Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simplifying and improving the reliability of communication between end users and access control systems such as those that include door and/or gate controllers, tenant access to buildings, and the like. In certain embodiments using an analog modem at the controller end of the system, the corresponding remote analog modem (which communicates with that analog modem at the controller end) is not within the direct control of the end user, and the end user's communicates instead via the user's standard hardware/software for communicating generally, such as via the Internet. Depending on the application, the control data can be maintained and/or synched at any selected combination or sub-combination of several locations: (1) the user's local system; (2) an intermediate server system; and/or (3) the controller end system. Preferred communication connections between the components provide improved ease of installation and use and reliability, as compared to prior art systems in which an end user's analog modem must be configured to directly communicate with a corresponding analog modem on a selected control device (such as a gate or door controller). Corresponding telephone/voice control preferably is also provided within the system, via POTS, a cellular telephone connection, VoIP, etc.