Attract and retain bigger companies to your coworking space
Acquiring large companies as customers of your coworking space can have great benefits, including long term commitments and strong financial support. In order to retain such large companies, there are several factors you can put into practice to do so.
Let us introduce you to some of those factors:
Coworking has evolved into a highly popular workstyle that companies and freelancers are embracing globally. Coworking spaces offer users the ability to do their work in a highly effective and productive atmosphere, whilst also enjoying the possibility of interacting with others.
Many large companies around the world are now subscribing to coworking spaces to provide their employees this type of benefit. It grants them the freedom of changing scenery which is a known kick starter for productivity.
Many large companies around the world are now subscribing to coworking spaces to provide their employees this type of benefit. It grants them the freedom of changing scenery which is a known kick starter for productivity.
Location is a very critical factor of any successful coworking space, especially when it comes to acquiring and retaining bigger companies. Although many coworking spaces are set up in corporate areas within a city, this isn’t a very critical aspect. What’s more important to take into consideration is accessibility. Finding a space that is easily reachable by public transport, bikes, or cars is very beneficial (although you will also need to take into consideration that you’ll need a location with available parking nearby).
Apart from your actual location, it’s important to also consider your location within the building in order to attract bigger companies. Bigger companies tend to go for spaces on higher floors. This makes for nice views and having terraces where your customers can enjoy their lunch breaks.
Apart from your actual location, it’s important to also consider your location within the building in order to attract bigger companies. Bigger companies tend to go for spaces on higher floors. This makes for nice views and having terraces where your customers can enjoy their lunch breaks.
Your coworking space design is also another critical factor in acquiring bigger companies. A good design for your space would be to properly blend-in interaction amongst your customers with break out spaces but also individual spaces with privacy to work efficiently. This can include creating long desks with individual spaces, so that multiple people can work independently but communicate easily at the same time.
Conference and meeting rooms need to be strategically placed across your space, for instance somewhere with a good amount of natural light.
Try to avoid having all conference rooms within close proximity of each other. Design your conference rooms to fit the comfort of the people using them. Make sure you include large screens and comfortable seats for long meetings.
Meeting rooms can be very busy throughout the day. Finding a space to fit a sufficient amount of meeting rooms will work in your favour. Proper booking management systems with which you can easily book rooms for meetings and conferences are equally important. Your customer experience will sky rocket when they are able to book your meeting rooms with a few clicks of a button.
Check out the SALTO KS integration page to find out how you can integrate KS with your favorite management platform.
Check out the SALTO KS integration page to find out how you can integrate KS with your favorite management platform.
This might seem like a lot of work, but asking your customers what kind of extra services they would like to have can be very beneficial. Create a survey where your customers can fill in what they are looking for in a coworking space. It’s important to offer extra services that can place you above your competitors. For example, several customers from a large company using your space may suggest implementing a small daycare center within the space. Knowing they have the ability to come to work and not worrying about their kids will capture the interest of your potential customers, and therefore help you attract larger companies.
This might seem like a lot of work, but asking your customers what kind of extra services they would like to have can be very beneficial. Create a survey where your customers can fill in what they are looking for in a coworking space. It’s important to offer extra services that can place you above your competitors. For example, several customers from a large company using your space may suggest implementing a small daycare center within the space. Knowing they have the ability to come to work and not worrying about their kids will capture the interest of your potential customers, and therefore help you attract larger companies.
Branding heavily will not help you attract larger companies as customers, but rather freelancers and startups. Larger companies may not want to openly subordinate with other brands. Focus on implementing simple strategies to brand your coworking space within your actual space.
Let your members brand your space for you through word of mouth. If they are satisfied with the use of your coworking space, they will be spreading the word about it. Some may even be posting on their social media to promote it for you!
It can be daunting to attract larger companies to your business. Taking above factors into account will put you on the right path.
Take a look at our coworking page to find out how SALTO KS can give your customer experience that needed boost, or contact us, we are happy to think with you!
Top 5 reasons why Coliving attracts senior renters
The Coliving movement is taking the world by storm: Particularly metropolitan areas in which rapid urbanization calls for tools to combat the shortage of affordable housing, reduce the number of commuters, and ultimately improve infrastructure.
As a result of this, Coliving spaces strive to be both progressive and innovative in their approach to these issues, consequently attracting a millennial audience who mirrors these objectives. Coliving communities, therefore, cater to the lifestyles and needs of this demographic by providing attractive amenities which include communal spaces, furnished rooms, and even pet-friendly housing.
Nevertheless, it is important to note that Coliving caters to wider demographics and their respective requirements, one of which are senior citizens. Often referred to as senior Cohousing, this form of Coliving comes with its own perks and facilities.
In this post, we shed light on senior Coliving and its housing benefits.
The following are the 5 main reasons why Coliving attracts senior renters:
The following are the 5 main reasons why Coliving attracts senior renters:
While senior Coliving unites residents for a mutually beneficial environment, it also provides privacy and respect of individual space that is important for many senior citizens. Shared spaces such as communal kitchens and recreational gardens exist to benefit the entire community, however, private rooms and apartments are often available and prioritized for seniors. For those who wish to preserve their boundaries and personal space, Coliving provides the perfect solution while also preventing loneliness and isolation. Independence, however, does not only consist of privacy!
If freedom and flexibility are required, Coliving spaces such as Co-Wo-Li and Roam consist of a global network of private spaces that cater to all demographics ranging from nomads in their late 20s to early 70s!
If freedom and flexibility are required, Coliving spaces such as Co-Wo-Li and Roam consist of a global network of private spaces that cater to all demographics ranging from nomads in their late 20s to early 70s!
A fundamental requirement for seniors in their search for housing is security. While this can often be masked in comfort and community, Coliving spaces go beyond basic needs by catering to both the health and financial challenges that may exist or be anticipated by its members. This is manifested in environmental sustainability, accessible design, and amenity packages which make this a secure housing choice.
Some of these age-friendly Cohousing communities are proactively developed to support ageing and co-care for its members. Furthermore, the policies adapt to the needs and circumstances of its members as they age. In other words: They extend a responsibility towards their members which can only be delivered by Coliving.
Some of these age-friendly Cohousing communities are proactively developed to support ageing and co-care for its members. Furthermore, the policies adapt to the needs and circumstances of its members as they age. In other words: They extend a responsibility towards their members which can only be delivered by Coliving.
According to the Canadian Cohousing Network, seniors who opt for Cohousing live a minimum of ten years longer than if they chose traditional senior housing. This longevity is found to be a factor common to Coliving spaces and is supported by community life. For instance, if a member is not well, they will be checked on by other members of staff from the co-living residence. The supportive community and useful amenities have been found to make seniors happier and in better health. In other words: An overall positive impact on their well-being!
According to the Canadian Cohousing Network, seniors who opt for Cohousing live a minimum of ten years longer than if they chose traditional senior housing. This longevity is found to be a factor common to Coliving spaces and is supported by community life. For instance, if a member is not well, they will be checked on by other members of staff from the co-living residence. The supportive community and useful amenities have been found to make seniors happier and in better health. In other words: An overall positive impact on their well-being!
Finally, an important aspect of Coliving is the financial accessibility and support provided to members. For urban areas, in particular, the cost of housing for seniors can be fundamental in deciding the quality of life. Coliving allows for the sharing of resources which ultimately saves money. Nursing homes and assisted living are significantly more expensive and sometimes lack the benefits that cater to the emotional and mental health of its members, contributing to the overall experience that only Coliving can provide.
Finally, an important aspect of Coliving is the financial accessibility and support provided to members. For urban areas, in particular, the cost of housing for seniors can be fundamental in deciding the quality of life. Coliving allows for the sharing of resources which ultimately saves money. Nursing homes and assisted living are significantly more expensive and sometimes lack the benefits that cater to the emotional and mental health of its members, contributing to the overall experience that only Coliving can provide.
Coliving spaces are known for their highly desirable, and sometimes luxurious, amenities that are provided to all its members. When it comes to senior Coliving, these amenities are extended to cover transportation, wellness, exercise, and healthcare. Shared spaces that are common to all Coliving spaces include recreational gardens and laundry areas, and sometimes they can even include kitchens, guest facilities, a lounge, library and TV room!
One of the most attractive aspects of Coliving amenities lies in the customization and involvement of members in the design process. This implies that future residents have a say in their housing facilities and can be actively involved in the governance of the property even after moving in.
An important amenity often overlooked, is the incorporation of access control and management that provides both intuitive and easy to use technology. This comprises members, guests, cleaners, staff, etc. who may require access within the residences. Salto KS provides a solution for access control, improving both life and management within a Coliving space. Additionally, the Salto KS web app is flexible, which allows it to adapt to the needs of senior Coliving.
Wondering how you can attract senior renters through an easily accessible and user-friendly experience? Read about our Coliving solutions here: We are happy to inform you about the possibilities!
Contact us through this form for more information on the perfect access control solution for you.
SALTO KS provides a flexible access control management system that requires no software installation or the added expense of a fully-wired electronic product. Modern cloud-based, wireless access control system is easy and simple to use for businesses including Coworking Spaces, Coliving Buildings, Purpose Built Student Accommodation, Retail, Multi-Tenant Housing, Gyms and many more. Our best in class wireless access control solution and smart locks guarantee the efficiency for your business. Integrate smart locks, start easily managing wireless access control now!
Self-service coworking with cloud-based access control
Building a stable community is one of the pillars of running a successful coworking space. Anything that helps you to manage your time as efficient as possible so you can focus on your members is an asset to your space. After all, you want to offer your community more than just a nice work environment.
Running a self-service coworking space by automating your operations is a realistic plan for the future if you choose to integrate your preferred management tool with SALTO KS.
Imagine a new member signing up for your Coworking space, he or she gets an automatic e-mail welcoming them including a variety of information such as house rules, community news and administrative tasks, but also the request of downloading your space’s internal app.
Within this integration, it’s even possible for your (new) member to book a desk or meeting room on their smartphone within seconds, schedule classes you might provide, sign up for events you will host and all other online services that make your space unique. Think of a built-in chat functionality that keeps your members connected and let the community answer questions for you.
With Digital Key, your space member is able to open doors he or she has access to, by tapping the lock with their mobile phone even without opening your app. The mobile widget is available through the Today View screen of smartphones. This enables them, and you, for that matter to work more efficiently, saving time bypassing you as a space operator. Establishing a personal relationship with your members from the first minute they arrive becomes an effortless undertaking.
An automated billing function enables your members to receive bills based on their data. The accurate time they spend in your space, which space, what services they’ve been using and more, are all to be found on the invoice without you even having to look at a calculator.
Running a self-service coworking space is all about building a community rather than have everything automated. Define pain points in your daily operations that are costing you valuable time. Tackle these pain points by automating with the help of the right tool for you, and make sure you invest most of your time on strengthening your relationship with your members (manually).
SALTO KS provides a flexible access control management system that requires no software installation or the added expense of a fully-wired electronic product. Modern cloud-based, wireless access control system is easy and simple to use for businesses including Coworking Spaces, Coliving Buildings, Purpose Built Student Accommodation, Retail, Multi-Tenant Housing, Gyms and many more. Our best in class wireless access control solution and smart locks guarantee the efficiency for your business. Integrate smart locks, start easily managing wireless access control now!
The what, why and how of customer experience design
This month’s Think Tank Partner is a creative genius that has a passion for designing meaningful services and experiences with a human-centric approach. With collaborations on projects with Coworking and Coliving phenomenon’s such as Zoku, Vermaat and Colonies in his portfolio SALTO KS is proud to present this inspiring guest blog written by Felix Burghardt:
Hey there, I am an Amsterdam-based experience designer with a hospitality background, German roots, a problem-solving brain and an eye for detail.
My experience spans across multiple continents, cultures and industries, from luxury hospitality to cutting-edge boutique hybrid hotels, to coworking and coliving spaces but also food & beverage concepts. This has allowed me to gain valuable skills in creating and implementing meaningful services and experiences based on a human-centric approach, to increase guest satisfaction & engagement and generate sustainable business growth.
If you are not familiar with what experience design is or why it is important to your business, then keep on reading this article.
What is experience design?
According to Kaospilot, an innovative hybrid business and design school in Denmark, ‘experience design is the practice of designing products, processes, services, events and environments with a focus placed on the quality of the user experience.’ Experience design creates moments of memories and engagement between brands and their audiences through exceeding expectations, emotional engagement and involving the user as co-creator. It ultimately helps build your brand around your customers and what matters most to them instead of the other way around.
My very own definition and what I love most about experience design is that it is a catalyst for positive emotions, engagement and connections. Paired with a sense of purpose, this is what makes businesses thrive.
Why is it important in today’s world?
‘Customers who had the best past experience spend 140% more compared to those who had the poorest past experiences.’ Peter Kriss, Harvard Business Review
We are currently living in an age lead by rapid innovation and digitalization, where customers increasingly look for experiences rather than just objects.
But still, a lot of brands use standardized services to stay competitive. For customers, it becomes difficult to differentiate one brand from another, and their decisions will often be based on the quality-price ratio. In their book, The Experience Economy, Pine and Gilmore call this effect commoditization. In their opinion, it is through staging memorable experiences you can create successful market differentiation and drive economic growth.
Experiences are not only important to stand out from your competitors and to level up your services, but also to create a stronger relationship with your audience and therefore increase loyalty. In the book ‘The Power of Moments’ Chip and Dan Heath explain that to create fans you need the remarkable and that requires peaks. Peaks don’t emerge naturally. They must be built. So instead of only focusing on building a complaint-free service, it is necessary to include moments of surprise and delight to create a memorable customer experience.
Well-Designed customer experience makes your audience feel that you care about them and that they are more than just part of a process. It’s one of the most effective marketing tools as people love to share stories of their experiences with their friends and family, online as well as offline. Or as Forbes calls it, customer experience is ‘the new brand’.
4 tips on how to design a great customer experience:
Apply human-centric research
An essential part of how I approach projects and create experiences is to first understand more about the client and their customers. Having a good understanding of what your customers desire and what the drivers of their actions are is key to exceed their expectations. Therefore, for me, the first step is always gaining empathy and putting myself in the shoes of the users. In order to get these insights, it helps to start interacting with your customers whenever possible. Use something as simple as elevator rides to find out more about them. Conduct interviews asking a series of ‘why’ questions. Start to observe their behaviour and how they interact with your online & offline community.
Define a high concept
In order to create a cohesive experience that involves many different points of interaction, and to structure its concept and design process, it is essential to define a guiding premise at the beginning of the process. The high concept is a clear statement that explains the core meaning you will create for your users with your future experience and aims to create guidance, excitement and engagement internally. In order to come up with a high concept ask ‘What if …’ questions and reframe it as a statement.
Design for memory
Experiences are not always about the beginning but also about how they end. According to Nobel Prize-winning psychologist and economist Daniel Khaneman, two things have a big influence on what we remember of a past experience. According to him, it’s about how we felt at the peak (good or bad) and at the end of an experience (peak-end rule). In order to design for memory, make sure to have a closer look at how you can implement peaks and unexpected changes into your customer journey as well as a happy end. This doesn’t mean that all other parts of experience don’t matter. But it’s definitely worth to keep the end in mind when designing an experience.
Balance technology with humanity
Great customer experiences revolve around your audience and ultimately help them reach their goals. Technology can assist to reach these goals faster and in a more convenient way. Technology should focus on solving a problem and not necessarily be implemented just for the sake of innovation. It should not distract from the real human experimentation of the experience, but be used to surprise, delight and enable a frictionless and personalized journey.
Final takeaway
There are obviously many more things to take into consideration when designing a memorable and engaging customer experience. These can range from creating excitement before the experience starts to define what you want your audience to feel and think during the experience, to deciding how you can extend the process and align and organize all stages within a customer journey. But these tips will definitely help to understand your audience better and create something that adds value to their experience and to your brand.
For more tips on how to enhance your customer experience journey, have a look at another recent article of mine here.
If you want to work together or have any questions, feel free to get in touch via hello@felixburghardt.com and stop by at www.felixburghardt.com to learn more about what I do. Always happy to help.
Good luck out there!
SALTO KS provides a flexible access control management system that requires no software installation or the added expense of a fully-wired electronic product. Modern cloud-based, wireless access control system is easy and simple to use for businesses including Coworking Spaces, Coliving Buildings, Purpose Built Student Accommodation, Retail, Multi-Tenant Housing, Gyms and many more. Our best in class wireless access control solution and smart locks guarantee the efficiency for your business. Integrate smart locks, start easily managing wireless access control now!
Spotlight on a dealer: Quincaillerie du Léman SA
For our recurring ‘Spotlight on a dealer’ blog post series where we shine a light on the many professionals around the globe that are working hard on promoting and selling SALTO KS, we traveled to Switzerland to speak to Didier Kauer. Didier is Head of the Salto Hardware Department at Quincaillerie du Léman SA and knows everything there is to know about Salto products.
Read how this small Swiss hardware and security shop grew into a flourishing business with a staff of twenty-two employees:
How was Quincaillerie founded?
Quincaillerie du Léman SA was founded in 1996. At the beginning we were with only five employees, today we have a staff of twenty-two people! We have more than 10,000 items of hardware and security products in stock in our Store in Bussigny -Lausanne and more than 300,000 items in our E-shop. Our greatest strength: The study, planning and implementation of a project as a whole. We are able to advise, supply and install all components around the door.
What made you decide to become a SALTO KS dealer?
As a regional hardware company, our main customers are construction professionals and we had recurring requests for small and medium projects. It was essential to be able to offer a suitable cloud solution to our customers. We were already a reseller of Salto products and it was only logical that we decided, as a Premium Plus Partner, to offer this solution.
As a regional hardware company, our main customers are construction professionals and we had recurring requests for small and medium projects. It was essential to be able to offer a suitable cloud solution to our customers. We were already a reseller of Salto products and it was only logical that we decided, as a Premium Plus Partner, to offer this solution.
What were some of the challenges Quincaillerie faced during its early days
The first challenge for our security department was to introduce mechatronic locking systems to the market.
This locking technique was not yet known to everyone and the design of an organization chart required much more time and thought than the 100% electronic systems we know today. Setting up a team and maintaining continuous training has not been easy, but 20 years later it has definitely paid off.
How do you see the market evolving in Switzerland for access control systems?
The evolution towards cloud management is making its way. People are becoming more and more familiar with the use of smartphone as a key. Another foreseeable development is the merger between access control and building technology. One thing is certain: There is a lot of potential in the field of construction and access control.
What feature impresses you the most about SALTO KS?
I particularly like the integration possibilities such as video surveillance and management systems for coworking and coliving. The opening and control of the door by smartphone is obviously a big advantage.
But what I appreciate most of all is the reliability and constant evolution of the Salto product range.
Do you have a SALTO KS related anecdote you would like to share?
I remember it very well: This was following the completion of our first SALTO KS project.
This customer I had prospected was swearing by mechanical key systems. I might as well tell you that I had a hell of a challenge to succeed that day. A few weeks later, he contacted me again and told me that he had sold two other SALTO KS installations himself. As I tell all our prospects: Test SALTO KS, and you will love it.
How do your customers feel about using SALTO KS over other locking solutions?
They appreciate the fact that they can manage their installations remotely from their smartphones or tablets.
The app's simple and friendly interface gives the customer confidence from the very first steps of using it.
Who are your main clients?
We have all kinds of SALTO KS customers. We generally equip small and medium-sized businesses, retail stores, but also private owners.
We would like to thank Didier for granting the KS team time to pick his brain on his highly appreciated vision of access control.
Read more about Quincaillerie du Léman SA's projects on their website.
Want to find out how SALTO KS can help you scale your business? Contact us and we'll be to take you by the hand leading to a fitting access control solution!
SALTO KS provides a flexible access control management system that requires no software installation or the added expense of a fully wired electronic product. Modern cloud-based, wireless access control system is easy and simple to use for businesses including Coworking Spaces, Coliving Buildings, Purpose Built Student Accommodation, Retail, Multi-Tenant Housing, Gyms and many more. Our best in class wireless access control solution and smart locks guarantee the efficiency for your business. Integrate smart locks, start easily managing wireless access control now!
SALTO KS timeframes explained
Setting up timeframes for a variety of users such as guests, tenants and suppliers is essential for your access control solution. Below we will dive a little bit deeper in the world of the SALTO KS timeframes, to provide a better understanding of how a timeframe can be set up and what kind of options there are.
What are timeframes?
Timeframes are essential for granting access. By defining a timeframe, you grant access to a user, or a group of users, for a specific period. Without setting up a timeframe for a user, they get their access denied by default.
As of today, there are three different timeframes you can set up. Below we will show you which ones and how they work.
Check-in & Check out (Coming soon)
The latest addition to the timeframe family is the ability to select a check-in and check-out date and time. With our evolving customer base, we noticed there was a big demand for this functionality which is especially helpful in the hospitality branches with hotels and short stay apartment providers like Airbnb or SONDER.
There are many benefits that come with this pre-set-up check-in and check out timeframe. Three highlighted benefits being:
· There’s no need for your guest to pick up or return any key, they can just walk in and out bypassing the front desk
· Therefore, you avoid extra administrative work
· Your cleaners don’t have to wait in case your guest(s) are running late, which saves you time and money.
Always
The easiest way of granting access would be selecting the timeframe that’s called ‘Always’. Like the name states the user with this timeframe can come and go as he/she pleases. This comes in handy for instance when an office manager would set up an account for a new employee who will be a permanent part of the team and needs 24/7 access.
Custom schedule
In many situations, the custom schedule timeframe has proven to be very helpful. When defining a timeframe for a specific user or for an Access group (a group of users that have the same access rights) you are able to select:
· Start date
· End date
· Specific days of the week
· A timeframe
This custom schedule timeframe ticks all the boxes when it comes to personalised access rights.
We recently redesigned the Access group page. You can read what changes were made here.
The team behind SALTO KS is working continuously to meet the needs of our customers and implement enhancement whenever we can. So, if you have new requests make sure to reach out to support@my-clay.com
Keep an eye on our blog to keep up with the latest product updates, event recaps and more.
SALTO KS provides a flexible access control management system that requires no software installation or the added expense of a fully-wired electronic product. Modern cloud-based, wireless access control system is easy and simple to use for businesses including Coworking Spaces, Coliving Buildings, Purpose Built Student Accommodation, Retail, Multi-Tenant Housing, Gyms and many more. Our best in class wireless access control solution and smart locks guarantee the efficiency for your business. Integrate smart locks, start easily managing wireless access control now!
Smart Office Summit & Hackathon 2019
The Salto KS team was invited by Signify (formerly known as Philips Lighting) to attend their Smart Office Business Summit and Hackathon which took place last month in Eindhoven.
The goal of the 3-day Business Summit and Hackathon was to unite key industry leaders together in order to collaborate, rethink, and aim for smarter offices. According to Remco Lansbergen, Sr. Director Strategic Alliances at Signify, “changes in the way we work in combination with the exponential growth in building technologies are forcing a transformation of the Office space”. The event therefore united key players across several industries who all value technology and whose mission concerns smarter and better offices.
“Networking with other developers was excellent. It’s good to see that most companies are also working with hardware, have similar struggles, and it's always better to work with other people”.
- Süha Boncukçu, PHP Developer at Salto KS
This optimization of office spaces was divided into two branches: The Business Summit, made up of business and marketing representatives, and The Hackathon, which comprised of developers, designers, and engineers of the respective companies at the event. The teams, however, were made up of a combination of both: Resulting in a unique and dynamic platform for collaboration.
Salto KS was represented by Rick, Irem, Alexander, Medi, and Anya for the Business Summit and by Cem S, Kateryna, Kalin, and Süha for the Hackathon.
Each team was required to propose and develop their original incentive in order to improve offices. This was then executed by incorporating their own expertise. After, the teams created appealing (joint) value propositions based on API and Cloud to Cloud integrations supporting the office of the future.
The results were exciting and inspirational. Each team came up with distinctive ideas and approaches. For most teams, however, saving time and energy was the best way to increase the efficiency of workspaces. This was reflected in the outcomes which impressively combined the APIs and products of the participating companies.
"It was a great experience teaming up with other industry leaders to come up with innovative ideas to solve challenges in the day-to-day office. It was not only an excellent networking event, but also a nice competition that drove us to think hard and collaborate fast, and roll up our sleeves!"
- Irem Tucaltan, Marketing Manager at Salto KS
On the 3rd and final day, the teams presented their respective projects and the finished product of an intense but rewarding Hackathon.
Our Back-end Developer, Kateryna Tokar, was on one of the event’s winning teams! Kateryna and her team were awarded 3rd place for their idea and product which was aimed at saving 15 minutes of one’s daily workday. Her team implemented various APIs to create a mobile application which would allow for certain automated functions that would save time and energy, thereby increasing overall productivity and efficiency in a workday. This would save time for tasks that are generally manual or require time such as waiting for an elevator, unlocking a door etc.
According to Kateryna, it was fascinating to see what other companies provide for a smart office. She said of the experience, “It was one where we could discover the capacities of our own API and was therefore an extremely good learning experience”
The platform offered by Signify at the Interact Summit and Hackathon was both insightful and rewarding! The Salto KS team was given the opportunity to network and rethink optimizing the workspace which while challenging, is a necessary and inspiring experience.
Thank you Signify for having us and for the stunning photographs! We are looking forward to the next Summit & Hackathon!
If you are interested in Hackathons like the one above, yet lack the experience, sign up for this Python Programming course by Course Duck to learn!
SALTO KS provides a flexible access control management system that requires no software installation or the added expense of a fully-wired electronic product. Modern cloud-based, wireless access control system is easy and simple to use for businesses including Coworking Spaces, Coliving Buildings, Purpose Built Student Accommodation, Retail, Multi-Tenant Housing, Gyms and many more. Our best in class wireless access control solution and smart locks guarantee the efficiency for your business. Integrate smart locks, start easily managing wireless access control now!
Product update: Renewed People page
At Salto KS we aim to provide a product that's easy-to-use. Therefore we renewed the People page where you are able to keep a clear view of your Site's users and their permissions.
At Salto KS we aim to provide a product that's easy-to-use. Therefore we renewed the People page where you are able to keep a clear view of your Site's users and their permissions.
Let us take you by the hand and show you how this page works.
New People page:
When you are a space operator with a lot of members to maintain, big chance you have trouble keeping your overview. At Salto KS we want you to have the best customer experience possible so you can do your job with ease.
This is why we have worked on a new People page for app.saltoks.com: To manage and maintain your users, but most of all keep a clear outline.
What is the People page?
Within your Salto KS web portal, you are able to navigate to the page that’s called ‘People’. Here you will find all users in your system. Each user has its own tile which states all the information you need at one glance. To edit the rights of a user or gain more information you can search for the user in the right top corner and click on their tile.
After clicking on a user’s tile, you get redirected to the user’s designated page. On the left of the screen, you are able to edit the profile info of the user and see the tabs of which this page is built upon: Entries, Keys and Lock options.
Entries:
On the Entries page of this user, you are able to view all actions of the user and search for specific actions. You are able to browse:
· Entries and what way they are triggered (Digital Key/Tag/Remote opening etc.)
· On what lock this opening was performed
· Details on the opening if needed (start/end, lost or restored connection, battery level etc.). If there are no details to present, the page shows says ‘N/A’ (Not available).
· The start/end date and time
Keys
Below the ‘Entries’ tab on the left, you can find the ‘Keys’ tab. This tab provides an overview of the type of ‘keys’ a user has adopted and what the status of the key is. There are multiple keys you can edit on this page:
· Digital Key (Open the door by tapping your phone to the lock)
· Tag (Key fob)
· Pin (Pin lock)
In case a user needs different remote opening and lock mode privileges you can navigate to the third and last tab on the left that says ‘Lock options’.
Lock options
On this page you have four options you can enable or disable for this specific user:
Remote opening*: The user is able to unlock or set a lock-in Office Mode** remotely
*A remote opening means you are able to unlock with your phone from an unlimited distance
**When a lock is in Office Mode this means the door will be unlocked until you take it out of Office Mode
Easy Office Mode*: Enable or disable the lock’s EOM (Easy Office Mode) schedule with a tag (key fob).
*With Easy Office Mode you are able to schedule when you want the lock to be in office mode (open)
Manual Office Mode*: Enable MOM (Manual Office Mode) by presenting a tag and holding down the inside handle / Present a tag (key fob) for more than 5 seconds on any type of BLUEnet lock.
*With Manual Office Mode you are able to manually put a door in Office mode (open) by presenting a tag and holding down the inside handle / Present a tag (key fob) for more than 5 seconds on any type of BLUEnet lock.
Override Privacy Mode*: Override a lock-in privacy mode with a tag (key fob).
*Privacy mode allows a person to lock a door from the inside, using a physical action.
Overall the People page has become clearer with more information you can collect in a short period of time.
The team behind SALTO KS is working continuously to meet the needs of our customers and implement enhancement whenever we can. So if you have new requests make sure to reach out to support@my-clay.com
More product updates? Check out the new and improved Access group page here.
Keep an eye on our blog to keep up with the latest product updates, event recaps and more.
SALTO KS provides a flexible access control management system that requires no software installation or the added expense of a fully-wired electronic product. Modern cloud-based, wireless access control system is easy and simple to use for businesses including Coworking Spaces, Coliving Buildings, Purpose Built Student Accommodation, Retail, Multi-Tenant Housing, Gyms and many more. Our best in class wireless access control solution and smart locks guarantee the efficiency for your business. Integrate smart locks, start easily managing wireless access control now!
Jacob Shapiro: A Coliving enthusiast who wears many hats
We are happy to introduce Jacob Shapiro: A Coliving enthusiast who wears many hats. He works remotely for the Outpost Club, volunteers for the Coliving Hub, and is am currently on a Coliving tour, traveling to different Coliving spaces around the world.
Despite his busy schedule packed with activities to lift the Coliving scene to a higher level, Jacob sat down to answer our questions:
Who are you, what makes you tick, what is your passion?
I think my passion is best explained by a metaphor: I don’t want to be the guy who scores the goal, I want to be the guy who makes the incredible pass, which allows the goal to be scored in the first place. My passion is creating an environment that allows others to thrive.
Why do you feel Coliving is making a change in the world?
Coliving is (or should be) combating the loneliness epidemic, a by-product of our modern world. Everyone uses this as their main point when referring to the social good that Coliving brings. But while this may be a major change that Coliving makes in the world, it’s not the only one. I’ve seen Coliving spur new businesses, artistic projects, and accountability partners. I’ve seen community managers help Colivers find new passions. And while Coliving is helping build new relationships between Colivers, it's also reinforcing the existing bonds between people as well.
How are you making an impact in this field?
My partner and I are currently on a world tour of Coliving spaces in an effort to find out what kind of Coliving space we would like to open ourselves. We have been to, and will be traveling to Germany, Serbia, Switzerland, Armenia, Israel, Morocco, and Spain, and this is just the beginning. We have been consultants, community managers, and volunteers along the way, allowing the operators to utilize our knowledge, and to focus on bigger-picture solutions while we take on the day-to-day tasks.
We also volunteer our time for the Coliving Hub, a non-profit association of Coliving operators which strives to enable and empower people around the world to create and use Coliving spaces. We provide meaningful and targeted content to Coliving operators to help them thrive. I believe this is our largest impact on the field as a whole.
What can digital innovations such as SALTO KS do in this field?
With Outpost Club, we currently use digital access control solutions at our Coliving spaces in the US. Just the other day, I got a call from someone who was locked out of their Coliving in New York, and I was able to remotely open the door for them… from Switzerland. This is the power that SALTO KS can bring to Coliving companies: our companies are heavily location-dependent, so anything that can relieve that dependency is a huge benefit to us, and therefore our customers.
What is your hope for the future of Coliving?
I hope for added convenience that maintains privacy. I hope that Coliving companies can continue to grow in size, yet still provide highly intentional communities. I hope that people view Coliving as an incredible innovation on the existing forms of living, and not just a dorm for adults. And lastly, I hope that Coliving continues to be a place where digital innovations are there to better facilitate in-person community.
We want to thank Jacob for creating time to answer these questions and to see potential benefits in all ripple effects the Coliving scene causes.
Meet one of the SALTO KS team members or Jacob Shapiro on an event near you. Check out our Events page to find out where we will be next!
SALTO KS provides a flexible access control management system that requires no software installation or the added expense of a fully wired electronic product. Modern cloud-based, wireless access control system is easy and simple to use for businesses including Coworking Spaces, Coliving Buildings, Purpose Built Student Accommodation, Retail, Multi-Tenant Housing, Gyms and many more. Our best in class wireless access control solution and smart locks guarantee the efficiency for your business. Integrate smart locks, start easily managing wireless access control now!
Mythbusting: The top 5 Coliving myths and the truth behind them
The term Coliving is one that has gained momentum in the present climate within the landscape of housing, technology, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. This has resulted in the term being broadly adapted so as to carry several misconceptions along with it. For some, the concept of Coliving represents a multi-billion dollar industry that is ever-growing in its scope, and for others, it exists only within a temporary and niche housing trend.
Therefore we compiled a list of the top 5 myths for you that we one by one will bust!
1. Coliving means life in a hostel or dorm
This myth classifies Coliving spaces as a subcategory of hostels or dorms which is false. This myth stems from similarities between Coliving and dorms which include reasonable pricing, convenient locations, and community-based experience. For instance, The New York Times referred to Starcity Coliving as “dorm living for professionals”. Nevertheless, it is important to understand the two as separate entities.
One of the biggest differences is that Coliving spaces are known for their impressive design which intentionally prioritizes beautiful interiors and shared spaces. This is also accompanied by a variety of state of the art facilities and utilities that come along with the contract in Coliving. The result is more space, storage, and eco-efficiency in one’s Coliving housing. Another key difference is that Coliving attracts a broader demographic that goes well beyond that of dorms which usually caters primarily to students or millennials. Coliving, is, therefore, broader in its scope and maintains a higher standard and quality of living.
2. Coliving means no privacy
Coliving is built upon the concept of community living and offers several communal spaces along with its in-built amenities. This does not imply, however, that Coliving means saying goodbye to one’s privacy. Coliving spaces promote open-mindedness and socializing yet always ensure a degree of privacy for their inhabitants.
Shared facilities such as laundry rooms, recreational gardens, and kitchens bring people together on a regular basis. Nevertheless, most Coliving communities have private living quarters wherein one can call a space their own and enjoy the comfort of privacy when needed.
3. Coliving caters to nomads and hippies
Another myth commonly associated with Coliving is that it is likened to a cult or a community for hippies and nomads. This is false, as Coliving does not cater to any niche audience in terms of backgrounds and beliefs. The only beliefs and values commonly associated with these spaces are that of open-mindedness and tolerance as this is considered a vital part of community-based living.
Coliving often attracts digital nomads and expats, yet can also become a fairly permanent address. Furthermore, they usually have shared responsibility for maintenance which ensures that no matter the lifestyle, all members contribute equally to sustain the quality of the Coliving space.
4. Coliving won’t be suitable for families
This myth dictates that Coliving is not meant for families and couples, which is not true. While certain Coliving spaces cater to a profile that is more suited to young professionals who are looking for short term housing, several Coliving companies look to attract and even benefit families.
This is built on the notion that families can share resources and connect with each other in an enriched way that only Coliving allows. The concept also resonates with more affordable options for (multi-generational) families. Coliving spaces can even host possibilities of child-care, community diversification, and support services for families who can aid from these advantages.
5. Coliving is not a business
This is arguably one of the biggest myths behind Coliving and is easiest to debunk. Coliving can be concretely defined yet is also in a state of constant development and growth which leads to confusion or misinterpretation. According to SALTO’s Christian Schmitz, “Coliving is the movement that enables people with common interests to share communal spaces and live together”. As a movement, Coliving is connecting the best of real estate, technology, and design industries to form a global network of professionals who believe in a future of sustainable community-based living.
Busting Coliving myths is what we do. RSVP now to The Coliving Meetup at Clay Solutions HQ on Friday, September 27th, at 5:30 pm to witness this in real life.
This edition of the #colivingmeetup will feature notable figures from the Coliving landscape including special guest Mischa Rus of Stichting Coliving NL, Coliving guru Gui Perdrix, and SALTO’s very own Christian Schmitz. The evening promises to be insightful, fun, and most importantly provide a platform for Coliving operators and enthusiasts to socialize and network in an informal setting!
See you there!
SALTO KS provides a flexible access control management system that requires no software installation or the added expense of a fully-wired electronic product. Modern cloud-based, wireless access control system is easy and simple to use for businesses including Coworking Spaces, Coliving Buildings, Purpose Built Student Accommodation, Retail, Multi-Tenant Housing, Gyms and many more. Our best in class wireless access control solution and smart locks guarantee the efficiency for your business. Integrate smart locks, start easily managing wireless access control now!
