Paxton API Integrations: Seamless Solutions for Time Tracking and Access Control Systems

At our core, we’re proud to be an accredited Paxton Partner, specializing in the installation of their industry-leading access control solutions. As part of our extensive expertise, we don’t just stop at hardware installation. We also design custom integrations using Paxton’s powerful API to bridge gaps between various systems, streamlining processes for businesses across sectors. These integrations ensure systems communicate seamlessly with one another, ultimately enhancing overall operational efficiency.

One standout example is the use of entry/exit times as part of a clocking in and out system, replacing the traditional paper-based timesheet method. This system is especially effective for businesses utilizing platforms like Xero, where we can automate payroll processing straight from the entry/exit data. The best part? By leveraging our partnerships with both Paxton and Xero, we can eliminate manual data entry and save businesses significant time.

Meeting Complex Client Requirements: Access Control for Multi-Tenant Spaces

A recent project demonstrated the power of Paxton integrations in a real-world setting. Our client, a serviced office provider, sought a customized solution that allowed their tenants to access entry/exit times for their own employees — but without exposing this information to other tenants. The challenge? A multi-tenant setup where access control and time-tracking systems needed to be finely segmented to protect tenant privacy.

Initially, we considered Paxton’s Landlord/Tenant solution, which provides a way for landlords to manage access times for multiple tenants. However, we soon realized this solution wasn’t ideal for our client. It relied on a shared PC terminal or direct network access to the Paxton NET2 server, which posed significant challenges for tenants with their own networks. Furthermore, our client wanted the flexibility for tenants to access their information from anywhere — not just from a shared terminal in a single office building.

Leveraging the Cloud for Secure and Scalable Solutions

To meet these requirements, we integrated Paxton’s access control system into our cloud-first platform, hosted on our Managed VPN service. By doing so, we ensured our client could manage the system remotely, making it accessible to tenants with branch offices or remote workers. This cloud-based model is particularly valuable because it provides access to applications that may not yet be fully cloud-native, offering both flexibility and scalability.

Scoping the Requirements for a Seamless Integration

As with any successful project, understanding the client’s needs was paramount. Despite this being a relatively small-scale project, it was crucial that we carefully scoped every detail. Integration projects like this can often be deceptively simple, but even small oversights can drastically reduce the system’s effectiveness. By having an in-depth discussion with the client and involving a tenant representative in the planning stage, we were able to clarify every requirement and ensure the solution we delivered was comprehensive and practical.

For example, one key requirement was that tenants should be able to view and export their employees’ entry/exit times in CSV or PDF format. With this in mind, we opted for an API-first approach, utilizing an OpenAPI RESTful API to ensure every piece of functionality we developed was accessible via an API. This decision empowered the client to interact with the system programmatically, enabling future customizations or integrations with other tools.

Connecting SaaS Solutions: The Power of Integration

As businesses adopt multiple Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications, integrating these systems becomes critical to avoiding inefficiencies. Without seamless integration, businesses face the challenge of manually transferring data between systems. Our solution was designed to address exactly this — acting as the “glue” between various platforms. Instead of spending countless hours each month moving data from one system to another, we implemented an integrated solution that saved our client both time and money. Rather than building an entirely new system from the ground up — which would have been costly and time-consuming — we connected existing tools through robust APIs. This approach provided immediate value to the business without the burden of large upfront costs and extended timelines.

Customizing User Access and Permissions

The key to making this system work efficiently was the authentication layer. We designed the system to ensure that only authorized users could access specific data. Using the existing access groups in the client’s Paxton NET2 system, we implemented user groups that allowed tenants to only see their employees’ entry/exit times, ensuring complete data privacy. The Paxton NET2 system, which already managed the physical access of employees to different areas, was leveraged to create user roles within the integrated solution. These roles, once set up in Paxton, helped regulate access to sensitive data in our system. In this case, the landlord controlled the setup of user permissions, and we consulted with the client to determine the most practical way to manage user access. While we initially considered allowing tenants to create and manage their own web users, after consulting with the client, we agreed this level of complexity wasn’t necessary. Introducing this feature would have added unnecessary overhead, so the decision was made to limit access control to the landlord for simplicity and efficiency.

A Fast, Effective Turnaround

We were able to complete the system within just four weeks, delivering a solution that met all the client’s requirements at a reasonable cost. The end result was a powerful yet simple system that enabled tenants to access the entry/exit times of their employees, export them in a useful format, and do so without complex configurations or a hefty price tag. We built this system using the LAMP – Linux, Apache, MariaDB and PHP Stack.

Conclusion: The Power of Paxton API Integrations

Our work with Paxton’s access control solutions highlights the significant potential of API-driven integrations for businesses. By leveraging Paxton’s open API, we were able to deliver a custom, cloud-based system that met our client’s needs without the need for extensive infrastructure or custom software development.

From simplifying time tracking to enabling remote access for multi-tenant office spaces, integrations like these deliver both efficiency and flexibility. Whether you’re a small business or a multi-location enterprise, integrating Paxton’s access control systems with your existing software platforms can help you automate processes, improve data accuracy, and ultimately save time and resources.

At the heart of this solution is our ability to listen to our clients, understand their pain points, and deliver technology-driven solutions that make their operations easier. With cloud-based solutions, integration, and secure data handling at the forefront of our strategy, we continue to empower businesses to achieve seamless, cost-effective management of their access control and time tracking systems.

 2025 Update: Looking ahead to 2025, we’re already planning further upgrades to enhance the functionality of the system. One of the proposed upgrades includes enabling tenants to grant and revoke access to their own offices. This feature would provide tenants with more control over access management, eliminating the need for landlords to manage access on their behalf. To facilitate this, we plan to provide tenants with Paxton USB readers, allowing them to scan keyfob tokens for easier access management. This upgrade will further streamline the tenant experience while maintaining the system’s scalability and security.