Verein für Leibesübungen Bochum 1848 Fußballgemeinschaft is a German professional football club. Founded in the 19th century and officially established in its modern form in 1949, it has become a staple in local and international fixtures. Initially a merger of several clubs, VfL Bochum 1848 first gained prominence in 1971 with its entry into the Bundesliga, where it remains a respected competitor supported by over 24,000 fans.
In a significant strategic move toward operational efficiency and growth, members voted overwhelmingly to spin off the club’s commercial activities during their Annual General Meeting in October 2017. This led to the formation of VfL Bochum 1848 Gmbh & Co. KGaA, based in the club’s home city of Bochum, Germany.
access points
users (staff and visitors)
Our industry is very flexible and also moves fast. We need maximum flexibility and the ability to react quickly if something happens to affect access credentials. This is no longer possible with mechanical locking systems.
For years, VfL Bochum 1848 relied on a traditional mechanical locking system to secure its facilities. But as the club expanded, the system could no longer meet the demands of its growing workforce – or the specific conditions on-site. The club was looking for a new way to handle its evolving access and security needs, requiring a shift from the existing lock-and-key infrastructure to a safer, more adaptable solution.
However, accomplishing this presented several unique challenges. Typically, up to 200 external employees are present on-premise before and on match days. These contractors are temporarily employed for television broadcasts or catering, for example, calling for custom access credentials in every instance.
Another special feature of the stadium is the “split key management”. Serving as both a municipal sports facility and the club’s home ground, the space needed separate access control for two distinct user groups, especially across the bridge connecting the VfL office and the Stadtwerke Bochum Lounge.
Additionally, the stadium is home to several facilities operating under one roof, from the sports department in the basement to the fan store on the first floor, and VIP lounge access through the main office. This setup required a dynamic, adaptable access solution.
Collaborating with Salto allowed VfL Bochum 1848 to transition to a smart and keyless access control solution that provided greater levels of flexibility and security.
The club's decision to adopt our solution was influenced by the ability to assign and immediately block access rights. The management team was particularly impressed by the new system’s wire-free design, which streamlined implementation and offered a user-friendly experience. VfL also appreciated Salto's high technical quality and the convenience of having our German headquarters “just around the corner” in Wuppertal.
Our solution leveraged system architecture based on the Salto Space platform, a fully integrated, stand-alone wire-free smart-locking platform and web-based software management system that brings seamless access to every access point in VfL Bochum 1848. By taking this approach, VfL Bochum 1848 is able to combine virtual networking via the Salto Virtual Network (SVN) and Mobile Access through JustIN Mobile digital key technology.
Simultaneously, the SVN’s read/write functionality and encrypted data transmission on users smart credentials mean that access rights can be stored securely on the smart keycards. As an additional option, JustIN Mobile smart access technology supplements the SVN at certain access points. This allows users to open connected doors with a smartphone. Access rights are updated at two main entry points for efficient user credentials management.
- Wire-free installation, ensuring straightforward setup and fast, frictionless deployment.
- Quick and easy updates to access rights, ensuring higher levels of security, flexibility, and access control throughout the premises.
- Simple access management, tailored to complex building layouts, meets the facility’s unique, evolving needs.
- Clear, comprehensive overview of all issued credentials and access rights provides greater transparency and visibility of on-site activities.
- Streamlined handling of external employees and temporary staff ensures greater transparency, accountability, and security.
- Visually appealing and high-quality hardware to fit the facility’s distinct aesthetic design.
- Integrated control of parking barriers and related systems guarantees unified smart access throughout the site.
Verein für Leibesübungen Bochum 1848 Fußballgemeinschaft is a German professional football club. Founded in the 19th century and officially established in its modern form in 1949, it has become a staple in local and international fixtures. Initially a merger of several clubs, VfL Bochum 1848 first gained prominence in 1971 with its entry into the Bundesliga, where it remains a respected competitor supported by over 24,000 fans.
