Why Pair Physical Security with Approval Automation?
Let’s get real: approval processes suck when they’re manual. Chasing down signatures for access permissions? Forgetting to revoke contractor keys? Spending hours cross-referencing spreadsheets to see who approved what? That’s why pairing ApproveThis (approval workflows) with Nexkey (access control) isn’t just smart – it’s borderline survival mode for scaling companies.
Here’s the deal: Nexkey handles the physical side of access – locks, key sharing, group permissions. ApproveThis owns the digital paperwork – routing requests, getting sign-offs, enforcing rules. Together, they turn “Hey, can Bob get access to the server room?” into a 30-second process that even Bob’s manager can handle between coffee sips.
Business Benefits That Actually Matter
This integration isn’t about flashy tech. It solves three concrete problems for mid-sized companies:
- No more “Who approved this?” chaos: Every Nexkey access event ties directly to an audit trail in ApproveThis.
- Stop overpaying for software seats: Approvers only need ApproveThis access – no extra Nexkey licenses required for external partners.
Take a manufacturing plant. Their facilities team uses Nexkey to manage 200+ doors. With ApproveThis, when a vendor requests after-hours access, it routes to the plant manager and safety lead simultaneously. Approval? Nexkey grants temporary access. Denial? Auto-email explains why. No spreadsheets, no missed SLAs.
Real Use Cases (That Don’t Sound Like Corporate BS)
1. “Why is there a plumber in the CFO’s office?”
The Setup: Nexkey detects a key share on an executive suite lock → ApproveThis requires Facilities + Security approval before access is granted.
Who Cares: Property management firms. Imagine a high-rise where tenants can’t just hand out master keys. Every temporary access request gets vetted without property managers playing middleman.
ApproveThis Bonus: Use approval thresholds – requests under $500 (like a pre-approved vendor) get auto-approved. Emergency? Bypass with escalation rules.
2. “The server room door is wide open... again.”
The Fix: ApproveThis receives IT access request → Once approved, Zapier triggers Nexkey to unlock specific doors during set hours.
Life Saver For: Healthcare IT teams. New dev needs server access? Approval requires both CTO and compliance sign-off. Approved? Nexkey grants Thursday 2-4PM access only. No more sticky notes with door codes.
3. “Contractor left last week but still has access.”
The Flow: ApproveThis marks project as complete → Nexkey auto-revokes all associated keys.
Game Changer For: Construction firms. When a subcontractor’s approval expires, their keys die same day. No more manual clean-up or security walkthroughs.
4. “New hire starts tomorrow. Do they have building access?”
The Magic: HR submits onboarding approval in ApproveThis → Once signed off, Nexkey adds employee to “Office East” and “Parking” groups.
HR Teams Rejoice: Especially in retail chains. Approve regional manager → auto-grant access to all stores in their territory. No more IT tickets for access updates.
Setting This Up Without Losing Your Mind
If you can make a Zoom call, you can build this integration. Here’s the 30,000-foot view:
- Create Zapier account (they’re the middleman here)
- Choose trigger: “New Key Share in Nexkey” or “Approval Completed in ApproveThis”
- Add action: “Create Approval Request” or “Unlock Door/Revoke Key”
- Test with one door/approval type first (protip: use the CEO’s office as your test zone – keeps everyone motivated)
Need granular control? Layer in ApproveThis’ conditional logic. Example: Key shares during business hours get fast-tracked. After 5PM? Require VP approval.
Which Teams Get the Biggest Win?
Facilities Managers
Stop being the “door police.” Set rules like:
“All storage room requests need custodial supervisor approval if >$5k equipment inside.”
Auto-revoke keys during inventory weeks. Track which approvers drag their feet (looking at you, accounting).
IT Directors
Compliance just got easier. Now:
- SOC2 audits show exact approval chains for server room access
- Terminated employees lose building access before HR finishes exit paperwork
Operations Leaders
Scale without chaos. A 50-person startup growing to 500? ApproveThis+Nexkey means:
- New office locations get copy/pasted approval rules
- Mergers don’t turn into a keycard nightmare
Why This Isn’t Just Another Integration
Most workflow tools stop at digital approvals. ApproveThis + Nexkey bridges the physical gap. We’re talking:
- Auto-expiring approvals: Grant a vendor 48-hour access – no manual revocation
- Location-aware rules: Require higher approvals for high-risk zones
- Real-time denials: Reject a key request? Nexkey blocks it before the person reaches the door
It’s like giving every manager an invisible security guard who actually reads the policy manual.
No, Really – How Hard Is This?
If you’re using Nexkey, you’ve already got the hardware. ApproveThis plugs in via Zapier – no devs required. Pricing starts at “less than your monthly door repair budget.”
And remember: Approvers don’t need Nexkey logins. Client needs warehouse access? They approve via email. Your Nexkey admin still controls actual access rights.
Bottom Line: Approval Shouldn’t Be the Bottleneck
Physical security meets approval automation isn’t some futuristic concept. With Nexkey handling the doors and ApproveThis managing the paperwork, you’re basically giving your ops team a time machine.
Ready to stop babysitting access requests? Register for ApproveThis or book a 15-minute demo. We’ll show how to make “Who approved that?” questions disappear.
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