery and it runs out when you need to get into your home, there is an emergency charging port located on the underside of the lock that can connect with any USB-C cord.

Pairing the DB2S

The kit includes a quick start guide, an install guide, and a programming guide. For successful installation and setup, it is important to follow the instructions in these guides carefully. The Alfred DB2S uses Bluetooth to pair the lock to the app. To activate the lock, place your palm over the keypad. Then, the lock will be displayed inside the app. After successful pairing, you can rename the lock. Finally, try locking and unlocking the door with your smartphone. Please note that this process happens through Bluetooth, not Wi-Fi.

To get remote access via the app, you need to connect to the Alfred Connect V2. This is the smart lock Wi-Fi integration system that connects to the lock via Bluetooth and then connects itself to the Wi-Fi network. Although this is an interesting process, it is surprising to see that the DB2S still requires the Connect V2. Most Wi-Fi smart locks do not require a separate hub, so it would be reasonable to assume that Wi-Fi would be built into the lock itself.

It’s important to note that to control the Alfred DB2-B smart lock with your smart home hub, you’ll need to purchase a Z-wave module for $29. Additionally, if you wish to use the WIFI capabilities, you’ll need to spend an additional $59 on a wifi bridge connection. This extra charge can be a real turnoff for a door lock that already costs $299. This is something to keep in mind before you buy.

Features

The Alfred DB2S smart lock offers four different ways to lock or unlock your door, including a pin code, RFID card, key override, and the Alfred Home App on your mobile device. You can also add the Alfred Connect V2 Wi-Fi system (sold separately) to control your lock remotely via the Alfred Home App and voice control through Hey Google and Alexa.

Additionally, the DB2S includes an auto re-lock feature with four different time settings (30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, and 3 minutes) to help you avoid forgetting to lock your door. The lock also comes with door position sensors that let you know if your door is physically open and prevent the auto-locking feature from engaging if the door isn’t fully closed.

The DB2S features a built-in low battery warning on both the touchscreen and the Alfred Home App, which will alert you when the battery levels are low. If your battery pack fails, you can still power the lock via a USB-C port on the bottom of the outside panel for emergency access.

The lock is easy to install by replacing your existing deadbolt, and the free BILT app provides step-by-step instructions through a set of digital install videos. The DB2S is also protected by 128-bit encryption for advanced security and temperature tested from minus 30 degrees Celsius to plus 60 degrees Celsius for peace of mind wherever you live.

The Alfred DB2S smart lock provides voice prompts in five different languages, including English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Mandarin. You can also use the one-touch entry unlock feature with your phone in your pocket or purse by simply touching the keypad to unlock the door when you arrive home (Alfred Home app required).

Pros

  • Stores up to 250 pin codes
  • Sleek Design
  • Stores up to 250 RFID Cards
  • Can also be opened with a physical key
  • High-end build quality
  • Voice features are an added touch
  • Ideal for short-term rental applications 

Cons

  • Z-Wave features are an added cost of $29
  • Wi-Fi bridge costs an additional $59 
  • Online reviews state trouble with Z-Wave pairing
  • The app is rather basic for what to expect with a high-end smart lock
  • Previous model DB2-B had trouble working in colder conditions 
  • Online reviews indicate possible Wi-Fi instability

Alocity Product Spotlight

Alocity Access Control Platform

We are thrilled to showcase Alocity and its access control platform. Alocity is a new player in the industry, having been founded in 2020 and is currently based in Florida. As expected of a new company, Alocity has a limited social media presence and hardware reviews. However, Alocity has already started gaining attention and has won a few awards, including the Best New Product for its Access control platform at this year’s ISC West. In this blog, we will explore the features of Alocity’s platform, the access credentials they offer, and the pros and cons of their solution.

Platform Features

Alocity is a cloud-based solution that provides access control and AI video intercom services, enabling you to manage, monitor, and control doors from anywhere and anytime. Alocity’s hybrid cloud cameras have onboard processing capabilities that analyze footage at the edge, making them durable and versatile. 

Alocity’s access control software is cloud-based, allowing you to manage facility access from anywhere with an internet connection. The software is loaded with features and includes a live video intercom, making it simple to monitor and control doors in real time.

Features to remember

  • Cloud-based access control software with live video intercom
  • Hybrid cloud cameras with onboard processing, and use reduced bandwidth
  • AI video analytics 

Access Credentials Offered By Alocity

Alocity offers a range of secure and convenient access credentials that cater to various user preferences and needs. These credentials include mobile credentials that enable users to gain access using their smartphones, key fobs that provide quick and easy access without the need for physical keys, smart cards that offer a secure and contactless way of accessing buildings and facilities, and facial recognition technology that allows for seamless and fast identity verification. With these access credentials, Alocity ensures that users can access their desired locations conveniently and securely.

Why you should use alocity

Alocity is an innovative cloud-based access control and AI video intercom platform that enables you to manage, monitor, and control your doors from anywhere, at any time. With Alocity, you can choose from a diverse range of access credentials, including mobile credentials, key fobs, and smart cards, to ensure maximum security. Alocity’s hybrid cloud cameras are equipped with onboard processing technology that allows them to analyze footage at the edge, making them versatile and durable. Moreover, Alocity’s AI video analytics can detect and alert you to potential security threats, providing an extra layer of protection. One of the best things about Alocity is its ease of installation and setup, which means you can start using it right away without any hassle.

What to watch out for

It is worth noting that the availability of online reviews for this particular product is quite limited, making it rather challenging to gauge the quality of the service provided. Moreover, given that the product is relatively new to the market, there is a dearth of testimonials and reviews. As such, it can be difficult to ascertain whether the product is truly effective or not. 

The lack of online reviews for Alocity’s platform made it rather difficult to gauge the quality of its hardware, the backend service it provides, and whether the overall platform works well together.  Moreover,  Alocity’s platform appears to be missing valuable real-world case studies that showcase its functionality and potential benefits. Despite efforts to locate such case studies, they seem to be nonexistent, leaving potential users with little information about the platform’s practical applications.

Summary

In its current form, Alocity is an intriguing new access control platform that has a good chance of competing with some of the larger industry players, although that’s a few years down the line. At the very least winning ISC West’s Best New Product, it signals that their access control platform is unique. However, in its current form, Alocity’s platform is kind of a mystery. Limited customer feedback and a lack of case studies make it a difficult product line to recommend today. But in a few years, it may be the product our customers are asking for.