Electronic Lock Feature Comparison: E-Plex vs Keyscan Aurora
This table provides a detailed comparison of key features between the E-Plex Enterprise system and Keyscan Aurora, both from dormakaba. Use this guide to determine which system best meets your access control needs.
| Feature Category | E-Plex Enterprise (dormakaba / E-Plex) | Keyscan Aurora (dormakaba / Keyscan) |
|---|---|---|
| System Focus | Dedicated management for E-Plex electronic locks (PIN, card, or PIN+card). Primarily offline or semi-online systems. | Full access control platform managing online/offline locks, hard-wired doors, wireless locks, and third-party components. |
| Lock Types Supported | E-Plex 3200, 3700/5200, 5700/5600/7900 series; supports cylindrical, mortise, and exit trim locks. | E-Plex 7900 series; supports cylindrical, mortise, and exit trim locks. Supports BEST offline G/V series locks. |
| Online / Offline Operation | Primarily offline with handheld programming; wireless-enabled models allow semi-online communication via E-Plex Gateway. | True online communication via Keyscan controllers; wireless locks report live events and receive near real-time commands. Offline devices supported via portable programming tools. |
| Audit Trail / Event Storage | Local memory per lock (up to 30,000 events), including access granted/denied, override, and programming activity. | Centralized SQL-based event logging in real-time. Supports filtering, activity correlation, and integration with VMS or alarms. |
| Audit Retrieval & Sync | Manual sync using handheld device or wireless retrieval via E-Plex Gateway. | Manual sync using handheld device or wireless retrieval via E-Plex Gateway. |
| Schedules & Time Zones | Up to 16 schedules and 32 holidays per lock; per-lock application only. | 13 non-overlapping schedules per door group and 32 holidays per lock; per-lock application only. |
| Temporary & Visitor Access | Supports temporary credentials with expiry from 1 day to 1 year. | Advanced visitor management with auto-expiry, audit trail, and reporting integration. |
| Lockdown Functionality | Wireless locks accept remote lockdown; offline locks require manual reprogramming. | Instant or selective lockdown zones; queued commands for offline devices until reconnected. |
| Access Monitoring / Real-Time Feedback | Limited real-time feedback via wireless gateway (status polling). | Comprehensive real-time monitoring of doors, access events, and alarms; live dashboards and event viewer. |
| Access Groups / User Management | User data stored locally; groups can be cloned to multiple locks manually. | Centralized global access groups; role-based access propagated across all devices. |
| Credential Types Supported | PIN, prox card (125kHz), smartcard (13.56MHz), dual-factor combinations. | Prox, smartcard, and mobile credentials; multi-credential per user supported. |
| Update Mechanism | Handheld programmer (IR/USB) or wireless gateway sync. | Direct network updates for online locks or scheduled sync for wireless integrations. |
| Software Architecture | Windows-based client/server; lock management, user setup, and audits. | Modern SQL architecture with multi-client access, concurrent sessions, and optional web interface. |
| Lock Health & Status Monitoring | Basic health data (battery, communication) via handheld or gateway. | Continuous device health monitoring (battery, tamper, comms loss) with automated notifications. |
| Mobile & Remote Management | PC-based management only; no native mobile or browser interface. | Browser and mobile-compatible management for remote control and alert handling. |
| Use Case Sweet Spot | Standalone or hybrid deployments with E-Plex locks; ideal for schools, multifamily, and small campuses. | Enterprise-scale deployments requiring central control of wired and wireless locks across large facilities. |