The security software I install controls electro-mechanical locks, mag locks, gate locks, elevator locks. Basically, if you want to control who, what, when, and where someone goes in or out, our software/equipment will control it. Mostly used on military bases, nuclear-biological-chemical areas. But it can also be seen in many offices and universities. Heck, I bet a salesman will even sell you a full system to protect your parakeet cage.
This kind of thing:
The computer with the software will be well within the facility. Each access point only has the information needed to grant access to that door/entrance.