Frequently Asked Questions
Gate Sentry & Sentry Solo
Get quick answers about installation, features, compatibility, and support for our hardware-free access control and visitor management solutions.
Understanding Gate Sentry: For Staffed Entrances
What is the core function of Gate Sentry?
Gate Sentry is a visitor management system designed for staffed entrances. It equips security guards or front desk staff with an intuitive tablet to digitally verify guests, log vehicles, and notify users in real-time.
Is the Gate Sentry tablet easy for security staff to learn and operate?
Yes, absolutely. The software is designed with an intuitive, user-friendly interface that requires minimal training. Guards can look up users, verify guests, and log entries in just a few taps. We also provide comprehensive onboarding and support to ensure your staff feels confident and proficient from day one.
What happens if an unexpected visitor arrives who isn't on a user's guest list?
The system is designed for this exact scenario. If an unlisted visitor arrives, the guard can use the Gate Sentry tablet to securely contact the user directly through the app without revealing their phone number. The user can then instantly approve or deny their entry, ensuring they always have the final say.
How am I notified when my guests arrive at the gate?
When a guard checks in your visitor using the Gate Sentry tablet, the system instantly sends a push notification to your smartphone through the mobile app. This real-time alert lets you know exactly when your guests have arrived on the property.
Understanding Sentry Solo: For Unmanned Entrances
What is Sentry Solo, and how does it work?
Sentry Solo is a 100% hardware-free access control system for unmanned gates. Users open the gate with a mobile app, while their visitors scan a QR code on the SentrySign at the entrance. This opens a secure VirtualKeypad in their phone's browser where they enter a unique access code to gain entry.
Do visitors need to download an app to get in?
No, they do not. For Sentry Solo gates, visitors simply scan the QR code on the SentrySign with their phone's camera. This opens the VirtualKeypad in their web browser, with no app download required, making access fast and frictionless for every guest.
Can users use Sentry Solo to open the gate for themselves?
Yes. Sentry Solo is for both authorized users and their guests. Users get access to the VirtualKey feature in the mobile app, which allows them to open any authorized unmanned gate with a single tap on their smartphone, eliminating the need for fobs or clickers.
How does Sentry Solo prevent the unauthorized sharing of access codes?
When a user sends an invitation, the generated access code can be configured to be single-use or restricted to a specific date range. This prevents codes from being passed around or used indefinitely, ensuring every entry is tied to a specific, authorized guest.
Industry-Specific Solutions
Our gated community has a main guardhouse. Which system is right for us?
For your main guardhouse, Gate Sentry is the perfect fit. It equips your guards with a tablet to digitally manage all visitor traffic. If you also have secondary unmanned gates (e.g., a resident-only exit), Sentry Solo can be added to create a seamless, fully-integrated system for the entire community.
My luxury apartment building has a front desk that checks in all guests. How would your system improve our process?
Gate Sentry is designed specifically for properties like yours. Instead of using paper logs, your front desk staff uses a tablet to instantly verify guests against a user's pre-approved list. The system then automatically sends a notification to the user that their guest has arrived. This streamlines visitor management, enhances security, and provides a modern, high-end experience.
Our manufacturing plant has a main security checkpoint. What do you recommend?
For your main security checkpoint, Gate Sentry is the recommended solution. It allows your personnel to efficiently log all incoming traffic, including employees, deliveries, and service vehicles, creating a digital audit trail for compliance. For unmanned perimeter gates, Sentry Solo can be deployed to ensure the entire facility remains secure 24/7.
Software, Technical & Admin Features
What is the primary difference between Gate Sentry and Sentry Solo?
Gate Sentry is for manned entrances with on-site staff. Sentry Solo is for unmanned entrances and is 100% hardware-free. Both systems are managed from the same unified dashboard.
How is this better than a traditional callbox or key fob system?
Our system is more secure and reliable. Unlike callboxes, Sentry Solo has no physical hardware to break or maintain. Unlike fobs, which can be lost or cloned, our mobile and QR-code access is tied to a user's device and a specific duration, providing a much higher level of security and a complete digital audit trail.
What happens if the power or internet goes out at the gate?
Our systems are designed for reliability. The Gate Sentry tablet includes an offline mode that allows guards to continue checking in visitors. For Sentry Solo, our gate controller has a battery backup and can operate on a cellular connection, ensuring uptime during local outages.