Case Study: Intelligent Access Control Integration for Ely Padel Club

Creating a fully automated booking and access system for a modern sports facility

BDi Advance was approached by Ely Outdoor Sports Association to develop an integrated access control solution for the newly constructed courts at Ely Padel Club.

The client required more than a standard gate access system. Their aim was to create a fully automated facility that could manage bookings, control access and operate without staff being present on site.

Players needed to be able to book a court online, receive a unique access code and enter the facility only during their allocated booking period. For evening sessions, the system also needed to activate the court floodlighting automatically.

Delivering this required the successful integration of the Smart Padel online booking platform with an electronic access control system.

Developing a bespoke integration

Smart Padel had been designed specifically to manage bookings and customer activity at sports facilities. However, connecting the platform to a third-party access control system was not a standard installation.

Rather than making assumptions about how the two systems would communicate, our technical team adopted a structured research and development process before attending site.

The client supplied access to the software so that our engineers could test its capabilities in a controlled environment. This allowed us to understand how booking information could be used to generate access credentials and trigger other parts of the facility automatically.

Our work included:

• Testing the Smart Padel platform extensively
• Reviewing its available integration methods
• Investigating APIs and system communications
• Working directly with the software developers in Spain
• Completing several proof-of-concept tests
• Confirming how access periods and floodlighting could be controlled

This preparation ensured that the system had been fully evaluated before installation and reduced the risk of delays once work began on site.

Connecting online bookings with secure gate access

Following the successful testing phase, our engineers installed and commissioned the complete integrated solution at Ely Padel Club.

The finished system enables customers to book courts through the Smart Padel platform. A unique access credential is then generated automatically for each booking.

That credential is only valid during the reserved time slot, helping to prevent unauthorised access outside the customer’s booking period.

For evening sessions, the integration also controls the court floodlights automatically. This means lighting is available when required without staff needing to switch it on manually.

The completed system provides:

• Online booking through the Smart Padel platform
• Unique access credentials for every reservation
• Time-limited entry through the main gate
• Automatic floodlight activation for evening bookings
• Fully unattended facility operation
• Remote management for the client

The installation and commissioning were completed successfully without disrupting the client’s operations.

Reducing administration through automation

The integrated system has now been operating reliably for more than six months without any significant issues.

By connecting bookings, access and lighting within one automated process, the client has reduced the level of day-to-day administration required to manage the facility.

Customers can book and access the courts independently, while the association can oversee the system remotely without needing staff to be present for every session.

The solution has delivered:

• A fully automated booking and access process
• Reduced staffing requirements
• Improved control over site entry
• A smoother customer experience
• More efficient use of the courts
• Reduced manual administration
• Reliable and consistent operation

It also provides the client with a scalable system that can support future changes or expansion.

Applying the solution beyond padel courts

Although the system was developed for Ely Padel Club, the same approach can be applied to many other bookable facilities.

Potential applications include:

• Football pitches
• Tennis courts
• Artificial grass sports facilities
• Multi-use games areas
• Leisure centres
• Gyms
• School sports facilities
• Community halls
• Clubhouses
• Commercial facilities available for private hire

Where a facility requires secure access linked to an online booking platform, a similar integration can be developed around its specific operating requirements.

Engineering a solution around the client

This project demonstrates BDi Advance’s ability to deliver more than a standard product installation.

Our team took the time to understand how the client wanted the facility to operate, researched unfamiliar technology and worked directly with an international software provider to create a practical integration.

The result is a reliable access control solution that improves convenience for users, reduces the operational burden on the client and allows the facility to run securely without permanent on-site staffing.

It also shows how access control, cloud booking software and automated building systems can work together to support a more efficient and flexible sports facility.