Category: Commercial Security | Reading Time: 5 Minutes
If you are still issuing physical metal keys to your staff in 2026, you are exposing your business to unnecessary risk. Keys get copied. Keys get lost. And when a staff member leaves on bad terms, you can’t “delete” a physical key without changing every lock in the building.
The modern standard is Electronic Access Control. But in the New Zealand market, two giants dominate the conversation: ICT (Protege) and Inner Range (Integriti/Inception). As an Auckland business owner, how do you choose?
The Contender: Inner Range Inception
Best For: Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs), standalone offices, and managers who hate software.
- The “Web-Based” Advantage: Inception is unique because it doesn’t need a dedicated server or software installed on a PC. The software is inside the controller. You just plug it into your network and log in via a web browser (like Chrome).
- Simplicity: It is designed to be “technician-free” for daily tasks. Adding a new staff member or changing a PIN code is as easy as logging into your email.
- Integration: It plays beautifully with other systems, but its real power is its “out of the box” readiness for sites with 1 to 100 doors.
The Heavyweight: ICT Protege (WX & GX)
Best For: Scalability, multi-site organizations, and “New Zealand Made” loyalty.
- Protege WX: This is the direct competitor to Inception. Like Inception, it is web-based and app-driven. It is fantastic for businesses that might want to expand later.
- Protege GX: This is the enterprise beast. If you have an office in Auckland, a warehouse in Hamilton, and a branch in Christchurch, GX links them all into one server. It integrates deeply with elevators, building management (HVAC/Lighting), and complex HR databases.
The 2026 Trend: Mobile Credentials
Both systems have moved beyond the plastic swipe card. The biggest trend we are installing in Auckland CBD offices this year is Mobile Credentials.
- How it works: Your staff member’s smartphone is their card. They walk up to the door, and utilizing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or NFC, the door unlocks.
- Why switch: You never have to buy plastic cards again. When an employee quits, you revoke their digital credential instantly from your dashboard.
Which One Wins?
- Choose Inception if: You want a graphical, easy-to-use interface and have a single site (e.g., a Ponsonby ad agency or a North Shore medical centre).
- Choose ICT Protege if: You value NZ-manufactured hardware, need enterprise-level integrations, or plan to expand across multiple locations.
At Vigilante Security, we are certified installers for both. We don’t guess – we audit your workflow and match the hardware to you.
Need a demo? We can bring a test unit to your office this week.