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Frequently Asked Questions
Gate Sentry & Sentry Solo
Get quick answers about setup, features, compatibility, and support for our access control and visitor management software, which eliminates hardware like callboxes, keypads, and fob readers.
Feature Glossary
14 terms
Products
Gate SentryStaffed entrances
Visitor management software for staffed gates and lobbies. Guards check in guests and vendors on a tablet, scan SentryPass, and look up arrivals.
Sentry SoloUnmanned entrances
Access control software for unmanned gates, doors, elevators, and amenities. Every Sentry Solo property includes SoloPass, VirtualKey, VirtualKeypad, and Intercom.
Lobby Check InCommercial lobbies
Check-in for commercial lobbies and front desks, part of Gate Sentry or Sentry Solo. Visitors register by text and check in on a computer or tablet.
Resident access
VirtualKeyResidents
Open authorized gates, doors, and amenities with a tap in the Gate Sentry app, near the entrance or from anywhere, depending on community settings.
Sentry BeaconOptional
Hands-free entry that detects an authorized resident's phone as they approach. An alternative to RFID tags and license plate recognition.
Guest and vendor access
SoloPassGuests, unmanned entrances
A guest pass sent by text or email. Guests tap to open, with no app, account, or code. It's tied to the guest's phone, and can be permanent, temporary, or one-time.
SentryPassGuests and vendors, staffed entrances
A digital pass sent by text or email that security scans for fast check-in. It can be saved to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, and in Apple Wallet it pops up on arrival.
VirtualKeypad, SentrySign & IntercomVendors, unmanned entrances
Vendors scan the SentrySign QR code at the entrance, which opens VirtualKeypad in their phone's browser, and enter a unique, time-limited code. Visitors without a code use the built-in Intercom to call a home by address, with names and phone numbers kept private.
Self-RegistrationVisitors
Visitors receive a text and register themselves, providing the information the property requires.
Admin tools
Access Point SchedulerAdmins
Sets when residents, guests, vendors, and custom groups can use each entrance, with exceptions for holidays, closures, and events.
Ban ListAdmins and residents
Bans a guest, vendor, or company property-wide or from one household. Banned visitors are blocked and security is alerted.
Account RestrictionsAdmins
Blocks selected entrances for restricted households. Unrestricted access gives selected accounts entry others don't have.
Parking PassAdmins
A pass admins create and email to residents, for visitors to display on their vehicle dashboard.
Broadcast CommunicationsAdmins
Property-wide messages sent to users by app push notification and email.
The Basics
7 questions
What's the difference between Gate Sentry and Sentry Solo?
The two products solve the same problem, controlled and logged access, for two different kinds of entrances:
- Gate Sentry (Manned): For staffed entrances. Security staff use a tablet to check in guests and vendors, scan SentryPass, look up arrivals by resident name, address, vendor company, or license plate, and log vehicles.
- Sentry Solo (Unmanned): For unstaffed gates, doors, elevators, and amenities, eliminating hardware like callboxes, keypads, and fob readers. Residents open entrances with VirtualKey, guests tap SoloPass, and vendors scan the SentrySign QR code to enter a VirtualKeypad code in their browser. Guests and vendors don't need an app.
Can residents have direct access to gates and entrances?
Yes. VirtualKey lets residents open authorized gates, doors, and amenities with a tap in the Gate Sentry app. Depending on community settings, it works near the entrance or from anywhere. Communities can also add optional Sentry Beacon for hands-free entry.
How do guests and vendors receive their passes?
Passes and codes are sent by text or email. Guests receive a SoloPass for unmanned entrances and a SentryPass for staffed entrances; at properties with both, guests get one link containing both passes. Vendors receive a VirtualKeypad code and a SentryPass, depending on the property's entrances.
Do residents get notified when visitors arrive?
Yes. With both Gate Sentry and Sentry Solo, residents receive arrival alerts by app push notification and email.
Can guest or vendor access be edited after it's created?
Yes. Guest and vendor access can be edited at any time, with changes updating instantly in real time.
Are visitors tracked on both entry and exit?
Yes, and it's optional. Both Gate Sentry and Sentry Solo can track visitor check-in and check-out. Check-out tracking can be enabled or disabled to match how your property wants to operate, giving you a complete record of who entered and when they left when you need it.
I own multiple homes. Do I need separate accounts?
Single Log-In for Multi-Property Owners (Available on Gate Sentry and Sentry Solo)
No. Residents who own multiple homes can manage everything from a single account, even across different communities. By linking their accounts, they can switch between properties instantly and view access details for each home in one place.
No. Residents who own multiple homes can manage everything from a single account, even across different communities. By linking their accounts, they can switch between properties instantly and view access details for each home in one place.
Gate Sentry (Manned Entrances)
11 questions
What is the core function of Gate Sentry?
Gate Sentry is a visitor management system designed for staffed entrances. It equips security guards, front desk staff, or any team running visitor check-in with an intuitive tablet to check in guests and vendors, scan SentryPass, log vehicles, and alert residents when their visitors arrive.
Is the Gate Sentry tablet easy for security staff to learn?
Yes. Gate Sentry is built with an intuitive, user-friendly interface that requires minimal training. Guards can look up arrivals, check in guests and vendors, and log entries in just a few taps. We also provide onboarding and a guard certification course so staff feel confident from day one.
What happens if an unexpected visitor arrives?
Security can look the visitor up in Gate Sentry and, at properties that use tablet calling, call the resident directly from the Gate Sentry tablet to confirm the visit.
Can guards call residents directly from the tablet?
Security Tablet Calling (Available on Gate Sentry)
If you choose, your security team can contact residents directly from the Gate Sentry tablet, with no desk phone or landline needed. If a visitor arrives and isn't on the guest list, guards tap one button to call the home in real time. You just add a cellular-based tablet for the gate staff.
If you choose, your security team can contact residents directly from the Gate Sentry tablet, with no desk phone or landline needed. If a visitor arrives and isn't on the guest list, guards tap one button to call the home in real time. You just add a cellular-based tablet for the gate staff.
What information does security see when logging a visitor?
Security can log details such as the visitor's name, license plate number, and ID, based on your property's requirements.
What if our property doesn't require ID or license plate information?
No problem. Gate Sentry is flexible and fully customizable. ID and license plate collection are optional and can be enabled or disabled to match your policies.
Can residents or users still call security?
Yes. Whether residents or users can call security depends entirely on your community's setup and access rules.
What happens if a guest is not on the list?
Security can search Gate Sentry by resident name, address, vendor company, or license plate. If the guest still isn't found, security can call the resident from the tablet at properties that use tablet calling.
Does Gate Sentry check visitors against a ban list?
Yes. When an arriving visitor matches a property-wide or household-level ban, the Gate Sentry tablet alerts the guard.
How are delivery drivers handled?
Residents can add recurring delivery drivers to their visitor list, or administrators can set them up as property vendors under a property account. All delivery drivers are still checked in by security at the entrance.
Can visitors be checked out?
Yes. Gate Sentry supports both visitor check-in and check-out tracking, and check-out tracking is optional. It can be enabled or disabled to match your property's needs.
Sentry Solo (Unmanned Access)
11 questions
What is Sentry Solo, and how does it work?
Sentry Solo is access control software for unmanned gates, doors, elevators, and amenities that eliminates hardware like callboxes, keypads, and fob readers. Every Sentry Solo property includes:
- VirtualKey for residents to open entrances from the Gate Sentry app.
- SoloPass for guests to tap to open, with no app, account, or code.
- VirtualKeypad for vendors, who scan the SentrySign QR code and enter a unique code in their browser.
- Intercom, built into VirtualKeypad, for visitors without a code.
What is SoloPass?
SoloPass (Included with Sentry Solo)
SoloPass is a secure guest pass sent by text or email. Guests open it on their phone and tap to open the entrance, with no app, account, or access code. It's tied to the guest's phone, so forwarding the link doesn't give anyone else access. Residents can make it permanent, temporary, or one-time.
SoloPass is a secure guest pass sent by text or email. Guests open it on their phone and tap to open the entrance, with no app, account, or access code. It's tied to the guest's phone, so forwarding the link doesn't give anyone else access. Residents can make it permanent, temporary, or one-time.
What are VirtualKey and VirtualKeypad?
VirtualKey and VirtualKeypad (Included with Sentry Solo)
VirtualKey lets residents open authorized entry points with a tap in the Gate Sentry app, near the entrance or from anywhere depending on community settings. No more managing fobs or cards.
VirtualKeypad is mainly for vendors and can also be used for guests. They scan the SentrySign QR code at the entrance and enter a unique, system-generated code in their phone's browser. Codes are sent by text or email and expire after the duration the resident sets. You don't need to install keypads or callboxes, and the VirtualKeypad has a built-in Intercom for visitors without a code.
VirtualKey lets residents open authorized entry points with a tap in the Gate Sentry app, near the entrance or from anywhere depending on community settings. No more managing fobs or cards.
VirtualKeypad is mainly for vendors and can also be used for guests. They scan the SentrySign QR code at the entrance and enter a unique, system-generated code in their phone's browser. Codes are sent by text or email and expire after the duration the resident sets. You don't need to install keypads or callboxes, and the VirtualKeypad has a built-in Intercom for visitors without a code.
What is Sentry Beacon?
Sentry Beacon (Optional)
Sentry Beacon detects an authorized resident's phone as they approach a supported entrance, for hands-free access. It's an alternative to RFID tags and license plate recognition.
Sentry Beacon detects an authorized resident's phone as they approach a supported entrance, for hands-free access. It's an alternative to RFID tags and license plate recognition.
Can I set specific access hours for visitors?
Yes. Residents choose how long visitor access lasts. SoloPass can be permanent, temporary, or one-time, and VirtualKeypad codes expire after the duration the resident sets.
Do visitors need to download an app?
No. Guests open their SoloPass link and tap to open. Vendors scan the SentrySign QR code with their phone's camera, which opens the VirtualKeypad in their browser. Visitors without a code can use the Intercom, also in the browser.
What if a visitor arrives without a code?
Visitors can use the Intercom built into the VirtualKeypad. They search by address and place a secure call to the household, following the household's call list. Resident names and phone numbers are never shown. If your community allows it, the resident can open the gate remotely during the call.
Can I automate when amenity doors and gates open and close?
Access Point Scheduler (Available on Gate Sentry and Sentry Solo)
Yes. Set a weekly schedule for each gate, door, or amenity, with separate hours for residents, guests, and vendors. You can create custom groups with their own hours, add exceptions such as holiday blackouts, closures for maintenance, or extended hours for events, and hold an entrance open. Every schedule change is recorded in an audit log.
Yes. Set a weekly schedule for each gate, door, or amenity, with separate hours for residents, guests, and vendors. You can create custom groups with their own hours, add exceptions such as holiday blackouts, closures for maintenance, or extended hours for events, and hold an entrance open. Every schedule change is recorded in an audit log.
Can I restrict access for specific households?
Account Restrictions (Available on Gate Sentry and Sentry Solo)
Yes. Administrators choose which entrances stay open and which are blocked for restricted accounts, for example after a rules violation. The same rules apply to every restricted household, and each restriction records the reason, the date, and who set it. You can also give selected accounts unrestricted access to entrances others can't use, such as an HOA board room. Super admins can limit an entrance to specific streets or address ranges.
Yes. Administrators choose which entrances stay open and which are blocked for restricted accounts, for example after a rules violation. The same rules apply to every restricted household, and each restriction records the reason, the date, and who set it. You can also give selected accounts unrestricted access to entrances others can't use, such as an HOA board room. Super admins can limit an entrance to specific streets or address ranges.
Can visitors be required to check out?
Yes. Sentry Solo can log both visitor check-in and check-out activity, and check-out is optional. Enable or disable it to match how your property operates.
Is there a record of each visitor?
Yes. Detailed visitor logs are maintained, including visitor name, date, and time of entry.
Features & Add-Ons
7 questions
Can I ban a guest, vendor, or company from the property?
Ban List (Available on Gate Sentry and Sentry Solo)
Yes. Administrators can ban a guest, vendor, or an entire company from the whole property, and residents or administrators can ban someone from a single household. A license plate can be added to a ban. At staffed gates, the Gate Sentry tablet alerts the guard when a banned visitor arrives. At unmanned entrances, a ban blocks the person's SoloPass and VirtualKeypad codes and alerts security. Past bans and an audit log are kept in the Admin Portal.
Yes. Administrators can ban a guest, vendor, or an entire company from the whole property, and residents or administrators can ban someone from a single household. A license plate can be added to a ban. At staffed gates, the Gate Sentry tablet alerts the guard when a banned visitor arrives. At unmanned entrances, a ban blocks the person's SoloPass and VirtualKeypad codes and alerts security. Past bans and an audit log are kept in the Admin Portal.
Do you offer a faster, VIP-style visitor check-in?
SentryPass (Available on Gate Sentry)
Yes. SentryPass is a digital pass that guests and vendors receive by text or email. Security scans it on the Gate Sentry tablet for fast check-in, and a visitor can be logged in about 3 seconds. SentryPass can be added to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, and in Apple Wallet it automatically pops up on the visitor's phone when they arrive near the gate. At properties with both Gate Sentry and Sentry Solo, guests get one link with both their SentryPass and SoloPass.
Yes. SentryPass is a digital pass that guests and vendors receive by text or email. Security scans it on the Gate Sentry tablet for fast check-in, and a visitor can be logged in about 3 seconds. SentryPass can be added to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, and in Apple Wallet it automatically pops up on the visitor's phone when they arrive near the gate. At properties with both Gate Sentry and Sentry Solo, guests get one link with both their SentryPass and SoloPass.
Can I manage parking for visitors' vehicles?
Parking Pass (Available on Gate Sentry and Sentry Solo)
Yes. Administrators create digital parking passes and email them to residents for their visitors. The visitor places the pass on their vehicle dashboard, giving enforcement teams clear visibility. This feature is optional and only enabled for properties that need it.
Yes. Administrators create digital parking passes and email them to residents for their visitors. The visitor places the pass on their vehicle dashboard, giving enforcement teams clear visibility. This feature is optional and only enabled for properties that need it.
How do we handle access for large parties and events?
Event Guest Lists (Available on Gate Sentry)
The Events feature streamlines guest access for large parties. Residents can create their event and upload guest lists without calling or driving the list to the gate. Guards can log in every guest quickly from their tablets and keep a clear record of who attended. As an administrator, you'll have a complete record of all past events and the guests who entered the community.
The Events feature streamlines guest access for large parties. Residents can create their event and upload guest lists without calling or driving the list to the gate. Guards can log in every guest quickly from their tablets and keep a clear record of who attended. As an administrator, you'll have a complete record of all past events and the guests who entered the community.
Can visitors register themselves?
Self-Registration (Available on Gate Sentry and Sentry Solo)
Yes. Visitors receive a text and register themselves, providing the information your property requires.
Yes. Visitors receive a text and register themselves, providing the information your property requires.
Can administrators send messages to the whole property?
Property-Wide Broadcast Communications (Available to administrators)
Yes. Administrators can send property-wide messages that reach users by app push notification and email.
Yes. Administrators can send property-wide messages that reach users by app push notification and email.
Do you offer lobby check-in for commercial properties?
Lobby Check In (Part of Gate Sentry or Sentry Solo, for commercial properties)
Yes. Visitors receive a text, register themselves, and check in on-site on a desktop computer or tablet. Administrators choose what to collect, including custom form fields, screening questions, a signed agreement such as an NDA or waiver, photo ID, and who the visitor is there to see. Group check-in lets companions join with a QR code, and the person being visited and administrators can be alerted by email, text, or call.
Yes. Visitors receive a text, register themselves, and check in on-site on a desktop computer or tablet. Administrators choose what to collect, including custom form fields, screening questions, a signed agreement such as an NDA or waiver, photo ID, and who the visitor is there to see. Group check-in lets companions join with a QR code, and the person being visited and administrators can be alerted by email, text, or call.
Industry-Specific Solutions
4 questions
How does Gate Sentry work for multifamily communities?
Sentry Solo with VirtualKey, SoloPass, VirtualKeypad, and Intercom
Multifamily properties benefit from fast, self-service access without on-site staff.
Multifamily properties benefit from fast, self-service access without on-site staff.
- Residents use VirtualKey to open gates and entrances from the Gate Sentry app.
- Guests tap SoloPass to open, with no app, account, or code.
- Vendors scan the SentrySign QR code and enter a unique code in the VirtualKeypad, with no app required.
- Visitors without a code can use the Intercom within the VirtualKeypad to contact the correct unit by address.
- Guest access can be permanent, temporary, or one-time, and vendor codes expire after the duration the resident sets.
How does it work for gated communities staffed only part of the day?
Gate Sentry with SoloPass and VirtualKeypad
For communities staffed only during certain hours, this hybrid setup keeps access control consistent.
For communities staffed only during certain hours, this hybrid setup keeps access control consistent.
- During staffed hours, security uses Gate Sentry to scan SentryPass, look up arrivals, and log vehicles.
- During off-hours, guests tap SoloPass and vendors enter VirtualKeypad codes.
- All activity is logged in one system, regardless of time of day.
How does it work for gated communities with a guardhouse and secondary gates?
Gate Sentry with Sentry Solo
Many gated communities operate a main guardhouse along with unmanned access points.
Many gated communities operate a main guardhouse along with unmanned access points.
- Gate Sentry manages visitor and vendor check-in at the main entrance.
- Sentry Solo controls access at back gates, resident-only entrances, and amenities such as pools or gyms.
- Guests receive one link with both SoloPass and SentryPass, and residents use one app.
- Administrators manage schedules, permissions, and logs from a centralized dashboard.
How does it work for commercial, manufacturing, warehouse, and industrial sites?
Gate Sentry for Vendor Check-In, plus Lobby Check In for lobbies
Commercial, manufacturing, warehouse, and industrial sites all share the same need: knowing exactly who is coming on-site and keeping a clear record of it.
Commercial, manufacturing, warehouse, and industrial sites all share the same need: knowing exactly who is coming on-site and keeping a clear record of it.
- Gate Sentry handles vendor and visitor check-in at staffed entrances, so guards can verify who's arriving and log vehicles in just a few taps.
- Lobby Check In handles front-desk check-in: visitors register by text and check in on a computer or tablet.
- ID and license plate collection can be turned on or off to match your site's security requirements.
- Administrators get a complete, digital audit trail of everyone who entered and when.
Admin, Training & Technical
9 questions
How long does it take to get set up?
Most properties are fully up and running in 30 days or less.
Does it work with our existing gates?
Yes. Gate Sentry and Sentry Solo work with your existing gates and entry hardware.
Can administrators manage multiple communities?
Multi-Property Admin Login (Available on Gate Sentry and Sentry Solo)
Yes. One administrator login can manage multiple communities or sites, so regional and portfolio managers don't need a separate account for each property.
Yes. One administrator login can manage multiple communities or sites, so regional and portfolio managers don't need a separate account for each property.
What support do you offer?
Our support team is US-based and works in our office, so you reach real people who know the product. We provide onboarding and training for your staff, residents, and security team, plus 24/7 support for security teams.
Do you train our security guards on the system?
Security Training (Available on Gate Sentry)
Yes. The Gate Sentry certification course is a series of 10 videos covering every aspect of the software and takes about one hour to complete. Many guards know how to check in visitors but may not know every function, and this course closes that gap. Each module includes a quiz, and officers receive a certificate upon completion. Your site supervisor can enroll guards, track progress in real time, and maintain digital training records.
Yes. The Gate Sentry certification course is a series of 10 videos covering every aspect of the software and takes about one hour to complete. Many guards know how to check in visitors but may not know every function, and this course closes that gap. Each module includes a quiz, and officers receive a certificate upon completion. Your site supervisor can enroll guards, track progress in real time, and maintain digital training records.
How do new residents learn to use the system?
Resident Welcome and Training (Available on Gate Sentry and Sentry Solo)
New residents get access to welcome information, training materials, and step-by-step videos that walk them through exactly how to use Gate Sentry or Sentry Solo. From setting up their account to managing access, everything is designed to make onboarding simple, clear, and stress-free. Explore it at welcome.gatesentry.com.
New residents get access to welcome information, training materials, and step-by-step videos that walk them through exactly how to use Gate Sentry or Sentry Solo. From setting up their account to managing access, everything is designed to make onboarding simple, clear, and stress-free. Explore it at welcome.gatesentry.com.
How do you handle data transfers when we get started?
We handle the setup for you. You provide the data you have from your previous provider, and we take care of the import and configuration.
How is this better than a traditional callbox?
Traditional callboxes rely on expensive hardware and maintenance. Our software-based solution provides real-time updates, digital audit trails, scheduling controls, and remote management.
What happens at a staffed gate if the internet goes out?
The Gate Sentry tablet keeps working offline, so guards can keep checking in visitors, and logged check-ins sync when the connection returns.
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