Picture this: A group of people are partying at the community pool. They’re loud and breaking all the rules…Drinking from glass containers, leaving trash around. No one seems to know who they are, or who they’re visiting. How did they get in? Turns out they know the gate code…Turns out pretty much everyone knows the gate code. How can you stop this?
Traditional alarm keypad systems have served gated communities for decades, but they come with a serious flaw: shared codes. When every vendor, guest, and resident uses the same PIN code to enter, you’ve essentially left the front door unlocked. That “1234” code your community has been using since 2015? It’s probably floating around in text messages and scratched into the top of the callbox!
Communities are discovering there’s a smarter approach to keypad access that doesn’t sacrifice convenience for security.
The Problem with Traditional Keypad Access
Standard security system keypads operate on a simple premise: punch in the right code, and the gate opens. But this simplicity creates real problems for community management and home security.
Shared codes spread fast. A contractor shares the gate code with a subcontractor. A resident gives it to a housecleaner who later changes employers. Before long, dozens of people have access to your community with zero accountability.
Changing codes is a hassle. When you finally decide to update that worn-out master code, you have to notify every resident, update all your vendors, and still deal with confused visitors trying the old code for weeks.Â
No Accountability. With shared codes you have no idea who entered the community and how often. Why was the landscaper at the pool at 8PM on Friday? What’s to stop him?
No real access control. A traditional wired keypad can’t distinguish between a plumber arriving for a scheduled appointment and someone punching in a code they shouldn’t have. The gate opens either way.
How Smart Keypads Change the Game
Tap2Open’s Smart Keypad flips the entire concept of keypad access on its head. Instead of one code shared by everyone, each guest receives a unique, temporary PIN code tied to a specific invitation.
Here’s how it works: When a resident invites a guest, the system generates a random code just for that person. The resident can send this code via text or email along with their invitation. When the guest arrives, they enter their code at the keypad and they’re in.
Each code is unique. No more shared master codes bouncing around the neighborhood. Every user who enters through your gate has their own trackable PIN.
Codes follow your rules. Set up the housekeeper to have access every Tuesday and Thursday from 8am to 2pm? Her code only works during those windows. Send a one-time code for a furniture delivery? It expires after use.
Revoke access instantly. Fire a contractor or cancel a service? Kill their code in seconds from your phone or computer. No more wondering if they still have a way in.
Who Uses Smart Keypad Access?
Smart keypads solve a specific challenge: what happens when someone needs to enter your community but doesn’t have a smartphone, or when smartphone access isn’t practical?
Guests without smartphones. Visiting grandparents who still use flip phones can receive a PIN code via text or a phone call and enter it at the keypad. No app download required.
Vendors with rotating staff. Pool companies, landscapers, and cleaning services often send different workers each week. Each worker can receive their own trackable PIN tied to the company’s invitation.
Delivery drivers. Include a keypad code in your delivery instructions, and your packages can arrive even when you’re not home. The code in the mobile app instructions gives the driver what they need.
Residents who prefer codes. Some residents simply prefer entering a code over using their phone. A resident without a smartphone can create a longer-term invitation with a memorized code while keeping guest codes limited to shorter durations.
Security Features That Actually Matter
The Smart Keypad delivers meaningful security improvements over traditional systems.
Longer codes = harder to guess. Communities set their own code length. While old systems typically limit you to four digits, Tap2Open can generate codes of five, six, or more digits. Think smart passwords instead of “1234.”
Patent-protected random generation. Tap2Open holds a patent on their method for creating random codes. These aren’t sequential numbers or predictable patterns. It makes it very difficult to guess a valid code.
Complete activity logs. Every entry is recorded and tied to a specific invitation. Community managers and residents can see exactly who came through, when, and through which entrance. Access is fully trackable, giving you peace of mind that you know who’s entering your community.
Instant revocation. Unlike traditional systems where “changing the locks” means programming new codes into physical hardware, Tap2Open lets administrators cut off access immediately through a web browser or mobile app.
Smart Keypad Options
Tap2Open offers several keypad configurations to match your community’s needs:
Regular Keypad: A traditional button-style option that also includes FOB/keycard functionality. Simple and reliable.
Ruggedized Keypad: Built for harsh conditions. If your gate sees extreme weather or heavy use, this device holds up.
Both options integrate directly with the Tap2Open platform, so codes sync automatically and access logs update in real time.
Works with Your Existing System
Here’s something communities often don’t realize: you don’t have to rip out your existing access control setup to add smart keypad functionality.
Tap2Open works as an add-on to existing security systems. Residents can keep using their current remotes, barcodes, or RFID tags while gaining smart keypad access for guests and vendors. Installation integrates with your existing gate hardware, so there’s no major construction project required.
The Smart Keypad also works alongside other Tap2Open systems, including smartphone-based access, license plate cameras, and SmartGuard for communities with security personnel. Everything syncs through a single cloud-based control panel.
Tap2Open Invitations offer the Fastest Guest Access
Tap2Open’s smart keypads add security in ways standard keypads can’t. But for guests, the quickest access method is Tap2Open’s Invitation System. Residents invite a guest via text or email. When the guest arrives, they simply click on the link, and the gate opens! No need to use a keypad or callbox! The keypad is used only in situations where the guest cannot use a smartphone for entry.Â
Real Scenarios Where Smart Keypads Shine
Short-term rentals. Running an Airbnb in a gated community? Generate a unique code for each guest’s stay that automatically expires at checkout.
Service appointments. When the pest control company needs access while you’re at work, send them a code that works only on their scheduled service day.
Move-in/move-out. New residents can receive temporary access codes before their permanent credentials are set up. Departing residents lose access automatically when their codes expire.
Upgrade Your Community’s Access Control
Traditional keypads served their purpose, but communities today need more than a shared code can provide. Smart keypads offer the accountability, flexibility, and security features that modern access control demands, without forcing residents or guests to download apps or deal with complicated setups.
Tap2Open offers a complete suite of smart devices for access solutions, including Smart Keypads, smartphone-based entry, and integration with existing hardware. Their cloud-based platform gives property managers visibility and control over every entrance point.
Ready to eliminate shared codes and bring real accountability to your community’s access? Contact Tap2Open at 561-740-OPEN (6736) or email sales@tap2open.com to schedule a consultation. Learn more at about.tap2open.com.