Products
17 February 2026
SiPass Access Control – Enterprise Security, Powered by Siemens
Originally developed by Siemens as part of its global building technologies division, SiPass has long been recognised as a robust, enterprise-grade access control platform designed for complex, multi-site environments.
Today, SiPass forms part of the wider Acre Security portfolio, a strategic move that brings together some of the world’s most established access control and identity management technologies under one unified security ecosystem.
For system integrators, installers, and commercial end users, this transition represents continuity of Siemens-grade engineering combined with Acre’s modern, open-platform approach to physical security.
A Brief History of SiPass
SiPass was created to address a growing demand for scalable, centrally managed access control across large estates such as corporate campuses, healthcare facilities, manufacturing sites, transport hubs, and government buildings.
Built on Siemens’ deep heritage in automation and infrastructure, SiPass evolved into a highly configurable platform capable of managing thousands of doors, credentials, and users from a single system. Its strength has always been flexibility, supporting everything from straightforward card access through to advanced high-security workflows.
When Siemens divested its physical security business, Acre acquired SiPass as part of a wider strategy to consolidate leading access control technologies into a single, future-ready platform. Under Acre, SiPass continues to be actively developed and supported, while benefiting from tighter integration with complementary systems across the Acre ecosystem.
SiPass Within the Acre Portfolio
Acre’s vision is to remove the traditional silos between access control, identity management, and visitor systems. SiPass plays a central role in this strategy, acting as a powerful enterprise access control engine that integrates with other Acre technologies to deliver a unified security experience.
This means customers gain:
- Long-term product continuity and roadmap investment
- Modernised software development and integration frameworks
- Easier interoperability with identity, visitor, and credential management platforms
- A vendor-neutral approach to readers and hardware
Rather than being a closed proprietary system, SiPass is positioned as an open, scalable platform designed to grow with your site and your security requirements.
What Is SiPass?
At its core, SiPass is an enterprise access control and security management system that enables organisations to control who can access specific areas, at what times, and under what conditions, all from a central management interface.
It is designed for medium to very large deployments, including multi-building and multi-country estates, where resilience, auditability, and integration are critical.
Core capabilities include:
- Centralised management of doors, users, credentials, and permissions
- Real-time monitoring of access events and alarms
- Detailed audit trails and reporting for compliance
- Advanced access logic such as anti-passback, interlocking, and escort control
- Role-based operator permissions
- Integration with video, intrusion, and building management systems
- High availability architectures for mission-critical sites
Key Benefits of SiPass
While many access control platforms focus on basic door control, SiPass is engineered for environments where operational continuity and security governance matter.
Enterprise scalability
SiPass comfortably supports anything from a single site to globally distributed estates with tens of thousands of doors.
Open architecture
Compatible with a wide range of third-party readers, credentials, and peripherals, helping avoid vendor lock-in.
Centralised security management
Operators can manage access, monitor alarms, and investigate incidents from one unified interface.
Designed for compliance
Comprehensive logging and reporting supports regulatory requirements and internal audits.
Future-proofed under Acre
Ongoing development ensures compatibility with modern identity systems and evolving security standards.
Constituent Components of a SiPass System
A typical SiPass deployment is built from several core elements working together:
Software platform
- Central management server
- Operator client or web interface
- Database for users, credentials, and events
- Reporting and audit tools
Field hardware
- Intelligent door controllers
- Input/output modules
- Power supplies and enclosures
- Network infrastructure
Access devices
- Card and mobile credential readers
- Keypads and biometric devices (where required)
- Exit buttons and door position monitoring
Credentials
- Smart cards (including DESFire)
- Mobile credentials
- Secure identity tokens
This modular approach allows systems to be tailored precisely to site requirements, from straightforward office access to highly controlled secure zones.
Typical Applications
SiPass is commonly specified in environments such as:
- Commercial office campuses
- Healthcare and education facilities
- Industrial and logistics sites
- Transport infrastructure
- Government and critical national infrastructure
- Large mixed-use developments
Its flexibility makes it equally suitable for new-build projects and complex retrofit installations.
Why SiPass Matters for UK Installers and Integrators
For UK security professionals, SiPass offers a proven enterprise platform backed by Acre’s long-term roadmap. It enables integrators to deliver high-value access control projects while maintaining freedom of hardware choice and integration flexibility.
At Smart R Distribution, we see SiPass as a cornerstone technology for larger commercial deployments, particularly where customers require:
- Centralised multi-site control
- Advanced access logic
- Strong audit capability
- Open integration with wider security systems
If you’d like support specifying SiPass for upcoming projects, or guidance on compatible readers, credentials, and system architecture, Smart R Distribution can help you design a complete solution tailored to your installation requirements.