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Modern-day access control systems utilise electronic components to deliver a seamless keyless experience. Users and guests can enjoy an efficient, secure, and flexible solution that regulates who has access to different areas within your building or facility. The ability to monitor who enters and leaves the premises, and when, helps keep your business and property safe; it also lends a streamlined and professional feel to your operations.

The best door access control systems offer building operators greater functionality, flexibility, and oversight. They allow you to:

• Boost security by allowing only authorised users and visitors into certain parts of your building or facility. This reduces the chance of people accessing areas they do not hold credentials for – whether maliciously or by mistake.

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• Prevent unauthorised users, residents, visitors or guests from entering restricted areas where sensitive information, like customer data, might be stored.

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• Eliminate the need for mechanical keys, lock replacements, and complicated system configurations.

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• Choose from two primary access control solutions – cloud-based access control or on-premise access control – and different access methods.

Which are the most popular access control systems?

There is a wide range of access control systems available on the market today. One option is the use of contactless proximity smart cards or RFID cards, which are issued to authorised personnel to grant access to spaces fitted with a card reader. Card-based access control systems are a popular choice because they are easy to use; the cards can also be easily deactivated if lost or stolen. In addition, the best card access systems can provide a detailed audit trail of who has accessed specific areas and when. 

Mobile-based access control is another widely-used possibility. These systems utilise smartphones and digital technology like Bluetooth LE and NFC. They are becoming increasingly popular due to the high level of security, flexibility, and user experience they offer.

Other common access control methods include PIN code keypad access, biometric access – such as facial recognition – and access via Apple Wallet using an iPhone and Apple Watch. Each of these methods boasts its own strengths and can be applied to different use cases but, ultimately, the choice of which method to implement will depend on the specific needs of the facility and organisation.

Choosing the best access control systems for businesses

Selecting the access control system best suited for your business depends on many factors, including use case, security needs, technology, integrations, installation size, and cost. The key is finding the right balance between your needs, project specifications, operational requirements, and functionality. Ultimately, the goal is to allow users to enter buildings when necessary while keeping unauthorised guests out of off-limits floors, zones, and spaces altogether – all while streamlining management to digitise your building operations.

Access control systems are an essential part of any business or building operations and security. They allow you to keep track of who is coming into your building, where they're going, and how long they have been inside. This can help ensure that unauthorised people cannot gain access to sensitive areas of your facility.

Take a look at the 10 features to consider when selecting an access control solution:

1. Access methods and ID management. How do I manage access rights, methods, and permissions in a select access control system?
2. Security requirements. What level of security do you need?
3. Facility needs. What is the size and layout of your facility, the number of people who need access, and the type of assets you want to protect?
4. User needs. What are the needs and preferences of the users and visitors who will be accessing the facility? Consider factors such as ease of use, access method, and operator needs.
5. Integration. Does the access control system need to integrate with other security systems, such as video surveillance or alarms, or to extend access control to elevators?
6. Scalability. Will the system need to accommodate future growth or changes in your facility?
7. Compatibility. Does the system work with your existing doors and IT infrastructure? Retrofit installation requirement that prioritizes existing doors.
8. Cost. What is your budget, including installation and ongoing maintenance costs?
9. Maintenance and support. What level of maintenance and support does the brand provide? Do they offer a warranty or service agreement? 
10. Compliance. Does the access control system comply with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) criteria, cybersecurity and environmental regulations, and all other relevant certifications and standards for your industry or location?

At SALTO Systems, our certified security partners can give you all the information you need to determine the ideal access control system for your needs. But, before making your decision, here are a few other tips to help you pick the best access control system:

• Don't rely on the cheapest option – it may cause more problems in the long run. 
• Don't underestimate the importance of user training and support. 
• Avoid access control systems that are not scalable or flexible enough to meet your future needs.
• Avoid access control systems that don’t adapt to your needs, existing infrastructure, and existing doors.
• Avoid access control solutions that don't comply with GDPR or cybersecurity requirements and environmental policies.
• Don’t choose an access control system that cannot adapt to different access points or doors, or those which require wiring and entail high hidden costs.

The top access control system solution

This is not an easy question to answer, but SALTO Systems’ product and service offerings certainly stand out. We offer a broad range of solutions, including stand-alone card-based access control systems, mobile access solutions, and wireless locking systems including cloud-based or on-premise access control solutions. 

One of our unique features is our use of wireless smart access technology and HW customization capabilities – allowing our wire-free systems to be easily installed and configured without the need for extensive wiring or infrastructure additions.

SALTO’s best-in-class access control systems also offer a range of advanced features such as real-time monitoring, remote access control, audit trails, and different keyless access methods.

We are well known for our innovative approach to access control, and our solutions have been implemented successfully across a variety of industries and applications. Our robust systems are designed to be seamless, user-friendly, and flexible, allowing for easy integration with other security systems and technologies. Indeed, this is one of the reasons why so many businesses continue to trust us with all of their keyless access control needs.

Looking to learn more? Click here to discover more about SALTO’s smart locking solutions for smart building management, and follow us on LinkedIn or Instagram for the latest updates

In today's world, access control is an essential part of any building's operations and security system. Smart access solutions have also evolved with the increasing need for smart buildings and the rise of cloud-based technology. However, choosing the right access control solution can be challenging, as there are many factors to consider, including cost, use case, installation size, technology, integrations, and security. 

Building operators can choose from two primary access control solutions: cloud-based access control and on-premise access control. In this blog post, we will discuss the differences between the two and highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each. 
 

Cloud-based access control solutions 

Cloud-based access control solutions (ACaaS - Access Control as a Service ) store the software and all the data in the cloud. The cloud-based system allows administrators to manage and control access to their facilities, devices, and data from anywhere with an internet connection. These solutions are becoming more popular because they offer flexibility, scalability, future-proof integration capabilities, and cost savings.

Cloud-based access control solutions are hosted on remote cloud servers. This means that system operators can manage their installation from anywhere with an internet connection – and with no need for any physical infrastructure. These solutions typically involve the use of software as a service (SaaS) platforms to ensure that they are secure and up to date, which offer a range of benefits to organisations, including:

• Scalability: Cloud-based access control solutions are highly scalable, which means that buildings can easily add or remove users, locations, or other resources as needed. 
• Flexibility: One of the significant advantages of cloud-based access control is that the cloud service provider is responsible for maintaining the infrastructure. This means that organisations do not have to worry about maintaining the hardware or software required to run the access control system, increasing flexibility and system capabilities.
• Cost-effectiveness: Cloud-based access control solutions often require lower upfront costs than on-premise solutions, as they do not require organisations to purchase and maintain expensive hardware, physical infrastructure and software. 
• Integration capabilities: With cloud-based access control solutions, organisations can easily integrate their access control systems with other cloud-based services, such as video surveillance, intercom, visitor management, PMS, or intrusion detection systems. 
• Ease of use: Cloud-based access control solutions are typically designed with user-friendliness in mind, which means that they are easy to set up, configure, and use.
   

On-premise access control solutions 

On-premise access control is an access control solution where the access control infrastructure is installed and managed on-site by the organisation, with an IT Infrastructure hosted on-site. The solution consists of hardware and software installed on the organisation's servers and is accessed through a local network. 

One of the significant advantages of on-premise access control is that organisations have complete control over the solution – including the security of the infrastructure. This means that organisations can customise the solution to meet their specific security requirements. On-premise access control solutions offer many other benefits, including:

• Enhanced security: These access control solutions offer enhanced security as all access control data is stored within the organisation's own network and infrastructure, which means that there are fewer points of vulnerability. 
• Performance: On-premise access control is not dependent on an internet connection. This makes the solution more reliable and less susceptible to outages caused by internet connectivity issues.
• Control: With on-premise access control solutions, organisations have greater control over their access control systems – they can customise these systems to meet their specific security requirements. 
• Customisation: On-premise access control solutions can be customised to meet the specific needs of organisations, which means that they can be tailored to meet the unique requirements of different industries or organisations. 
• Compatibility: On-premise access control solutions are often designed to be compatible with a range of other security systems and hardware, which means that organisations can integrate them with other building management systems technologies.
   

Cloud-based vs. on-premise access control: Which is right for your organisation?

When choosing between cloud-based and on-premise access control solutions, there are several factors to consider. These include the size of the organisation, the number of locations, the industry application, the security requirements, and the integration capabilities. 

For small organisations with limited IT resources or an organisation with multiple locations, a cloud-based access control solution may be the most practical option. This is because cloud-based solutions require minimal hardware and software maintenance, reducing the burden on the organisation's IT staff. 

For larger organisations with more complex security requirements, an on-premise access control solution may be the better choice. On-premise solutions offer not only more customisation options but greater control over the entire security infrastructure.
 

SALTO’s innovative smart access solutions

SALTO offers smart access control solutions for businesses and organisations. We provide three main smart access control platforms: SALTO Space on-premise, as well as SALTO KS and Homelok cloud-based solutions.

SALTO Space:  A standalone, virtually networked, wired, and wireless online smart access control data-on-card platform.

SALTO Space is a fully-integrated, stand-alone, wire-free, smart-locking platform and web-based software management tool, with an on-premise system that brings seamless access to every door in any building in an efficient, safe, and secure way. It is a flexible and scalable access control solution that can be customised to meet the specific needs of each customer. It provides a high level of security, ease of use, and control over access to buildings and rooms.  

SALTO Space on-premise is ideal for organisations that require advanced access control functionality but prefer to manage the system on their own hosted servers. SALTO Space combines the reliability, security, and scalability of an on-premise access control solution, with the flexibility and availability of stand-alone, SVN-powered, and networked smart electronic lock technology.

SALTO KS: Scalable and flexible cloud-based smart access control solution, with best-in-class real-time capabilities.

SALTO KS (KaaS: Keys as a Service) is a scalable cloud-based Access Control as a Service (ACaaS) solution, built to fit anything from small and midsize businesses to large enterprises and multi-site organisations. It is designed to be user-friendly and easy to manage, with a simple web interface that allows administrators to manage access – from anywhere, at any time. 

SALTO KS is ideal for businesses that want a turnkey access control solution that can be easily scaled up or connected to a third-party system. SALTO KS smart access solution offers multiple ways of opening doors, including digital keys. It supports a wide range of smart, keyless access methods to improve user experience and the security of any type of building or door. It also delivers advanced security features on a fully remote and wireless cloud-based smart access management platform.

SALTO Homelok: All-in-one cloud-based smart access solution for residential living.

SALTO Homelok is a smart access solution that offers managers and owners a convenient and secure way to control access, improving security across all types of residential properties. A comprehensive and cloud-based smart access control solution, it includes both hardware and advanced software technology for the residential, multi-family, and smart-living industries. 

Homelok provides a smart, modern, easy-to-install and maintain electronic locking solution without the cost and complexity of traditional mechanical access control methods, including Apple Wallet. It is designed to secure every part of any type of residential property – from apartment unit doors to perimeter access points and common areas.

Make the best selection

Choosing between cloud-based and on-premise access control solutions can be a difficult decision, as both types of solutions offer their own unique benefits. Ultimately, the best solution for your organisation, property, or building type will depend on a range of factors, including your security requirements, use case, keyless entry method, and IT infrastructure. 

However, by considering the benefits of each type of solution, you can make an informed decision that will help you protect your facility's critical assets. With the right access control solution, you can bring smart building management into a new era of capabilities, including keyless entry, remote opening, and flexible access scenarios; users, staff, visitor, and resident access management, and more efficient building security and operations management.
 

Looking to learn more? Click here to discover more about SALTO’s smart locking solutions for smart building management, and follow us on LinkedIn or Instagram for the latest updates.

The SALTO smart locker system offers numerous benefits for managing lockers and cabinets, from enhanced security and efficiency to increased data tracking and integration.

How does a smart locker work?

Keyless access to lockers and cabinets is a rapidly expanding trend championing convenience, security, and efficiency. Our SALTO smart locker system uses electronic lock technology to allow you to lock and unlock your locker with a smart key card or smartphone. Smart locks can also be used on cabinets and parcel delivery applications, making them more secure and smarter than ever before.

Our SALTO smart locker system offers numerous benefits for managing lockers and cabinets, from enhanced security and efficiency to increased data tracking and integration options. Our electronic locker management products set new standards in security, manageability, flexibility, and design that modernise virtually any locker type. SALTO is home to a range of smart access management platforms. These include SALTO Space on-premise networked infrastructure, SALTO KS cloud-based access control platform, and GANTNER eLoxx smart locker management platforms.

With the SALTO and GANTNER smart locker system, you can create a customised experience that meets your organisation's specific needs. The system allows you to manage users, access rights, and inventory easily. Plus, it provides real-time data tracking on locker use, so you can see how many times a locker has been opened and by whom.

When it comes to managing lockers and cabinets, the SALTO smart locker system is a perfect choice — here's why.

Advantages of Salto smart lockers:

1. Enhanced security: SALTO smart locks can be securely opened by RFID, PIN code, or via a mobile device. This ensures that only authorised individuals can access the lockers or cabinets.
    
2. Easy, time-saving and convenient: With the SALTO smart locker system, users and members can quickly and easily access their assigned locker or cabinet without the need for physical keys or combinations. Users simply use their smart RFID key cards, a PIN code, or smartphone to gain access – much more convenient than traditional mechanical systems.
    
3. Increased efficiency: Eliminate wait times in crowded areas by enabling multiple users to access their assigned locker or cabinet simultaneously. SALTO and GANTNER smart locks are perfect for high-traffic areas such as universities and large workplaces.
    
4. Improved tracking: Track the usage of lockers and cabinets, providing valuable data on usage patterns, popular times of day, and which are used most frequently. This information can optimise locker and cabinet placement and inform future planning and decision-making.
    
5. Flexibility: The SALTO smart locker system can be programmed to assign and reserve lockers or cabinets in advance based on the user's preferences regarding location, calendar, user profile, or locker size. This provides a personalised experience.
    
6. Reduced maintenance costs: Smart locker systems require less maintenance than traditional locker systems, as electronic locks are less prone to damage and wear and tear. This can lead to reduced maintenance costs over time.
    
7. Customisable: Designed for both new and retrofit installations to suit specific needs, technology, and use case requirements, our locks feature a simple plug-and-play battery-operated solution. This means retrofitting existing coin or key locks is an option for any locker.
    
8. Communication: SALTO and GANTNER smart locks provide users and members with real-time communication, such as notifications of locker availability, reminders of expiration dates or reservation times, and updates on locker or cabinet maintenance with connected locking systems. We guarantee maximum security combined with maximum convenience.
    
9. Integration: Integrate with other systems such as mobile apps, cashless payment, or corporate smart cards. Build access to control systems to provide a seamless and integrated user experience.
    

SALTO offers solutions for organisations of all sizes, from smart corporate offices to coworking spaces, healthcare, education, fitness centres, attractions, leisure, and sports associations around the world. 

Are electronic lockers safe?

The SALTO smart locker lock offers protection against theft to a wide range of lockers, cupboards, display cabinets – whatever you choose. Our smart locker locks are integrated into the SALTO wire-free electronic access solution for your peace of mind.

Looking to learn more? Click here to discover more about SALTO’s smart locking solutions for lockers and cabinets, and follow us on LinkedIn or Instagram for the latest updates.
 

Salto Systems offers cutting-edge smart access technology to businesses for a complete smart building experience.

We are now thrilled to announce that we are offering other best-in-class technology leaders the opportunity to partner with us for an integrated and improved customer offering.

Why to become a Salto Technology Partner?

Salto’s Technology Partner program empowers best-in-class technology companies to link into our access control Technology Platforms and integrate and certify their solutions within Salto's smart locking product portfolio.

As such, we are looking for third-party systems to integrate with our smart access technology architecture with the aim of improving any type of facility’s operations in terms of efficiency, flexibility, and security. Our aim is to provide you and your customers with the ultimate smart keyless living experience. 

Technology partners will benefit from these integrations by delivering comprehensive solutions that unite smart access control, security, building automation, software, property management software, operations, and more, in an all-in-one integrated technology platform.

In a nutshell, by partnering with Salto, companies can offer improved access control solutions for their customers and overall operations enhancements for complete building management.

Salto offers a range of solutions to technology partners

Through the SaltoTechnology Program, our partners will have access to the following solutions:  

• Smart access experience, delivering seamless, keyless building experiences to users.
• Wireless technology for electronic locking solutions via an on-premise network or the cloud. 
• Mobile device access and digital key solutions.

• Secure and robust performance across all products. Salto is trusted by industry-leading companies worldwide and offers this peace of mind to potential partners.

Salto’s Two Main Solutions

Salto was the early leader in cloud-based access control technology and has become a major player in keys-as-a-service providers over traditional access control solutions, accelerating digital access transformation projects. The Salto portfolio now includes world-class software management, cloud solutions, and mobile applications for businesses of all types and sizes.

• Salto Space: Technology partners can benefit from Salto’s stand-alone, virtually networked, wired, and wireless online smart access control platform
  
  Salto Space is a fully-integrated, stand-alone wire-free smart-locking platform and web-based software management system that brings seamless access to every door in any building in an efficient, flexible, safe and secure way. 
  
  Our partners are offered a smart access control on-premise platform that’s designed to work in a wire-free environment. 

Click here to learn more. 
 

• Salto KS: For a truly unique offering, Salto’s technology partners can make use of a scalable and flexible cloud-based smart access control solution with best-in-class real-time capabilities.
  
  Salto KS offers proven reliability and recognized stability for our technology partners. This service provides higher functionality and performance than what is possible with a traditional mechanical key access solution. 
  
  Our Salto KS cloud-based access control product range offers a flexible solution that requires no software installation with remote management capabilities and endless integration possibilities for our partners.

Click here to learn more. 

Technology partners: bringing excelence to customers

Technology Partners benefit from a wide product range across numerous industries

Salto Systems offers cutting-edge solutions across a range of industries, including; Commercial, Healthcare, Hospitality, Retail, Coworking, Shared Living Spaces, Corporate Smart Offices, Fitness Centers & Gyms, and Residential.

Our current partnerships include a broad range of integrated systems, such as Property Management Systems, Check-in Solutions, Mobile Apps, CCTV Security Cameras and Video Surveillance, Intercoms, Room Management Systems, Time Attendance, Booking, Management software, Visitor / Identity Management, Elevator / Lift Control, and Point of Sale software.

Technology partners are not limited by their industry by any means. SALTO Systems is confident that we can find a smart access solution for virtually an interested technology leader.
 

Technology Partners have online access to Salto’s customizable smart access technologies

Salto Systems offers an online platform for partners to customize their access solutions. Our technology partners will benefit from our extensive product portfolio for their systems integration, which includes:

• Electronic Locks and cylinders for Doors: We have an extensive range of electronic door locks that make use of wireless, keyless, card access technology, as well as a range that makes use of a keypad with a unique safety code.
• Wall Readers and Controllers: Control access with sleek, easy-to-fit wall readers that offer contactless, keyless access and control.
• Locker Locks: Safely store contents with electronic locker locks that make use of pre-programmed keyless technology to give authorized users access to the locker content.

Become a Technology Partner today

Contact Salto Systems, and we will not only demo how our product works, if you’re interested in becoming a technology partner, we’ll also discuss a truly unique integration solution. 

We are confident that our innovative and customizable technology will be able to support our certified Technology Partners so they may better their service offering. 

Technology Partners can look forward to becoming a SALTO certified technology partner to deliver even more innovation for their brand, bringing their customers so much more in the keyless living experience. 

Learn more about becoming a technology partner and sign up today

Part of our continuous effort to support growth while maintaining performance, reliability, and predictability is defining SLO’s (Service Level Objectives). Those are meant to define the expected service between the provider and the customer. They are specific measurable characteristics such as uptime, operations, and speed. For the cloud-based access control solution SALTO KS we will explain which SLO’s we measure and why.

Uptime

Up to now, our major focal point for measuring our overall Service Level Objective has been to look at the uptime of each individual service in our ecosystem and make sure those are at least adhering to our percentage of 99.9700%. The fact that we are meeting and exceeding that percentage for quite some time now is a great achievement of which we are very proud!

So?

Well, the high uptime percentage doesn't say that much about the customer experience. With a high percentage of platform availability, SALTO KS customers will be able to reach the platform and services, and the platform will do what it is supposed to do, but it does not say anything about the performance of individual functions a typical customer uses. We decided it was time we started looking at other things to measure.

What is important to the customers?

The operations of access control are of utmost importance for our customers. Fluctuations in individual response times of endpoints (i.e. the communication points that external software programs must send a request to in order to communicate with our API) that are used to control access rules like assigning a tag (physical credential), adding or removing a user from an access group, blocking a user, and configuring offline access for a lock have a big impact on the day-to-day experience of a client may have while performing their daily tasks. 

Another important factor is the overall performance of operations that require a direct response from an IQ (Edge device), like activating an IQ in a mobile app, performing a remote opening, or generating a Digital Key. If it takes too long, users might consider it not working or at least bothersome. When changes have been made to access rules, we want to make sure that they are applied to the IQs involved as fast as possible, because only then they will have an actual effect.

Reporting

Last but not least, we want customers to be able to retrieve event information in a performant way. We have two different types of events: entries (basically openings and  rejections from locks, so large volume) and incidents (alerts like doors being left open and lock tampering, so low volume).

We know that other things happen that could make or break customer satisfaction, like installing or restoring IQs, attaching locks, and receiving notifications and we do measure them, but the four categories mentioned above are what we consider most important for the largest number of users.

What do we want to achieve and measure?

For these four types of interactions with our platform, we needed to come up with response times or maximum duration times that would be considered “good” and “natural” from a user perspective, and we should then compare those to what we are actually delivering.

As a general point, we decided that we should be able to achieve our “good” performance goals at least 75% of the time. This would obviously mean we could score less during some peak hours, but overall the customer experience would be good. We decided to measure against that over a period of 7 days to be able to clearly see fluctuations during the week.

We set the following SLO’s for each of the four types:

• Access Control operations: response time should be less than or equal to 0,5 seconds.
• Synchronous IQ operations: response time should be less than or equal to 2,5 seconds.
• Sync performance: the duration should be less than or equal to 30 seconds for Local Access Management sync, PIN sync, and Accessor/Key sync combined, and less than or equal to 5 seconds for Offline Access Key sync.

Reporting: response time should be less than or equal to 3 seconds for entry reporting and less than or equal to 1 second for incident reporting.

These SLO’s aren’t just there to give a nice overview, they’re used in day-to-day monitoring of system performance. The team is on-call 24/7 to ensure the right user experience. The SLO’s, metrics and goals are reviewed by the teams recurrently to guarantee we live up to all expectations. The dashboards are shown in the Clay office where SALTO KS is built and can be viewed “live” from any location, to guarantee each of the team members are well aware of the performance of the platform and show the direct impact of their work.

A busy exhibition stand at IFSEC 2022, which returned in-person to London Excel on 17-18 May after a three-year gap due to the global pandemic, provided an excellent forum for SALTO Systems to showcase its latest innovations to an enthusiastic gathering of security and facilities professionals.

“Fully attended exhibitions are making a welcome return with the entire security buying chain once again coming together in a face-to-face environment including manufacturers, installers, integrators, distributors, consultants and end-users,” said Ramesh Gurdev, Managing Director SALTO UK.

IFSEC provided the ideal venue for visitors to the SALTO stand to explore the latest keyless access control hardware, revolutionary software and smart locker solutions including the latest Gantner product offerings, as well as the opportunity to foster more business opportunities.

Great interest was shown in all of SALTO’s smart access control solutions including SALTO Space and SVN-Flex, XS4 Original+, Neoxx Padlock and JustIN Mobile, with the new SALTO Homelok all-in-one cloud-based smart access solution for residential living proving particularly popular.

Q: How did SALTO get started in the electronic access control business?

Javier Roquero - SALTO Systems CEO:

“We started with a small group of 6 or 7 people and having created the company we started in a small apartment in San Sebastian in Northern Spain, the European version of the American garage! Then we moved to small industrial premises and in September 2001 we assembled and manufactured our first electronic lock and now we have a state of the art factory that this year will manufacture one million locks.”

Q: Tell us a little bit about how SALTO go to market in the UK and what industries you work in?

Ramesh Gurdev, Managing Director SALTO UK:

“We provide our specialist product through partners in the UK and offer on-premise systems, cloud-based systems and systems with mobile applications as well as normal credentials, and work in the areas of hospitality, residential, student accommodation, commercial, airports and the Ministry of Defence so we have a wide range of clients. We also showcased our joint partnership with Gantner from Austria which is proving to be a very popular solution as well as parcel locker solutions.”

Q: Two of the fastest growing sectors people are talking about are multi-family and build-to-rent, what can SALTO offer to these industries?

Iñigo Unanue, SALTO Global Residential Lead: 

“At IFSEC we presented our latest innovation in the residential area which is SALTO Homelok. This is designed to improve the digital experience for property managers and residents in the multi-family and build-to-rent arena. Another innovation for us is the partnership we have developed with Apple so we can send digital keys to the Apple wallet for users of the Homelok platform.”

Q: SALTO has one of the broadest product portfolios in access control worldwide, and has now acquired Gantner Electronic Austria Holding GmbH; tell us what it brings to the company?

Steve Warner, Gantner Business Development Manager: 

“Gantner is an Austrian company that specialises in access systems, electronic locking and locker systems, cashless payment, cash register, and billing systems, staff time recording systems as well as ticketing and management software for leisure facilities. For example, if you have members of staff that need access to a group of lockers, say the first-aid locker, everyone in the office would be able to get to that locker, open it and take out the first aid kit. In addition, we can allocate lockers to individual members of staff and put them in personal locker mode so individuals have their own locker. Added to that we have the option of our battery range which is really good for retrofit if you have an existing locker bank and want to modernize it with the latest technology.”

Q: Can you summarize what returning to IFSEC after a three-year gap was like?

Javier Roquero - SALTO Systems CEO:

“One of the main success factors of SALTO, and I know that everyone says the same, is the human touch and the people working in the company and for us, that’s what delivered a successful IFSEC exhibition.”
 

Look for SALTO Systems at these upcoming 2022 show events: Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition & Conference (HITEC) in Orlando-USA, June 27-30; and ESSEN Security in Germany, Sept. 20-23.

Follow SALTO on LinkedIn or Instagram to keep up with the latest news in the world of access control.

Managing who has access, when and to what is difficult, especially for big companies. And we’re not talking only about digital access to passwords or sensitive information - hardware infrastructures are also on the list of items to which access needs to be overseen.

While password managers, both on the individual and enterprise level, are great for keeping track of who can access which sites and documents, they won’t work in the physical sense with, let’s say, doors. And a physical door into the building can also be a door to highly sensitive digital assets.

To talk about the importance of access control systems to the security of a business or individuals, Cybernews reached out to Kristin Pater, Marketing Manager responsible for the SALTO Systems product: SALTO KS.

What did the development of SALTO Systems look like?

SALTO Systems is a technology advance access control hardware and software provider and was ignited by the passion of a small group of enthusiastic and highly experienced professionals who were eager to provide a world-class access control system that would be simple to use and extremely efficient, giving users the ability to control all their access needs. Since their ground-breaking start, SALTO Systems have made a great impact on the way people around the world operate their businesses offering best-in-class access control solutions.

Can you introduce us to your access control solutions? What are their key features?

SALTO Systems not only offers hardware but also KaaS (Keys as a Service), such as the cloud-based access control solution SALTO KS. The main features are the ability to securely grant access or to send a Digital Key to anyone with a smartphone, making giving and receiving access much more user-friendly. The solution makes it easy to grant access to individuals or groups for selected locks and timeframes, to see who goes where and when, and if necessary, block users on the go.

The ability to integrate your existing app with the SALTO KS API is a game-changer for many industries. Their own app will be enhanced with all the benefits of SALTO KS by integrating our API or, depending on the business applications needs, building their own access control solution or by connecting with other building services.

In your opinion, which industries should be especially concerned about implementing access management solutions?

I don't want to say ‘concerned’ but I do feel a lot of industries can benefit from a great access control solution in more ways than they initially assume. Think of scaling your business, monetizing your space, and offering an overall smoother and more impressive customer experience. For instance, we have a lot of customers in the coworking and coliving industry who have been able to offer a greater tenant experience and build a community by installing SALTO KS. 

How did the pandemic affect the physical security landscape? Have you noticed any new security issues arise as a result?

We have seen that during the pandemic, the demand for smart access control solutions skyrocketed. Because our solutions offer the functionality of opening doors with your phone, there is no need for physical contact. In combination with SALTO’s ‘BioCote locks’ equipped with antimicrobial coated technology, businesses can ensure a germ-free customer experience offering the greatest feature of all - peace of mind. 

Additionally, there is an audit trail available that can show who went into which room in real-time, so it becomes easier to trace where someone got infected and when. This allows a space operator or manager, for instance, to contact everyone that might have been exposed to the virus.

What are the most common ways threat actors use in an attempt to bypass various access control measures?

We are keeping strict measures regarding our servers and firewalls and avoid being attractive to threat actors. The most common ways are trying to steal credentials from one of our end-users or use automatic scanners where they don't target SALTO KS specifically, they use a ‘crawler’ and see whatever they find.

What physical security measures would you consider essential for organizations nowadays?

Have a great open-source password management service in place. 

What other aspects of our daily lives do you hope to see enhanced by technology in the near future?

It seems far-fetched but access control solutions like SALTO KS have the ability to help with important societal problems, for instance fighting off loneliness. Especially in elderly care, it can help families to get more insight on how many visits an older member of the family gets, for instance, to make sure there will be someone visiting every day. This can be an extra service that healthcare organizations could provide, tracking their employees and offering families some comfort. If a caregiver loses a smartphone or security credential, its access permission can be revoked instantly, maintaining peace of mind and saving costly lock replacements.

Our daily lives will change for the better a lot in the upcoming years, and these changes will be all related to technology. 

What are some of the security tools you believe everyone should use nowadays?

SALTO KS offers a Digital Key which enables users to ‘tap’ doors open with their phone. It’s a feature that is equally as cool as it is secure, and in my opinion, it's also something that no business can live without.

Share with us, what’s next for SALTO?

Besides being one of the largest lock manufacturers out there, SALTO aspires to be one of the largest ACaaS companies too. By offering cloud-based access control solutions such as SALTO KS they are well on their way. Keep an eye out for more cool features and products by following us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Environmental awareness among hotels, workspaces, residential living, and most smart buildings is driving significant change in the industry. Sustainability practices are now widely viewed as critical factors in the successful facility management of smart corporate and hospitality buildings.

Smart building strategies include energy efficient access control solutions. Electronic locking systems can help solve challenges in operational efficiency, security, maintenance costs, occupancy, and sustainability. 
 

What energy consumption solutions are in place to reduce the impact on the environment?

Energy usage is one of the highest operating expenses for work spaces, shared living spaces, residential and the hospitality industry. In recent weeks, the prices of gas, coal, and electricity have risen to their highest levels in decades. The energy crisis is due to an ongoing shortage of energy across the world, which is affecting many countries. 

• On average, 90% of wasted electricity usage comes from the guest room, which can be a property’s most unmanaged resource.
• A room heating, ventilation, and air conditioning  (HVAC) system can represent 70-90% of that wasted electricity!

Smart access control and in-room sensors can bring a completely new level of intelligence to a building, and, in the process, provide information that can improve efficiency and operations. Sensors are able to detect a wide range of events and can seamlessly integrate with incumbent access control and energy-saving devices.

The SALTO Universal ESD system, plus existing integrations with SALTO technology partners, allows any type of building to optimize energy consumption by turning off lighting and adjusting climate control systems when guests or users are not in the room for extended periods.

The hotel industry has historically had a significant impact on the environment through its consumption of both energy and water. As the industry is bouncing back from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting sustainable initiatives is of growing importance to the hospitality industry. An energy management system can reduce a property's energy costs by 15-40% with an estimated three-year return on investment. Without such a system in place, a hotel may be at risk of unnecessarily consuming exorbitant amounts of energy.

Using smart technologies and energy efficiency programs to save energy in buildings.

A key element in a comprehensive energy efficiency program involves specifying equipment, data-driven methodology to analyze building energy consumption, and energy efficiency savings estimates and products that meet certain energy efficiency standards and sustainability policies. SALTO solutions, technology, and products meet all of these requirements. 

In innovating to meet social and environmental challenges, SALTO’s Environmental Product Declarations (EPD), recently achievement of a silver rating in the EcoVadis evaluation ranking and 100% carbon neutrality for our factory headquarters and global office networks are some examples of sustainable innovation examples. These achievements are a major step forward in making keyless smart access technology sustainable.

Robust access control is vital for efficient, successful retail of any size or type — boutiques or big-box stores, owner-operated restaurants or fast-food chains, banks, supermarkets, discount stores, fitness center chains, gym franchises or clothing and fashion stores.

No matter the size, from specialist stores to convenience stores, which generally have extended opening hours, to even shopping malls, the right access control management is key. Monitoring access and entrances support the flow of customers through a store. SALTO Systems makes access control simple and secure and helps you grant specified access for your staff, suppliers, customers and even delivery services.

By developing innovative and reliable smart locking solutions that help retail establishments simplify their access management workflow, SALTO has helped retail businesses increase productivity, security, and operational efficiency no matter the nature of the store.

Integrating front-store and back-store access control, video surveillance, intrusion alarms, sensors, fire alarms, networks and other store management systems, gives retail and shop managers greater control and awareness of their site. SALTO Keys as a Service provides a scalable solution with multiple integrations and efficient ways of opening doors, including Digital Key for your smartphone.

Read ahead to find out how you can improve the user experience and safety for any store type with SALTO KS’ cloud-based access control system.

Mechanical keys are definitely something we can leave behind in 2022. They get lost easily, are used by unauthorized personnel, can be copied, or have to be handed to others when they need it which isn't that efficient. SALTO is a revolutionary solution that enables their user to use technology instead of traditional mechanical keys with keyless technology, to open doors and facilitate greater and smarter access control.

Whether you are looking for an access control solution for your residential building, workspace, home, hotel, apartment, retail environment, educational facility, critical infrastructure, or fitness clubs, SALTO is sure to have the custom solution for you. We can tailor access based on any employee, user, or guest at any level required. We offer extra access to management and security services and can instantly revoke access. Our systems provide around-the-clock safety and traceable security for ultimate peace of mind.

SALTO offers a smart access solution for every industry application and was the early leader in cloud-based access control technology. They have become a major player in ACaaS (Access Control as a Service) providers over traditional access control solutions, accelerating digital access transformation projects. The SALTO portfolio now includes world-class software management, cloud solutions, and mobile applications for businesses of all types and sizes.