Traditional intruder alarms still matter, but many buildings need coordinated gates, access, and automation so people cannot slip through timing gaps at reception or loading bays.
Human scenarios drive tech: “after the last person leaves the floor, dim lights, lower HVAC, lock the side door,” or “visitor entry unlocks only when staff badged at reception.” That is conditional logic, not ten siloed apps.
How systems meet in practice
Commercial sites often mix BACnet, Modbus, or vendor fieldbuses for HVAC; access readers talk to door controllers while the intruder system guards the perimeter. Integration should keep fire alarm priority over routine unlocks while still auto-locking side doors when the building is empty.
In a family home one stack may cover alarm, garage motion, path lighting, and phone alerts — but owners should understand power or internet loss behaviour (fail-safe vs fail-secure locks).
Attendance alignment
The same card or mobile token can gate entry and time tracking when policy allows — mind GDPR and biometrics separately from wiring, and define who may process access logs.
“Integrated” does not always mean one vendor; it means one integration design: priorities among fire alarm, door release, and emergency lighting.