No-Tour

No-tour is a feature in Zentra that lets you add or remove a person’s lock access without having to walk over and “sync” each lock in person. When you change someone’s access in the Zentra web app and then program a new credential (physical or mobile), that credential will “carry” the new access information out to the lock.
Once the credential is presented to the lock:

• ADD commands will grant new access to a user.
• BLOCK commands will remove or deactivate previous users’ access on that lock.
  

*Note: You can still update locks by walking up to them and using the Zentra mobile app (sometimes called “touring” or “syncing”) if needed.

How It Works

1. Assign Access in Zentra Web App
   • Use the web app to give a user access to one or more locks.
   • Real-time locks (like perimeter doors) usually update immediately over the internet after you save changes and push a compile.
   • Wireless/Offline locks: Depending on configuration, Schlage NDE/LE can check in over Wi-Fi on a schedule (wireless mode), or they can function as offline locks needing manual updates. Other locks, like Schlage Control or XE360, are strictly offline. In any offline scenario, the device requires either:
     • A sync with the Zentra mobile app OR
     • A programmed credential that “carries” the update (no-tour).
2. Program a Credential
   • After assigning or removing access in Zentra, you program a badge or mobile credential for the user.
   • This credential receives any “ADD” or “BLOCK” commands for the locks it has access to.
3. Present Credential to the Lock
   • The moment the user (or staff) presents this newly programmed credential to the offline or wireless lock, the lock reads the data and updates its internal database.
   • If it was an ADD command for that user, the lock will now allow entry.
   • If it was a BLOCK command for someone else’s credential, the lock will remove access for that person or credential.

Common Use Cases

Scenario 1 – Granting Access to a New Tenant – Tim is moving into Apartment 501:

1. In the Zentra web app, add Tim to Apartment 501 and any common areas (pool, laundry, etc.).
2. Real-time locks (e.g., perimeter doors) update immediately over the internet once you save and compile.
3. Wireless or offline locks need you to program Tim’s new credential or wait for a scheduled check-in (if applicable).
4. When Tim taps his new credential at Apartment 501’s lock, the lock “pulls in” the ADD command and grants him 24/7 access.
   

Scenario 2 – Removing Access for a Departing Tenant – Sherry is moving out of Apartment 321 and returns her credential:

1. In the Zentra web app, deactivate Sherry’s credential or user profile.
2. The next time any user with valid access to Apartment 321 gets a newly programmed credential, that credential will also carry a BLOCK command for Sherry’s old credential.
3. When presented to the lock on Apartment 321, the lock receives that BLOCK command and permanently removes Sherry’s access.
   

!If a resident fails to return all of their credentials, Zentra recommends you immediately “tour” or “sync” the lock with the mobile app to ensure the missing credentials are blocked right away.

Important Notes & Best Practices

1. Offline vs. Real-Time vs. Wireless Locks
   • Real-time locks (connected via IP or Schlage RC) update immediately after you push a compile.
   • Wireless locks (e.g., Schlage NDE/LE configured for scheduled check-ins) eventually update on their own or can be manually synced.
   • Offline locks (Schlage Control, XE360, or NDE/LE if not on a wireless schedule) need either a credential presentation (no-tour) or a mobile app sync to receive updates.
2. When to Sync (Tour) Instead
   • If you need to remove someone’s access right away and they haven’t returned every credential/fob, you should walk to the lock and “sync” it with the Zentra mobile app.
   • If there are more than 11 access changes (e.g., many BLOCKs at once), the system may require a sync instead of no-tour programming.
3. Credential Programming Limits
   • Each no-tour programming attempt can write up to 11 changes (ADD or BLOCK) onto a single credential. If you have more changes pending than that, you must either sync or split up the programming among multiple credentials.
4. Schedule Changes Need a Sync
   • Any updates to lock schedules or time-based access windows (e.g., adjusting business hours) require a full sync via the mobile app. These schedule frameworks cannot be delivered via no-tour commands.
5. You Can Re-Use Credentials
   • Zentra’s no-tour technology allows you to clear or overwrite old credentials to grant new access. This is useful when recycling credentials for multiple residents over time.

Key Takeaways

• No-tour eliminates extra trips to offline/wireless locks by using newly programmed credentials to deliver changes.
• Real-time locks update instantly after you save and compile.
• Offline/wireless locks can be updated either by presenting a credential programmed with no-tour commands, waiting for scheduled check-ins (if wireless), or by syncing with the mobile app.
• If there’s any doubt that all old keys are returned, tour the lock to immediately block those keys.
  

No-tour is meant to save time and streamline your operations—giving you the flexibility to handle most access updates from the comfort of your office and only visit locks when absolutely necessary.