How secure is your coliving space? An inquiry into access control in China

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With the population in China nearing 1.44 billion people, and just over 60% of the Chinese people living in cities, the state of the Coliving industry seems more relevant than ever. Some even say that the future of urban living resides in coliving spaces. This is perhaps not surprising, as Coliving offers countless benefits to today’s urbanite. Besides the benefits of lower costs for larger living spaces, Coliving provides young Chinese professionals with opportunities to connect with other like-minded people.

When choosing a suitable coliving space to reside in, there are many factors that possible tenants consider. Among these are location, privacy, the price of rent, and community activities. However, there is a vital factor that potential tenants often do not, or cannot, judge beforehand.

This factor is security.

To investigate this subject further, we offer our platform to Sylvia Lee, Marketing Manager at SALTO Systems Asia. Read on to gain insights into her considerations concerning access control systems at coliving spaces in China.

When a tenant is looking for a coliving property, one of the first things they need to consider is security. With benefits such as convenience, lower rents, sustainability, and being a part of a community, Coliving has become an attractive option for many. However, with tenants sharing a lot of the same spaces, it’s imperative to make sure that security is a priority.

A recently released newspaper article highlighted the security levels of electronic locks being used in a coliving property in China. In the article, the reporter conducted a very simple test to verify the security level of a lock, using just a thin plastic card to attempt opening the lock. Surprisingly, the door could be opened within just one minute, without the aid of any professional tool!

The lock mentioned above is a very commonly used model in coliving properties in China: a single latch bolt. The problem with the latch bolt is that it is easier to pick than other locks, such as dead latches. Another issue with the single latch bolt is that it cannot be locked from the outside.

The concierge at the aforementioned coliving property later checked the lock, deemed it faulty, and replaced it. Thus, to investigate this matter further, the newspaper reporter visited a few other coliving apartments and noticed that this single latch lock, and its vulnerability, was indeed not an isolated case. The reporter found that in buildings managed by the same operator, there were various locks being used, which means the security level varied as well.

According to the Annual Report on the Development of Share Economy by the State Information Center, there will be over six million Coliving properties in China in 2020, which will accommodate more than 100 million people. Clearly, there is a need to establish a secure access control system in order to protect the safety of this high number of coliving inhabitants.

As one of the market leaders in electronic access control solutions with installations at numerous coliving facilities across the world, SALTO Systems has a number of advantages when deploying a coliving security solution.

Proven security: The SALTO hardware and SALTO KS software have proven to be stable and capable of supporting large amounts of traffic every day.

Flexibility: Site administrators should be able to grant access to a user at any time and from anywhere. They also need the capability to block the user’s access when their lease contract ends. Finally, the operator needs to be able to alter the tenant’s accessibility to different areas of the property according to the services included in their lease. With SALTO KS, you can unlock doors for your tenants via remote opening functionality, or send them their very own Digital Key, from anywhere in the world.

Auditable: As there is a lot of traffic in coliving properties throughout the day, both by tenants and their guests, administrators have a need for an overview of door openings. The manager must have access to the log in real-time, so he or she can grant or remove the access authorization with a simple click.

Integration: It is always highly preferable to choose access control that can be integrated with other systems, such as video surveillance, intercom, and alarm systems, to name a few. With a cloud-based access control system, it is possible to create a digital ecosystem that proposes a great variety of services for users. This possibility ensures seamless communication between the tenant and the Coliving provider, and SALTO KS provides a smart solution to meet this need.

In conclusion, SALTO KS delivers a seamless and secure cloud-based access control solution to coliving spaces. SALTO KS sites are equipped with wireless SALTO locks, making smart access control possible for any door. Wireless locks also mean easy installation with a minimal impact on the existing architecture. With SALTO KS, you can send a Digital Key to anyone with a registered smartphone, resulting in secure, easy, convenient, and flexible access. Every access event is logged, enabling site administrators to see who goes where and when, and allows them to block users from anywhere.

Want to learn more about how SALTO KS can enhance your Coliving security? Click here to leave us a message.

To read more about SALTO KS, click here or follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest product features, team updates and news from the industry.

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!

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HomeSuiteHome: The hotel experience brought to your doorstep

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Imagine being in a hotel. Room service is delivered right at your doorstep, the concierge service is just one button away, and a variety of entertainment can be streamed at any time. The experience is characterized by comfort, convenience, and luxury. This is what HomeSuiteHome offers when hotels are not at your disposal due to, for example, a pandemic.

Credited as the world’s first reversed hotel, HomeSuiteHome is a prime example of innovative solutions to the COVID-19 restrictions. Launched in Amsterdam over the Easter weekend, it offered locals a hotel experience delivered to their door, complete with a WhatsApp concierge service and a welcome box full of locally sourced products and amenities. With breakfast included and optional three-course dinner, as well as entertainment streamed throughout the day; it truly offered their guests the hotel experience in the comfort of their own homes.

To investigate this concept further, we reached out to Felix Burghardt, an experience designer and creative business growth specialist, who founded the project along with David Kijlstra. We asked him some questions concerning the project and how experience design can adapt to, and overcome, unexpected challenges.

What is the importance of experience design? Has the current pandemic influenced the implications of the term?

We had already begun transitioning away from objects and towards experiences before the current health crisis. However, the pandemic accelerated this shift as it did with other behaviours, values and beliefs.

Experience design has the power to move products and services from solely being functional to creating engagement and having an emotional impact on people’s lives. Thus, the importance of experience design did not change, but the ‘how’ needed to adapt to the new circumstances, just like we all did.

What are innovative ways in which coliving spaces can respond to unprecedented or surprising circumstances?

I think that playfulness can be key when it comes to responding to surprising circumstances. I believe that it is important to create a company culture and structure that allows teams to consistently improvise and use their imagination, in order to sense opportunities and to reinvent.

A simple way of doing this could be to create a shared Google Document with your team. Ask everyone to add random ideas that could be relevant to improve the business, without any judgment. After a while, you will hopefully have a long list of ideas you can draw from whenever you need one, and maybe two or three ideas combined form a perfect crisis response.

Next to that, I think it’s important to explore and gain an understanding of possible future scenarios in the present. This mostly starts with asking what if questions and exploring possible outcomes to see things from various perspectives.

We could ask ourselves questions like:

  • What if there is another pandemic like this?
  • What if we could redefine the relationship with our competitors to create a support system for when we all need it?
  • What if we create a coliving model that purely exists online?

This inspires us to think differently and prepare for unprecedented cases. There needs to be a structural process in place to get to where you want and to make it efficient and effective. Feel free to reach out if there is any help needed.

How does experience design change in times of physical distancing? For instance, when you cannot see the space beforehand, or consult with the customer in person.

I believe that this crisis holds a lot of opportunities despite the current restrictions. One of the positive side effects to me is that some experiences have become more intimate and more personal even though that sounds like a contradiction. For example, the Stuttgart Opera in Germany created a 1:1 concert session in which you sit 1.5 meters away from a musician who plays a song picked just for you.

These unprecedented circumstances give innovators a chance to create intimate experiences that have a much bigger impact on a personal level and make people feel connected with themselves, valued and seen. It also provides an opportunity to build stronger relationships between brand and customer.

Next to this, technology has shown us that it can indeed be welcoming and inviting. It cannot replace real human interaction but it can definitely help us feel connected, even on an emotional level. Therefore I believe it will also play an important role in the customer experience of the future.

Finally, it’s also about perspective. Designing experiences for physical distancing can create affordable experiences for people who cannot travel, due to financial reasons for example. It can also provide an opportunity to design events that feel very personal to the individual, or as in the case of HomeSuiteHome, creating a holiday experience with a minimal carbon footprint. The solutions and experiences designed to cope with the physical distancing restrictions can have a much bigger impact and use than just responding to the crisis.

All of the HomeSuiteHome proceeds went towards Serve the City’s ‘financial donation for Corona campaign’. What are some ways in which entrepreneurs in Hospitality and Coliving can give back during this time?

First of all, I think that brands in hospitality and Coliving should always feel the need to give back and act more like a partner than just a service provider. They should add value to the community, as they are indeed a part of the ecosystem. This should not be something temporary but embedded in the customer journey as well.

Giving back doesn’t necessarily have to revolve around money. This is also about putting structures in place that support diversity and equality, help to educate people in need and reduce negative environmental impact. The Good Group is just one example that shows how you can even build a whole hospitality concept around this. Also, Arctic Blue Resort uses carbon billing, meaning that the price is determined by the carbon footprint of the stay. This is done to motivate guests to consider their impact during the visit.

This moment in time has clearly shown us how strong we can be if we act as a collective.

How important is it right now to support local businesses? Do you have any tips for people to do their part?

I do think it is very important not just now, but consistently. We all have experienced this time together as a community, and in a very different way on an individual level. This really depends on the situation of each individual and how connected they are to some of their local businesses. But I would say, talk to your community and local business to understand what they are struggling with and what they need help with. An introduction to someone in your network might already be a big help. From a brand perspective, it shows how important it is to build a stronger connection with your audience and invest in your customer experience in order to create a safety net for times like this.

The HomeSuiteHome Instagram

Do you believe that home-based customer experiences are here to stay for the future? Will there be potential for hotels and restaurants to adopt the same concept?

I do believe that home-based experiences are here to stay. Before the current health crisis, we had already seen the transformation of home-based services. Food delivery services became an essential part of many lives, as well as smart voice technology and home workouts. With AR and VR continuing to develop, and working from home becoming widely accepted, we will see more experiences that will take place at home. I think that there is potential for hotels or restaurants to adopt this concept.

In the end, I think it is essential that brands consider how they can become a partner that supports their tenants and guests needs along the way, and to not just act like a service provider.

Any final words?

If you want to work together or have any questions, feel free to get in touch via hello@felixburghardt.com. I am always happy to help.

For more information, have a look at www.felixburghardt.com

Good luck out there!

About the author

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 to increase guest satisfaction and generate sustainable business growth.

To read more about SALTO KS, click here or follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest product features, team updates and news from the industry.

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 systems are 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!

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Your Salto KS guide from inquiry to installation

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For some building operators, choosing the right access control provider for their buildings can seem a daunting task. It is indeed a big decision, as access control is a fundamental part of the security of a building. With or without surveillance integrations, access control systems protect the people and their valuables within a building, as well as the building itself. Additionally, they provide an overview of who enters a building while keeping it safe from unwanted visitors.

Step-by-Step Salto KS Installation

When making this decision, there are various factors to take into consideration, such as the cost of installation, maintenance requirements, available support, and the time needed to implement the system. To illustrate the process involved in installing Salto KS, and hopefully facilitate the decision-making process, we’ve written this comprehensive guide to Salto KS locks and installation. In this guide, we will walk you through the necessary steps to bring smart lock solutions to your building.

Step 1: Getting started

The first and most important step that an interested party has to take is to fill in the contact form. This form requires general information, such as name, email address, and location. If the person is inquiring about Salto KS for their business site, they also need to fill in the name of their company, the number of locations, company website, and business type. Finally, the form requires an estimated number of access points (doors or locks) and an estimated number of users in the building. This information enables Salto KS to estimate the prospective client’s needs better but does not need to be perfect as it is verified at a later stage.

An example of general info required in the Contact Form. However, it might vary from time to time.

Step 2: Designing the perfect lock and completing the form

Clients can customize the lock themselves using the intuitive new tool, MyLock by Salto. Using the MyLock configurator, clients can create a virtual likeness of their own doors, allowing them to design a suitable lock for their site, in terms of both aesthetic and function. The client can design the handle, colour, and finish of their potential lock to their liking. After completing the design process, the client receives a printout containing a code. This code can be used to specify the desired design in the contact form, by placing the code in the optional “Business needs” box in the contact form. However, there may be a need to adjust the design if there are custom doors at the site.

The process of designing a custom lock in the MyLock configurator

Depending on which country the prospective client is from, the form gets routed to a business unit in the respective country where it gets picked up by a salesperson. Together with a Salto certified business partner, the salesperson gathers more information from the prospective client to gain further understanding of the needs of the client, and book a time for a site survey. This process should take no more than two working days.

Step 3: The site survey

During the site survey, a Salto representative comes and looks at the site in question. He or she inspects the doors and takes measurements for the Salto electronic locks. The representative also advises the client which types of locks are the best fits for their doors. Salto Systems has locks for every door, but the types available depend on the type of door. Glass doors, for example, need a specific type of lock.

Once the Salto representative has gathered all the necessary information, they’re able to give the client a quote from Salto. The price given is representative of the types and the number of locks needed, the cost of installation, and all other related factors. Should the client want to proceed, a contract is signed and the locks are ordered from Salto Systems’ 100% carbon neutral manufacturing plant.

Salto Systems can produce and ship the customized locks within 2-3 weeks. This time frame may also be subject to change depending on circumstances. The locks are sent to a certified third-party dealer, who will install the product at the site.

Step 4: Installing the hardware

The Salto locks are completely wireless, which means that the installation has minimal disturbance to the existing architecture. If the doors in question are custom-made or very different, there might be a need to slightly modify the door to accommodate the Salto lock.

 

Installing the customized Salto lock

“Each lock from Salto Systems comes with a template for the fit of the lock, which makes any modification to the door very easy to do.” - Alexander Rosdorff, KS Connect Partner Manager, who recently had Salto KS installed at his home.

The amount of time needed for the installation depends on the number of locks being installed and the work needed for the door. As an example, installing the locks for a residential apartment would take 30 minutes, while it could take up to 2 days at larger sites with 100 doors.

For setting up the hardware, nothing is required from the client except a power socket for the IQ. The IQ is the central hub of the site, allowing the locks to be updated to new settings within seconds from the Salto KS app. Larger sites need multiple IQs, as well as so-called repeaters, which extend the possible distance between IQs and locks.

Step 5: Installing the software

The time needed for installation also includes setting up the Salto KS software. This process depends greatly on which product the client has chosen. The Salto KS product is the out-of-the-box product, and therefore the easiest to set up. All the client needs is a verified smartphone to download the Salto KS app, from which they can develop their own unique access control solution. After connecting the locks to the respective IQs, site admins can immediately start distributing Digital Keys to residents/workers, creating access rules, assigning user roles, or determining specific opening hours for the locks, to name a few.

“You’re guided through the entire process, which makes it very easy. I just had to plug in the IQ, follow the instructions provided at the SALTO KS app, and make sure everything was connected.” - Alexander Rosdorff, KS Connect Partner Manager, who recently had SALTO KS installed at his home.

The Salto KS Digital Key

KS Core is the white-label solution, allowing customers to build their own custom access control solution through their own app. Salto KS has built their own independent commissioning tool, used by certified dealers to install hardware.

KS Connect is a solution that enables integration through services or integration partners. The Salto KS website includes an easy-to-navigate developer’s page, which helps clients get started with their integrations and contains necessary endpoints for available features.

‘’There are many electronic lock manufacturers out there, but the benefit of Salto KS is the 8-year experience of cloud-based solutions.’’ – Michael Van Anen, Technical Project Manager at Salto Systems Netherlands

Why should you choose Salto KS?

Founded in 2012, Salto KS is one of the very first cloud-based access control solution providers. Over the years, it has grown as a software scale-up and a service provider. With roughly 1.5 million lock openings per day, more than 100.000 access points, and over 70 integration partners, we strive to transform the experience in daily operations and security of our customers. The Salto KS community ranges from property managers to space owners, and we guarantee our customers more time and energy to focus on what is important to them.

Salto KS gives you all the tools and support you need to integrate cloud-based smart locks to your existing business and product portfolio, built on a foundation of user experience and ease-of-use.

Due to the Salto locks being wireless, it is also easy to replace the locks to mechanical locks again if required in the future. A business renting a space in an office building can install Salto KS for their office, and simply replace them when the rental contract expires, if the landlord wishes.

‘’Salto KS has proved itself throughout the years by developing solid design hardware together with functional and easy-to-use software’’ - Michael Van Anen, Technical Project Manager at Salto Systems Netherlands

We hope this guide has given you a comprehensive overview of the process of implementing the Salto KS solution to your building, and wish you an exciting journey on your way to going keyless! If you happen to have any additional questions concerning the process, please feel free to contact us.

To read more about Salto KS, click here or follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest product features, team updates and news from the industry.

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!

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KS Catch-up: Meet Junior Embedded Developer Marijn

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Since the past few months have restricted us from seeing each other on a daily basis, catching up with our Bricks now seems more important than ever. This is why we're happy to release the second instalment of the ‘KS Catch-up’ blog series. We started this series in order to gain a glimpse into our Bricks’ professional lives, including exciting projects they’re working on or any transitions they’re experiencing in their work or creatively.

This time, we interview Junior Embedded Developer Marijn. A current student at Codam College, the first and only peer-to-peer coding school in the Netherlands, his background is a fascinating one. He recently finished his six-month internship with us, making him among the first students to ever finish an internship at this recently established school. After being mentored by our Embedded Software Lead Kalin, we are lucky to have him join our team part-time while he finishes his studies.

Read on to find out more about his experience on the SALTO KS team, how his alternative background prepared him for his internship, and what his future might entail.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself

Hi! My name is Marijn and I am a Junior Embedded Developer at SALTO KS. A couple of months ago, I finished my 6-month internship as part of my studies, and I got offered a position in the embedded team.

About 2 years ago I was actually a snowboard coach, so my life has changed quite a bit. The transition from being in the mountains all day to staying in the flatlands in the office was a big one, but I enjoyed the change. I look forward to continuing my software development career at SALTO KS.

How did you find SALTO KS and what drew you to the company?

SALTO KS was one of the first companies that popped up when I was looking for an internship. I liked the fact that it was a diverse and small team. When I first met my colleagues during my interview, everyone was very kind and I knew I would learn a lot from the people in the team.

How would you describe the company culture?

The people at SALTO KS are diverse and come from all over the world. This creates a very unique working environment. Everyone is very approachable and welcoming, it doesn’t matter whether you’re talking to the CEO or to an intern.

What was your best or worst day on the job?

The best day was definitely when I was asked to do some prototyping with Lego. I mean, who doesn’t like to play with Lego? I definitely got a few jealous looks from colleagues that day.

What is the best part of being at SALTO KS?

The whole team is very open which makes working together very easy. There are also a lot of talented people at SALTO KS so you can learn a lot from others around you. When you’re stuck on a problem, everyone is always willing to help.

What benefits did you gain from being an intern at SALTO KS?

Before working at SALTO KS, I’d never had a job in tech. My expectations were that I would be mostly learning and doing “intern” jobs. I was pleasantly surprised when I was immediately asked to write some code for production. I think this is really cool, because I was treated as a regular developer and not as an intern. This made my internship a lot more valuable and I learned a lot because of that.

What do you believe the next step is in your profession, and how did SALTO KS help you get there?

I am continuing my studies while working part-time. Fortunately, both my studies and my work at SALTO KS are very flexible, so I can continue developing myself both at school and at work. I think it is great that I can immediately apply what I learn at school in my job.

We’re very happy to have you as a part of the team Marijn!

For more information about Marijn’s experience with SALTO KS, watch this Internship Testimonial prepared by Codam College below. Marijn and his supervisor, Kalin, dive into how Marijn’s experience from Codam College prepared him for this internship, how practical skills from an unconventional college experience compare to theoretical knowledge from more conventional institutions and Marijn’s tips for future interns.

Internship testimonials video by Codam Coding College

To read more about SALTO KS, click here or follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest product features, team updates, and news from the industry.

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 systems are 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!

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The future of work: are your skills up to date?

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As a tech company, we are curious to understand the impact of remote work on demand, skill, and talent. In order to shed light on this matter, we have reached out to an expert, founder and CTO of Career Karma, Artur Meyster.

According to an article published by Forbes, Career Karma is a tech-driven platform which "helps people become software engineers by matching them to the right coding bootcamps and giving them support for the rest of their careers."

Read further to find out more about Artur’s views on the future of work.

Many professionals today are concerned about the future of work. As the tech industry continues to come up with new innovations, the global workforce will have to find a way to accommodate and incorporate the changes that come along. Aside from that, other circumstances such as the global COVID-19 pandemic have also pushed the world toward a certain direction.

The only way to successfully predict what’s to come is by monitoring current trends. Instead of panning in on a particular sector, we will focus on the new norm, which is remote work. It is safe to say that remote work will continue to have a place in the future as it has been one of the main elements that allowed economic continuity amidst the devastating pandemic.

Additionally, it makes financial sense for companies to hop on the remote-work bandwagon as it eliminates the need to have the physical infrastructure; no office equals less financial commitment. Companies are also slowly realizing that they no longer have to hire locally, which means they can outsource talent for cheaper costs or still pay the same amount for better talent from across the globe, for instance.

It doesn’t matter which field you’re currently working in or if you’re still looking for your first job, remote work seems to be the new “mainstream” and today’s companies truly value employees who can continuously adapt to new game plans. In this article, we’ll discuss the demand for remote work and how best to tackle it.

Demand for remote work

The LinkedIn 2020 Emerging Jobs Report found that remote work is no longer a perk and is becoming a priority for a lot of employees. It said: “More than 40% of millennials, who now make up the largest generation in the workforce, say flexibility to work from anywhere is a priority when evaluating job opportunities.” This is backed by the increasing number of remote jobs offered by large companies in the likes of Amazon, CVS Health and American Express.

A BBC article from last month also reported that Facebook founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg has explicitly expressed the company’s support for remote work. It will "aggressively open up remote hiring" in July and half of the workforce is expected to work from out of the office for at least five more years.

This goes to show that it is only a matter of time before the whole world follows and adopts the new working norm. For a majority of people who are used to working in a physical office, the transition may be a little challenging. Don’t worry because we’ve got you covered.

Read on as we uncover some of the skills needed to become a stellar remote employee.

Skills you need to ace remote work

Here are some of the skills you need in order to ensure productivity is at an all-time high, even if you’re working from the comfort of your own home.

1. Time Management and Accountability

Working in a remote setting means performing your tasks under little to no supervision. Some companies may choose to use time tracking tools to ensure you meet the required hours. Therefore, you would need to have a high discipline level and good time management skills. Employers need to know that you are able to meet deadlines and perform the necessary tasks within the given timeframe, even if you are nowhere within sight.

At the same time, working from home can also blur the line between personal and professional space. It is easy to get sucked into work when you’re always at the office. You need to come up with a sense of structure when it comes to time to avoid both over or underworking.

2. Communication

As a remote worker, communication is key to ensure that you’re still connected to your company and fellow colleagues. Now, more than ever, you cannot afford to miss an important phone call or message from your employer. You have to be contactable during work hours and try to respond promptly when contacted by any of your teammates.

On top of that, having good communication skills means that you are able to communicate clearly with your clients or colleagues. When working from different locations, miscommunication can happen and it may affect ongoing projects or incur unnecessary costs to your company.

3. Willingness to learn new tools

At times it can be hard to carry on with a team project when the team members are not immediately present. Lucky for you, there are a lot of tools and software to support various kinds of remote projects.

For project management, for instance, your company might want to use Trello or Dropbox; for meetings, perhaps Zoom or Skype works best. As remote work picks up more traction as a trend, more and more of such software will pop up.

As a remote worker, you need to be open to learn and use all the relevant tools. Even if let’s say you’re not the most tech-savvy person, download and try them out on your own and learn about all the features you can utilize to make your tasks easier. After all, that’s why these tools are built. If you have questions about them, don’t shy away from asking your peers or you can always look them up on the Internet.

After reading the skills recommended by Artur, we reached out to our very own Pauline Beelen, Recruitment & HR Consultant at SALTO KS and asked her which skills she believes are essential for remote work.

“I think in order to be successful as a remote worker you need to be strong at organising your work, find efficient ways of communication with colleagues and stakeholders and make sure you take time off to recharge. When working remotely you have a sea of time: make use of this flexibility to both maximise your output and take good care of yourself.” - Pauline Beelen, Recruitment & HR Consultant at SALTO KS

This article is a contribution to the SALTO KS Blog made by Artur Meyster, CTO and founder of Career Karma.

To find out more information, visit their website here, get matched with coding bootcamps here, or check out their social media below.

Now that you have discovered what it takes for a professional in tech to keep their skills up to date, do you feel ready for the challenge? If yes, check out our Careers page in order to join the SALTO KS team and #becomeabrick.

To read more about SALTO KS, click here or follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest product features, team updates and news from the industry.

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 systems are 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!

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New SALTO KS app release (iOS version 4.6.0 & Android version 5.6.1)

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The team at SALTO KS values our users and continuously strives towards the improvement of user experience. Ranging from the app interface to improvements in user roles in a Site, our new app release presents both new features and fixes.

From today, the new versions of the SALTO KS Mobile App will be available in stores for both iOS and Android versions.

Below you can find an overview of improvements and fixes within the iOS and Android app:

What’s new in iOS version 4.6.0

Features & Improvements

  • Improved user interface for Site admin & Site Super User roles: Upon opening the SALTO KS app for the first time, our users will be able to learn more about access management features of the SALTO KS Mobile App that will elevate your experience, according to your role as Site Admin or Super User. In addition to the Digital Key and remote opening, discover more about how you can navigate features such as Events, Pod, and Office Modes with the new introduction and walkthrough designed specifically according to your interest.
  • Improved user interface for Pod members: Pod members will now find more information on ‘How a Pod member invites and manages guests’ and ‘How Site Admin can manage an existing Pod’ in the walkthrough screens, which will immerse you into the features with ease.
  • Improved user interface for KS Services: Until now, we have introduced two KS services on the SALTO KS Mobile App: Comelit and Eagle Eye Networks. In this app release, we have made changes in the user interface of these intercom and video surveillance services respectively, added connection status to the services, and applied new designs.
  • Improved process of renewing expired/expiring Digital Keys: Digital Keys are valid for 2 years. When a Digital Key expires, it needs to be reset from the app settings. Instead of requiring an action from the user, we have improved how the app responds to expired Digital Keys and now, it will automatically renew the Digital Key. Every time the app starts, it checks the validity of the Digital Key and after it expires within 7 days or has already expired, the app automatically renews the Digital Key.
  • Update of Comelit mobile SDK to the latest version.

Bug-fixes

  • Fix for issues with Eagle Eye logout button.

What’s new in Android version 5.6.1

Features & Improvements

  • Improved user interface for Site admin & Site Super User roles: Upon opening the SALTO KS app for the first time, our users will be able to learn more about access management features of the SALTO KS Mobile App that will elevate your experience, according to your role as Site Admin or Super User. In addition to the Digital Key and remote opening, discover more about how you can navigate features such as Events, Pod, and Office Modes with the new introduction and walkthrough designed specifically according to your interest.
  • Improved user interface for Pod members: Pod members will now find more information on ‘How a Pod member invites and manages guests’ and ‘How Site Admin can manage an existing Pod’ in the walkthrough screens, which will immerse you into the features with ease.
  • Improved user interface for KS Services: Until now, we have introduced two KS services on the SALTO KS Mobile App: Comelit and Eagle Eye Networks. In this app release, we have made changes in the user interface of these intercom and video surveillance services respectively, added connection status to the services, and applied new designs.
  • Improved process of updating expired/expiring Digital Keys: Digital Keys are valid for 2 years. When a Digital Key expires, it needs to be reset from the app settings. Instead of requiring an action from the user, we have improved how the app responds to expired Digital Keys and now, it will automatically renew the Digital Key. Every time the app starts, it checks the validity of the Digital Key and after it expires within 7 days or has already expired, the app automatically renews the Digital Key.

Bug-fixes

  • Fix for the status of detached Wallreaders (shown as "IQ not activated" in locks screen).
  • Fix for app-crashing when activating the IQ.
  • Fix for issues where Digital Keys stopped working and required a manual reset.

We value your opinion. Contact us if you have any concerns or suggestions regarding the above updates. We are happy to help!

*Note: As of September 1st 2020, the latest Mobile App release is iOS version 4.6.1 and Android version 5.6.2, now available in the App Store and Google Play store respectively.

To read more about SALTO KS, click here or follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest product features, team updates, and news from the industry.

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 systems are 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!

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Discover Neo, SALTO’s latest smart cylinder

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We are proud to announce the release of the SALTO Neo Cylinder: a new electronic cylinder that offers a variety of features and superior functionality.

The SALTO Neo Cylinder offers value far beyond security. Of course, upgrading a mechanical door to electronic access control enhances security, but the SALTO Neo Cylinder provides even greater control of the door. It offers end users keyless mobile access to any access point and wireless access for instant key cancellation, remote opening, audit trails, reports, and alerts; delivering system administration operations that are simple, secure, and in real-time.

The compact lock is designed for doors where fitting an electronic escutcheon is not possible or not required and can be installed on standard doors, server racks, gates, cabinets, electric switches, sliding doors, and more. It is available in an extensive range of models to suit almost any kind of door, no matter the country.

Discover the SALTO Neo Cylinder - State of the art, cloud access control technology

Read further to find out more about how to optimize access control with the Neo Cylinder.

Where cloud technology meets the Neo Cylinder

SALTO KS cloud technology along with the SALTO Neo Cylinder delivers security that makes it possible to remotely monitor every access point from anywhere, at any time, on any device which offers greater control and flexibility.

With SALTO KS and the SALTO Neo Cylinder, there’s no need to replace or update the cylinder in case keys are lost or stolen. Simply block the tags or user access and assign new access instantly.

With the Neo, you can have full control of all access functions and features over the SALTO KS Web App from anywhere, without any worry about backups, maintenance, or physical on-premise server needs. While on-the-go, use the SALTO KS Mobile App for keeping track of events, remotely unlocking an electronic cylinder, and blocking user access. A cloud-based service is much simpler to integrate with other cloud service systems than an on-premise solution.

Using Digital Key with Neo

Users of the SALTO KS Mobile App can efficiently operate the Neo cylinder with their iPhones or Android phones. Combine the advantages of RFID, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) and NFC technologies, when using your Digital Key or Digital Key Widget with the Neo.

Incorporating mobile access into building security ecosystems is essential to maintaining safety and will spare you from the hassle of lost keys, along with the expense and waste which follows.

“With the addition of the SALTO Neo Cylinder to SALTO KS, Digital Keys are now even more powerful, secure and reliable, moving us forward towards our vision of replacing mechanical keys.” - Cem Akcali, Product Manager at SALTO KS

Optimize your use of energy

The SALTO Neo Cylinder provides the most efficient and convenient way of securing your building and assets. The re-engineered clutch system design makes efficient use of energy, dropping consumption to impressively low levels resulting in 100,000 / 130,000 cycles with just one set of batteries. System standby power consumption is reduced, which extends the battery life of the electronic cylinder.

Ensure durability and hygiene

The IP66-rated SALTO Neo Cylinder was classified as weather-resistant, making it especially suitable for the outdoors including extreme environments, encapsulated safely inside the tough Neo Cylinder exterior. Certified to the highest security standards, and pursuing ever-higher quality and reliability, the cylinder is designed to provide users with the finest in safety, security and durability.

For nearly a decade, SALTO, in partnership with BioCote®, incorporated antimicrobial silver ion technology in its smart electronic lock range and supporting product hardware like new SALTO Neo electronic cylinder product range. This is of particular importance in healthcare applications and any public or shared space setting by improving the hygiene of common touchpoints and helping to prevent cross-contamination of microbes.

Easy to install and compatible with your door

Easy to install and retrofit, the SALTO Neo universally compatible cylinder replaces your existing cylinder and fits any door with unlimited model options. It offers an extensive range of wire-free, stand-alone electronic cylinders designed for standard doors where fitting a conventional electronic lock is neither possible nor required. Installation takes less than 5 minutes and is done without screws or drilling.

The SALTO Neo Cylinder range offers limitless choices for customization of your door and retrofitting. SALTO Neo cylinder standard finishes meet most project needs and provide a great match for existing doors. Plus, black and white reader finish choices mean you can offer a truly unique cylinder for any working space or business access project.

Using smart keys and mobile technology with the SALTO Neo Cylinder allows users to manage access rights, instant and keyless, which is more secure than using mechanical keys. There is also added value in the flexibility, convenience and operational efficiency provided by the Neo Cylinder’s wireless technology.

“The SALTO Neo Cylinder has more functionality and performance capability than any other cylinder on the market, allowing businesses to connect to their on-premises network via the cloud with our SALTO KS cloud-based access management platform.” - Marc Handels, Co-Founder and CTIO of SALTO Systems

By integrating all of your security needs through smart, wireless and battery-operated cylinders, the SALTO Neo cylinder will elevate your security experience.

Visit this page to find out more about the Neo or get in touch with our team!

To read more about SALTO KS, click here or follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest product features, team updates and news from the industry.

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 systems are 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!

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Access control from an architect’s perspective

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As we’ve shown on our blog, smart access control is relevant for all kinds of industries, from coworking to experience design. To inquire into what access control and locking technology mean for architects, we reached out to Björg Halldórsdóttir, an architect and design manager for Hafnartorg (The Harbour Square Project) in Reykjavík, Iceland. With a size of over 24.000 m2, including 1.700 m2 of coworking space, this was a large project with many important decisions that needed to be made.

When thinking about the target audience for access control providers, one traditionally thinks of building operators, site owners or administrators, or residential and industrial end-users. However, there is a group that is often overlooked.

This group is the people who design the building: the architects.

Architects may not have the deciding vote when it comes to choosing locking solutions for the buildings they’re designing. However, for those operators who lack knowledge or experience when it comes to choosing access control, they often consult with the architect designing the building.

Some architects have years of experience of designing buildings in a specific sector, for example, hospitality or office spaces, and have worked with specific access control providers before. First and foremost, they might have an opinion about the look of the locks chosen, and whether it matches the aesthetics of the building.

Read on to find out what smart access control means to Björg.

What is the importance of smart lock solutions to you as an architect, and what do you look for in regards to access control?

As an architect, the first thing you look for in a smart lock solution is a product that is aesthetically pleasing. It may not be ideal, but it is the truth.

Secondly, the access control system has to fit the client’s needs. Most clients nowadays prefer smart, electronic locks, depending on the level of security needed for the building. However, some still prefer to use mechanical keys. These preferences must be discussed before starting to search for the right locks for the building.

Do you think that it is important for architects to think about access control when they are designing a space, or is it something that is solely the responsibility of the building manager?

I do think it's important to discuss access control at the initial design stage. It has been proven many times that the most successful building projects are the ones where the whole team works as one. Design managers and architects come from the opposite end of the spectrum and can, therefore, point out different aspects of a design element to one another, resulting in the most suitable choice for the client and the building users.

At what stage during the design process do architects need to think about access control?

At the initial design stage, it is important to get an idea of how the flow of people will be through the spaces. Learning about the client’s wishes regarding access control plays a vital part in that process. This also affects the fire safety design of the building, which means that it cannot be an afterthought.

At the later stages of the design process, when choosing materials, building elements and equipment, there needs to be a discussion with the whole design team and the client to make sure that his wishes are being met and that the chosen product fits the overall interior design. Furthermore, it needs to be established that the product can be delivered within the given time frame.

How important is it to be able to customize the look and finish of the lock, such as with SALTO Systems’ MyLock?

As I previously mentioned, the look of the locks is everything to an architect. It is extremely satisfying for an architect to be able to customize the finish of a product that affects the everyday usage of a building so much. The ability to create a holistic design is always the end goal, and SALTO Systems’ MyLock plays a huge part in achieving that goal.

Hafnartorg under construction

Have you had any projects where you had to think about locking technology?

Yes. In a recent project for the headquarters of Regus in Iceland at Hafnartorg, access control was an important topic. Although the client already had a product in mind from the start it was still a constant discussion throughout the design process. I’m pleased to say that the end result was a success, both aesthetically and functionally.

Finally, are there any features you would like to see in locking technology in the future?

Customized locking technology for main doors to buildings is something I’d love to see in the future. Although being able to choose the colour and finish, as with SALTO’s MyLock, is a great start, I’d like architects to be able to fully design custom made handles themselves.

I do think it's important to discuss access control at the initial design stage. It has been proven many times that the most successful building projects are the ones where the whole team works as one.” - Björg Halldórsdóttir, Architect and Design Manager of Hafnartorg.

Björg Halldórsdóttir is an Icelandic architect working for Nordic architecture and design studio, PK. She was the design manager for the recent Hafnartorg project in Iceland.

Thank you, Björg, for taking the time to give us your insights into an architect’s perspective on smart access control.

To read more about SALTO KS, click here or follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest product features, team updates and news from the industry.

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 systems are 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!

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Empowering shared households: A conversation with Glide

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Adding onto our list of this year’s Think Tank Partners, we are proud to present Glide, the specialists in delivering super-fast and reliable solutions for students, residential developers and businesses. Glide is the UK leader in infrastructure solutions for difficult-to-serve markets, paving the way in gigabit broadband with over 300,000 customers.

For this interview with Glide, we decided to do things a bit differently and host a conversation between our very own Christian Schmitz, Coliving Business Development & Sales Manager at SALTO Systems, and Carolina Suarez, European Commercial Manager at Glide. The framework for this conversation is to share insights on the core services and technology required to deliver a high-quality resident experience in addition to differentiating these properties from the traditional rental market.

Read ahead to find out the ways in which Glide and SALTO Systems aim to empower shared accommodation and what’s in store for this Think Tank partnership.

What led you to have this conversation about core services in shared accommodation?

Carolina (Glide): In 2019, Glide’s Smart Fibre Infrastructure™ changed the Build-to-Rent sector forever, bringing state-of-the-art smart technology and Gigabit broadband to award-winning Build-To-Rent residences across the UK. Smart fibre is a unique, seamless, future-proof, full-fibre building infrastructure.

Glide worked with partners across Europe to explore the vision of a connected future for purpose-built accommodation. Talking to developers, operators and residents to understand technology demands and trends and to better understand which partners would best deliver integrated solutions.

The promise of smarter living creates demand from the next generation of renters. Technology will improve well-being and a sense of community will create loyalty. All factors that create a reputation for excellence for property developers and operators. We wanted to go beyond disparate technologies and explore the role of integrated technologies in creating the smart buildings of the future.

What is the correlation between SALTO Systems and Glide?

Carolina (Glide): Future-proof fibre technology is the best way to connect a building and deliver pervasive Wi-Fi. Resident experience is not just about unbeatable Wi-Fi but also how residents interact with a building. Glide’s seamless fibre network carries every building service, saves a significant amount of space and energy, is fast and reliable and supports approved third-party solutions like access control from SALTO Systems.

Christian (SALTO Systems): From an access control perspective, shared housing operators would like to update permissions for new guests or colleagues with the comfort of not being tied to a specific location.

The second, and more important goal of the partnership, is to work closer together on enhancing the customer experience journey. Both parties have in-depth insights and solutions which go beyond smart access and Wi-Fi connectors. I am referring to Big Data which jointly provides new solutions and finally, a better experience for all audiences: residents, operators and third parties.

What elements are in consideration when enabling the provision of these services while simultaneously providing reliable connectivity?

Carolina (Glide): Our products and services work best when they’re truly connected.

Four elements combine to provide exceptional resident experience. The correct infrastructure through the core of the building, onsite wireless and wired connectivity connecting residents to the internet and operators to the building, smart technology enhancing experiences, and differentiating the property and data analysis to identify trends and save money.

Our SFI™ works seamlessly with all the services, with spare capacity built-in. We enable services that help operators run buildings better. Enabling telephone and video communications, laundry and gym systems, digital signage, CCTV, lighting & climate control systems, Energy Management Systems (EMS) and of course, security and door access.

Christian (SALTO Systems): Adding onto Carolina’s point, we have also found that integrations are vital to an ecosystem, as is the strategy of many operators to focus on core competencies. This means using SaaS components of all kinds and not spending too much time or resources on developing their own entire ecosystem entirely by themselves.

A cloud-based smart access control solution like SALTO KS allows real-time management even remotely, and can seamlessly integrate with various self-developed or third-party software PMS solutions.

“Smart solutions play a big part in the end-user experience and directly affect operational efficiency.” - Carolina Suarez, European Commercial Manager at Glide.

Another correlation is that Glide and SALTO are concerned with both the side of the student/resident as well as that of the operator. Is there a difference between these two sides of shared accommodation?

Carolina (Glide): The primary focus for the operator is raising operational efficiency and keeping costs down whilst also delivering a first-class resident experience. In older buildings, the operations team is often limited in their ability to improve efficiency or enhance the resident experience because they are limited by the tools and data available to them.

Technology and infrastructure are being considered by developers at the conceptual stage and architectural stage of property development. The benefit of technology is being felt more widely by creating freedom for developers to create amazing spaces that make people happy and enable operators to focus on resident experience.

Residents depend on the internet so it is expected to always work. In a Coliving environment, residents will likely engage with communal Wi-Fi first so it needs to be fast and create an impression. Any communal indoor or outdoor space will be enhanced by great communal and pervasive Wi-Fi and create a sense of community.

We know residents require a fully supported, seamless and comprehensive network that looks after their every need, around the clock.

From your perspectives, what are the major challenges shared living schemes operators face in terms of security and enabling an efficient security system?

Carolina (Glide): Ruckus predicts that by 2022, 51% of all devices connected to the internet will be IoT. This shows huge growth, but also poses challenges in terms of security. In the first half of 2019, there were 105m attacks on IoT devices, which shows the need for networks to be fully secure.

Christian (SALTO Systems): Security lies at the core of our solutions, as is the guarantee that we are always up-to-date on all fronts: Software, database security, mechanical security, and finally, making sure that we as a hardware supplier meet all certifications with our product portfolio which can go on any door worldwide.

Q: How do we make sure our solutions and customer journeys are well accepted?

Carolina (Glide): We speak to developers and building operators with a simple objective. By making building infrastructure future-proof they can continue to be at the forefront of constantly shifting technologies and focus on meeting the demands of a modern high bandwidth community.

Operators need to continue to explore technology that delivers operational efficiency and operational savings. Any cost savings can be channelled into enhancing the resident experience and creating spaces where well-being is actively monitored. Historically, smart technology often adds complexity where it should create simplicity. The aim for operators is to make what is complex simple and streamline technology to ensure it stays relevant for today, tomorrow and the future.

What lies ahead for this partnership?

Carolina (Glide): We are taking our thoughts even further and now we’ll be working on joined workshops which will gather the two different perspectives of our services.

Given the technologies we use and the vision we have as providers, we will be further exploring the opportunities to work on common projects, together with operators and developers, in order to enhance their offering and complement our services.

Christian (SALTO Systems): We as service providers find ourselves having different approaches, towards the same purpose. We value well-being, security, communication, and interaction with regards to the end-user while facilitating the product used by operators for enhanced customer experience.

Thank you very much for sharing your findings, experience, and perspectives with us. If you would like to find out more about Glide, visit their website, blog, and LinkedIn.

Read further for more information on Christian and Carolina.

Carolina Suarez is the European Commercial Manager at Glide. Her experience being an international student, working for international education and having lived in three different countries has influenced her view on living trends and standards. Passionate about shared living concepts and technology, Carolina has started the expansion of Glide across Europe to contribute directly to the fulfilment of basic needs to today’s generation: connectivity.

As a dedicated Sales & Business Development Manager for SALTO Systems, the lock manufacturer of electronic locking solutions since 2001, Christian Schmitz has developed a passion for Student Housing, shared living, coliving and coworking. Over the years Christian has become a specialist in the international market and upcoming trends in the shared living segment. The passion of the people working behind the scenes ignites an endless ambition for Christian to make a difference on a global scale and empower the shared living movement.

To read more about SALTO KS, click here or follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest product features, team updates and news from the industry.

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 systems are 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!

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Our top 5 picks for new trends in Coworking

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As the Coworking industry continues to evolve, new trends are emerging to answer the progressing demands. From pet-friendly offices to futuristic space design, innovative and interesting concepts continue to surface in coworking spaces around the world.

Not too long ago, we put together a blog post on ‘5 niche Coliving spaces to look out for’. Now we turned to Coworking and set out to find the exciting options these spaces offer their visitors.

Read on to discover our selection of the top 5 new trends in Coworking.

Coworking with on-premise childcare

A growing trend in Coworking is offering full-time childcare on-premise. Finding effective, affordable childcare has become a major hindrance for parents to return to the workforce, and mothers in particular. Women disproportionately take on caregiving responsibilities when their family cannot find or afford child care, with damaging results to their careers. Thus, coworking spaces offering childcare not only make themselves an attractive option to parents of young children but also contribute towards gender equality.

Providing on-premise childcare offers numerous other benefits, including reducing the commute that parents traditionally have to make to pick up their child. This increases the valuable free time parents have with their children, while reducing the impact on the environment. Additionally, helping parents re-enter the workforce contributes towards economic growth and prosperity. Due to the positive outcomes of childcare in coworking spaces, we predict that this trend will continue to grow over the next years.

Niche coworking spaces

As is the case for niche coliving spaces, niche coworking spaces are becoming increasingly more popular. There has been an emergence of sites targeting different industries and professions, such as coworking for developers or musicians, spaces for entrepreneurs that encourage networking, and even locations dedicated to construction workers. Offering services tailored to the needs of the specific profession has evident benefits for the workers, as they can have ready access to everything they need in their line of work.

In addition to industry-targeted spaces, there has been an increase in coworking spaces catered to specific social groups and demographics, such as LGBTQ+ or women-only spaces, or different ideologies, like wellness-oriented spaces. Bringing together people with the same interests increases the feeling of community and enables collaboration with people working towards the same goal.

For the coworking spaces, targeting specific segments of the coworking population allows them to stand out from the abundance of spaces available. Spaces focusing on niches also tend to deliver faster growth and profitability. This trend has already been established in many major cities but is sure to grow even further in the future.

The corporate shift

Corporate coworking is a rising trend with many benefits for both businesses and their workers. While earlier, the Coworking industry tended to target entrepreneurs, freelancers, and digital nomads, today’s coworking spaces have set their sights on bigger targets as well.

Over the past few years, the historically rigid corporate environment has started offering more flexibility to its workers with remote working and fluctuating work schedules. Permitting employees to be in charge of their own work hours offers more work-life balance while increasing trust between employees and employers. Now, in the aftermath of COVID-19, this trend is expected to increase as even more corporations move towards coworking spaces.

For this shift towards corporate coworking to be successful, the spaces need to be able to offer different kinds of working environments to the corporations. Depending on the business, it might need access to meeting rooms and conference spaces, desk clusters for collaborations, and individual work desks.

Coworking for sustainability

With the climate crisis at the top of everyone’s mind, many have started to consciously take actions to reduce their carbon footprint. Among actions like reducing meat consumption and opting to buy second-hand rather than new, many only choose retail or service providers that have clear sustainability initiatives. This includes coworking spaces.

As an answer to the demands of sustainable-minded workers, there has been an emergence of green coworking spaces. To reduce their carbon footprint, some of these spaces get their power from renewable energy sources such as solar panels, others practice zero-waste, and most use energy-saving devices and appliances. By enabling the sharing of resources and services, they also reduce waste and unnecessary consumption.

As the need for sustainability will only grow in the coming years, we predict that the number of green coworking spaces will continue to steadily increase, and that many existing coworking sites will retrofit sustainable solutions to remain competitive.

Smart technology and management platforms

With the recent popularity of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and IoT (Internet of Things), many sites have started to utilize smart technologies to provide their tenants with a seamless coworking experience.

Smart technology and integrations with various tools can automate certain operational tasks, creating a self-service culture within the space. For the tenants, streamlined operations can greatly enhance their coworking experience. Features such as smart printers and meeting room booking reduce or eliminate waiting times, increasing the workers’ productivity and satisfaction with the services provided.

For operators, management software helps manage the space and its resources, freeing up time and funds for other initiatives. Smart sensors can be used to save costs by turning off lights or ventilation for unused rooms and smart access control can provide instant access to the tenants while increasing security. Ultimately, effectively managing the coworking space with the aid of smart technology increases profitability, efficiency, and sustainability.

This concludes our list for the top 5 trends emerging in the Coworking industry, but we’re excited to observe even more trends that might make their way into your local coworking space. Now that you’ve seen our predictions, will you jump on the bandwagon and implement smart technology at your coworking space?

If you’d like to know even more about Coworking today, check out this unique book project by Coworkies: “Around the world in 250 coworking spaces”. The book contains carefully curated stories of people, spaces, and products that are actively transforming the workspaces of today, offering a comprehensive understanding of the diverse coworking world.

To read more about SALTO KS, click here or follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest product features, team updates and news from the industry.

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 systems are 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!

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