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Genea
We are the leading provider of cloud-based property technology.  Our powerful suite of access control, submeter billing, and after-hours HVAC software improves the lives of leading enterprise and commercial real estate customers. 
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When it comes to physical security, the need for modern, scalable, and open solutions has never been more pressing. Legacy systems are falling short of meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving world, leaving organizations exposed to inefficiencies and vulnerabilities. Fortunately, innovators like Genea Security and Mercury Security are redefining the landscape with cutting-edge, cloud-native platform and open-architecture solutions. 

This blog explores how Genea and Mercury are working together to modernize security infrastructure, focusing on openness, cloud-native design, integration capabilities, cybersecurity, and migration strategies. By the end of this guide, you’ll understand why this partnership is transforming physical security for enterprises everywhere. 


Openness is No Longer Optional

Defining Openness

Openness in security infrastructure refers to the ability to integrate, scale, and evolve across diverse hardware and software ecosystems. Yet, many organizations still struggle with proprietary systems that lock them into limited functionality and vendor restrictions. Open systems, on the other hand, give businesses the flexibility to adapt and incorporate new technologies as their needs change. 

Why Do Proprietary Systems Still Exist? 

Despite their drawbacks, proprietary systems persist due to legacy investments, hesitation around change, and a lack of familiarity with modern options. However, these systems often create bottlenecks in innovation and introduce higher long-term costs, leaving businesses ill-prepared for future challenges. 

How Genea and Mercury Promote Openness

Genea and Mercury make openness a foundational priority: 

  • Genea delivers cloud-native access control solutions with robust, public APIs that enable seamless integration with other systems. 
  • Mercury provides an open-architecture solution that supports a wide ecosystem of software partners, giving organizations unmatched flexibility and choice. 

This openness ensures scalability, innovation, and future-proofing for your security infrastructure. 

How Openness Future-Proofs Investment

By adopting open systems, businesses can:

  • Easily integrate new technologies without expensive overhauls.
  • Scale their infrastructure as they grow.
  • Stay agile in the face of changing security challenges.

With Genea and Mercury, you’re investing in a future-ready solution that protects your resources and enables long-term innovation.


Cloud-Native Done Right

What Does Cloud-Native Really Mean?

A truly cloud-native platform is designed specifically for the cloud from the ground up. It’s not just software retrofitted to work on the cloud. Cloud-native systems leverage the full power of the cloud, offering instant scalability, remote access, and continuous updates.

Why Should Enterprises Care?

Cloud-native access control solutions mean:

  • Real-time updates ensure security systems are always running on the latest version.
  • Global scalability supports rapid expansion without significant infrastructure changes.
  • Cost efficiency eliminates the need for on-prem servers and reduces maintenance-related expenses.

Genea’s Cloud-Native Approach

Genea sets the gold standard by delivering:

  • Seamless scalability: Ideal for businesses operating across multiple locations.
  • User-friendly interfaces: Simplified daily management for IT and security teams with drag & drop widgets.
  • Automated updates: Enhanced security and performance without manual intervention.

Legacy Systems and Their Limitations

Legacy platforms often lack the ability to keep up with modern demands. From limited remote functionality to rigid hardware dependencies, these systems leave organizations vulnerable and unable to scale efficiently.

Scaling Fast with Cloud-Native Design

Global enterprises leveraging Genea’s cloud-native solutions can adapt to growth effortlessly. Whether opening a new office or onboarding thousands of employees, businesses can do so without compromising security or efficiency.

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The Power of Integration

Why Integration is Critical Today

Today’s security systems must talk to other key technologies, like HR software, video surveillance, communication tools, and environmental controls. Integration doesn’t just enhance functionality; it creates a more cohesive and effective operational ecosystem.

Real-World Examples

Genea’s powerful APIs allow integrations with tools like Microsoft Azure AD, ensuring employee access permissions are updated in real-time. Mercury’s open-architecture platform makes it easy to connect with third-party software, further extending integration possibilities.

Flexibility with Mercury’s Ecosystem

Mercury doesn’t lock businesses into a single vendor. Instead, it enables tailor-made solutions by supporting a variety of software options, giving enterprises the flexibility they need.

The Cost of Poor Integration

When systems don’t integrate well, businesses face:

  • Operational delays caused by manual processes.
  • Security risks due to inconsistent data sharing.
  • Higher costs from redundant systems.

With Genea and Mercury, these issues become a thing of the past.


Cybersecurity at the Core

The Role of Access Control in Cybersecurity

Access control is the first line of defense in protecting both physical and digital assets. A robust access control system safeguards sensitive areas and integrates with broader cybersecurity measures to defend against threats.

Genea’s Secure Features

Genea prioritizes cybersecurity with:

  • End-to-end encryption to protect data.
  • Remote access capabilities, allowing IT teams to make updates and adjustments from anywhere.
  • Automated updates, ensuring your system is continually improving.
  • SOC 2 & GDPR compliance

Mercury’s Secure-by-Design Hardware

Mercury is built for security from the ground up, incorporating features like encrypted communication and secure firmware updates to protect against breaches.

Building Trust with IT Teams

For IT teams wary of physical systems, Genea and Mercury’s focus on cybersecurity builds confidence. With secure architectures and transparent practices, they create systems that IT professionals trust.


Modernize Without Starting Over

Realistic Migration Paths

Modernizing doesn’t have to mean replacing everything. With phased migration strategies, businesses can implement modern solutions without disrupting daily operations.

How Genea and Mercury Protect Investments

Genea and Mercury excel at protecting existing investments by enabling:

  • Compatibility with legacy systems.
  • Modular upgrades that allow phased implementation.
  • Tools to evaluate and demonstrate ROI at every step.

Success Story

One Genea customer successfully transitioned to a modern access control system without removing their outdated hardware, thanks to Mercury’s open-architecture platform. The result? Minimal disruption and significant cost savings.

Advice for Phased Migrations

For a smooth migration, start with:

  • Evaluating current systems.
  • Identifying must-have upgrades.
  • Creating a phased implementation timeline to minimize downtime.

A Partnership Built for the Future

Why This Partnership Stands Out

Unlike typical integrations, the collaboration between Genea and Mercury goes deeper. Together, they create solutions that deliver seamless user experiences, robust security, and unmatched flexibility.

What’s Next for Genea and Mercury

Looking ahead, this partnership will continue to lead the way in innovation, driving advancements in open platforms, cloud-native capabilities, and scalable solutions.

Customer Feedback Speaks Volumes

The positive feedback from customers and integrators highlights the real-world impact of this partnership. Reduced operational headaches, better security, and streamlined integrations are just a few of the benefits.

With this collaboration, the future of physical security looks brighter than ever.