Salto KS

We were invited by Coworkies to attend the widely anticipated event Hack Coworking London 2019 , which was also co-sponsored by SALTO. Our very own Alexander Rosdorff (KS Connect Partner Manager) and Kateryna Tokar (Senior Backend Developer) had the pleasure of attending and representing SALTO KS at the event. It was great for us to participate in this event and meet with coworking partners with whom we could collaborate with.

The hackathon itself had a very interesting standpoint for our representatives. It was an opportunity for them to interact with other participants and come up with new ideas to bring back home.

The event started with a brief presentation conducted by our vertical coworking manager, Xabier Apellániz. He provided some insight about what SALTO KS is, what it does, and what we are hoping to achieve. This also involved having our KS Connect partner manager, Alexander, take a walk around and meet with current and potential partners, like Cobot who was also one of the participants at the Hackathon, and one of our latest KS Connect partners.

 

 

 

- Adapted, Group Challenge Winners

 

Next, an important part of the hackathon was, of course, our SALTO KS challenge. On the technical side, Kateryna opened up our API to the participants and they were challenged to come up with the best integration with our API that they could come up with.

The group called ‘Adapted’ ended up winning the prize sum of 1,500 pounds. Congratulations Adapted! Their impressive solution involved creating meeting room space with mobile walls and the SALTO KS smart locking access system. This design allows a user to book as much space as they need in a meeting room by adjusting the position of the walls to their comfort. This means it you would be physically building a room of your preferred size with just a few clicks of a button. Adapted says they were inspired to come up with this idea as a result of fixed installations of office spaces and that the solution was some utilization of industrial design concepts.

Thank you Coworkies for giving us the opportunity to participate in this inspiring Hackcoworking event!

 

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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!

What is a coworking space?

You need to find some peace and quiet to work or a change of scenery to let the creative juices flow, right?

Coworking spaces are always a good idea! Coworking spaces are booming all around the world, including Amsterdam.

That’s why we made a top 5 of the most outstanding coworking spaces in Amsterdam, to help you pick the right one for you!

Salto Systems' top 5 coworkings in Amsterdam

1. Regus

Regus is the world’s largest provider of flexible workspace solutions, with customers including some of the most successful entrepreneurs, individuals and multi-billion dollar corporations. It is ideal for larger companies that are looking for a more corporate environment, with opportunities to use multiple workspaces around the world. Currently, all new Regus business centres opening around the world are using the Regus access control app.

Several locations throughout the world: http://www.regus.nl/workspace/Amsterdam

2. Spaces

Spaces, born in Amsterdam acquired by Regus, has beautifully designed coworking spaces measured to your needs! Whether you need a cosy get-together nook, a large lunch table or a small phone booth, anything is possible at Spaces! It provides a less corporate, more hip working environment compared to its ‘big brother’ Regus. Just like Regus, Spaces is also a customer of SALTO KS.

Several locations in Amsterdam, Den Haag, Rotterdam and throughout the world: https://www.spacesworks.com

3. TNW

‘A curated tech space in the centre of Amsterdam’. TNW has become the heart of the Amsterdam startup community. During the day you can find yourself working in the members only club, attending an interesting event and then drinks afterwards every Friday evening. TNW is all about helping your startup grow and focus on what’s important, by providing a productive workplace with a big international network.

Singel 542, Amsterdam: https://thenextweb.com/spaces

4. The Thinking Hut

A true coworking space for the creative individuals! This old horse stable was built in 1912 and renovated in 2012 by a group of friends who decided they needed a place where they could work on their projects while meeting creative like minded people. The Thinking Hut was born. On your break, you can stroll through the lovely Oosterpark. A meeting room can be booked per hour, but if a day pass is more your thing: no problem! The Thinking hut is a very cosy creative coworking space where you most certainly will come up with a new life-changing idea!

Mauritskade 55c, Amsterdam: http://www.thethinkinghut.com

5. Zoku’s social spaces

Zoku is the international living room of Amsterdam! What makes Zoku different from others is that it offers flexible home/office hybrid apartments in Amsterdam with communal working areas. They have an impeccably designed space on the top floor of a hotel. It feels light and warm. When it’s a summer day you can sit in one of the glass houses on the roof terrace or hang in a hang mat to think your presentation over. Whether you sit in the living room, game room or at the large kitchen table everyone feels welcomed at Zoku!

Weesperstraat 105, Amsterdam: https://livezoku.com

A wireless access control solution to redefine the experience of coworking

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!

In the modern world we live in, flexible work has evolved into a highly beneficial aspect for the workforce population. The demand to have flexible work as an option in peoples’ jobs is rapidly rising. Not only are employees demanding flexible work, but business leaders are also globally encouraged to offer flexibility due to its perceptible success with their employees. The old norm of working 9 to 5 in an office cubicle is being overcome by the concept of flexibility. Employees relatively show higher levels of happiness, engagement, and productivity as a result of being able to work not just flexible hours, but also in flexible spaces. This includes working from home, cafes or libraries rather than solemnly being in the same office 24/7, five days a week.

In order to accurately calculate the statistics behind the benefits of flexible work, IWG, conducted a global workplace survey. The survey consisted of users from their numerous worldwide offices, taking into account the responses of approximately 15,000 participants across 80 countries.

In order to accurately calculate the statistics behind the benefits of flexible work, IWG, conducted a global workplace survey. The survey consisted of users from their numerous worldwide offices, taking into account the responses of approximately 15,000 participants across 80 countries.

Perhaps the most substantial findings of the survey were that an astounding 85% of respondents perceived higher productivity in their businesses as a result of implementing flexible working standards. This shows that higher efficiency can be achieved by properly stimulating flexibility. Respondents indicated that this efficiency relates to some factors such as commuting and work environments. Many employees tend to go through long commutes to get to work and often leads them towards lower productivity. Some of them describe their commutes as “the worst part of their day”. Offering them the ability to sometimes work from home or a location that is situated closer to home. Some employees feel dissatisfied when working in the same office on a daily basis. Therefore, the ability to work in different environments allows them to often feel reconciled and more motivated to work efficiently.

One of the key findings of the survey is that a global average of 77% of companies use flexible working benefits as an incentive to attract and retain talented employees. A few countries that rank amongst the highest in this global average are Australia, The Netherlands, and Canada. The previous figure correlates to a finding from respondents that 83% of people would be more inclined to choose between two job offers if one of them offers flexible working standards.

One of the key findings of the survey is that a global average of 77% of companies use flexible working benefits as an incentive to attract and retain talented employees. A few countries that rank amongst the highest in this global average are Australia, The Netherlands, and Canada. The previous figure correlates to a finding from respondents that 83% of people would be more inclined to choose between two job offers if one of them offers flexible working standards.

Whilst flexible working proves to be a successful factor in increasing productivity of employees, businesses need to ensure that they properly implement this concept in order to reach that higher level of productivity. For example, providing their employees with proper equipment for remote work is a crucial aspect. Some businesses expect professional work from their employees, whilst not providing them with the professional equipment to accomplish that. This shows that by offering flexible work, a business must also invest in providing their employees the proper equipment.

Another important challenge that businesses face through flexible work is data security. It is easy to fear data breaches when working from remote locations. This raises a possible threat for some companies that then need to further implement precautions to prevent something like this from happening.

Want to read more about various concepts that redefine the workplace? Check out our previous blog post here , or read more about how IWG came to partner up with SALTO KS.

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SALTO KS provides a flexible access control management system that requires no software installation or the added expense of a fully-wired electronic product. Modern cloud-based, wireless access control system is easy and simple to use for businesses including Coworking Spaces, Coliving Buildings, Purpose Built Student Accommodation, Retail, Multi-Tenant Housing, Gyms and many more. Our best in class wireless access control solution and smart locks guarantee the efficiency for your business. Integrate smart locks, start easily managing wireless access control now!

The year 2018 was a great one for SALTO KS. Many changes were made on the front and back-end of the applications, improving, for instance, user experience and the speed of the platform. With these steps forward, ensuring solid grounds for the future, we are expanding the KS family with external KS services such as Comelit and many more to come! The SALTO KS Cloud Business Development team is continuously in search of brands we can successfully integrate with.

The Comelit Group SpA is a company operating on a worldwide scale and specializing in the design and manufacture of video entry, video surveillance, anti-intrusion, home automation and fire protection systems. For an overview of Comelit offices worldwide click here.

 

 

 

Kicking off A joint project in the UK kicked off the partnership between Comelit and SALTO KS. The project was formalized at the end of 2019, and three bricks from SALTO KS travelled to Bologna (Italy), to discuss the integration. The crew consisted of our two mobile developers (for both iOS and Android) and our UX designer. This trio was put together to fully grasp the possibilities that the Comelit mobile SDK (Software Development Kit) offered.

The concept In short, the concept is as follows: The owner of a multi-tenant/residential building purchases a Comelit intercom and SALTO lock for the main entrance. The KS service allows a single app approach therefor reducing investment costs for indoor panels and/or expensive rewiring. By activating this service on mobile devices, tenants of the building are able to:

The concept In short, the concept is as follows: The owner of a multi-tenant/residential building purchases a Comelit intercom and SALTO lock for the main entrance. The KS service allows a single app approach therefor reducing investment costs for indoor panels and/or expensive rewiring. By activating this service on mobile devices, tenants of the building are able to:

 

 

All of the above can be managed from the SALTO KS mobile app.

 

 

Design & development To create a common understanding of the tool and how it eventually will work on mobile devices a ‘Customer Journey’ was created. This not only describes the integration itself but the complete flow of the product, including the communication with the building manager.

After approval of the design, the development team could begin as well. Geared up with a Comelit demo-case containing all the hardware, the first technological proof of concept was created. It didn’t take long before it was possible to activate an intercom and receive a call from the SALTO KS mobile app.

Releasing a great KS Service The following months the design and development of the integration continued, until the new mobile app version could be released. Loyal to the initial Customer Journey, SALTO KS now offers an easy integration with Comelit intercoms. This enables the owner/manager of a building to offer a new service to tenants: Be notified about someone ringing your doorbell, having a live video/audio feed, and unlocking remotely.

How does it work The building tenant creates an account to log in to the mobile app, and selects Comelit from the KS Services.

After a successful activation of the device, a walkthrough is presented which explains in four illustrated steps the benefits and functionality of the KS Service. After this walkthrough the connected intercom is presented, meaning that all is set and done to make full use of the functionality.

 

Now, a guest arrives at the main entrance of the building, and he enters the number of a specific apartment. The Comelit intercom will send a push message to the SALTO KS mobile app, directly notifying those who have activated their device. The notification is presented as a regular phone call, which can be either answered or ignored. Answering the call will open the two-way audio feed of the intercom, just like a regular call. From the same call screen, the visitor can be let in directly. The app will remotely grant access for a few seconds! Alternatively, if the guest is not known, a video feed can be started (depending on the type of intercom). This screen offers similar functionality to the previous: Either let them in, mute or end the call.

 

With this integration the path to many more successful, time and costs reducing collaborations has been paved.

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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!

For you to run your business with ease and offer the best user experience, SALTO KS is integrated with the software you love.

We are very proud to offer this SALTO KS Service: An integration with Eagle Eye Networks, a global manufacturer of cloud surveillance systems. 

Eagle Eye Networks was founded in 2012 by Dean Drako and offers cloud-based security camera solutions for every circumstance indoor or outdoor, for multiple locations and is built to make the security camera system easier and more accessible for companies. With two Headquarters in Austin, Texas and Amsterdam, 850 resellers globally and customers in 48 countries (and counting) Eagle Eye Networks has proven to be the right partner to integrate with the KS platform.

“Our integration with Eagle Eye Networks has grown over the last few years to be a milestone cloud-based integration in the security market. We are very excited to keep supporting and developing this integration to continue to provide value to customers globally" - Alexander Rosdorff, Global Technology Partner & Integrations Lead

The reason why we are so excited about this integration with Eagle Eye Networks is it enables an intelligent way of keeping a close eye on any door you want with the use of a single app.

In the SALTO KS application, the Eagle Eye Networks Cloud VMS surveillance product has been integrated via the Cloud to provide SALTO KS customers with a more cyber secure video experience connected to access control events. Within the SALTO KS mobile app, a user can confirm a person’s identity before remotely granting access to any door, and share the video footage with offsite, cloud backup.

A coworking space owner can, for instance, go to the KS Services page in his or her SALTO KS app and find the Eagle Eye Networks integration which shows the real-time recording of any door.

You can see twenty-five seconds of footage from the time stamp a certain door is opened and five seconds before the event of a door opening.

This is especially helpful to confirm the correct person entered the space or building.

‘Widgets’ were created because some things are so important, they need to be at your fingertips at all times. Even without opening your favourite app, they enable you to have instant and effortless control. With widgets, you are able to check the weather, the latest news and as of today even open your door! SALTO KS is proud to announce the Digital Key Widget for iOS and Android. In this blog post, we’ll explain how to enable this convenient widget on your phone.

What is Digital Key?

In a nutshell, Digital Key is the virtual equivalent of physical keys. It is the key that lives within your smartphone and with the widget, all you need to do is press a single button that reads ‘Use Digital Key’ and tap your phone to the lock. There you have it, you have just instantly unlocked a door with your smartphone!

Installing Salto KS Digital Key Widget

You can have this extension at hand by adding Salto KS to your personalized list of widgets.

With the Digital Key Widget, we offer an enhanced customer experience where you don’t even have to open your app anymore: Opening doors has never been this easy.

Before you start using the widget, be sure to:

1. Install the Salto KS app on your phone if you haven’t already (iOS or Android).

2. Activate the Digital Key functionality from within your Salto KS app for the first time.

3. Turn on your Bluetooth.

4. Unlock your phone.

Digital Key Widget for iOS

Your widgets can be easily accessed from your Home screen. Unlock your phone and swipe right. Here you can find your personalized list of widgets. For iOS, this screen is called ‘Today View’ and this is where you can manage your widgets.

Here, scroll all the way down until you see the button that says ‘Edit’. Tap on it and then scroll down again and click on ‘Customize’. This brings you to a list of widgets you can choose to remove or add. Now you can add the Salto KS Widget to your Today View screen by selecting ‘Salto KS Digital Key’.

Digital Key Widget for Android

For you to enable the Salto KS Widget on your Android, simply unlock your phone and navigate to your home screen to add the widget. Now, press and hold a blank spot on your home screen. A pop-up menu will be shown and you can select the widget tab.

To add the widget of your choice, in this case, Salto KS Digital Key, tap on the widget and hold it.

You are now able to drag and drop the widget directly into your home screen. Your new Digital Key Widget is ready to use!

New Salto KS app release for iOS and Android: What has changed?

The Salto KS team has been working on the below changes within the iOS and Android app that will advance its performance:

iOS (4.4.0)

• Features
  -The Digital Key Widget: Open your doors without opening the KS app
  -It’s now possible to activate your IQ through e-mail (instead of text message)
  -From the Lock detail page, it’s now possible to activate your IQ by clicking the new ‘Activate now’ button
  The re-activation flow when Digital Key is no longer valid has been improved
• Bugfixes
  -The ‘blank Site’ selection screen has been fixed

Android (5.4.0)

• Features
  -The Digital Key Widget: Open your doors without opening the KS app
  -It’s now possible to activate your IQ through e-mail (instead of text message)
  -From the Lock detail page, it’s now possible to activate your IQ by clicking the new ‘Activate now’ button
  -Improved re-activation flow when Digital Key is no longer valid

 

We are continuously working on improvements and bug fixes. Keep an eye on the blog and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram to stay updated!

More product updates? Read about the latest changes on the Access Group Page here.

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 efficiency for your business. Integrate smart locks, start easily managing wireless access control now!

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Coliving chains and spaces have increasingly been in the news. While the impact of the circumstances on the industry is apparent, the primary reason is, in fact, the flexibility, creative solutions, and value they provide during this time.

The following points highlight ways in which Coliving spaces are responding to the crisis and the various avenues in which they keep their locations open and running.

Providing digital nomads with a home

Amidst the lockdowns and travel bans that have been issued, Coliving spaces have had to cope with the inevitable loss of bookings. In the same vein, Coliving tenants now require a space to live more than ever. A large number of the Coliving community are freelancers, contract-workers, conference-goers, and modern-day expatriates. These individuals are digital nomads who rely on Coliving spaces as the perfect solution to their stay in a foreign country.

“If we were to close locations, these people would lose the place they know to be home.” - Coliving space and community Outside

Outside, with 28 spaces globally, describes their members saying they, “are not necessarily ‘travellers’, but they’re also not residents.” While those with a more permanent home-base are able to quarantine, these digital nomads require their own space. “To stay at home is to stay where they are”, says Outside, and “if we were to close locations, these people would lose the place they know to be home.” In this way by keeping their doors open despite the costs, Coliving spaces are providing solace to many.

Community support

While the Coliving spaces themselves are looking out for their tenants, the tenants themselves have formed a community through which they can look out for one another. This has been manifested ranging from Whatsapp Groups to Neighborhood gatherings from balconies or front doors. Housemates are purchasing masks, thermometers and groceries to distribute between themselves.

On the Outside Slack channel, tenants are exchanging information on travel bans and updates of country regulations, as well as conditions of airports globally.

In addition to social networking channels, Coliving communities are using Facebook’s Community Help, and are exchanging delivery apps, COVID-19 information platforms, and health and well-being apps.

Optimizing operations for employees and tenants

Coliving spaces are implementing as many tactics as possible to reduce the stressors of employees and tenants. Resources such as vetting all personnel, managing entries, and facilitating delivery services are a few ways in which operations are being adapted and optimized to meet the pressure of the pandemic.

Coliving spaces are still keeping their kitchens and restaurant services open, allowing room service delivery and maintaining optimal hygiene.

Some go as far as making sure essential commodities such as toilet paper are available for every resident and Coliving global chain Zoku, is providing hand sanitizer gel dispensers in public areas such as their Social Spaces.

Flexible stays

An additional benefit which some Coliving spaces are providing their community is to bend their offers to a week-long or single-night stays.

This allows individuals in precarious situations the option to find temporary housing in a time of need.

Additionally, for recent travellers who may have contracted the virus, Coliving spaces are offering flexible refunds.

Valuable discounts and offers

Discounts can go a long way in a time of economic uncertainty and Coliving space Sonder exemplifies this by offering a 40% discount to anyone who stays longer than 14 days at their private spaces.

The Collective Canary Wharf is an example of a Coliving space which while staying open, has temporarily closed short stay bookings of 1-7 nights until 14th April. In order to balance this, should bookings be affected, they offer flexible date changes or full refunds.

In these circumstances, Coliving spaces are thriving in their ability to creatively dealing with the repercussions of COVID-19, as the examples above illustrate.

“These uncertain times are turning many things upside down. For many, it is now time to rethink concepts. Let’s face it, physical distancing is a new unprecedented challenge; but what we see now is people realising social connection more valuable than ever before.” - Christian Schmitz, Global Account Manager PBSA & Coliving at SALTO Systems

These spaces and their communities are making the best out of the situation and deserve support from the rest of us. If anything, their values and vision have been strengthened for the better.

Stay informed about the latest COVID-19 updates from Salto by clicking 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 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!

One of the faces behind our marketing efforts is a fairly new addition to the SALTO KS team. Started out as a marketing intern we are very proud to introduce this ambitious young woman today as Junior Marketer!

We have asked Anya about her time at SALTO KS, her favourite projects and basically, what makes her get out of bed and behind her laptop every day.

Read on to find out what makes Anya tick:

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Hi, my name is Anya and I’m a Junior Marketer at SALTO KS! I started as an Intern in September of 2019 and became a full-time Brick as of January 2020. I’m 22 and am of Indian and German origin. I moved to Amsterdam in 2015 to study and graduated with a master’s degree in New Media and Digital Culture from the University of Amsterdam. I have always been fascinated with technology and digital marketing which led me to pursue this degree, and when I found that SALTO KS was looking for a new Marketing Intern at the time, I knew that this presented a unique and valuable entry into the tech world.

I started my new chapter (post-student life) with SALTO KS and since then, my life has been impacted in more ways than I ever could have imagined, each more positive than the other!

What made you choose SALTO KS?

I chose SALTO KS because I was intrigued by the way in which the company presented itself. With a technical product of cloud-based access control, the focus was more about the solutions provided rather than only the key features or unique selling points. To me, this displayed the nuance in marketing and the way the company viewed it’s product’s potential.

Additionally, I was immediately captivated by the character and personality of the team as a whole, which was evident through their website, blog, Instagram, and LinkedIn. I was new at the time to the access control industry so it really was the marketing which pulled me in and made me eager to pursue an opportunity to join the team. It is crazy to think that now I operate the same SALTO KS platforms that once resonated with me and I can only hope to make a similar impact on others.

How would you describe the company culture?

7 months later, I can safely say that no medium could completely capture the energy, creativity, and diversity of SALTO KS’ company culture! I know this, as I try my best to do so when I post on social media and on our blogs; so I’m truly fortunate to be part of a team as international and multi-faceted as the Bricks.

Most importantly, the team has become my second family in Amsterdam. They are as warm and lovely as they are talented!

What do you like most about your job? And what would you change about it?

What I like most about my job is the learning potential I have every day. This ranges from creating content to learning about the product and technology itself. There is an endless capacity for me to be inspired by my teammates who are each skilled in their own ways.

When I started as an intern, I was fortunate to work in an all-woman Marketing team with Irem Tucaltan, my manager at the time, and Kristin Pater, who currently leads the team at SALTO KS. I felt empowered to be guided by Irem and Kris and learn first-hand how to tackle various challenges in the tech industry. Marketing requires you to adapt easily, as one moment you could be communicating and networking, and the other you need to be focused and independent. I observed how my colleagues made these transitions, and additionally, they would always go the extra mile in sharing their own learning experiences, hardships, and advice with me. If I could change anything, it would be to spend even more time than I do with these two incredible women.

“What I like most about my job is the learning potential I have every day. This ranges from creating content to learning about the product and technology itself. There is an endless capacity for me to be inspired by my teammates who are each skilled in their own ways.” - Anya Doshi, Junior Marketer at SALTO KS

What is your favourite project(s) to work on at SALTO KS and how do you approach it?

I joined the team at a significant turning point for the company where Clay Solutions was being rebranded to SALTO Keys as a Service (SALTO KS). As you can imagine, this was an incredibly exciting time for the marketing team in particular.

If I had to choose a favourite project, it would be Digital Advertising. I initiated and lead collaborative projects with industry leaders such as Coworking Europe and Allwork.Space. This changed my view on advertising as I realised that these meaningful collaborations stem from shared interests and observations within cutting-edge technologies and forward-thinking industries.

For instance, Coworking Europe is an annual conference which brings together facilitators and operators within the industry to focus on entrepreneurship, innovation and the future of the workplace. Allwork.Space is an online publication dedicated to the future of work and flexible workspaces. Our collaboration has led to articles on simplifying coworking management and creating self-service coworking spaces with smart tech.

What advice would you give the next Marketing Intern at SALTO KS?

I would perhaps just say that the next marketing intern at SALTO KS should do their best to believe in themselves and be ready to learn. At the same time, share their own interests, perspectives, and skills.

During my internship, I was given several opportunities to contribute independently and take responsibility for certain tasks. So I would say the best thing you can do is take full advantage of this and enjoy every moment!

What’s next for you?

Well right now, I’m a few months into being a full-time Brick and I have enjoyed every second working with my manager, Kris(tin)! Our team has been working from home as a result of the pandemic and we now find ourselves placed within a historic moment in time where we have to keep going and be even more grateful for the little things which we previously took for granted. Presently, I’m working on an exciting new project in connection with the Product team where I get to collaborate with talented freelance designers.

The magic of marketing is that we can constantly brainstorm, and be creative in delivering relevant and genuine content. So I guess my next steps will be navigating through this challenging time, together with the wonderful team that I have by my side.

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!

It’s been some time since we have presented a Think Tank Partner and to make up for this, we have an exciting new addition: Yuno. This data-driven platform provides property expertise and compliance, on-demand. According to Yuno, “Every problem is an opportunity in disguise”, and the platform was built to take advantage of this.

Founded by Paul Conway, Yuno lends its services to Coliving companies, Property Management companies and Property Service companies, among many others; who are all looking to expand their offering. The data-driven platform provides details specific to every property in a portfolio, helping these companies and services to understand how to best advise their client. What do they advise on?

That would be their keyword: Compliance. Specifically, the compliance a property needs, for instance, the property location, number of tenants and number of households. Following this, they can become compliant with an easy booking system. This is put together by Yunos the qualified, experienced and accredited experts who are on hand to support property management companies and their clients. To find out more, we spoke to the founder, Paul Conway, who told us exactly how Yuno works and where we may see the platform and its services in action, particularly in Coliving.

Hi Paul! Could you please explain Yuno to us in your own words?

Yuno is basically data-led property expertise and compliance on demand so as well as the above we make sure that all the boring compliance stuff is taken care of on the platform and support is there from qualified, experienced and accredited experts. It works on the compliance model: ‘How to comply?’, ‘Comply’ and ‘Stay compliant’. So the tech takes care of 'How', experts take care of 'Comply' and the platform automatically monitors the compliance of your portfolio and notifies you of what you need to do and by which expert, so that’s 'Staying Compliant' taken care of.

Aside from Licensing support, what services does the Yuno platform support its operators with that could be of interest to a Coliving company or brand?

We support our Coliving operators with ‘planning’ specific to the issues they face and it can be manifested in really specialised support that is required and our experts have seen it all before. We can, of course, help out with ‘design’ right from the start where ARB Architects overseen by Environmental Health Officers create compliant designs to create amazing places to live and to increase yield. We, of course, have Fire Safety compliance covered too with competent fire risks assessors and accredited support on hand for any upgrade works. Asbestos can be a hassle too and that is, of course, a key part of the journey. And when all is said and done we have RICS surveyors to have your investment valued.

What would happen if a Coliving brand does not comply with all the licensing standards required to operate?

Unfortunately, it’s a real minefield out there and you can quite easily get £30K fine per office or an unlimited fine and even a criminal conviction. They may also be put on the rogue landlords & agents database and banned from operating property for a set amount of years, it can get really serious. Another huge thing that Coliving operators have fallen foul off is Rent Repayment Orders, this is where tenants can claim up to 12 months worth of rent from the landlord.

Have you worked with a Coliving brand & what is the typical licensing that Coliving operators need?

Yes, and these include Caledonia Lettings, Lyvly, and Living London. Coliving companies need a whole host of support and by using the Yuno platform they can get access to all the services we provide. Coliving operators come into contact with all types of licensing in the UK. Mandatory, Additional and Selective Licensing. They also face strong controls over Planning either locally or countrywide restrictions. They should focus on an all-round compliance ethos covering the 29 hazards of HHSRS, Fire safety under the RRO and Asbestos management to name a few.

On your website you differentiate between HMOs (house of multiple occupancy) and Bedsit HMOs, could you please elaborate on the difference between the two?

There are a few ideas around this but the basics are that if you create a common part in some way, to explain further if the tenants are on individual tenancies and/or there are locks on the bedroom doors, you are effectively saying that all the tenants do not have exclusive use of the whole property, thus it is a Bedsit HMO rather than a shared house. For completeness, a shared house is when tenants are on the same tenancy agreement, no locks on bedroom doors and have exclusive use of the whole property and can go into each other’s rooms if required. They act a one family unit and therefore risks are reduced.

Thank you, Paul, for taking the time to answer these insightful questions about Yuno which open up the Coliving world and conversation, even further. We look forward to more collaborations in this Think Tank Partnership!

For more on the work of Yuno, take a look here and don’t miss their Twitter.

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!

Practising social distancing and upholding hygiene levels are being prioritized more than ever before. The surface area exposure we encounter from the mundane task of opening a door can be the factor which puts us at risk. With smart locks, one could drastically reduce this risk by using Digital Key and Digital Key Widget, for instance. Now, we dive into a new layer of protection - BioCote® antimicrobial coated technology.

At present, government guidelines recommend regular cleaning to minimize the spread of microbes in any building type. However, beyond regular cleaning, little consideration has been given to alternate or non-traditional methods for limiting the potential for cross-contamination within the public environment. By effectively reducing a broad spectrum of microbes by up to 99.9%, BioCote® antimicrobial technology provides integrated and lasting hygienic protection that supports regular cleaning regimes and hand hygiene.

Since 2011, SALTO Systems, in partnership with BioCote® – the market-leading antimicrobial technology supplier – has incorporated antimicrobial silver ion technology in its smart electronic lock range, electronic cylinders, locker locks, and supporting devices like wall readers. BioCote® has also been added as a standard additive for all plastic devices produced as well as with the new XS4 Locker Lock BLE and as an option on its complete line of electronic locks and online wall readers.

The addition of BioCote’s antimicrobial technology helps reduce microbes on product surfaces and improves hygienic building environments, ultimately creating a cleaner environment for both users and visitors. “The more hygienic the environment, the less chance of cross-contamination. This helps to reduce the spread of microbes around a building as microbes are not transferred from door to door and surface to surface,” said Aznar Sethna, CSMO at SALTO Systems.

“We have long relied on the addition of BioCote® to our electronic lock products and we will continue to do so to help cleaning regimens and hand hygiene to provide the ultimate hygiene solution.” - Aznar Sethna, CSMO at SALTO Systems

BioCote® has successfully tested against a feline strain of coronavirus, showing a reduction of 90% in two hours, which is a positive indicator of the antiviral properties of their technology. Previous testing has revealed that BioCote® delivers 99.9%, 24/7 protection against an array of microbes including Influenza A H1N1, E.coli, Salmonella, and antibiotic-resistant CRE, VRE, and MRSA. BioCote® cannot be wiped nor worn away and hence enhances hygiene management and reduces the possibility of cross-contamination.

The finish of BioCote®-treated smart door lock hardware differs slightly from that of standard-finish escutcheons due to the mix of lacquer and silver ion particles. Within wall readers, locker locks, and lock readers, it is invisible. The finish is long-lasting and maintains its antimicrobial performance well over the expected lifetime of the escutcheon.

“SALTO has been an innovative leader in electronic access control technology for two decades and we are just as proud to have been equally as advanced when it comes to the hygienic upkeep of our products with a leading partner like BioCote®,” said Sethna.

This technology has raised the bar for preventing contamination since 2011 and will continue to uphold this standard for preventative measures that can be taken with access control.

Download the white paper to learn more about the use of BioCote® antimicrobial technology by clicking on the button below.

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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!