For many of our customers, regular gate fobs are a perfectly serviceable way to control their electric gates, allowing them to come and go as they please. However, much like normal sets of keys, some people can find gate fobs prone to getting lost every now and again. Thankfully, we offer several alternatives to controlling your gates here at Gate Auto, whether they’re sliding, cantilever or swinging electric gates. What’s more, both these alternatives depend on that one little device most of us tend to be very good at holding onto – our mobile phones.

GSM Modules – control your gate from your phone

You may not have heard of GSM, which stands for Global System for Mobile Communications. It was developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute, and GSM modules themselves are embedded pieces of hardware – either small chips or circuits. In the case of our products here at Gate Auto, they often take the form of a 3G SIM card. Now we won’t go into the technical background too much – basically what you need to know is that the technology allows you to control your gate from anywhere in the world.

To open your gates, all you have to do is call them. The module checks that your number is associated with the opening system, then rejects the call so that you’re not charged, before opening the gate. This allows you to control your gates from anywhere around the UK (or even the world), so that you can let in gardeners, deliveries or friends and family. There’s no separate power supply required – it’s all powered straight from your gate’s existing control board.

That’s just the basic functionality, though. Depending on what product you choose from our site, you can benefit from a fantastic range of additional features, such as options for holding the gate open (or latching it), and even setting automatic open and close times if you choose an intercom with built in GSM.

MyQ app (LiftMaster 24V kits only)

If you own one of our LiftMaster 24V gate automation kits, the MyQ app presents another handy way to control your gate from your phone, giving you the ability to monitor, open and close it from anywhere in the world. As long as you have an internet connection, the control is literally in your hands. It’s hugely reassuring as an active security measure, as you’re notified if your gates open when you’re out (or if you forgot to close them). You can also customise your security alerts, modify security levels and add a passcode of your choice for extra safety. The MyQ app is also compatible with Nest, and gives you the ability to control multiple garage door openers, gate operators and commercial door operators – and if you choose, you can even use it to adjust your outdoor lighting, or open your garage doors. In short, it’s a revolutionary piece of technology designed to give you complete peace of mind, no matter where you are – so you can say goodbye to worrying about whether you left the gates open or not when you left home!

Whatever you end up choosing – or if you’re still having trouble deciding on which gate kit to pick for your property, we’re only too happy to help here at Gate Auto.

We have over 30 years in supplying and fitting high-quality gate automation, we provide a wide range of electric gate kits and garage door openers alongside an array of accessories to ensure you get the most out of your investment. Feel free to browse them right here on our site, or give us a call on 01282 677300!