How smart technology is transforming the hospitality industry
Smart technology is upending every major industry on the planet, and the hospitality industry is no exception. This is particularly true in the wake of the global health crisis, in which smart technologies are taking a progressively larger role in ‘new normal’ standards in hotels, coliving spaces, restaurants, entertainment businesses, and other tourism or hospitality-related services. Indeed, smart hospitality has grown into a huge global industry; and much of this new development is taking place in the field of access control.
To investigate the subject of smart technology in hospitality even further, we offered our platform to blogger Jamie Sanders, who is specialized in the field of technology and life hacks.
Read along to find out Jamie’s take on how smart technology is transforming the hospitality industry at a rapid pace:
Although improved security is a crucial part of the access control equation, it is just one of the key points in the emergence of new smart hospitality technology. From smartphones which can transform guest experience to management systems that streamline hotel management operations, smart solutions have the power to transform the industry and its overall functionality.
The role of access control in hospitality
Smart cloud-based access control tech has many practical applications throughout the world of hospitality. In places like hotels, coliving and/or working spaces, this means that no one needs to worry about losing their keys, as there is greater convenience and efficiency in terms of granting and halting access not just to rooms but also certain facilities, and an overall more secure experience for both clients and managers. Apart from security and convenience, these solutions are also a big step in addressing and maintaining distancing protocols in the hospitality world’s ‘new normal.’
Access control is just one important part of the smart hospitality puzzle. Around the world, a variety of smart hospitality-focused solutions are already being developed and rolled out.
In some cases, integrations with third parties are the key to shaping your desired guest experience. SALTO KS’ integration partners in hospitality, for instance, include PriorityKey, 3RPMS, and TABHOTEL; of which optimizing keyless self-check-in and granting remote access through cloud-based solutions is common to all.
Challenges and looking ahead
Of course, this isn’t to say that there are no challenges to the widespread rise of smart hospitality technologies. Any new smart technology, no matter how advanced, can only be as smart as those who are operating or managing it.
The good news is that today, managers and those in administrative positions are being taught how to integrate smart tech into different facets of the hospitality industry through internal training and development protocols. Making this process easier are new employee communication platforms, which makes the integration of smart technologies faster and more streamlined from executive managers down to hospitality staff.
This, in turn, has spurred an uptick in HR specialists who can help facilitate the ongoing digital transformation across the entire hospitality industry. In fact, training and development specialists who have studied online human resources degrees can expect a 9% growth in job prospects up until 2028. A large percentage of the projected growth are finding their way into hospitality and tourism due to their skills in business organizational behaviour and their ability to react to changes in regulations within the industry.
With the hospitality industry being extremely dependent on new tech, this will lead to an increase in customer demand for businesses that can adapt to smart tech the quickest.
As both hospitality providers and connectivity tech developers envision a smarter hospitality industry, this is just the beginning for smart solutions emerging in the industry.
Find out more on how SALTO Systems is improving hotel experience around the globe here.
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!
The success of Seoul as a leading smart city
Smart cities, incorporating technology in businesses, leisure, and residences, are on the rise across the globe. Among the world’s leading smart cities is the tech-savvy Seoul, which takes advantage of the sky-high internet use across South Korea (96% at its highest) to instantaneously connect with its population. With more than 10 million residents, a smaller geographic area, and a higher population density, South Korea’s capital city of Seoul is more populated than New York City. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has stated its aspiration to be “a leading digital capital in the world by 2020”, and has outlined a vision and strategy to achieve this.
To investigate this subject further, we offer up our platform to Sylvia Lee, Marketing Manager at SALTO Systems Asia. Read on for her considerations on the key factors contributing to Seoul’s success as a leading smart city.
Government support and a vision for the future
Smart cities are a key part of the Korean government’s industrial policy. President Moon Jae-in sees smart cities as an essential component for improving the quality of citizens’ lives and as a means to grow Korea’s economy through the development and commercialisation of emerging fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technologies. Significant political support has been given to national smart city projects, with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation being motivated to finish the flagship projects before the end of President Moon’s term in 2022.
The 2018 Act on the Promotion of Smart City Development and Industry, commonly known as the Smart City Act, creates an open-ended definition of a smart city as consisting of interconnected services and facilities that improve competitiveness and quality of life. This definition gives significant power to individual cities and projects to determine key components and themes, effectively making smart city initiatives a fluid platform for the delivery of diverse connected services.
The Government of South Korea has clearly outlined its commitment to smart cities. Their goal to make the future digital has been explicitly stated in ‘Digital 2020’, in the form of both a vision and a mission:
Vision: We will connect with citizens and make Seoul digital with them. “Global Digital Seoul, new connections and different experiences”.
Mission: A city that works with citizens and the private sector to resolve urban problems and change the lives of the citizens based on data.
Technical feasibility
Seoul prides itself on having among the best digital infrastructure in the world, with digital platforms, communication networks and security controls in place to create a state-of-the-art city with supreme digital urban infrastructure.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) claims its smart-city platform is the world’s first digital administrative system which enables policymakers to have a complete real-time view of what’s happening in the city and the ability to communicate directly with staff in the field. SMG also upgrades the equipment for optical communication networks to cope with increased data and public WiFi use. Besides that, SMG has expanded the establishment of a WiFi infrastructure for everyone in Seoul, with the instalment of additional 18.817 APs making WiFi available in the entire public area of Seoul.
Citizen’s buy-in
Based on the concept of citizen-driven governance, the government of South Korea aims to actualize citizens’ ideas using digital technology and to provide the services that the citizens want the most.
To achieve these two objectives, the government is building and operating a multi-stakeholder system which includes citizens, the private sector and experts in the planning, execution, operation and assessment of digital projects. SMG created an open suggestion and selection system for new municipal projects, a citizen suggestion website called Ten Million Imagination Oasis. Additionally, SMG has set up digital information kiosks in metro stations.
The importance of finding the right partners
A Smart City Synergy Alliance consisting of 113 companies was created in February 2019 to coordinate with local and national governments on the platforms, components and services for different projects. Foreign suppliers are welcome to take part, in order to include the best service and technology providers to help in building smart cities in Korea. Key players in the private sector include the leading local telcos SK Telecom and KT.
Key areas of opportunity for service and technology providers include the main components of smart city projects such as autonomous vehicles, convenience for residents, safety, renewable energy, robotics, AI, data analytics, and more.
The trend: Smart access control is essential to the future of smart cities
In smart cities, the use of information and communication technologies increases operational efficiency, the flow of information, and improves the quality of life of its residents. Smart access is an important step forward in supporting the ambition of smart cities and their respective smart industries. Furthermore, it is vital to have an access control system in place due to the high volumes of people entering and exiting different areas of the city.
The SALTO KS solution offers a way to run your business’access through the cloud. Its proven reliability, scalability and recognised stability bring cloud-based access control to any type of business, in any part of the world. All you need is an online device, for instance, a smartphone, with an internet connection. This means that you can be relieved of replacing mechanical locks when keys are lost or stolen, keeping up with the pace of a smart city. Additionally, you can monitor who accesses your site, open doors remotely and gain actionable insights which contribute towards operational efficiency.
As of February 2020, SALTO serves around 1.5 million lock openings each day and has plenty of successful implementations in Asian cities, including Taipei, Seoul, and Hong Kong.
Want to learn more about how SALTO’s solutions can be deployed in smart city projects?
Please visit our virtual booth at Smart City Online or the event-dedicated landing page.
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!
How to run a successful home office: Advice from the KS team
The ability to work from home and flexible work schedules have been gaining popularity with workers over the past few years as we have mentioned before on our blog. The reasons for this shift are multi-faceted, with some choosing to work from home to gain a better work-life balance or to accommodate childcare schedules, while others enjoy avoiding the long commutes to the office.
Technological developments have also contributed to the rising number of people working from home. Technologies such as Software as a Service (SaaS) and cloud-based solutions, communication platforms and video conference programs have facilitated remote working, making it much easier to collaborate with colleagues from separate ends of the city.
This year, many of those who had not previously worked from home have been forced to do so for months at a time. This shift in the working environment and lack of social interactions can be challenging for some and can take a toll on one’s mental health. To aid the inexperienced in the art of working from home, we have compiled the SALTO KS tips and tricks for a successful home office. We will focus especially on recommendations that promote self-care and increase well-being in honour of #worldmentalhealthday which will be celebrated on October 10th.
Read on to find out what keeps the SALTO KS machine running:
Stick to a specific schedule
When you don’t have to get up early to catch that train to work and the mornings grow darker as we sail into winter, nothing seems more tempting than to lie in bed until 8:55 AM. Indeed, nothing is stopping you from simply grabbing your laptop from your bedside table and starting the day’s work from bed. However, there are numerous benefits to waking up a little bit earlier, from increased productivity to less stress in the mornings.
Waking up at 8:00 AM provides enough time for a 30-minute yoga session, a hearty breakfast, and a morning shower before you sit down in front of the laptop, making you feel more refreshed and ready for the day. Even without these activities, having a few moments to yourself without jumping straight into work can make a world of a difference.
“Going out for a morning run before work makes me feel like I’m in charge of my day rather than the day being in charge of me.” - Kristin Pater, Marketing Manager at SALTO KS.
Optimise your #WFH wardrobe
A benefit that accompanies working from home is the freedom to wear whatever you want. Many have revelled in this freedom by saying goodbye to their office wardrobe and wearing their most comfortable pyjama set instead. However, wearing pyjamas, just like working from bed, can trick your mind into feeling more sleepy and less energised. Dressing up in clothes you would wear to the office can bring a sense of normalcy to the workday and keeps the days from melding together.
Don’t forget that lunch!
Without the visual cues of seeing your coworkers stand up and move to the canteen, lunch can easily be forgotten in the busy home office. For many, the days are packed with stand-up meetings to make sure that everyone is on the same page despite working in separate places, resulting in workers skipping lunch to work on their individual projects. However, taking at least a 30-minute break from work to eat a healthy lunch or simply taking your eyes off the laptop can increase productivity for the rest of the day.
Working late to accommodate deadlines is fine...
…but make sure it does not become a habit. When you work in an office, you usually keep the same hours, arriving at and leaving the office around the same time every day. When working from home, it is very easy to accidentally work longer while finishing a project as there is no train schedule to keep track of, reminding you what time it is.
A good way to make sure a work-life balance is preserved is to stick to the same hours you would usually work in the office. If you have to work late on a project on a Wednesday, substitute the hours worked by taking a longer lunch break on a Thursday. This way, you make sure that you do not give up too much of your personal time and reduce the chance of feeling overwhelmed.
Plan water cooler chats with your coworkers
When at the office, it is customary to take small breaks throughout the day to grab coffee with your coworkers, or as in the case of SALTO KS, you would play a game of pool. To nurture your relationships with your colleagues, we recommend planning short, online meetings with your coworkers, or reserve 5-10 minutes for small talk during your meetings.
On a larger scale, there are many ways to keep up the office morale even when everyone is working from home. Planning after-work virtual drinks, a trivia night, a BINGO challenge, or a virtual work-out class are all examples of innovative gatherings that keep up the team spirits.
“Spending time together in an informal setting helps you get to know the real person you are working next to every day. It’s during the most mundane coffee break interactions that I’ve learnt the most amazing things about my colleagues which is why keeping some time aside for those micro chats is so important.” - Wilma Georgeson, Office Manager at SALTO KS.
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!
SALTO KS integrates with Fichaj.es Time-Attendance management software
As our team expands, so does our commitment to providing our users with the best user experience in operating their own systems or running a business, accompanied by smart and valuable software. This is why SALTO KS is proud to announce a brand new integration partner: Fichaj.es, whose technology partnership allows our users the convenience of ‘time and attendance’ along with their cloud-based access control management system. The time-tracking software developer Fichaj.es provides system administrators with a workforce management tool which allows users to accurately record and monitor employee attendance, make staff planning easier, and communicate employee hours and automated access management with 24/7 activity data.
“The Fichaj.es integration with SALTO KS lets the end-user use door access control as a check-in and check-out reader which helps to avoid expensive investments in time and attendance tablets, keypad devices, and even installing drivers on laptops for clock-in and clock-out event notification” - Pablo Pérez de Ciriza, Project Manager at Nubba Group
Fichaj.es is a trusted and accurate time-tracking solution that has robust features including an online time-clock application available for Android and iOS. It has the ability to show overtime information as well as breaks in graphs and progress bars. Additionally, the solution contains an advanced system for managing work schedules and attendance - including maternity leaves and vacations.
KS Connect Partners offer advanced management and access control in an easy and secure way. As a result of this partnership, you can now manage access along with time and attendance needs for your business on-the-go. Open doors remotely, block access, view entry activity and receive activity messages on your smartphone. All that is needed is an online device with an internet connection. In addition to enhanced functionality and performance, this effectively reduces cost and almost eliminates the need for maintenance.
SALTO KS provides flexible cloud-based access control management that requires no software installation nor the added expense of fully-wired electronic locking solutions, ensuring vastly better functionality and performance than is possible in a traditional mechanical locking system.
Enabling the Fichaj.es integration with SALTO KS delivers the following features:
Enabling the Fichaj.es integration with SALTO KS delivers the following features:
This integration brings with it, the exciting and promising scope for more successful, time and cost-reducing collaborations.
If you’d like to be a KS Service within SALTO KS or integrate SALTO KS smart lock functionality into your own app, make sure to contact us.
For more information, watch this video or visit the Fichaj.es Academy.
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!
A year in the life of an expat
Moving to a different country for work is always a life-altering experience. There are many challenges one has to overcome, including finding appropriate housing, learning the language, and understanding the culture. These challenges become especially daunting when you are moving for someone else, in most cases a partner.
To dive deeper into the experience of an expat, we interviewed Ines Komic, an English and Croatian teacher, who moved to the Netherlands from her native country of Croatia. She moved here 18 months ago with her boyfriend Jakov Videković, who works at SALTO KS as a Mobile Developer for iOS. Ines recently wrote an article named ‘365 days as an expat’ that described her experience of her first year living in a foreign country, her hardships and successes, and the importance of appreciating every step along the way.
Read on to find out how she overcame the challenges of her first year and what she learned on her journey so far.
Could you please introduce yourself to our readers, and describe your connection to SALTO KS?
Hi everyone!
My name is Ines Komic and I have been working as a teacher for around 10 years, teaching both English and Croatian. Besides teaching I love casual writing, working on the school’s social media and organising interesting school-related events. I love researching how languages are learnt. Currently, I’m focused on adult learners of the Dutch language because I am surrounded by them, as I am learning Dutch myself. It’s very interesting to see what influences us, how we respond, what makes us progress and so on. I love motivating people and helping them in their learning process from a language teacher’s perspective.
I have very strong ties to SALTO KS. Not only because of my boyfriend Jakov but also because of my friend Darjan, who works as a Software Developer at SALTO KS. Jakov, Darjan and I have known each other since high school, 16 years and counting!
Relocating to a different country is a big adjustment. Did you encounter any challenges due to your relocation? How did you overcome these challenges?
Relocating to the Netherlands was a huge adjustment! From the wind and the rain to Dutch houses and language, there was a lot to adapt to.
Finding a job has been the biggest challenge I have had to face. It takes time and patience, as well as an employer who decides to take a chance on you. I am still in the process of overcoming this challenge. For me, that means learning Dutch and integrating into the Dutch society.
How long did it take you to adjust to your new reality in the Netherlands, such as finding a job or an apartment?
We were a lot luckier than most in regards to finding an apartment, as we had the advantage of having a friend in the Netherlands who could go to viewings for us which helped tremendously. We were still looking for apartments when the date of our arrival was fast approaching, as we hadn’t found anything. We had even paid for temporary accommodation when we finally managed to get an apartment. It had no agency fees, it was furnished and almost ready to live in! We hadn’t seen it with our own eyes, but Darjan sent us videos and photos of it, and we trusted it would be fine for our first year. It was a huge relief being able to arrive in the Netherlands without having to worry about accommodation.
Finding a job was a completely different thing. I managed to find a part-time job in a clothing store pretty quickly, but it took me around 6 months to find a part-time job as a substitute teacher in a Dutch school.
What would you say is the greatest cultural difference between the Netherlands and your native country of Croatia?
One of the greatest cultural differences is freedom. Freedom to change jobs, move cities, and share your opinions. In Croatia, there isn’t as much freedom and you can get stuck. It’s difficult to find a job as a teacher and if you get a good one, meaning permanent and full-time, you usually stay there until you’re 65. Moving to a different city or a different country is seen as a huge thing and isn’t always well received. Sharing your opinions, if those aren’t the same as the majority's, is often controversial.
In your article which inspired this interview, you said “We are not our jobs. We are people who have a job.” Can you please elaborate on this statement?
I realised that I have focused so much on finding a job that I forgot to enjoy the city and the change itself. I felt that I had to find a job immediately and I felt that my worth was measured by my ability to find a job. I realised that my job defined me. That’s because I started working when I was 18 and I hadn’t stopped working until I came here. I was used to working. When I moved to the Netherlands, I was very enthusiastic, hoping to find a job soon.
Then I realised I got it all wrong.
I’m so much more than my job. There will be a moment in which everything will change. I cannot force it, I cannot make it happen overnight.
I’ve met so many hard-working and ambitious people here who would like to work, but simply cannot make it in the competitive market. It’s difficult to stand out, especially with so many Dutchies as a competition.
My job is still a big part of who I am. I love working and being productive, but now I’m a bit more aware that it’s a process that takes time. I’m happy with what I’ve achieved.
Do you have any advice for others that are considering relocating to the Netherlands from another country?
My advice is to learn the language. No matter the profession, language is a huge part of the culture. Also, get familiar with the process of language learning, that makes learning much easier!
Another advice is not to listen to anyone telling you that it won’t work out or that it’s not worth it. Listen to yourself, and you’ll get there. Day by day!
Lastly, now that you have settled a bit more into the country and your new lives, what do you look forward to in the upcoming future?
Since I still haven’t found one, finding a full-time job would be great progress.
Additionally, I look forward to being able to go to the theatre and actually understand the show. I look forward to all the cultural stuff, that’s something I wholeheartedly enjoy.
Finally, I’m excited to move into our own home one day and to everything our “Dutch adventure” will bring.
Thank you, Ines, for sharing your valuable insights and experiences with our readers. Integrating into a new culture is a long and demanding process, but a rewarding one as well. The most important part of this journey is to enjoy every step of the way.
Do you want to find out more about the ‘Bricks’ and how they’ve managed to move to the Netherlands? Take a look at our Instagram account for stories such as the one below. Looking for a challenging job? Visit our career page or LinkedIn to see if there’s a job opening that suits 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 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!
Scrum 101: The importance of establishing your Team Identity
If you are familiar with Scrum, you are possibly no stranger to the values and practices that go hand in hand. For this week’s blog post we decided to dive deeper into this side of working in tech, by consulting with our in-house expert, Scrum Master Elena Vladimirova. According to Elena, Scrum is a framework that helps us make work as productive and enjoyable as possible. She says, “It is very team-centric and aside from promoting efficient ways of working it is very helpful in establishing a healthy culture within an organization.”
Earlier this year, Elena introduced a new practice to the Bricks, centred around Team Identity. The purpose of this was twofold: to define a mission and vision for each team. This seemingly simple initiative has already made an impact within the (remote) office.
Read ahead to find out the method she used, the purpose of this practice, and its importance.
Could you please introduce yourself to our readers, and tell us about your role at SALTO KS?
My name is Elena and I have been a Scrum Master and Agile Coach for the last 10 years. I’m originally from Bulgaria but moved to the beautiful city of Amsterdam 6 years ago and I still love it, despite the occasional month of endless rain. I’m currently working as a Scrum Master for three of the development teams at SALTO KS.
What are the ‘Scrum values’?
The five Scrum values: commitment, focus, openness, respect and courage are guidelines to help the team build trust both inside and outside the team, which is the foundation that the Scrum framework rests on. Putting a bunch of people to work on a product together doesn’t automatically make them a team, they need to go through different phases of adjustment, conflict and ultimately adaptation and performance; the fairly well-known model of forming, storming, norming, performing.
If you have very different working styles or personalities within a team it’s sometimes difficult to align those. But if you have a clearly expressed common purpose, helped by the Team Identity and clear values that the team members need to uphold, everything becomes much easier.
What led you to think about starting an initiative around Team Identity?
One of my teams felt some frustration and a lack of direction for a few reasons: they were relatively new to the company and the team (still in the storming phase), and they were working on multiple products at the same time, so their priority was not that clear. I’d say they had a bit of an identity crisis, so I thought it would be good to start fresh with a very clear outline of the mission and the vision for the team.
How did you go about this inspiration?
I first shared the idea with my manager and he told me to go for it. Then I made some preparations around this; like setting up a survey for the team to fill in their initial input and setting up a brainstorm board on an online visual tool which we could use during our interactive session. Of course, we had to do it online because of the COVID-19 circumstances, so I needed some digital version of a whiteboard with sticky notes. It was a bit scary because it was the first such workshop I had done online but the results were great and people loved it. I shared my findings with our team’s other Scrum Master Geert Visser, and we prepared to roll this out to all of the teams.
In your opinion, why is it important for teams to identify their team’s mission and vision?
I think that having a common understanding of what the team is about, what they should focus on, knowing their vision and how everything they work on aligns with that vision can be really priceless. There is a common misconception that engineers don’t really care about the business side of things and that is really not true. Pretty much everyone has a need to know what the big picture is that they’re working towards and hitting the goals. Seeing the results of your work reflected on the product and users is extremely fulfilling.
What distinguishes ‘team mission’ from ‘team vision’?
‘Team mission’ is about the question “Why do we exist?”. To determine the reason for us to have a team focused specifically on our self-service tools, or on our core components, etc. It’s a great go-to reference if you’re asking yourself “Why do I show up for work in the morning?”.
‘Team vision’ is much more about where we want to go as a team. The horizon is usually 3 to 7 years and it’s a shoot-for-the-moon type of statement. Whether we want to fully automate some tool, or we want to have the fanciest commissioning process in the world, the sky's the limit. It’s the best thing for giving the team a direction. It’s also a great source of inspiration and ideas.
What are the challenges that defining ‘Team Identity’ can help overcome?
In my experience, this exercise has definitely boosted morale and motivation for the teams. Since I’m first requesting people to give their own definitions in the initial survey, it has been a real revelation about how the different team members might have a different idea of the same team. It definitely brings everyone together, not only on the idea of what the team should be about but it also gives us the opportunity to address those different perspectives and come out with a common understanding.
“Whether or not you decide to go full Scrum, discussing and building your team’s identity is always a great starting point for a new team.” - Elena Vladimirova, Scrum Master at SALTO KS
How did the team respond to this exercise?
I had some sceptics at first (and of course, some people admitted their hatred for filling in forms) but the results were great. It felt that it really kick-started the performing phase for the team. After this, we set up the same exercise with a mostly similar structure for the rest of the teams and we had some great results and feedback.
How will the results and progress of this initiative be measured?
As part of the sessions, we also asked team members to come up with business metrics and engineering metrics that they think our team should care about. All of these we essentially tied up to superior user experience; whether your user is an end-user or a developer. We’ve set up some dashboards around these metrics and will be reviewing our progress on a regular basis to also check how features we implement affect them.
Can this practice be adopted by non-Scrum teams or even teams in other creative or corporate fields?
Absolutely. There are very few fields that don’t incorporate the use of teams, and whether or not you decide to go full Scrum, discussing and building your team’s identity is always a great starting point for a new team. That and beer pong.
Elena, thank you very much for sharing your project with us! We look forward to witnessing the importance of defining our identity, mission and vision together.
Now that you’ve had a glimpse into teamwork at SALTO KS, do you feel ready for the challenge? If yes, check out our Careers page in order to join our 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!
The Intern Diaries: Marketer Arna on creative growth and confidence
This year, the SALTO KS team was fortunate enough to welcome aboard talented new team members, who have each changed our team for the better in their own ways. Among this group is Arna Halldórsdóttir. Ever since her start on May 1st, Arna has brought new meaning to the world of marketing at SALTO KS. She has done this through her expert communication, compelling insights (resulting from her psychology background), and creative expression. This has resulted in an array of publications and projects which we asked Arna to reflect upon in her edition of: The Intern Diaries.
Read ahead to find out more about Arna’s journey as Marketing Intern at SALTO KS.
Can you tell us a little bit more about yourself?
Halló! My name is Arna and for the past 6 months, I have been a Marketing Intern at SALTO KS. I’m 27 years old and moved to the Netherlands from Iceland a year ago. After gaining a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Iceland, I worked as a flight attendant for an Icelandic airline for two years. While I enjoyed the travelling, the colleagues, and the unconventional work experience, I knew that my future did not lie in the aviation industry. Thus, I packed up my bags and moved to the Netherlands to attain a Master’s degree in Economic and Consumer Psychology at Leiden University.
I have always been fascinated by consumer behaviour and the subconscious constructs that influence our decision-making. When I decided to pursue a career in marketing, I was conflicted at first since I had extensively studied the possible detrimental effects of consumerism. However, I realised that there was a way to use my marketing skills in a constructive way, promoting products and practices that I believe in. I’m happy to say that I managed to do just that in my internship at SALTO KS.
How did you end up at KS?
While looking for internships, I had a very clear vision of what I wanted. I knew that I wanted to take my time to find the perfect internship even if that meant I had to delay my graduation, as opposed to accepting the first opportunity that presented itself. When I came across the advert for the internship at SALTO KS, I instantly knew that this was the opportunity I had been searching for. The way in which they presented their product and practices, their social media presence, and the diversity of their team intrigued me. From my first interview with recruiter Agnese Rossi, my visit to the fabulous SALTO KS office, to my blog post test case, the entire hiring process was very enjoyable and only intensified my desire to work for the company. I cannot describe the excitement I felt when I signed my employment contract, and there was definitely a bottle of sparkling wine opened that night.
What did you like most about your job? And what would you change about it?
I’ve enjoyed every part of my internship, so it’s very difficult to choose my favourites. If I had to though, I could narrow it down to three aspects. First, I like the autonomy I’ve been given and the diversity of my projects. On my very first day, which started remotely because of the pandemic, I was pleasantly surprised to find out I had been given responsibility for five different tasks. Since then, I’ve been encouraged to take ownership of all kinds of projects, such as managing the SALTO KS Instagram and LinkedIn accounts, designing and creating content for the very first SALTO KS newsletters, and running with my own initiatives.
I also quite appreciate the flexibility and multitasking abilities that the internship has taught me. When you’re a part of the SALTO KS marketing team, you need to be able to juggle multiple projects at the same time, while being comfortable with jumping into other assignments when needed.
Lastly, and most importantly, I’m extremely fortunate to have worked with amazing teammates: Kristin Pater and Anya Doshi. These women are true professionals, creative masterminds, and they are an inspiration to me in every way. I can truly say that I’ve enjoyed every single moment of working with them.
How would you describe the company culture?
The SALTO KS company culture is unlike any other I’ve experienced. About two months into the internship, I was assigned the project of creating illustrative diagrams for the SALTO KS teams. This meant that I had to contact each and every Brick (our term for the SALTO KS employees), asking them about their roles and responsibilities within the company. I think it says a lot about a company when a newly onboarded intern can feel confident enough to contact the Managing Director and it is a great example of the flat structure of SALTO KS. This was especially appealing to me, coming from the hierarchical culture of the aviation industry.
What is your favourite project to work on at KS and how did you approach it?
My favourite project was writing an article for the third edition of Coliving Insights on the subject of technology’s role in making the property management and building industry more sustainable. My manager, Kris, knew of my interest on the topic of sustainability and I was quite honoured that she assigned this task to me. This project required me to research the subject extensively, familiarizing myself with Proptech and the sustainable technologies available for real estate. I collaborated with SALTO Systems’ Business Development & Sales Manager for Coliving & PBSA, Christian Schmitz, in order to gain his insights on the role of communal responsibility for sustainable practices within a building.
Seeing the article that I had worked so hard on published in this beautiful magazine made me feel very proud, and I enjoyed researching sustainability from this novel perspective.
What benefits did you gain from being a Marketing Intern at KS?
The best thing about working in such a small department is that I was able to work on a multitude of different tasks, which gave me a comprehensive understanding of the different sections within marketing. Besides the writing and content creation responsibilities I have described above, I also got to try my hand at creative design, learning how to use digital design programs to create marketing materials for different platforms. I was able to strengthen my communication skills due to tasks such as conducting interviews with industry thinkers or collaborating with technology experts. I was also fortunate enough to receive a Google Analytics workshop from our Digital Advertising Specialist, Candas Demir, where I explored our website’s traffic and planned marketing strategies from that analysis.
How did the job match your expectations?
This internship went above and beyond my expectations. Before I started, I knew that this was not the kind of internship where I would be asked to do trivial tasks such as making copies or fetching coffee. However, I certainly did not expect this. I only experienced this job as an internship for the first few weeks, while I felt like a fully integrated marketing professional for the remainder of the six months. I truly believe that six months working at SALTO KS is equal to two years’ worth of experience elsewhere.
I also did not expect to be welcomed into the company as one of their own. Onboarding an intern in the middle of a pandemic must be no easy task, but somehow they managed to make it seem like I hadn’t even started remotely. Our amazing Office Manager, Wilma Georgeson, has done a fantastic job keeping up the team spirit during the pandemic by organizing all kinds of virtual events. Despite the strange circumstances, I met spectacular people and made some truly great friends within the SALTO KS team.
What do you believe the next step is in your profession, and how did we help you get there?
My internship is officially ending on October 31st, so I am now actively searching for a new employment opportunity. Although there is definitely a certain amount of concern due to the difficult circumstances on the job market right now, I’m also hopeful. Having such an extensive experience from SALTO KS allows me to apply to a broad range of marketing vacancies, from copywriting and communication positions to analytics.
Most importantly, my experience at SALTO KS has made me believe in my abilities, resulting in me feeling confident to tackle any opportunities that come my way!
“I only experienced this job as an internship for the first few weeks, while I felt like a fully integrated marketing professional for the remainder of the six months.” - Arna Halldórsdóttir, Marketer.
Arna, on behalf of the entire team at KS, thank you for being a ray of sunshine in this unexpected year. In your application for this internship, you said, “My strengths include, but are not limited to, superior social skills, an independent work-ethic, a natural curiosity and a spectacular sense of humour.” Little did we know those qualities barely scratched the surface. We will always cheer you on and wish you the very best for your next adventure.
To get in touch with Arna, you may contact her through LinkedIn.
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!
SALTO KS and student housing solutions in Australia
We are proud to have solutions that have been implemented globally, from our own turf in The Netherlands to across the pond in the Empire State. For this reason, we like to make it a point to reach out to our customers around the world and find out what led them to SALTO KS and how they make use of it.
In this blog post, we focus on Australia, where we have an incredible Cloud team and colleagues who do their best to learn more about the spaces and sites using our cloud-based access control solutions. Two of these happen to fall under the same category of Student Housing and while both are customers, they are very different in their mission and identity.
This is supported by Josie Rae, Marketing Manager at SALTO Systems Australia and New Zealand, who says that “Australia offers world-class education and safe communities for international students.” According to Josie, these benefits will still hold true post the present pandemic; "As a service industry and home-away-from-home for young adults, implementing a cloud-based access control solution such as SALTO KS is operating with an eye to the future.”
Read on to find out more about Ultimo Terraces and The Student Housing Company.
Ultimo Terraces
Sydney’s universities and colleges attract a large number of overseas students. This generates a demand for council approved, safe, and secure accommodation, like the Ultimo Terraces student house-shares. Ultimo Terraces has three adjoining terraced houses, each with several bedrooms, a shared lounge, kitchen, bathroom and courtyard, and a communal laundry. While Ultimo Terraces are not primarily limited to student housing, they provide a valuable option for all renters.
According to the owner and operator of Ultimo Terraces, managing access to the houses and rooms was quite a headache before the decision to switch to SALTO KS. This was not only demanding on management time but inconvenient for the students, who had to wait for access. Additionally, there was a lack of visibility for the owner and operators who had no real-time clear view of who had access to which houses, doors and bedrooms.
“If a student lost their key card, a building manager had to come onsite with a new card, and physically reprogram it (which meant accessing the space under the stairs). Resetting a PIN code was a 10-minute process per door, involving taking the PIN pad apart,” said the owner.
After seeing SALTO Key as a Service (KS) at an expo, Ultimo Terraces’ owner decided it offered the perfect solution. The student’s phone becomes their ‘key’ for access to all parts of the house and is linked to a central management system via the cloud. Using their phone is an attractive and intuitive option for students, who are far less likely to lose the phone than a keycard. A flat battery is a potential risk, but Ultimo Terraces has a simple and practical solution, with a charger kept outside the front door.
Nevertheless, bedroom doors still have PIN pads or Keypads, as a backup option (in case students leave their room without their phone), but these SALTO Keypads can be programmed remotely from the central control system, rather than having to be physically taken apart. This means that changes and updates to access can be made on the fly, with no waiting for a manager to get to the house.
"As a service industry and home-away-from-home for young adults, implementing a cloud-based access control solution such as SALTO KS is operating with an eye to the future.” - Josie Rae, Marketing Manager at SALTO Systems Australia.
The Student Housing Company
The Student Housing Company is part of the Global Student Accommodation family. In Australia, they operate 4 properties housing over 1600 students. University Square in Melbourne opened its doors in July 2018, followed by The Boulevard in Perth, Infinity Place in Melbourne and most recently Park Avenue in the heart of the student precinct surrounding The University of Melbourne. With prime locations, all-inclusive rents, exceptional customer service and great community spaces, The Student Housing Company sets new standards for student accommodation providers.
Complete peace of mind for parents and students alike is an integral part of their brand promise and secure and flexible access control is an important element in delivering this. Students need to be accounted for and have access to their individual rooms, as well as various communal spaces. Some of these communal spaces are only accessible during certain hours of the day such as the swimming pool in Perth, or open to certain individuals, as is the case with the communal bathrooms split by gender at Park Avenue.
SALTO KS allows The Student Housing Company to centrally manage all their properties in real-time. For instance, the residence office can now see when a student last accessed their room which is vital for student monitoring. Notifications allow instant alerts to be sent to activity in the system based on their parameters. This has been used to identify when a student returns from a period of absence so that they can be welcomed back reliably every time.
The ability to remotely open doors also supports after-hours services. Since COVID-19, this has been used for opening the main doors for parcel deliveries and housing doors for when students are locked out. It has kept their students and staff safe by limiting human contact, while still providing the same level of service and ease of access.
“Once you learn how to efficiently use the system, it’s very simple and streamlined. The different functions are easy to navigate and simple to use.” - Becky Blakeway, General Manager of Infinity Place and University Square.
The right access control system can transform the student housing experience for both management and residents. This streamlined process can increase security while simultaneously giving students more independence and control over their spaces which while temporarily belong to them, provide them with a home away from home.
As Josie Rae points out: “Flexible security and safety measures have never been so important, and the integration possibilities with other service platforms allow these properties to truly differentiate their offering.”
To learn more about how SALTO KS benefits Ultimo Terraces, The Student Housing Company, among other spaces, visit our selection of Customer Stories.
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!
The top 5 Coworking podcasts you should be listening to
Last year, in honour of #InternationalPodcastDay, we published a list of our top 5 podcasts in Coliving that dive into contemporary issues and innovations in their own unique ways.
It just came to our attention that we have not yet put out our list of the best podcasts for 2020, and moreover, we have not covered the Coworking landscape. If you are familiar with the community, you will know that coworking is more than just a growing trend and that it has the potential to change the way we experience our working environment. Whether you are a fan of flexible workspaces or prefer to work from home, coworking discusses values and practices for entrepreneurs, freelancers, full-time professionals and more.
On a global scale, podcasts have emerged to challenge existing norms and push the boundaries for creativity and innovation in the workplace; covering a range of topics from software and integrations to streamlining your membership plans.
Read ahead to find out which of these podcasts made our top 5 list, who they are hosted by, and where you can find them:
Host: Jamie Russo
Where you’ll find it: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Podbean.
Why we like it: Host and Founder Jamie Russo promised in-depth industry insights and interviews and this is exactly what she delivers. Described by Cobot as “The giant of the coworking-podcast world”, this weekly podcast sets the agenda for the coworking community with operators, vendors and experts on a global scale. While there is a focus on the traditional real estate market, you’ll also find a variety of expert features from different industries and backgrounds which keeps the content fresh and exciting.
2. The Allwork.Space Future Of Work Podcast
Host: Jo Meunier, Ceci Amador and others
Where you’ll find it: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, TuneIn and Podbean.
Why we like it: Approaching its one year anniversary, this podcast was started by its namesake Allwork.Space, an online publication that is dedicated to the future of work. The podcast was inspired by the shift in media consumption and its implications for the coworking movement. Described by host Ceci Amador as a “holistic, very robust, comprehensive podcast” the podcast features flexible workspace experts from leading investment companies, prop-tech, the technology sector, traditional real estate, marketing, HR leaders and more.
Host: Cat Johnson
Where you’ll find it: Apple Podcasts, Podtail, Spotify, Podyssey.
Why we like it: Storyteller Cat Johnson hosts the Coworking Out Loud podcast which sheds light on her passions of coworking, community and content marketing. Cat’s mission is to “help workspace operators humanize their brand, create authentic content, and tell better stories.” This is precisely what she does in her podcast which features exciting guests and original topics which would engage anyone regardless of their affiliation with coworking.
Host: Kelly Konya
Where you’ll find it: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play.
Why we like it: True to its roots, the Coworking Insights Podcast is rich in its information, data, and key takeaways. This podcast is recommended to those who want to learn more about the industry and gain access to reports and resources. Topics such as ‘2020 Global Coworking Growth Study: Key Insights’ and ‘What the Future Holds for Coworking and Remote Work’ illustrate the quality of reliable in-depth interviews you will be listening to with this podcast.
5. GCUC Community Coworking Podcasts
Host: Liz Elam and Tony Bacigalupo
Where you’ll find it: Apple Podcasts, MyTuner, Soundcloud
Why we like it: The GCUC Community Coworking Podcast is 5th on our list and one we highly recommend. Guests include technology leaders and industry experts, however, their content is even more impressive with topics including ‘Diversity & Inclusion in coworking’ and ‘Where’s Coworking Headed Post-pandemic?’ which covers the equally important societal landscape of the industry.
Special mentions! If you can’t get enough of coworking content and are craving more to listen to, check out Coworking with Iris, and the archives of Coworking Conversations and The Coworking Weekly Show.
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!
5 reasons to subscribe to the SALTO KS Newsletter
Earlier this year, we received a nudge inspired by our shift to remote work, to stay connected and embrace the digital means in which we can do so. This inspired the arrival of our first-ever newsletter. The Monthly SALTO KS Newsletter.
Since it’s inauguration in September, our newsletter has proven to be a valuable resource in connecting with our audience on a more meaningful basis. This is a result of the careful way in which we constructed the newsletter. To keep you in the loop without the hassle of unnecessary or overwhelming amounts of information. Instead, we compile the most relevant content that we know will keep you engaged; ranging from end-users to partners, and all our peers in the security and tech industry.
We decided to put together 5 reasons why we believe you should subscribe to our Monthly Newsletter.
Read below to find out how you can benefit by signing up:
1. We keep it short and always sweet
We promise! We are aware of the constant stream of content that regularly floods your inbox and have kept this in mind. In spite of our newsletter being monthly, we decided to provide you with a brief and cohesive summary with only the most important news for you. It’s short and snappy so feel free to scroll through as even if you do, you will still leave with key takeaways and updates.
2. Our content is community-driven
You are the prime motivation for this newsletter and consequently, we want you to be involved. Whether you use our app, have an integration partnership with us, or run in the same circles as a technology lover, you will find that our newsletter is inclusive and strives to reach beyond our comfort zone in order to create a meaningful and mutually beneficial network. To give you an example, in the latest November Monthly Newsletter, we announced the 3rd edition of Coliving Insights, in which we feature among more than 30 industry thinkers who contributed to the topic of 'Impact and Sustainability in Coliving'. If you have content ideas or suggestions for our newsletter, we’re all ears and we always end each newsletter with a button which is just one step away from you sending us an email to reach out! If you’re more social media savvy, feel free to contact us through our LinkedIn or Instagram.
3. Handpicked just for you
The type of content we select for our newsletter is carefully curated in order to give you a quick and insightful overview of what is going on in the SALTO KS world. Ranging from the latest career openings where you can join our team of Bricks to new product releases and updates, we make sure that the information we send out meets the mark and moment. Were you waiting on the newest app release? With the monthly newsletter, new releases and announcements won’t pass you by.
4. Catch a glimpse of what’s behind the scenes
We would like for you to get to know us better and on a deeper level. Your inbox is a personal space which we don’t take lightly and therefore our newsletter content is far from generic. We do our best to communicate with you on a personal level where we can also show you what our team has been up to, whether it be in the form of a new office initiative thought up by our Office Manager Wilma or a new idea built around teamwork that has come from our Scrum Master Elena which we think might inspire your own team. Now that we are living in a time where it’s hard to invite you into our office, we want to make the most of this platform to do just that.
5. Get inspired
At the end of the day, this newsletter has the sole purpose of captivating our network in an exciting and visually stimulating way! Whether you learn about new tools or products that can be applied to your space or whether you’re a writer and come across some content that might be a good starting point for your next piece, we welcome you to use our newsletter as a jumping point. It goes both ways and we would like to connect with you so we can do the same. We are inspired by our network every day and this newsletter is one of the many means in which we shall continue to do so.
Are you ready to unlock a new door into the KS world?
Subscribe to The Monthly SALTO KS Newsletter at the end of this blog post!
Can’t wait for the newsletter to arrive? Start here to find more about SALTO KS or click here to 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!
