Brand profile · Cloud access control · Mobile credentials

Brivo cloud access control & mobile credentials

Brivo is a U.S.-based pioneer of cloud-native physical access control. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Brivo focuses on delivering access control and video that live in the cloud instead of in on-prem legacy panels and servers.

Today Brivo is widely used in commercial real estate, multifamily properties and distributed enterprises that need to manage many buildings from one place. On Chicago North Shore we choose Brivo when a project needs mobile credentials, cloud dashboards and easy multi-site management without giving up reliability at the door.

Quick facts about Brivo

  • Founded: 1999, USA
  • Headquarters: Bethesda, Maryland, USA
  • Main platforms: Brivo Access cloud platform, Brivo mobile credentials, smart locks and video integrations
  • Focus: cloud-based access control, mobile-first credentials and portfolio-wide security analytics

Where we use Brivo

  • Office buildings and corporate campuses that need centralised, cloud-managed access control.
  • Multifamily and HOA communities that want mobile access and simple visitor management for residents.
  • Distributed portfolios – retail chains, satellite offices and storage facilities – managed from one dashboard.
  • Sites that are ready to migrate away from legacy panels and on-prem servers to a modern cloud platform.
  • Projects where access events should be tied to video from cameras for better incident review.

Why property managers & IT teams choose Brivo (10 reasons)

  1. Born in the cloud. Brivo was one of the first access control vendors to build its platform natively for the cloud, which shows in how smooth the management experience feels compared to “cloud-washed” legacy systems.
  2. Single dashboard for many buildings. One login can manage doors, schedules and users across dozens or hundreds of sites, ideal for portfolios that span multiple properties.
  3. Mobile credentials residents actually use. Brivo’s mobile passes make phones and watches into badges, which residents and staff are less likely to forget than plastic cards.
  4. Flexible credential types. Support for cards, fobs, mobile passes and PINs makes it easier to mix residents, staff and contractors in one system.
  5. Open hardware and integrations. Brivo can work with a wide range of readers, wireless locks and video platforms, including traditional Wiegand devices and modern OSDP / IP readers.
  6. Strong security & uptime. Professionally hosted infrastructure, encrypted communications and redundant data centres remove the burden of maintaining on-prem servers.
  7. Rich event history and reporting. Searchable logs and dashboards help answer “who opened this door?” and provide compliance reporting for audits.
  8. API & ecosystem. Open APIs and many ready-made integrations make it easier to connect Brivo to tenant apps, visitor systems and building platforms.
  9. Good fit for hybrid work. Cloud access control lets managers handle doors, users and schedules from anywhere instead of sitting in a basement security office.
  10. Predictable SaaS model. Licensing and updates follow a software-as-a-service approach, which most modern property and IT teams already know how to budget and manage.

Brivo products we like to deploy

Brivo’s platform includes cloud software, door controllers, readers and mobile credentials. Below are some of the models and categories that work especially well in Chicago North Shore buildings:

Brivo Access cloud platform

Brivo Access is the cloud control centre where users, doors, schedules and sites are managed. It provides real-time monitoring, alerts, reporting and a clean web interface that works just as well for a single building as for a multi-state portfolio.

Brivo mobile credentials

Mobile credentials let residents and staff unlock doors with their smartphones or watches, often replacing or supplementing classic cards and fobs. For multifamily properties this can reduce re-carding costs and make move-ins and move-outs simpler.

Brivo ACS300 door controllers

The Brivo ACS300 is a flexible multi-door controller that connects doors to the Brivo cloud. It is well-suited to small and midsize buildings that need a modern controller with clean wiring, easy expansion and reliable offline decision making at the panel.

Brivo ACS6000 enterprise controllers

For larger sites and campuses we look at the Brivo ACS6000 family. These controllers support more doors, advanced I/O and larger card databases, making them a strong fit for commercial buildings and complex multifamily properties.

Brivo readers & keypads

Readers such as the Brivo Single-Gang Reader B-BSSF-B support modern credential technologies in a compact footprint. We match each entrance with the right combination of reader, keypad and housing to balance security, aesthetics and weather resistance.

Video & third-party integrations

Brivo’s cloud platform integrates with video systems so that access events can be reviewed together with camera footage. This is particularly useful for loading docks, garage entrances and high-value areas where video verification matters.

In our equipment catalog we highlight Brivo controllers and readers that fit security and budget requirements for Chicago North Shore properties, and we can recommend alternatives if a device is discontinued.

How we use Brivo in Chicago North Shore projects

Brivo is almost always part of a wider security design that also includes cameras, intercoms and networking. A typical deployment pattern looks like this:

  • Brivo controllers as the central decision makers for doors, gates and elevators.
  • A mix of mobile, card and fob credentials for residents, staff and vendors.
  • Tight integration with the building’s access control layout, including stair cores, amenity spaces and garages.
  • Network segments and PoE from Ubiquiti or other switching platforms to keep access traffic isolated and reliable.
  • Optional integration with video intercoms and camera systems so that door events can be seen together with video.

This approach gives property managers and boards a clear view of who has access where, with cloud dashboards for day-to-day work and simple reporting for audits or incidents.

Experienced Brivo installers on Chicago North Shore

Our team follows Brivo documentation, partner training materials and community best practices for designing and maintaining cloud access control. We have hands-on experience with:

  • Upgrading legacy panel systems to Brivo controllers in occupied buildings
  • Migrating existing cardholder databases and card formats where possible to simplify transitions
  • Combining Brivo with existing hardware – readers, strikes and maglocks – when full replacement is not realistic
  • Designing new Brivo installations for multifamily, HOA and mixed-use properties across Chicago North Shore

If you already have Brivo installed, we can audit the configuration, fix chronic issues and take over ongoing support. If you are comparing platforms, we can also show where Brivo is the right fit – and where another access control system may be better.

Brivo & 7DVR.com – common questions

Do you only install Brivo for access control?

No. Brivo is one of the main platforms we use, but we also work with other access control brands. We design every system around the building’s goals, budget and existing hardware, then choose the platform that fits best.

Can you migrate our existing system to Brivo?

In many cases yes. We can replace legacy panels with Brivo controllers, reuse compatible readers and cabling, and plan a staged migration of users and credentials so the building stays operational during the changeover.

Are Brivo mobile credentials secure?

Brivo mobile credentials use encrypted communication between the phone and the access control system. When deployed correctly with good policies they are at least as secure as physical cards and often more convenient for residents and staff.

Can Brivo work with our existing readers and locks?

Often yes. Brivo supports standard wiring methods and credential technologies, so we can frequently keep existing strikes, maglocks and some reader types while replacing the controller and software stack behind them.

Do you provide free estimates for Brivo projects?

Yes. We offer free estimates for new projects and 50% off the first service visit for new service clients when we are called to diagnose an existing system in our service area.

Can you integrate Brivo with cameras or tenant apps?

We can design systems where Brivo events are linked to video from your camera platform and, where available, integrated with tenant portals or apps for a smoother resident experience. The exact options depend on the other systems in use at your property.