Systems / Acre DNA Fusion
DNA Fusion (formerly Open Options): versions, hardware, end of life and upgrade options
By Tom Jin
DNA Fusion is an on-premise access control system originally developed by Open Options and now sold as an Acre Security brand. Acre calls DNA Fusion its flagship, open-platform access control software, and the current release is DNA Fusion 9.0. It is aimed at enterprise and multi-site organizations.
Acre's page highlights browser-based management with no client software needed, management from desktop or mobile devices, multi-site support, video linked to alarms and events, multi-tenant segmentation for departments or tenants, automation through triggers and macros, central ID badging and InfoReady reporting. Acre also lists more than 25 technology partners. Like Access It!, DNA Fusion has a migration path to Acre's cloud platform; Acre says your existing configuration is the starting point rather than a rebuild.
How to recognise Acre DNA Fusion
Look for the DNA Fusion name on the management screen or browser tab. Older documentation and stickers may say Open Options. Door controllers on DNA Fusion sites are widely said to be Mercury boards, but Acre's DNA Fusion page does not confirm this, so read the controller labels yourself.
- The software is called DNA Fusion; older screens and paperwork may say Open Options.
- Version 9.0 can be managed from a modern web browser without installing software, per Acre.
- Wireless, Wi-Fi and PoE locks from ASSA ABLOY, Allegion, HID and others may be on the doors; Acre lists these brands in its ecosystem.
- Read the door controller labels to identify the hardware; the controller family was not confirmed on Acre's page.
Still not sure? Follow how to identify your access control system.
Versions and editions
| Name | Details | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNA Fusion 9.0 | Current release. Browser-based access, multi-site management, video integration, multi-tenant segmentation, triggers and macros, InfoReady reporting. | current | source |
| Releases before DNA Fusion 9.0 | Support end dates for older releases were not confirmed. The former Open Options site did not load during this review. | unconfirmed |
Hardware
| Name | Details | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Door controllers | Commonly described as Mercury-based, but not confirmed on Acre's DNA Fusion page in this review. Check the labels on your panels. | unconfirmed | |
| Wireless, Wi-Fi and PoE locks | Acre lists locks and readers from manufacturers including ASSA ABLOY, Wavelynx, HID and Allegion in the DNA Fusion ecosystem. | current | source |
| Mercury LP and EP controllers (if present) | If your panels are Mercury LP, they are end of sale (last ship December 31, 2024, support through December 31, 2028). Mercury EP boards are end of life since January 1, 2019. | end of sale | source |
What is ending, and when
We found no end-of-life notice for DNA Fusion; Acre presents 9.0 as its current flagship on-premise release. The move from the Open Options brand to Acre did not retire the product. Support dates for older releases were not public, and the former Open Options website did not load during this review.
If your controllers turn out to be Mercury boards, Mercury's dates apply: LP controllers stopped shipping on December 31, 2024 and are supported through December 31, 2028, and EP controllers have been end of life since January 1, 2019. Identify the panels first; then the plan is usually a board swap behind the same software.
See every dated notice in the end-of-life tracker.
What offices commonly miss
- Exits are usually free: people push a bar or trip a request-to-exit sensor. The system logs a door opening but not who left, so it cannot give an exit record or live occupancy unless exits are badged.
- Public API documentation was not found. Acre's page mentions mobile and web access and many technology partners, but we could not confirm a published API or SDK for DNA Fusion.
- The hardware family is not confirmed on Acre's page, so any upgrade or migration quote should start with a list of the actual controller models on site.
- Brand consolidation under Acre may change who you call for support and how integrations are licensed; confirm current terms with Acre.
Integration options
Acre lists more than 25 technology partners for DNA Fusion, including enterprise software such as Microsoft 365, Active Directory, SAP and Google, and video platforms. That shows integrations exist, but we did not find a public API reference or SDK documentation for DNA Fusion. Acre's technical documents sit behind a login on its product catalog.
For a third party, the realistic route is to ask Acre about its partner program and the integration interface for your DNA Fusion release. We would treat any integration as unconfirmed until Acre provides documentation.
Upgrade paths
Keep DNA Fusion and add features as software
If doors and panels work, keep them. Features such as phone unlock or a record of who left could come from software layered on top, but only once Acre confirms an integration interface for your release.
Update to 9.0 and refresh panels
Move to the current release to get browser-based management, then identify your controllers and replace any end-of-life boards behind the same software. Doors and wiring usually stay.
Move to cloud or replace
Acre offers DNA Fusion customers a path to its cloud platform, saying the existing configuration is the starting point. A full replacement with another vendor should start from a confirmed list of reusable hardware.
Compare the routes over three years in the savings calculator.
GateStride and Acre DNA Fusion
Not yet scheduled GateStride has not scheduled a DNA Fusion integration. It is not on our roadmap yet, and we do not support DNA Fusion today. GateStride is in early access and currently works with Kantech EntraPass. If your office runs DNA Fusion, tell us your version and door count. Demand decides what we build next, and we will only call an integration Verified after testing it ourselves on a live system.
Questions about Acre DNA Fusion
- Is Open Options DNA Fusion discontinued?
- No. Open Options is now an Acre Security brand, and Acre sells DNA Fusion 9.0 as its flagship, open-platform access control software. Older releases may be out of support, but we could not confirm dates. Check your version with Acre or your installer.
- Does DNA Fusion run in a browser?
- Yes. Acre says DNA Fusion 9.0 can be managed from any modern web browser without installing software, and from desktop or mobile devices. If your screens look different, check the About screen to see which release you run, and ask Acre whether it is still supported.
- Does DNA Fusion use Mercury controllers?
- It is widely described that way, but Acre's DNA Fusion page does not confirm the controller family, so we list it as unconfirmed. Read the labels on your panels. If they are Mercury LP or EP boards, Mercury's end-of-sale and end-of-life dates apply.
- Can DNA Fusion move to the cloud?
- Acre offers a path from DNA Fusion to its cloud platform and says your existing configuration is the starting point, not a rebuild. Which hardware carries over was not confirmed, so ask Acre to check your specific panels and readers.
Related systems: Acre Access It! · Genetec Synergis · Avigilon Unity Access
Sources
- https://www.acresecurity.com/access-control/dna-fusion
- https://www.acresecurity.com/access-control
- https://products.acresecurity.com/
- https://www.mercury-security.com/mercury-lifecyle/
- https://www.mercury-security.com/products/ep-intelligent/
Last reviewed October 2026. Acre DNA Fusion and other product names are trademarks of their respective owners. GateStride is independent and not affiliated with, endorsed by or a dealer for any manufacturer.