September 17th, 2025
Breaking Down the Barriers to Mobile Credentials in Access Control
For years, the access control industry has anticipated a future where plastic cards are replaced with mobile credentials. The vision is simple: a more secure, more convenient, and more modern way for people to move through their workplaces using the devices they already carry. But as promising as this shift sounds, real-world adoption has faced headwinds. The truth is that mobile credentials bring new complexities—both technical and operational—that have slowed the industry’s momentum.
The Complications of Mobile Credentials
Adoption has been slowed by several real-world barriers:
- Fragmented Systems – Many enterprises run a mix of access control platforms across different buildings or even within the same property. Not all systems support mobile credentials natively, creating silos.
- Wallet vs. App Confusion – Do users prefer tapping their phone’s wallet (Apple or Google) or downloading a dedicated access app? Different vendors answer differently, and end users are left navigating the complexity.
- Rip-and-Replace Misconception – Organizations often believe mobile access requires a costly overhaul of their existing infrastructure, delaying modernization.
- User Experience Challenges – Inconsistent onboarding, credential provisioning, and lifecycle management can frustrate users and IT teams alike.
- Security & Compliance – IT leaders must ensure mobile credentials meet high standards for encryption, privacy, and auditability, adding another layer of hesitation.
How Symphony Overcomes These Challenges
At braXos, we designed Symphony to address these barriers directly:
- One Identity Platform, Many Systems – Symphony synchronizes HR, access control, elevators, parking, and more. Mobile credentials don’t need to live in silos; they’re simply part of the identity lifecycle.
- App or Wallet, Your Choice – Symphony supports both app-based credentials and HID’s Origo™ wallet solution. Enterprises can adopt mobile in the way that best fits their users.
- No Rip-and-Replace – By leveraging 150+ pre-built connectors, Symphony integrates mobile credentials into your existing infrastructure, protecting past investments.
- Streamlined Provisioning – Automated workflows mean onboarding and offboarding are consistent, secure, and fast—across all systems.
- Trusted Partnership – With HID as a strategic partner, Symphony ensures mobile credentials meet the highest standards of security and compliance.
The Result: A True Step Forward
Mobile credentials don’t need to be complicated. With Symphony, organizations can finally unify their identity workflows, offer modern mobile experiences, and move past the barriers that have held the industry back.
