Since long time locks have been manufactured and developed for Traditional Lock Manufacturers. Schlage, Yale and Medico are just a few of the big names. These companies have been at the forefront of innovation in mechanical locks. Most of these companies now make electronic locks .
Non-traditional lock companies are now entering the lock and security industry. These companies have never manufactured locks but are software and electronic producers. They know that software, communication, and networking will be the next innovation in locks. This is the hard part.
Recently, I heard about a company who had developed a device that could be used to bypass the thumb-turn on a deadbolt locks inside. This would theoretically work with any deadbolt lock that has a thumb-turn. The thumb-turn was removed, and the device was bolted to the wall. The device contained all electronics and communications. The manufacturer created an APP (Apple Android) that could communicate with the device over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The lock button would be pressed when you open the APP.
This is an example where a company did not manufacture any mechanical locks. They instead created a device to control the existing lock. Other companies are also creating network devices that can control many types of locks, similar to those found in hospitals or offices. This type of access control has been around for many years. These companies arent your typical lock companies, and they dont use the traditional access control methods. They have found a way to monitor and control many types of locks made by different companies.
Biometrics will be more widely accepted as a way to control locks in the near future. Already, companies like Samsung(r), and Apple(r), have integrated biometrics into their phones. This can be used to make payment like a credit card or debit card. These phones could be used to control the door locks in the same way that they make payments.
Traditional lock manufacturers will not be able to refuse this communication, while smart locks will incorporate that communication capability into their electronic locks.