International Women’s Day: SALTO’s commitment to progress
Discover how we at SALTO are celebrating International Women’s Day, and the actions we take to promote equality all year round.
Discover how we at SALTO are celebrating International Women’s Day, and the actions we take to promote equality all year round.
8 March marks the annual celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD). Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1975, this commemoration is an opportunity for our global community to stop and reflect on women’s social, economic, and political achievements. It’s also a time to reexamine the obstacles we must overcome to achieve gender equality.
At SALTO Systems, we strive to do our part in creating a more just world where everyone is provided the same opportunities and resources. That’s why, in honour of IWD 2023, we’re taking stock of the initiatives we’ve created to promote equality in our organisation and community.
Social responsibility in the tech sector
This year’s celebration of International Women’s Day comes with an important theme, as established by the UN: ‘DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality’. The goal is to address the global inequalities that exist within the world of technology – including access to internet and digital education – and to celebrate the women who are already leading the tech revolution.
In our modern world, we’re increasingly dependent on internet-powered interactions. Everything is backed by tech, from attending work meetings to calling loved ones, making a purchase, booking a doctor’s appointment, or even unlocking our front doors. More and more daily activities are being digitalised and automated in order to make our lives better and more efficient.
Yet, in 2022, an estimated 37% of women around the world still don’t use the internet, according to the ITU. But the same isn’t true for men: roughly 259 million fewer women have access to the internet than men, even though they account for nearly half the world's population.
As a leader in the tech sector, SALTO believes we have a social responsibility to empower and celebrate women in the digital sphere.
Sustainable Development Goal #5: Gender Equality
Gender equality has become a hot topic in the last few decades. The issue has sparked meaningful conversations amongst governments, organisations, and individuals on the best ways to promote equity. The United Nations lists Gender Equality as Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #5, aiming to empower women and end all forms of gender discrimination by 2030.
SALTO supports SDG #5, paying close attention to issues like women’s employment and access to leadership roles.
DEI and ESG at SALTO
We believe gender equality fits into the greater picture of intersectional social progress. However, it can only be tackled by firm DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives. DEI is a key part of our ESG (environmental, social, and corporate governance) strategy – reflected in both our company policies and the activities we participate in throughout the year.
Our interpretation of DEI translates into the following policies:
- Diversity: our employees reflect a wide range of attributes, views, identities, and backgrounds;
- Equity: all employees in the company receive adequate support and opportunities for growth; and
- Inclusion: every employee feels respected, valued, and safe at SALTO.
For SALTO, these policies act as not only promoters of equality and peace, but also drivers of innovation, productivity, and growth.
We also spearhead various social responsibility initiatives, including but not limited to:
- The Corporate Equality Plan, aimed at promoting equal opportunities and social inclusion in the workplace;
- Robust safety and security measures, including comprehensive training, information, and supervision; and
- Health and sports initiatives, including the SALTO Running & Cycling Team and Free2Move.org, our in-house program empowering disabled athletes to reach their goals.
Our commitment to the SDGs>
In September 2015, all 193 UN member states agreed to adopt the 17 official SDGs. In 2020, SALTO Systems joined its ranks, making a commitment to promote progress by becoming a member of the Global Compact.
This pledge implies a promise to align our operations with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour-safety standards, the environment, and the fight against corruption. With this move, SALTO joined thousands of companies worldwide in carrying out corporate actions, policies, and practices that help to create a better world.
SALTO takes this responsibility very seriously. In addition to our strong policies on DEI and gender equality, we’ve achieved ISO 14001 certification. We are also ranked Silver by EcoVadis and have become 100% carbon neutral at our factory and in all offices across the world. These are significant steps in making keyless, smart access technology more sustainable.
We hope you’ll join us in celebrating International Women’s Day now and every day by embracing policies and initiatives that promote equality, progress, and a better future.
Check out our official webpage to discover more about SALTO’s keyless security solutions. Keep up with the latest news in the world of access control by following us on Linkedin and Instagram.
#SaltoSystems #EmbraceEquity #DigitAll
Hybrid Hospitality Properties: A new era in Hospitality
The combination of hybrid hospitality and smart access technology SALTO is helping to revolutionize the way hotels operate, by improving the guest experience, increasing operational efficiency and providing a more secure and personalized stay for guests.
The combination of hybrid hospitality and smart access technology SALTO is helping to revolutionize the way hotels operate, by improving the guest experience, increasing operational efficiency and providing a more secure and personalized stay for guests.
The hospitality industry is constantly evolving, and the recent trend of hybrid hospitality properties is a prime example of this. Hybrid hospitality properties are a combination of traditional hotel services with the convenience and technology of short-term rental properties and working spaces for business travellers. This new model is changing the way guests think about and experience hospitality, and it's also presenting new challenges for hotel operators.
Hybrid hospitality properties offer guests a choice between hotel rooms or private apartments, which can be booked via an app or website. Guests have access to shared common areas that include restaurants, lounges and business centres as well as other amenities like gyms or swimming pools. This type of property is ideal for guests who want to feel at home while they're away from home, but who want to avoid dealing with the hassle of renting an apartment.
One of the key advantages of hybrid hospitality properties is their ability to provide guests with more control, service and customization experience over their stay. With the use of technology, guests can book and manage their stay from their smartphones, check-in and out at their convenience, have mobile access, connect securely to the WiFi network to work remotely, and even control the temperature and lighting in their rooms. This level of security, guest safety and keyless convenience is a major highlight for guests' experience and is a key factor in the popularity of hybrid hospitality properties.
This new model is changing the way guests think about and experience hospitality, and it's also presenting new challenges for hotel operators.
Here are four ways that hybrid hospitality properties are changing the way hotels operate:
1. It provides guests with more choice.
Hybrid hotels can offer a more flexible experience to their guests by offering multiple services under one roof. For example, they can offer public spaces where travellers can work or relax, while providing more private areas for travellers to rest after a long day of meetings or sightseeing. The ability to cater to both business travellers and leisure tourists makes hybrid hotels appealing to many types of guests looking for different types of experiences during their stay in the city.
2. It makes it easier for guests to work remotely.
The rise in remote work has led to a growing number of travellers who want an amenity that enables them to keep working remotely while on vacation or on business trips away from home offices — whether it be through shared office spaces or private meeting rooms all working within a single access control technology that brings seamless Digital Key access to every door in an efficient, flexible, safe, and secure way.
3. It's about providing an experience.
Hybrid hotels are making use of smart access technology to provide a seamless guest experience, from check-in through check-out. As part of this effort, many hotels have implemented keyless and mobile entry systems like SALTO Hospitality solutions for their hotel rooms.
4. Combining the best of an office, a meeting room, a luxury hotel and a resort in an all-in-one property.
It should be noted that running a hybrid hospitality property also presents several challenges for hotel operators. One of the biggest challenges is maintaining the high level of service and security that guests expect from traditional hotels, while also providing the flexibility and freedom of a short-term rental property and coworking space. This requires a delicate balance and careful management of the property operations and its guests.
Ensuring that the technology used to support the hybrid hospitality model is reliable, secure, and user-friendly. Technical problems or security breaches can quickly erode guest confidence and negatively impact the property's reputation. It's essential for hotel operators to invest in smart access technology that is robust and well-supported in every property touch point and to have a contingency plan in place for when things go wrong.
By incorporating SALTO hybrid-integrated, virtually networked, wireless and cloud-based smart-locking technology into their operations, hotels can provide their guests with a convenient, modern and secure stay. It also helps the hotel staff to manage their operations more efficiently by reducing manual tasks and allowing them to focus on providing a higher level of service to their guests.
In conclusion, hybrid hospitality properties are a new and exciting development in the hospitality industry. While they bring many benefits to guests and operators, they also present new operational challenges that must be carefully managed to ensure success. With the right approach, however, hybrid hospitality properties have the potential to provide guests with an unparalleled level of control and convenience while also helping hotel operators to improve their operations and stay ahead of the competition.
Looking to learn more? Click here to discover more about SALTO’s access control solutions for Hospitality, and follow us on LinkedIn or Instagram for the latest updates.
5 Trends Shaping The Future Of Coworking Technology
Coworking is a revolution that's changing the way we work.
Coworking is a revolution that's changing the way we work. With a more flexible, remote working culture, coworkers are reinventing the workplace experience, finding new opportunities, and boosting members’ community collaboration in these shared workspaces and hybrid workplaces. But the one thing that ties all of these people together is technology. This evolving technology delivers the power to provide an app where coworkers can book, pay, and manage meeting room reservations, or gain access to the space with mobile door access.
Here are five ways Coworking technology will change your life and elevate your brand.
1. Smart-tech convenience
The future of coworking technology is bright. It’s one in which your members will be able to access your space with ease and without physical keys. By providing keyless options, you’ll be able to give them a seamless member experience.
Smart tech is a must to improve your members’ experience and simplify your access control by leveraging the latest in coworking technology. By using smart locks instead of traditional keys or card readers, members can simply use their smart keycards or smartphone to gain entry into coworking spaces without having any physical “keys" at all. This provides them with greater peace of mind, knowing that they won't lose a keycard, for instance, which most workplaces require. Member satisfaction levels will improve overall, and this, in turn, translates directly into increased occupancy rates over time.
Smart workspaces are office environments designed to be more efficient and productive, often incorporating technology and amenities to support remote work and collaboration. Together, hotdesk booking and smart workspaces can improve the member experience by providing more options for where and when to work, as well as a more comfortable and functional working environment.
2. Seamless Coworking experiences
Grant access permissions based on membership. Give workspace members the convenience of keyless office door locks, elevator access, locker security, POD cabinet access, and opening doors using a Digital Key on a smartphone or with a tag or a PIN. Integrate office access control systems with member services and create partnered access solutions that support client satisfaction, retention, and recruitment.
A seamless coworking experience will also allow you to link access to membership plans or time-based privileges or restrictions. Decentralized key management can improve user experience by providing more autonomy and flexibility for users and members. Each member is responsible for managing their own keys or credentials, which eliminates the need for users to request access from a central administrator and can also make it easier for users to access different resources, invite visitors, or host meetings without having to go through multiple levels of authorization. Centralize your coworking access control system with an all-in-one cloud-based solution – that can be managed remotely from anywhere – that includes a complete smart locking platform of thoughtfully designed, easy-to-install and retrofit, access control solutions. This will help you achieve reliable access control, physical safety, and simplify security plans to ensure your community, visitors, and working spaces stay safe.
3. Workplace flexibility with enterprise-grade security
Enjoy the flexibility of cloud-based technology, making it easy to scale your coworking space access control infrastructure. Add or remove new doors, access points, lockers, meeting rooms, phone booths, lift access, floors, or locations, anytime and anywhere.
Redefine your working space security and create a policy for access control with a SALTO-enabled comprehensive smart access coworking technology platform. Give authorized members 24/7 access and restrict drop-in visitors to regular business hours combining physical security with a best-in-class digital keyless experience.
If you prefer to stick with physical tags or keyfobs,’ we have automated the process for you to still provide a modern and efficient solution for your space with smart and seamless tag enrollment.
4. Technology integration is a must
Coworking spaces are no longer just a place to get your work done; they're part of the modern lifestyle. Members expect many additional services and benefits from their coworking space, including a healthy dose of social interaction, access to the latest tech, booking solutions, and even an environment of mindfulness. As such, it's important for you to know that having leading technology integration partnerships is not only common – it's also often required in order to attract and maintain members.
Tech integration is a key feature of coworking spaces, and it's only going to become more important as the industry evolves. Connecting the best working spaces Property Management Systems (PMS), building security, and business technologies to your SALTO access control can provide a seamless and integrated experience for system operators and members that includes ready-to-go integration features by third parties that can be seamlessly integrated into a running process. By linking these systems together, members can easily access the resources they need, whether it's reserving a hotdesk, gaining access, or using specific business technologies. This integration can also provide a more secure and efficient experience for operators, as access to resources can be controlled and monitored in real time. Moreover, by integrating these systems, data can be easily shared and analyzed, which can help make better business decisions and improve the overall user experience following Single Sign On (SSO) standards.
5. Data leverage
Data is the new oil, and it is valuable to make data-driven decisions to improve operational efficiency. If you don't have a strategy to take advantage of this, you're doing yourself a major disservice. It can be used to improve your business, booking rates, energy efficiency, coworking member experience – and if you're smart about it – your revenue.
Data can be leveraged in several ways, the first of which is to monetize access. Increase your revenue by monetizing access to meeting rooms and other available spaces within the office building or coworking space itself (in addition to the traditional membership fees). Use data analytics tools and real-time reporting to maximize your space utilization with real-time occupancy insights. This will provide you with a better understanding of how people are using your workplace with historical data to show occupancy trends and space utilization.
There’s no denying that coworking spaces are only becoming smarter. As more people choose to work remotely, coworking locations are becoming a go-to for those who want to collaborate with others and be part of a community. The advancements in technology that allow for collaboration and communication will only continue to grow, making it easier than ever before for coworkers from all over the world to share ideas and work together on projects.
Looking to learn more? Click here to discover more about SALTO’s access control solutions for Coworking and follow us on LinkedIn or Instagram for the latest updates.
SALTO 2022: a year in review
It has been a big year for SALTO Systems, and we’re proud to share our biggest achievements with you.
It has been a big year for SALTO Systems, and we’re proud to share our biggest achievements with you.
From launching a variety of innovative products to spearheading new platforms and solutions, as well as serving a greater range of industries, 2022 has been a testament to what we can achieve through our continued inspiration, dedication, and passion.
This year, we also witnessed tremendous growth within the SALTO group of companies and reaffirmed our commitment to sustainability, recognizing our social responsibility to build a better world. We are grateful for our 2022 successes and are hopeful for what lies ahead in the coming year.
New Product Launches
XS4 Original+
We started the year with the newest addition to the SALTO lock family: the XS4 Original+. This universally compatible electronic lock is the latest evolution of our flagship product, the XS4 Original. It features:
- a newer, more advanced chipset
- improved functionality
- the most cutting-edge technologies
- a sleek, beautiful design with a flat reader now available in two colors
Read more about the XS4 Original+ product launch here.
The next-generation XS4 Original+ takes all you love about the world’s most trusted, flexible smart locking solution and future-proofs it with the latest technology to elevate door security and access control for our customers and partners around the world.
First Online Electronic Cylinder Configurator
Up next, we added the powerful and versatile Neo Cylinder to our online MyLock configuration tool. With this move, we effectively launched the first online configurator for electronic cylinders on the market.
Now, architects, project managers, and our partners can access the largest range of matching door hardware finishes, with vast options for finishes and accessories to turn any door into a secure, electronically-operated smart access point. It is also quite flexible, incorporating an array of door standards, product configurations, and architectural styles to meet any design or aesthetic demand.
You can learn more about our launch here.
FSC-Certified Wooden Guest Key Cards
Furthermore, we took yet another step into the world of sustainability with the release of our eco-friendly, FSC-certified Eco Guest Key Cards. Made from wood fiber, they allow us to play an active role in reducing plastic waste.
Read more about our Eco Guest Key Cards here.
Our innovative wooden key cards give our partners in the hospitality industry a viable alternative to traditional plastic key cards and allow them to provide their guests with a stress-free, socially-conscious experience.
Access Control Platform and Solutions
SALTO Homelok
After transforming smart access control in the corporate, academic, healthcare, workspaces and hospitality industries, SALTO turned its eye to residential applications with the launch of our new SALTO Homelok platform. 2022 was the perfect time for this release as more and more people start to embrace safe, convenient smart home living.
SALTO Homelok is a compact smart access solution that sets a new standard for residential living.
It also generates an abundance of benefits for our residential, multi-family and smart-living business partners, including:
- Easy installation, use and maintenance
- Simple, convenient and safe access via keycard, smartphone and even Apple Wallet
- Suitability for any property type, from single-family or multi-family residences to vacation rentals and more
- Boosted operational efficiency by making property management simpler and more convenient
- Guaranteed security, safety and privacy, even for your data
- Enhanced digital access experience for residents
- Ability to enable the smart living ecosystem in any home or multi-family residential building.
Discover more about our SALTO Homelok launch in this post.
SALTO KS 200,000 online locks & ISO 27001 certified
SALTO KS successfully surpassed 200,000 locks online. his is a result of hard work and dedication on behalf of the entire team, SALTO Business Units, our Technology Partners, and everyone involved in selling and installing SALTO KS at impressive sites around the world.
In other news, SALTO KS renewed its ISO 27001 certification. This confirms our cloud-based, smart access solution’s commitment to high data protection standards, conforming to the industry’s best practices.
Read more about SALTO KS ISO 27001 certification here.
SALTO Space and Gantner NET.Lock Integration
SALTO revolutionised smart access yet again by teaming up with leading RFID/NFC solutions developer, Gantner. Recognising that smart storage lockers are pivotal to the modern workplace, we went to work developing smart lockers that are convenient and easy to use.
The result? We fully integrated SALTO Space with the Gantner NET.Lock system to provide smart keyless storage space for mid to large-size locker installations requiring a comprehensive locker management solution with maximum convenience and real-time management. By using pre-existing staff ID cards as locker keys, the resulting electronic lock system has proven to be the most powerful in the market. We’re glad to report that this solution can securely manage many different storage systems, among them:
- Staff lockers
- Office furniture
- Storage rooms
- Parcel locker system
Explore our smart access solution with Gantner here.
Industries
SALTO continues to raise the bar with our industry-specific solutions, which continue to create positive results for our customers and partners.
In hospitality, we worked with St. Falls Ski Resort based in Australia to set up over 90 access points for the 40-boutique-apartment hideaway. We overcame the challenge of an old legacy access control system by replacing it with our premier SALTO Space Hospitality Solution.
Read more about our solution for St. Falls Ski Resort here.
Moreover, we successfully implemented integrated smart access solutions for Salon Lane, a coworking space for beauty professionals in Sydney. We also launched our Technology Partner Program for companies looking for a complete smart building experience.
Company Group News
In 2022, the SALTO group of companies grew by leaps and bounds in a variety of ways. Our expansion was sparked mainly by the acquisition of Cognitec Systems, a leading innovator in automated facial recognition, and Bluefield Smart Access, where we now have a major stake.
SALTO also had a major showing at ESSEN 2022, the German biennial trade show. It was a wonderful opportunity for all our companies to meet face-to-face again after a long time apart.
Read about ESSEN 2022 here.
We further expanded our operations in the Asia-Pacific region and opened up new XSperience Centres in Germany, Portugal, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, and Australia - our new innovation hub in Melbourne.
Now, SALTO Systems has a diverse mix of 1,500 people from 80 countries working in over 40 offices around the world - we are proud to be creating the smart building of the future.
ESG and Sustainability
SALTO is proud to announce that we have effectively achieved carbon neutrality across our group of companies. In 2022, we successfully offset CO2 emissions in all our offices and factories - a big step towards a carbon-free future.
Discover SALTO’s ESG commitment here.
We received a Silver classification in the EcoVadis global evaluation program, ranking among the top 25% of companies for our sustainability policies and initiatives.
Read more about our Silver EcoVadis classification here.
SALTO also continued its focus on sustainability with various initiatives, including our sponsorship of Free2Move.org. This is in line with our mission to adopt sustainable models that generate meaningful environmental and social impacts.
Thank you 2022…welcome 2023
All in all, 2022 has been a year of growth, progress, and greater social responsibility. Apart from all the milestones we have achieved, we are proud to have provided effective solutions that meet our customers’ and partners’ specific needs. We may not know what lies ahead, but we are already looking forward to all 2023 will bring!
Season's greetings and Happy Holidays to you!
Cutting-edge Coworking at Csuites, Singapore
Read on to find out how the integration between SALTO’s cloud-based access control solution SALTO KS and Office RnD, has helped Csuites to enhance their coworking member experience.
Csuites is the first premium flexible workplace in Asia that is designed to facilitate the need of enterprises with a large team of 50 to 200 members. The workspace solution caters to small and medium enterprises, enabling shorter leases, immediate move-ins, as well as security and sustainability credentials. Csuites aims to provide the benefits of a coworking space but with the quality and comfort of a next-generation enterprise space that would otherwise be forced to take a traditional lease.
Csuites aims to create an environment that promotes corporate innovation, collaboration, well-being, and growth amongst its members. They are also mindful of the impact on people and the future and are consciously committed to lowering their carbon footprint through a mix of sustainable design and strategies.
Read on to find out how the integration between SALTO’s cloud-based access control solution SALTO KS, and Office RnD, the provider of software solutions that power flexible working, has helped Csuites reach their goal of offering high-end technical solutions that enhance their coworking member experience.
Csuites was looking for a cloud-based solution that could integrate with their space management tools and allow the operations team to manage access easily. The access control solution Csuites was looking for had to be secure, user-friendly, and seamless. Also, the solution SALTO offers (SALTO KS) includes the Digital Key feature, which aligns with Csuites’ vision of providing a seamless experience for their members, where they can have all their workplace needs within their mobile app, including opening doors.
The integration setup with OfficeRnD is really easy and seamless. The integration allows their Member Experience team to easily set up the door access and manage everything member-related in one single platform. They rarely have to go into the SALTO KS admin portal once the access group is set up. This makes the operation procedure easy and such a time saver so that the Csuites team has time to focus on what matters.
As Csuites is catered for corporates, they have to ensure that the fit-out quality and technology are progressive and the best in class. The design, layout, and amenities of the space also have to be catered to the need of their target market, which is spacious, with ample natural sunlight, and different types of workstations to enhance focus and collaborative work.
Csuites has been built with a people-centric design in mind. One area championing is wellness in the workspace. The office suites feature sound-dampening walls, and noise-canceling duct works to reduce the sound emanating from utility pipes. Another wellness aspect is the variety of work desks in each office suite, which include sit-stand desks, team tables, and desks along the windows.
The technology guiding principles are based on our customers’ needs. Taking into consideration that large corporates generally have preferred technologies. As such, the technology they have in place needs to be agnostic and seamless. Shared meeting rooms and event spaces will need to be equipped with high-quality audio and visual technology. Security is a big concern for most corporates. Therefore, Csuites need a reliable, safe, and secure physical space powered by technology.
Some of the key design features of Csuites:
- Ultra-low power lighting of 4.3 W/m2, more than 50% reduction vs SS530:2014
- All water fittings in the project are rated 3 ticks under PUB Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme
- Acoustical Treatment: All office suites and meeting rooms are sound-proofed, and feature noise-canceling duct works to ensure maximum privacy and minimal distraction
- The base building is awarded Green Mark Platinum.
- Active Workspace Elements: height-adjustable desks, high-quality ergonomic furniture and fixtures, and a diverse workplace typology to meet the needs of today’s dynamic workforce
- Biophilic Design: Full glass ceiling-to-floor facades provide an abundance of natural lighting, while natural elements such as wood and ample plants create a healthy, green, and well-ventilated space
- Extensive use of materials certified by the Singapore Green Building Council and Singapore Green Labelling Scheme
Companies looking for new workspaces today want places with services that can better support their employees, and there is a major focus on well-being, talent attraction, and enhanced productivity.
About 35% of the total floor area at Csuites has been set aside for communal spaces that encourage people to interact. On the fifth floor is a fully serviced reception, and the common area for tenants will feature a café managed by ‘Huggs’, an event space for up to 150 people, as well as a variety of informal collaboration spaces. These are places where members can work at their leisure and where they can additionally hold informal meetings.
Each office suite has at least one meeting room, depending on its size, but other meeting rooms and a boardroom can be booked through a dedicated mobile application for members of Csuites. The app is designed by London-based space management platform OfficeRnD and allows Csuites tenants to unlock workspaces they have booked with their mobile phones.
Csuites also maps out heavily booked areas and collect data on space utilization rates throughout the workspace. By having data about how many people are in the space and what time they are there, they can get a sense of which areas are popular and which aren’t. Csuites will use the data to better furnish the spaces that are used more frequently, with more seats or work desks to better meet demand usage there.
Csuites is the first in Asia to provide premium, flexible workplace options for larger enterprises. They have 10 suites available, and each will be supported by additional hot-desking and flexible workspaces when required. Walls between the office suites can be removed to create a larger office space for larger-sized groups.
The 10 private suites range from 50, 75, 95, and 170 people. Each office is equipped with 1.5-meter sit/stand desks, ergonomic chairs, lockers, indoor plants (to provide good air quality), and a utility area for storage and printer. The office also comes with ensuite meeting rooms with excellent acoustic treatment. One-third of our space is allocated for common shared amenities like a board room, event spaces, nursing mothers room, multi-faith room, first aid room, phone booths, shared meeting room, cafe, and pantries (including fridge and cabinet allocated for each office, instead of a shared fridge as you normally see in coworking spaces).
Traditionally coworking spaces provide a pedestal under the table, which restricts the movement and space one can have. Csuites provides lockers in the office, freeing up the workstation, and there are no table legs between a cluster of work desks to draw the distance between two members closer to promote collaboration.
The design and the amenities allow larger corporations to network with other companies of similar scale. This might be quite new to the corporates that usually have their own traditional office, with no option of networking with other people aside from their colleagues.
As Csuites is also the only flexible workplace in Singapore that clinched Singapore Green Mark for Healthier Workplaces Platinum certification in 2020, which recognizes sustainable and resource-efficient solutions, SALTO is even more proud to have established this unique integration.
Want to learn more about how your coworking space could benefit from an access control integration that will offer your members a seamless experience? Feel free to contact our teams; they will be happy to demonstrate how SALTO can help.
Senior Coliving: The Future of Shared Housing
In the fifth instalment of our 6-part Coliving Blog Series, we dive into senior coliving and how shared living is a concept for all ages.
We've partnered up with one of the leading coliving consultants to launch a six-part monthly blog post series. In the fifth instalment of our 6-part Coliving Blog Series, we dive into senior coliving and how shared living is a concept for all ages. Different from assisted living, senior coliving offers a solution for those who want to live an independent yet community-driven life as they age.
SALTO has been in the business of smart locks for 20 years, and we’re continually evolving to meet the needs of our clients. We believe that by understanding our users, along with the changing demographics, we can provide the best solution.
Today, our expert coliving consultant and Community Experience Specialist Leah Ziliak shares how the coliving demographic is shifting below:
When you think about the term ‘shared housing’ what image comes to mind? If you’re picturing a space full of budget-conscious millennials, you’re not the only one. Search 'coliving' and you'll likely see a thousand images of 20-somethings working from laptops amongst trendy decor.
And that’s all well and good. Millennials are a great demographic for this new type of housing sector. But they’re definitely not the only demographic.
As a consultant in the coliving industry, I find there are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to coliving. People assume that shared living is only for the young…and only for those looking to save some cash. Today, we’re going to look at coliving from a different perspective.
Remember the TV sitcom, ‘Friends’? Rachel, Ross, and the crew showed the world that living across the hall from your closest friends could be a pretty ideal scenario. But, let’s not forget, long before ‘Friends,’ we had ‘The Golden Girls’ demonstrating that aging with your friends could be pretty sweet too.
The need for a community doesn't end when you hit 30. Who's to say you can't live with an engaging group of friends well into your senior years? Coliving for seniors is of growing interest, and I believe it’s the perfect housing option for many who are looking for a sense of community as they age. And, apparently, I’m not the only one.
What is Coliving for seniors?
Let’s recap for a moment. What exactly is coliving, anyway? Coliving is one of the biggest trends in real estate at the moment. Offering a sense of community, flexibility, quality design, engaging communal spaces, and a host of extra perks and amenities, coliving enables people to live a more connected lifestyle.
Not only is coliving great for millennials, but it’s also an obvious solution to the growing need for community-based senior living. Coliving is the future of senior housing. And here’s why:
Cost of Senior Living:
The cost of senior housing has skyrocketed over the years. According to Genworth Financial, the average cost of assisted living in the United States alone is $4,500. However, average pricing varies greatly from state to state. For example, in parts of the Northeast, the average monthly cost is over $7,000 per month.
$7,000 per month! A person could live at a resort for those prices. And, in fact, some do.
For several years I worked onboard cruise ships, and I was amazed to discover that there were quite a few ‘regular’ guests in their 60s and 70s who had given up their homes to live full-time onboard cruise ships.
Why?
Apart from the obvious perks of travel and relaxation, it was actually cheaper for them to live onboard a floating resort than it was to move into an independent living community in the U.S. And, with food and entertainment provided, along with a sense of camaraderie with fellow guests and crew, why wouldn't you?
While living on the high seas isn’t the best fit for many, the point is boomers are looking for alternative living solutions. And many seniors do not have the kind of funds to afford many of the assisted/independent living communities that currently exist.
Loneliness in seniors
When it comes to living scenarios, apart from affordability, one of the biggest struggles we face as we age is loneliness. According to the CDC, nearly one-fourth of adults 65+ are considered to be socially isolated.
The impact that loneliness has on our well-being is tremendous. Social isolation increases a person's risk of premature death in staggering ways, rivaling the statistics of smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity. A person who is socially isolated also has a 50% increased risk of dementia.
Having social connections and a sense of community not only helps us to lead happier lives, but it also helps us have healthier, longer lives as well.
Benefits of shared housing for seniors
There are many different types of coliving that exist for all ages and all demographics; there are options for student coliving, digital nomad coliving, luxury coliving, health and wellness-based coliving, and many more.
And while the entire shared living industry is already talking about senior coliving, there honestly aren’t as many senior projects as you’d expect to see…yet. But, I predict that coliving for the 60+ demographic will be one of the biggest segments of an already rapidly growing industry. In part because it’s greatly needed, but also because there are just too many benefits to ignore.
Community/Events
Another one of the many perks of living with a group of like-minded people is the sense of community that comes along with it. Coliving spaces are designed to engage residents and create an environment where members feel at home.
Unfortunately, senior living facilities often get stuck with a bad reputation. That’s because many people still have an outdated view of what community living for retirees can look like. (Secret: there’s much more to the senior living experience than afternoon bingo and shuffleboard.)
With coliving, events are about more than simply entertaining residents, it’s about building a sense of belonging and shared purpose. Activities are often community-led and enable a much more modern, expansive experience. Think skill shares, volunteer opportunities, language courses, happy hours, dinner parties, tech classes, and afternoon sports. (Pickleball, anyone?)
Coliving is the modern solution to senior living that many are looking for. At SALTO, we strongly believe in the power of bringing people together. Community is the key.
Affordability
Not only does senior coliving give residents an affordable option, but it also enables them to have access to higher quality spaces that their budget might not have allowed for otherwise.
For example, a person might not have been able to afford a pool or daily yoga classes on their own, but as a community, they can benefit from sharing these resources. From electric bicycles and a communal garden to weekly housekeeping and cinema rooms, residents have access to higher quality and more choices when it comes to spaces and amenities, leading to a higher quality of life overall.
Another area where affordability comes into play is in terms of shared care costs. For example, the cost of a caregiver could be split amongst the residents. A particular resident might not need a full-time helper on their own, but they might benefit from assistance with chores every once in a while or help with basic medical care.
Opportunities like this make it easier for a person to live independently as they grow older instead of moving into a more costly assisted living facility. Sometimes, an occasional helping hand makes all the difference.
Ease of Use
Ease of use is a massive benefit for seniors within coliving spaces. From an operator's point of view, management of shared spaces can be made even easier by utilizing access control systems. Offering safe, instant access with keyless entry not only enables a seamless experience, but also gives residents peace of mind.
Implementing tech also opens up a variety of options to enable more personalized perks for users. For example, some spaces offer on-demand concierge services via an app, so users can choose which amenities they’d like to add to the living experience. From food delivery and housekeeping to transportation and prescription delivery services, residents can easily select the solution that works best for them.
For operators, this opens up opportunities to offer premium services for its members. Residents have more choices, along with a more personalized ala carte experience, while providers have the potential for additional revenue streams.
Learning Opportunities
Coliving spaces often offer a variety of learning opportunities, from skill shares to actual courses. Many spaces have an emphasis on continued personal and professional growth. The desire to learn and experience new things doesn’t leave as we grow older.
I recently read about a project at Arizona State University called Mirabella. The university created a senior living community on campus, calling it ‘the world’s coolest dorm.’ Residents have access to college courses, amenities, and activities and are invited to participate in student mentor programs. Some senior residents even conduct guest lectures and act as adjunct professors, while others volunteer with their favorite sports teams.
While a lot of these programs come with a high price tag, these university-inspired retirement communities demonstrate the value that many seniors place on continued learning and being part of a larger community. Mirabella sold out of every single unit more than a year before the project was even completed. The demand is there.
Senior coliving spaces can provide learning opportunities both on-site as well as through partnerships with local businesses and organizations. As demonstrated at Mirabella, the opportunities that exist through multi-generational learning experiences are vast.
Staying Healthy
An emphasis on health and wellness is a key component of most coliving spaces, and it becomes an even bigger aspect of senior living. By focusing on actively maintaining and improving the health of its residents, seniors are able to live independently for longer.
Many coliving spaces have fitness centers or classes, as well as mental well-being programs. For example, Gravity Coliving in London offers physical training sessions and nutrition masterclasses, as well as access to mental health services through their community app.
The same concepts and opportunities that we’re seeing in millennial-focused coliving can be easily adapted for senior coliving as well.
Safety/Tech
Coliving offers a sense of safety and security for its residents. In many spaces, you’ll find 24/7 CCTV, a security team, along with smart lock systems for safe, easy access. Senior coliving projects also often have convenient access to hospitals, on-call doctors, and specific safety protocols in place.
Many spaces place emphasis on technology, making sure residents are able to stay up-to-date and informed. Whether that’s teaching members basics like how to video chat or utilize voice assistance or offering more advanced classes to further their education. The modern senior is tech-savvy and connected, and coliving spaces are helping them stay that way.
SALTO understands the importance of providing safe and convenient tech solutions to users. By implementing tech solutions that make life easier for its residents, operators can increase retention rates and help members live independently longer. Tech solutions enable coliving operators to modernize and rethink spaces to create a more user-friendly living experience all around.
The Future of home sharing for seniors
In the United States, where 10,000 people turn 65 every single day, the need for senior living solutions is becoming even more critical. But Americans aren’t alone in this issue. At 19%, Europe has the highest proportion of the elderly population in the world. Community-focused shared living for seniors is a strong trend that is taking place all over the world.
With senior coliving being such a solid solution for aging adults, why aren’t there more options available in this sector? In my opinion, it’s only a matter of time before we see an influx of these kinds of projects. Coliving is still a developing real estate asset class, and as the industry expands, so will the key demographic. I believe that senior coliving is set to make waves sooner rather than later in the real estate industry.
Wishful thinking? Perhaps a little. All I know is that when I’m of retirement age, I want to live in a supportive community that prioritizes connection, and experiences and encourages growth in all areas. And, there are millions of others around the world who are of the same thought.
For the young and the young at heart, coliving is the answer.
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Keep an eye out for the final of our Coliving Series which will focus on coliving 2023 and where the industry is heading to. For more information on how you can offer your residents a seamless customer experience, contact our team of experts here.
SALTO expands its partnership with Spaceti by integrating with SALTO KS cloud-based access control solution
We are very excited to announce Spaceti as a technology partner. By integrating with SALTO KS, users are enabled to reserve meeting rooms for specific timeframes through the Spaceti Booking System and automatically get access to the rooms for the reserved times and days.
Founded in 2016 SaaS (Software as a Service) Holistic Building Experience technology platform Spaceti is used by both landlords and occupiers to enhance the building experience for the users and gather and manage all of their data in one place. Spaceti was the first-place winner in the prestigious Worldwide Proptech startup competition by MIPIM in 2019. Spaceti offers its client adaptability and scalability with a range of flexible, interoperable modules allowing clients to customize their solutions based on their key-organizational priorities. And is today running in over 200 workplaces and has global coverage with localized partner support.
We are very excited to announce Spaceti as a technology partner. By integrating with our cloud-based access control solution SALTO Keys as a Service, Spaceti users are enabled to reserve meeting rooms for specific timeframes through the Spaceti Booking System and automatically get access to the rooms for the reserved times and days.
SALTO took this opportunity to ask Spaceti’s CTO & Co-founder Ondrej Plevka about the integrations’ possibilities and what he foresees for the future:
Spaceti offers a Holistic Building Experience platform and works with clients to realize their smart building development vision. Can you give us an example of how this works?
The example has 3 levels of human interaction with the smart building.
- Passive. We collect data from sensors on occupancy, air quality, or energy consumption and show it in real-time to people or process them in our historical analytics proprietary tool.
- Active. We enable people to book spaces (workspaces, meeting rooms, parking spaces, etc.), get context on what services the building can offer, and be a part of social features like Newsfeed or Events.
- Interactive. People can open doors with their phones based both on static access or dynamically based on the booking of a given space. Also, they can interact with smart lockers and share their access with colleagues. Last but not least, people can call elevators from their phones.
How do you help companies to enhance their performance of spaces over time?
We provide a Workplace analytics solution that enables companies to enhance their workplace performance by using that space more effectively. Our solutions help companies to become more flexible, agile, and responsive to future changes in the workplace environment by providing a better understanding of office layouts, and patterns in utilization per department and gathering insights into employee preferences for better comfort and improve their workday performance.
What would be the ideal digital infrastructure for a company, according to Spaceti?
We believe that the ideal digital infrastructure for a company must be capable of supporting modern and secure APIs, allowing each system to be used as a building block. The ideal digital infrastructure should also be prepared to connect to a cloud and enable the business to adapt to change.
It is a well-planned digital ecosystem that maximizes the value of data, integrates internal and external systems, and offers a platform for business innovation.
You help companies with data to transform vacant areas into flexible coworking spaces. How do you feel the workplace is changed positively because of your platform?
Spaceti's data-driven approach is helping companies transform vacant areas into flexible workspaces that meet the needs of both tenants and employees. Based on a data-driven approach, we help companies identify which spaces need to be transformed and create a space that can be used for any work: from traditional offices to co-working spaces, coffee shops or restaurants, or even recording studios.
An excellent example of this transformation is The Music Station. Together with our partners, we helped Warner Music Spain create a new creative co-working environment for Warner Music employees, artists, composers, producers, and managers, providing them with a powerful tool to enhance the building and workplace experience while enabling hybrid and flexible work via the mobile app.
Read the case study here
We believe that our platform positively changes the workplace because it provides a holistic solution for companies to establish a space-efficient and cost-effective workplace environment while satisfying the needs of tenants and employees.
Do you think becoming data-driven is the only way to elevate operational efficiency for a company?
As data-driven operations have evolved, they've become a must-have in today's rapidly changing business environment because they also provide support to other parts of operations within a company.
How does the integration between Spaceti and SALTO KS help companies scale?
Spaceti integrates with SALTO KS to create a strong competitive solution for both static and dynamic keyless access based on Spaceti Booking System. The easy installation of SALTO KS, combined with its fast connection to the Spaceti mobile app, helps companies scale through simple implementation.
Can companies also integrate with your product when they would like to learn more about their use of gas, air quality management (temperature, humidity, CO2, etc.), and smart parking, for example?
Yes, we offer integration with third-party systems. Our cloud infrastructure is prepared for quick integration and provides a modern and secure API.
Please contact one of SALTO’s sales teams for more information. They are more than happy to give you all the information you need!
Would you like to become a SALTO technology partner? Fill in this form, and we will contact you as soon as possible.
Security Essen: Bringing SALTO group ground breaking solutions together
This year’s edition in September was a special version with all the SALTO group companies present after a period of not being able to see each other face to face.
Every two years the trade fair for security in Essen, Germany, is a big part of our joint efforts to put SALTO Systems on the (security) map. With every edition, the ESSEN security fair is getting more popular. With over 1000 exhibiting companies and more than 40000 visitors for the 2022 edition, this is almost an understatement. This year’s edition in September was a special version with all the SALTO group companies present after a period of not being able to see each other face to face.
At the Essen fair, we could see the names of the group companies proudly presented on SALTO staff sleeves. Together, the companies form a collective of solutions that fit the needs of multiple verticals. The Essen security fair was the ideal opportunity to see first-hand the latest products and technology available and provided an opportunity to network and build partnerships with members and executives in the industry.
While combining these companies, SALTO Systems remains the heart and soul of the company: including the founders that once started a small business in lock manufacturing. The ‘small business’ SALTO Systems once was, has grown out to be an industry leader in electronic locking and smart access with market-leading positions in key geographies and a diverse range of services with, currently, not only specialized in top-notch hardware but additionally the software which makes the hardware smart. It was a very special moment to see employees of all SALTO group companies intertwine: Clay Solutions, Cognitec, Contidata, Conlan, Bluefield Smart Access, Gantner, and Danalock were among the 120 people present from SALTO!
“SALTO has significantly expanded our range of products and services over the past two years through the acquisition of several technologically-innovative companies. At Security Essen, we’ve showcased the interaction of the different solutions of our Group companies live for the first time. - Axel Schmidt, Managing Director SALTO Germany.
With all these specialties combined, SALTO continues to push boundaries by expanding the envelope of what is possible and how the latest and emerging technologies can be used to create keyless buildings that are smart to own, operate, and manage. Think of face recognition, smart locker- and payment solutions, license plate recognition, and cloud-based access control. Besides expanding the company with the group companies, we have been growing our solutions with technology partners. By collaborating with all these partners we continue to develop the technologies and solutions that will help customers in various industries to drive intelligent building management and smart access technologies with more integrated and streamlined keyless and contactless solutions.
If you missed us at ESSEN make sure to join us at one of our upcoming events. For details on these events – or to learn more about us – visit our events page here.
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Discover why B. Amsterdam uses SALTO KS’ Digital Key as its primary access method
The B. Amsterdam coworking hub in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is built to give entrepreneurs the flexibility and inspiration they need to grow their businesses.
The B. Amsterdam coworking hub in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is built to give entrepreneurs the flexibility and inspiration they need to grow their businesses. In the open-plan coworking space, you will find like-minded people. This often results in an increase in collaboration, igniting great ideas that might have not come to life otherwise. With a ‘full membership’ you get to enjoy this entrepreneurial community, and additionally make use of unlimited access to events, support, and facilities any coworking space should be proud to offer such as a padel court! All of this is spread over three buildings situated close to one another.
For this interview about how SALTO Keys as a Service helps B.Amsterdam increase member satisfaction, we spoke to Robin Slijkhuis, their New Business & Sales Manager.
What challenges or needs did you face in your building facility that led you to look for an access control solution like SALTO KS?
Well, there are approximately 300 spaces that need to be opened and closed on a weekly basis. This is time-consuming. We needed to get new keys, hand them over, get them back, change them, and worst of all, dismantle locks when someone lost a key. You can imagine with all these businesses that rent a space at B.Amsterdam there was a lot of administration, and therefore frustration regarding key management.
What steps and processes did you follow to determine your specific access control needs?
There is great circulation in the number of people coming and going. The Digital Key functionality is therefore a big plus of SALTO KS. Because of Corona and after there was an increase in flexibility. We don’t need a receptionist anymore because there are no keys. Different types of people come and go such as members, cleaning staff, suppliers, and employees of ‘STACH’ the in-house coffee bar. We have people coming in from 6 am to 11 pm without any hassle. We are not using it yet but it would be ideal to share keys with guests of our members. For instance, when one of the companies that rent a space organizes an event they can simply send the ‘key’ to their guests so they can come in at a specific time. Additionally, it’s nice that the organizer can see who of the invitees came and maybe wants to subscribe for more events or information.
Why did B. Amsterdam choose SALTO KS in the first place over any competitor and how does it compare to previous management?
From the very beginning, SALTO KS was chosen as the access control management tool for B.Amsterdam. I wasn't included in the process but I find SALTO KS very reliable and easy to use. It’s also a big advantage that SALTO KS can be integrated with Office RnD which increases the ways we can optimize our member experience. It goes without saying, this way of managing access control in the buildings is way better than when we were working with mechanical keys and a receptionist.
How many members do you have in one building on a regular basis?
It depends on the day, but we have 300 offices spread over three buildings, with 3000 members, a STACH (coffee bar), and, event rooms. So I would say 750 members per day.
What type of openings do you use and why?
We have an 80% Digital Key adoption rate which means most people use the Digital Key feature to open their offices. We have a lot of regular suppliers such as cleaners and grocery delivery services who can get their own personal keys. We can see exactly who was in the building and at what time which makes a great case to attract new potential members. It gives them a sense of security.
I recently learned about the Digital Key widget which seems to be a great next step for our members to make it even easier to open their doors.
How much does using SALTO KS reduce the cost and time of your building operation management tasks?
I don’t have the exact numbers but I’m guessing it’s a lot since we don't have to replace any locks or keys anymore and a receptionist is not necessary for access management at all times. It’s also helpful that we know when an office is empty so we can directly notify the cleaners to come and get the office ready for the next day/member.
How does using SALTO KS ignite the sense of community at B. Amsterdam?
Because you are able to get in the building and your office straight away, members feel included from the very beginning of their journey at B.Amsterdam. Members feel like they have ownership of their ‘own’ office, instead of a big building where they are just a ‘number’, which contributes to the exclusivity B.Amsterdam offers.
What would you tell others who might be considering using SALTO KS?
SALTO KS makes operations way easier, and it increases member satisfaction. The system is intuitive so adding, deleting, and blocking members is a simple task.
Thank you, Robin, for taking the time to meet with us! It’s an honour to have B.Amsterdam in our customer portfolio.
Are you looking for a private office or a nice spot in an open office filled with entrepreneurs? Contact B.Amsterdam!
Do you own a coworking space or are you interested in SALTO KS for another reason? Please contact one of SALTO’s sales teams. They are more than happy give you all the information you need!
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Hybrid Hotels: meaning and hospitality opportunities
In the second post of our 6-Part Coliving Blog Series, Leah shares how the Hybrid Hospitality trend is changing the way we think about travel and hospitality.
Coliving Consultant and Community Experience Specialist, Leah Ziliak is one of the world's leading experts in the industry. In the second post of our 6-Part Coliving Blog Series, Leah shares how the Hybrid Hospitality trend is changing the way we think about travel and hospitality.
Working from the rooftop of a trendy hotel in Cape Town with 200 Mbps internet, a dedicated call room, and a barista serving up the perfect flat white, it's easy to see just how much the hospitality world has changed over the last decade. Remember when the 'business centre' of a hotel meant a couple of clunky desktops facing a beige wall with a printer?
With a coworking space, community events, group fitness classes, and even a mini movie theatre and a popcorn machine, this is more than just a hotel; it's an experience. A Hybrid Hospitality experience.
Hungry? Scan a QR code at your coworking desk and the cafe downstairs will deliver your falafel wrap and cold-pressed juice right to you. Bored? Download the community app and you’ll see a list of social events to choose from. Stressed? Book a massage using your smartphone and easily access the spa with keyless entry.
So, what exactly is Hybrid Hospitality?
Hybrid Hospitality is essentially a blend of the traditional hotel experience, with elements of the coworking and coliving spaces as well as
restaurants, wellness, retail and more. With Hybrid Hospitality, people can live, stay, eat, drink, work and socialise all in one dynamic space. Hotels, hostels, restaurants, bars and other hospitality venues are making the shift to create multifunctional spaces that foster connection and enhance the overall guest experience.
Hybrid Hospitality is a growing trend, and for good reasons; it’s enabling hotels to expand their offerings, bring underutilised spaces to life, connect guests to a community, and draw in a whole new demographic.
So, why are we seeing such a massive push toward Hybrid Hospitality?
- Consumer Trends:
In recent years, the hospitality industry has seen a shift in consumer trends. Millennials especially were looking for more out of the hotel experience and wanted to be part of a connected, engaging environment.
Traditionally, hostels offered a great community experience, but were lacking when it came to high-quality spaces and superior hospitality experiences. On the flip side, hotels offered great spaces and excellent hospitality, but lacked any sort of community or connection.
Because of this, we saw innovative hostel brands listening to those needs and creating a more elevated experience, offering work-friendly environments, well-designed spaces, private room options, and expanding the typical backpacker demographic.
We also saw hotel brands focusing on community, events, neighbourhood integration, keyless access solutions for increased flexibility, and rethinking common areas to create an experience that went beyond just a comfy bed and room service.
- The Pandemic Effect:
Since the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve seen an even greater expansion of the Hybrid Hospitality trend. The number of remote work opportunities has grown exponentially, meaning that people have more freedom to choose how/when/where they work. The work-from-anywhere movement has had a massive impact on the hospitality industry.
Why take just a weekend trip, when you can bring your laptop and make it a month-long trip? Providing guests with ‘live-and-work-friendly’ spaces enables brands to cater to these longer-term stays.
We’re also seeing a rise in remote work retreats and workations, with some companies offering travel perks to their employees, such as the ability to spend up to 6-8 weeks working from a location abroad. Employees are more mobile than ever before and the hospitality industry is ready to act as a home away from home for this new business traveller.
- Digital Nomadism:
With the rise of remote work, we’ve also seen an increase in long-term travellers. Digital Nomads often give up their homebase altogether and choose to live from different hotels, hostels, and coliving spaces around the world.
It used to be that business trips and vacations were the only reason to leave home, now for an estimated 35 million digital nomads around the world, ‘home’ is constantly changing and can be anywhere in the world. Extended travel was once only a privilege for the super wealthy, but has now become an opportunity for the everyday remote worker. Hospitality brands are adapting to the needs of this growing demographic.
Hospitality brands are adapting to the needs of this growing demographic who have a different set of requirements than your typical vacationer. Digital Nomads are incredibly well-travelled, tech-savvy and place a high value on freedom and flexibility within their living spaces.
- Expanded Amenities:
For many years, ‘hotel amenities’ were limited to a few different things - bathrobes, a gym, tiny bottles of shampoo and overpriced laundry services. But, in the modern-day hospitality world, it can (and should) be a whole lot more. And, as more and more forward-thinking brands provide these extras to their customers, expectations will be higher.
Today, amenities can mean providing guests with opportunities to socialise through community events and connecting to the city in a more authentic way. Many hybrid hospitality brands are also looking to serve as a neighbourhood hub and integrate more effectively into the local community.
Amenities can also mean implementing tech-driven services like digital check-in, keyless entry, and the ability to make restaurant or spa reservations from your smartphone to create a flawless overall experience.
In general, this new wave of guests are looking for much more from their hospitality experiences and brands are finding unique ways to provide increased value to their customers by offering flexible workspaces and tech-driven solutions such as a digital key to access the facilities on-the-go.
With endless hospitality options out there, why not spend your money with the brands that truly align with who you are and what you need?
The Hybrid Hospitality model not only benefits consumers who now have a myriad of interesting choices at their fingertips, it clearly benefits the industry as well. By providing these unique customer-centric experiences, hospitality brands are able to generate new revenue streams, optimise their spaces, create brand loyalty and appeal to a much wider range of guests. Not to mention, they’re able to enhance their entire guest experience in a very forward-thinking way.
The coliving concept is not simply a fad that will be fast forgotten - it’s an exciting time for the entire hospitality industry, but it’s also a key turning point for brands that want to stay competitive and relevant in the future. There are plenty of spaces in the world where you can get a quiet night’s sleep and a decent meal. But, the brands that are standing out above the rest are the ones who are creating something truly unique - both functional and engaging. It’s a whole new modern hybrid world out there and the smartest brands are here for it.