The Challenge: Managing Complex Access Control Across Multiple Facilities
With nearly one million square feet spread across seven buildings and up to 300 access points, managing secure access was a logistical challenge for Mequon-Thiensville School District.
The district needed to ensure security during school hours and unrestricted access for community events after hours, with an average of 60 events scheduled nightly. Each event required multiple steps to program access gates and doors—leading to potential errors, such as doors not unlocking in time, which frustrated both staff and visitors.
“When a parent is locked out in the cold with kids waiting to get into a gym, I get the call—and it’s frustrating for everyone,” said Kyle Thompson. With community rentals generating over $300,000 in annual revenue, it was critical to streamline access management and ensure easy facility use.
The Solution: Brivo + eSPACE for Integrated Security and Facility Management
By integrating Brivo’s cloud-based access control system with the eSPACE platform, Mequon-Thiensville School District achieved the security, automation, and simplicity it needed to manage facility operations efficiently.
“It was like turning on a light bulb,” Kyle said. “What used to take six manual steps for one event now takes one calendar entry.”
With the Brivo and eSPACE integration, the district can:
- Automate door access: Secure school entrances during the day and unlock them automatically for after-hours events.
- Ensure automated facility use: Community members no longer have to wait outside due to access issues.
- Eliminate manual errors: Events are scheduled once, and access is handled automatically across all relevant doors.
- Monitor building security remotely: Staff have real-time visibility into access points, ensuring peace of mind.
“Now, I schedule an event in eSPACE, and every door tied to that event opens exactly when it should. I don’t have to worry about missing a single door.”
The Results: Time Savings, Fewer Errors, and Higher Satisfaction
The integration of Brivo and eSPACE provided immediate operational improvements for Mequon-Thiensville. Staff saved hours each week by eliminating the need for manual programming, and the number of access-related complaints dropped significantly.
“We used to get 30 phone calls a day about access issues—now, that’s almost nonexistent,” Kyle shared.
The success of the integration also led the district to explore further automation with eSPACE, including plans to integrate HVAC and lighting systems for additional efficiency and energy savings.
Why Brivo + eSPACE? A No-Brainer for Facility Management
Kyle has already recommended the Brivo and eSPACE integration to neighboring school districts, calling it a “no-brainer.”
“The labor savings alone are worth it. It’s hard to measure the value of not getting all those phone calls or fixing things last minute—it’s been transformative for our operations.”
The connection between Brivo’s smart building technology and eSPACE’s facility management software ensures that Mequon-Thiensville school district can continue delivering excellent service to both students and the community.
Conclusion: Smart Security, Simplified Operations, and Peace of Mind
By implementing Brivo’s cloud-based access control system alongside eSPACE, Mequon-Thiensville School District gained more than just efficiency—it gained peace of mind. With automated, reliable access control in place, the district can focus on providing outstanding service to students and the community without worrying about operational hurdles.
“This system is too good not to be in several schools,” Kyle said. “It’s saved us time, frustration, and improved the experience for everyone involved.”
Interested in learning more about how Brivo and eSPACE can transform your facility management?
