Stories

Security remains a top priority for all transportation facilities, including airports, ferry terminals, ports, bus and train stations, and more. Every day, thousands of passengers, workers, luggage, and cargo pass through those doors on their way to their destinations. And they rely on transport providers to get them there safely, on time, and as comfortably as possible.  

Transportation hubs, with their complex and sprawling infrastructures, contain multiple points of vulnerability that require controlled access. They don’t just need to provide a safe, secure environment – they must also ensure that the flow of passengers and staff is not impeded by the very access measures designed to safeguard them.

Why consider an access control system?

Access control is essential in keeping airports and other transportation facilities — and everyone inside them — protected. It is a key component in avoiding bottlenecks, delays, and disruption in areas used by thousands each hour. 

Building a resilient transportation hub that can adapt to emergencies and operational disruptions is a huge task, and cannot be managed with mechanical keys alone. To ensure the overall operational efficiency and protection of your hub, an advanced access control system that is smart, flexible, scalable, wire-free, and user-friendly is necessary.

Smart access control systems installed in airports can lead to a variety of benefits, including: 

• Improved security: Limits access to authorized personnel.
• Increased connectivity and integration: Works with other security systems.
• Streamlined operations: Control and modify access remotely.
• Better surveillance and oversight: Monitor and record entry and exit.
• A convenient keyless experience: Replace the hassle of physical keys. Help staff, users or visitors come and go more easily.
• No more lost keys: Eliminate mechanical keys, lock replacements, and complicated systems configurations. 
• Save time and reduce expenses: Increases efficiency, reduces the costs for enhanced airport security.
• Customizable Access: Tailor individual access privileges.

1. Enhanced safety

Since safety is of utmost importance within airports, it’s necessary to consider the level of customisation provided by high-tech access control systems. The mix of people you can find in an airport at any given moment is extensive, ranging from passengers to airport employees, airline staff, and contractors. Understanding all these moving parts — and keeping track of them effectively — is paramount to airport security.

With SALTO’s access control solutions, you can easily tweak the system to suit your security requirements, infrastructure, and unique organisational needs. For instance, you can set different levels of access for different users through a fast, simple process. Additionally, you can keep restricted areas secure with tailored credentials, monitor access incidents, grant or revoke access remotely, receive real-time headcounts and security updates, and so much more. Improved security protocols will lead to safer airports and happier customers and staff.

2. No more mechanical keys: experience simplified operations

SALTO’s best-in-class smart access control technology simplifies access management in this complex environment by offering airport operators complete control. SALTO’s solutions work with any door, including emergency exits, wooden, metal and glass doors, elevators, sliding doors, and parking entrances. You can even add our hardware and technology platform to doors with existing locks – without any extra wiring or modification. Our single, flexible, and powerful platform is convenient for operators and efficient for passengers and workers, who require precise, fast, automated access permission. 

How do we help you eliminate cumbersome mechanical keys without compromising security, convenience, or control? This is achieved with our state-of-the-art, wire-free electronic access control solutions, saving you time, money, and hassle. SALTO’s access systems allow operators to easily monitor and manage access control for maximum operational efficiency. Set access privileges at an individual level, remotely, and in real-time — enabling you, at any given moment, to restrict access to authorised personnel only.

3. Integrated and adaptable to your airport requirements

SALTO enables airport operators to further enhance operational security by easily integrating with intelligent appliances and smart technologies including, but not limited to:

• CCTV 
• Fire and alarm systems
• Time and attendance systems
• POS systems with cashless payment options
• Intrusion detection systems
• Management software with third-party integrations
• Other security systems

These appliances are conveniently centralised in one simple but robust management platform. Innovative and all-in-one, it makes it easy to scale your access control infrastructure at any time, from wherever you are. SALTO’s smart access control solutions allow you to add or remove doors, zones, or user profiles quickly and in real-time. 

Being wire-free means that the system is easy to install and maintain. You can add it to doors with existing locks fast and easily, at no additional cost. Installations can be completed in just a few hours, saving you time and money while preventing any sort of disruption to your operations. 

4. 24/7 monitoring for increased visibility

A smart access control solution lets you protect airport perimeters or building access points with complete ease. With our centralised system, you can assign who can access what and when — all the way down to an individual level and in real-time. It also gives you the ability to grant time-controlled access to staff or delivery services remotely, greatly improving ease of operations. 

The system provides 24/7 audit trail information, giving airline management full control over security and operational requirements. It also allows you to track:

• Traffic flow
• Times of entry and exit
• Attempted foul play
• Misuse

Furthermore, you can access up-to-date reports on access activity. With this functionality, you will be alerted to any after-hours access or probable intruders on site, safeguarding the airport from theft, vandalism, sabotage, and industrial espionage. All of this is bolstered by the system’s high responsiveness, which boosts performance, efficiency, and user-friendliness. 

5. Improved management overall

From a management perspective, you can adjust access permissions and schedules on the spot through SALTO’s access control system. This includes the ability to revoke access credentials for terminated employees or tenants immediately, helping you maintain high levels of security at all times. 

In addition, you can receive real-time updates on passenger volumes and in-depth insights from current and historical data. In this way, you’ll have real numbers to streamline operations and make better-informed decisions that boost airport security.

Enhanced security delivered worldwide

Over 100 airports and aviation centres have taken advantage of SALTO’s access control systems to ensure that each day runs smoothly. Here are some of the airports where we’ve helped to deliver improved security operations:

• Heathrow Airport, London - The UK
• Aeroport Lille - France
• Marlborough Airport - New Zealand
• Copenhagen Airport - Denmark
• Isavia Keflavik Airport - Iceland
• Vienna Airport - Austria
• Munich Airport - Germany
• O ́Hare International Airport, Chicago - USA
• Hartsfield Jackson Airport, Atlanta - US
• Ireland West Airport Knock - Ireland

In short, a centralised access system helps keep your airport as safe as possible, while making operational and managerial tasks more efficient. With SALTO’s range of smart access control solutions, you will discover a new level of security, efficiency, and convenience for your airport and transportation hub.

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

Foxbox Digital has integrated with the SALTO KS API to accommodate our joint end customer, The X Company: A rapidly expanding multifamily residential community with over 5,000 units and $1 Billion in construction activity.

The X Company has two of the most significant SALTO KS installations (and will expand to a total of six buildings in the US).

We’ve asked Foxbox Digital some questions to find out what this interesting integration exactly entails and what it means for the Foxbox Digital and the X Company:

What exactly is Foxbox Digital, what do you guys offer, and to whom?

“Foxbox Digital is an award-winning digital product agency headquartered in Chicago. We partner with startups and SMBs to design, develop, and deliver successful digital experiences across mobile and web. Foxbox is ranked #121 on the 2022 Inc 5000 and is the 11th fastest-growing software company in the US.”

Through the technology we create, we help customers automate their back-office operations and drive more revenue through customer engagement.

Can you explain why you decided to collaborate with SALTO KS for the X Company? 

“Delivering reliability and security to residents meant The X Company needed technology that succeeded where previous tools had fallen short. SALTO KS provided the perfect combination of robust capability and customization for the type of custom integration the challenge required.”

How does the integration with SALTO KS help the X company's tenants and building managers?

“Both residents and community managers are able to not only remotely access personal apartment locks but also access other amenities in the same seamless experience.” 

How did this integration with SALTO KS change the business for Foxbox Digital and the X Company?

“The X Company needed a platform that delivered on its disruptive vision for the multifamily residential real estate industry. The SALTO KS integration played a critical role in giving them all the tools they needed to support residents and expand their reach.”

How does Foxbox Digital help companies to scale?

“Foxbox Digital helps companies scale by designing and building world-class digital products and successfully bringing them to market. Through the technology we create, we help customers automate their back-office operations and drive more revenue through customer engagement.”

Naturally, innovative technology had to play a crucial role. Now, residents can seamlessly grant access to a visiting friend, book a conference room, and alert community managers of a dishwasher that needs fixing.

What is the most requested feature you ever received?

“X Company has a modern vision for their living spaces in which the "roommates" may not always know each other before living at X but instead are paired up by the X team. This is part of their vision to create a more social community where people can move from all over the globe and meet new people. 

SALTO KS locks are used on all room- and individual-bedroom doors because they provide an added layer of safety and security, especially since the roommates might not know each other initially and need time to build trust.

However, we saw an overwhelming interest in being able to set bedroom doors to a default unlocked state where they would not lock every time they were closed. This would allow residents to navigate into their bedrooms more easily and not need to unlock them whenever they needed to get in. This was supported with the "Remote Office Mode" feature in SALTO KS, allowing people to set a lock to a default unlocked state.”

Can you give a few examples of the X Company's ‘modern coworking options’ and how Foxbox Digital has helped them to offer these?

“The X Company’s core value proposition is based on a hybrid live-work-play experience built on state-of-the-art spaces and amenities. Naturally, innovative technology had to play a crucial role. Now all within one platform, residents can seamlessly grant access to a visiting friend, book a conference room, and alert community managers of a dishwasher that needs fixing. Plus, with a real-time analytics dashboard, community managers and leadership at The X Company can analyze and improve the resident experience in real-time.” 

What ‘problem’ or challenge did SALTO KS solve for Foxbox Digital and the X Company?

“The integration with SALTO KS allowed us to ensure the platform's digital lock capabilities provided the most secure, easy-to-use, and reliable resident experience possible.” 

What would you like to see for SALTO KS to support Foxbox Digital’s plans in the future?

“Foxbox aims to be SALTO KS’ go-to integration partner. We have the experience and expertise to develop custom digital products using SALTO KS. We help commercial real estate, multi-family residential, and hospitality clients deliver modern digital access experiences using SALTO KS.”

Three of the biggest benefits of the integration with SALTO KS:

1. Mobile/Keyless entry that works online and offline. The X Company App allows residents to access every door from their bedroom to the garage and shared spaces. It even works when users aren’t connected to the internet.

2. Grant and revoke resident access in an instant, securely. The X Company platform is secured by multi-factor authentication, with additional back-end security protection that protects residents when they lose phone access.

3. Sharing visitor access. The app can grant temporary and secure access to friends, family, dog walkers, and more from within the app.

Read more on how Foxbox Digital powers the X Company here.

Critical infrastructure is broadly understood as the facilities and services that are vital to the basic operations of a society. Safeguarding these lifelines of the modern world is already a crucial consideration, but one which is likely to become even more important as resources grow scarce in the coming years. Successfully limiting access to natural resources and securing information presents an array of challenges that will require the implementation of innovative solutions.

With thousands of public and private utility companies worldwide looking to keep their assets safe, SALTO has responded by providing comprehensive access control for critical infrastructure sites. From perimeter protection to smart access for both people and vehicles, we have availed a host of high-tech security management solutions specifically designed for these use cases: 

• Perimeter protection and smart access for people and vehicles 
• Flexible, cost-effective security management by a remote operator
• Audit trail to monitor people entering and leaving potentially hazardous or high-risk areas 24/7 
• Automated entry for pre-approved users 
• Managed access for both visitors and staff without the need for physical keys
• Keyless smart access, allowing operators to grant or revoke access credentials instantly
• Tailored security levels for sites, buildings, rooms, or even server room cabinets, ensuring you always have the right level of protection

Types of physical security solutions for critical infrastructure

Securing physical utility infrastructure guarantees the continuous operation of critical services, protecting them from becoming potential targets for attacks or other criminal activity.

Access control systems: Locks, key cards, biometric scanners, and other mechanisms to ensure that only authorised individuals can enter certain areas.

Salto’s smart access solutions help keep entire sites secure. Starting with perimeter control, our systems’ capabilities extend to specific high-value areas or assets – wherever they are located. Our cutting-edge technologies safeguard all access points using keyless solutions that allow individuals to lock or unlock doors via a smart key or mobile device. Coupled with a sophisticated capacity for analytics and tracking, the result is a complete, cost-effective, and efficient security system that permits remote monitoring of multiple sites from a single control room.

Access control is the most vital of all physical security measures. That said, there are several other types of physical access control solutions that public and private utility infrastructure operators can consider:

• Physical barriers: Walls, bollards, or other structures designed to prevent unauthorised access or mitigate the impact of a physical attack.
• Security personnel: Guards, security officers, or police can patrol infrastructure sites, respond to incidents, and act as a deterrent.
• Surveillance systems: Cameras, drones, and other surveillance technologies are able to monitor infrastructure sites in order to detect unusual activity or threats.
• Intrusion detection systems: These systems can detect when someone tries to breach a physical barrier or gain access to a restricted area.

Access control for industry applications

Physical security solutions for utilities and critical infrastructure are suitable for various real-world applications. At Salto, we have tailored our access control solutions to meet the needs of specific industries and sectors, including: 

• Power and Energy: Boost situational awareness and quickly address incidents in upstream, midstream, and downstream activities. Ensure a stable and reliable flow of power at all times, from power generation to distribution.
• Gas and Water Treatment: Protect, maintain, and operate all functions of gas and water treatment plants, including water production, sewage, and wastewater.
• Telecommunications: Keep communication towers safe and secure with advanced surveillance solutions that ensure consistent and reliable transmission at all times.

The top 4 benefits of access control for critical infrastructure 

Millions of locking systems are used by utility companies all around the world every day. However, it is both time-consuming and expensive to constantly monitor these locks, ensure compliance with safety and security regulations, and keep high-value assets secure. Salto is transforming access control for critical infrastructure by providing streamlined solutions for every access point on site – from gates, entryways, and control rooms, to valves, lockers, cabinets, and more.

Securing utilities presents several unique challenges. Facilities are often located in remote areas, with numerous entry points spread over significant distances and limited management staff. As a result, they often require restricted access to high-risk and hazardous areas, such as underground sites, explosives store rooms, or machinery operating rooms. 

Consequently, investing in physical infrastructure security comes with 3 notable benefits for utilities and critical infrastructure installations:

1. Intrusion protection: Detect, identify, and track intruders in real-time. Integrate access control and smart audit analytics into existing security systems.
    
2. Operational efficiency: Optimise production and maintenance services and avoid downtimes. Support process monitoring and predictive maintenance to boost productivity and efficiency.
    
3. Compliance, safety, and security: Keep your workforce safe with cost-effective ways to monitor policy adherence, evaluate risks, and offer rapid support during emergencies.
    
4. Operations and maintenance: Eliminate mechanical keys and complicated system configurations. Improve maintenance planning and reduce on-site staff requirements. Perform remote installation diagnostics, run reports, check battery status, and many other actions.

Salto’s smart access solutions reduce the need for physical patrols by offering the functionality to remotely monitor an entire site – or several sites – with minimal false alarms. This, in turn, helps utilities and critical infrastructure operators to:

• Reduce risk
• Prevent unauthorised access
• Provide operational continuity
• Safeguard insurance and reduce liability
• Ensure flexibility and visibility
• Build confidence among various stakeholders
• Ensure regulatory compliance

How Salto Systems can help 

Salto offers a centralised, web-based access control solution for high-security, real-time monitoring, and remote area control. Our intelligent access control systems enable access-level settings at critical entry zones such as main production plants, engine rooms, water storage, and chemical waste areas. Entry to specific areas can be restricted at specific times, access to critical zones can be granted to authorised personnel only, and staff access levels or entry times can be established based on different roles.

Our state-of-the-art technology also helps address the challenges posed by securing utilities and critical infrastructure. The goal is to strike the right balance between implementing sufficient levels of security, without sacrificing the convenience required for day-to-day operations.

• Replace mechanical keys: Wireless, smart data-on-card technology is a cost-effective alternative to traditional keys.
• Mobile access and smart credentials for staff and service providers: Our secure mobile-compatible electronic locking platform makes it safe and easy to incorporate smartphones as part of a facility’s access control solution.
• Real-time access management: Manage access throughout your facilities with our easy-to-use software, bringing a new level of flexibility to access control.
• Stress-free compatibility: Our fully wireless technology means our solution is compatible with almost any existing mortise lock or door, including server racks and perimeter barriers using our electronic padlock range.
• Streamline and improve operations and service provider sign-in: With access to a well-organised data bank, real-time monitoring means operators can now spend less time worrying about workflows and service provider logistics, and more time on operations.
• Simple, smart, and wireless: Designed for installation on doors with existing locks, with no need for additional modifications or wiring.
• Integration: Manage video, access control, intrusion detection, building management and more all from a single interface - seamlessly extend video management systems to include access control
• Support whenever, wherever needed. Our worldwide network of trained and certified installers means you will always have whatever support you need for retail lock and door lock solutions.

Salto offers multi-credential-compatible electronic locking devices. This means the same hardware is equipped to support varied user identification – regardless of the usage required at any given moment. With secure RFID credentials, PIN code access, or  NFC-based technology, the need for on-site key storage boxes, mechanical locking systems, and other technical facilities typically located in these remote sites will be a thing of the past. 

Electronic padlock and wire-free locks solution: a complete access control solution

Salto’s electronic padlock range offers a unique solution ideal for securing utilities and critical infrastructure – including electric power stations, telecommunication and network services, industry applications, and more – as well as property services that need an additional level of security to control specific doors, gates, or storage areas, without losing convenience, control, or peace of mind. 

A new day for smart access control

The flexibility and operational reliability offered by Salto access control solutions make them the perfect option for securing key utilities and critical infrastructure sites. Our best-in-class systems can be tailored to the needs of a host of different industries at a time when modernising security in this area is more important than ever.

For more information about Salto Systems’ wide range of solutions for all types of physical infrastructure access control requirements, click here.

We believe… In supporting change and change-makers. Our purpose is to advance the accessibility and well-being of underserved people in places where SALTO has a presence.

At SALTO we strongly believe equal accessibility is a fundamental birthright, which is why we are enthusiastic sponsors of various accessibility programs throughout the globe. We are committed to adopting an increasingly sustainable model to respond to environmental and social impacts. We strongly believe in embracing diversity and solidarity for all, and that equal accessibility is a fundamental birthright, which is why we are proud to sponsor Free2move.org. 

What is Free2Move?

Free2move was created to drive social change, specifically around accessibility to sport for people with physical disabilities. As part of our ESG (Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance) policy, the initiative aims to connect, inspire and uplift individuals within the disabled community.

To encourage more people to engage with and support the Free2move initiative, we are in the throes of relaunching the Free2move website. The website has been revamped to better showcase the projects the initiative supports, as well as promote the various athletes, sports teams, and their relevant parasports.

How does Free2move work?

Free2move.org champions over 10 social development projects across individual and team sports.

We understand that for sports to be more inclusive of the disabled community, they need to be adaptive. Adaptive sports allow more adults and children with physical disabilities to get off the sidelines and take part. Free2move.org supports a number of adaptive sports. Visit free2move.org to learn more about athletics, wheelchair basketball, para-triathlon, hand-bike, winter sports, wheelchair fencing, and more.

SALTO Systems recognizes the benefits that sport has for mental and physical health. Not only does sport give one a sense of accomplishment, but it also allows people to socialize with others and find a sense of belonging. Free2move aims to do just that for the disabled community.

Athletes with disabilities also deserve a platform to showcase their achievements. Free2move.org is proud to host a website that gives our athletes the recognition they deserve. The website showcases a community that leads a life of excellenc and tehe performances and stories of our athletes teach others valuable lessons. Through this website, we show the value of acceptance and appreciation for anyone with a disability. 

Our goal is that these inspiring athletes will encourage others, break stigmas and persuade more people to participate in sports.

Free2Move is about social inclusion in sport

The Free2move initiative aims to raise global awareness of adaptive sports in the hope that it increases access for physically disabled people in these sports.

SALTO Systems knows how important it is for people to have role models they can relate to and identify with. The Free2move website showcases these athletes to inspire a younger generation. When people, like our athletes, can be shown to live a life of excellence, this can inspire others to lead their best lives too.

SALTO focuses on a range of social initiatives with Free2move

Free2move is proud to focus on many social initiatives within parasports.

Free2move goes beyond just sports programs, however. We are also focused on non-profit humanitarian organizations as part of our social initiatives. As SALTO Systems has 40 offices worldwide, each branch takes it upon itself to improve the lives of its local communities.

SALTO Systems works with local non-profit humanitarian organizations in each branches’ respective location. We assist with financial grants, partnerships, and investments. Our goals include supporting disaster recovery, addressing the needs of children, protecting displaced community members, and improving living conditions for the underprivileged.

As a company with a strong ESG program, we enable our employees to get involved to help improve the lives of their fellow community members. Many of our employees take part in our volunteer programs. This is beneficial not only to the communities and people in need that we serve but also to our employees.

Learn more about our partnerships here.

Accessibility in sport is for the present and the future

SALTO Systems is exceptionally proud of our Free2move initiative. With this initiative, we aim to lay the foundation for better accessibility to sports. We will also continue to promote adaptive sports and awareness of the importance of health.

The new website will be launching on 27 January so be sure to visit free2move.org for inspiration from our athletes, events, and news articles.

Stay social with us and share inspiring stories by following us on social media. Find us @Free2MoveOrg on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter.

#DisabilityDay #IDPD #EveryoneIncluded #GlobalGoals #CRPD

In the world of meetings, spreadsheets, and endless calls and emails, we often forget just how necessary it is to let loose and enjoy ourselves. But our 2023 SALTO Family Day in Oiartzun - Spain, took us all back to much simpler days of having fun surrounded by our friends and family. Held on September 29, it was a lively day full of good food, great music, and an activities list that featured a little something for everyone. 

A much-awaited return

This year, the SALTO Family Day returned for the first time after a long hiatus. Although typically held every two years, the COVID-19 global pandemic brought all of our planning efforts to a standstill. But now that we can come together again, the SALTO Family Day is back, and bigger than ever before.

For this edition, we transformed the SALTO office park into a playground for both kids and adults to enjoy. We made sure to cater to a wide range of ages and interests, including everything from playground games to sports, art, and so much more. 

We also rolled out the red carpet for our attendees and invited them to see where we make the magic happen. The festivities provided a great opportunity to show our family and friends what we do here at SALTO. They learned not just about our departments and teams, but also the types of projects we work on, and how each one of us contributes to our shared success every day.

The whole SALTO team, their families, and many of our friends and partners were in attendance, bringing the grand total to just over 1,000 people.

Something for everyone

During our SALTO Family Day, we hosted a number of lively activities designed for fun and team building. For the children, we created a colourful, action-packed playground along with a graffiti workshop to encourage their creativity. Simultaneously, sports fans were engrossed in their own adventures, which included Basque rural sports, wheelchair basketball, and friendly football matches with some of the players we sponsor from Real Sociedad’s LaLiga Genuine teams.

Beneficial partnerships

The SALTO Family Day celebrations wouldn't be complete without the involvement of various sports clubs and nonprofit organisations. For instance, SALTO’s Bera-Bera wheelchair basketball team kindly taught us the ropes of this unique sport and allowed us to enjoy it firsthand. 

Similarly, the BAT Athletic team helped spark a love for running during our third kids' running race with their endless know-how and passion for the sport.

The presence of the Real Sociedad Genuine players added to the day’s excitement and garnered more visibility for this amazing project. 

A time to give back

Inspired by our ethos of social responsibility, we made sure to highlight some of the community projects we support both regionally and globally. Our work with organisations like UNICEF, Zaporeak, and Salvamento Marítimo Humanitario (SMH) was among the high points of the day. As representatives spoke about some of our initiatives – the aid provided to those affected by the Ukraine war, our projects in Lesbos, Greece, and our support of migrants in the Mediterranean Sea – members of our SALTO team also contributed to the cause through various donations.

Pushing sustainability

As you know, sustainability is at the heart of what we do. So, for the event, we used reusable cups and led a heroic clean-up effort afterwards. Once the SALTO Family Day was over, we also donated all the remaining food and unused materials to charity. 

Until next time…

The SALTO Family Day was a memorable one where deadlines took a back seat and laughter was the only item on our agenda. Throughout the celebrations, our desire to support the vulnerable in our communities and generate long-term positive impact was clear. And as we gear up for the next edition of this inspiring event, we can confidently move forward knowing that we made a meaningful impact in our local communities and beyond.

SALTO Systems recently inaugurated the new Southeast Asia regional headquarters and XSperience Centre at Bugis Junction Tower in Singapore.

SALTO Systems is currently undertaking an ambitious expansion project throughout the Asia Pacific. For years, the company’s innovative products and services have supported its security partners’ extensive operations in the region, and SALTO has progressively sought to conquer new markets in Spain, Germany, the US, and beyond.   

With projects already underway in Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, China, Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, SALTO is well on its way to establishing a notable presence in the Asia Pacific. Undoubtedly, the biggest accomplishment to date is the launch of SALTO’s new Southeast Asia regional headquarters and XSperience Centre in Singapore. Recently inaugurated, the new Asia Pacific HQ promises to be a hub of technology, innovation, and smart access control for our customers and partner ecosystem.
 

Welcome to SALTO’s new XSperience Centre

SALTO has distinguished itself for its high-tech range of products, services, and technologies that have revolutionised the market. With a mission to deliver innovative, reliable, and easy-to-use keyless smart access solutions, it has set new standards in security, manageability flexibility, and design. As Javier Roquero, CEO and co-founder, says, “We turn innovation into reality.”

Founded in Spain in 2001, SALTO now operates offices in over 40 countries and has more than seven million electronic access points and 40 million daily users worldwide. This impressive growth is all driven by meeting one key need. 

“Our business is about keeping buildings as open as possible. But at the same time, we have to be sure that in this very complex world, things are secure.”

Now, SALTO has taken the next big leap forward with the opening of its new regional headquarters for Southeast Asia. Located in Bugis Junction Tower in Singapore, the vast 3,000-square-foot space will serve as the nerve centre for the company’s booming business in the region. For instance, in Singapore alone, SALTO has already served over 500 high-profile clients across various industries, including hospitality, coworking, education, commercial and residential.

The new HQ also features the innovative SALTO XSperience Centre as its crown jewel. This 800-square-foot hub is designed to serve as an interactive testing ground, where partners and end users can experience the SALTO range of electronic locking and smart building management solutions firsthand. By doing so, more people will come to better understand the limitless functionality and benefits that these solutions provide. 

“Growing the team in Singapore and Southeast Asia has really given us the opportunity to provide much better support to our customers and partners. We have very big ambitions for the region.” 

SALTO strengthens market presence in Asia

SALTO has chosen Singapore as its launchpad in the region, owing to its conducive business environment, excellent infrastructure, and highly skilled workforce. More importantly, the country offers strategic interconnectivity with other economies in Southeast Asia.

However, this market also presents a unique set of challenges to consider. Among them are market fragmentation, fierce competition for talent and market share, regulatory complexity, and a limited digital infrastructure. 

SALTO’s new regional headquarters and XSperience Centre could play a major role in helping overcome these barriers. Not only will it give visitors the chance to witness SALTO's products in action, it also intends to offer a fully immersive guest experience – among the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. Experienced sales and technical teams will be on hand to answer any questions and provide expert guidance. There will also be training sessions and seminars on the latest trends and best practices in the access control industry.

“The XSperience Centre is actually a very important centrepiece for our efforts to reach out to the market. Regardless of the language or background, being able to experience the product for yourself is fundamentally key.”

The future of smart access control

SALTO Systems started out as an ambitious dream shared amongst a close-knit group of friends. They were determined to democratise access control and make it more accessible, convenient, and cost-effective. 

“As we were working from a small apartment, we never thought that we would develop a company to the extent that we've done.”

23 years on, those same friends are still at the helm, making major moves in an industry ripe for exploration. Momentum is gathering pace in the access control and smart building sector on a global level. Javier finds this acceleration particularly exciting. 

“We'll have to work on more alliances and partnerships as the industry will expand with new products. In 10 years, there will be a massive deployment of electronic locking on any kind of door, and SALTO will be part of that journey – that’s for sure.”

The SALTO Southeast Asia regional headquarters and XSperience Centre in Singapore is now open to visitors, including security partners, architects, designers, consultants, contractors, and end users. It offers a creative, collaborative environment where ideas develop, businesses grow, and customer relationships are nurtured.

In Singapore, throughout the rest of Asia, and beyond, SALTO supports its partners in delivering keyless access and smart building solutions with a wealth of tools, resources, and training opportunities.

Are you curious to experience our new SALTO XSperience Centre firsthand? We’d be happy to welcome you in person. Get a feel for who we are – our brand, our roots, our technologies, and our solutions – and see how we deliver best-in-class experiences and provide future-proof solutions through technology innovation. Contact us

If you don’t want to miss out on the latest from the world of access control, follow us on LinkedIn and/or Instagram to stay up to date.

 

 

Developers, owners, investors, and property managers are seeing an extraordinary change in healthcare real estate playing out in real-time, and for those tuned in to this trend in the market—change means opportunity. This shift, characterized by the migration of healthcare services from traditional hospital settings to Medical Office Buildings (MOBs), is more than a passing phenomenon. For those dialed into these market nuances, this change doesn’t merely signify adaptation but an evolution, opening up new avenues of opportunity, and inviting stakeholders to engage with, and capitalize on, the evolving healthcare landscape.

Population and generational shifts. Breakthroughs in medicine and medical treatments. Adoption of emerging technology. An increased focus on the overall patient experience. Healthcare delivery is transforming rapidly to meet the needs of our changing world. The recent trend of moving services and treatment away from general hospitals and towards medical office buildings is one sign of the industry evolving to meet today's challenges and preparing for what comes next.

The healthcare facilities landscape is shifting to resemble mixed-use and retail environments more than the traditional hospital model. The healthcare industry is evolving to be more community-centric and flexible, seamlessly integrating health and wellness services into the daily lives of consumers. Modern medical office buildings now serve as hubs for medical practitioners, ranging from independent doctors to large hospital networks—much like a shopping mall provides space to a variety of retailers, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

Today's MOBs are designed and built to address the needs of the communities in which they are located. With advanced infrastructure and convenient access, these buildings cater to a wide range of patient needs, providing the right care, at the right place, and at the right time. To be successful, they must address each part of the patient's journey (healthy living, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care), which often means many different providers occupy the same building. 

By all accounts, this is a better way to practice medicine—more economical for healthcare systems, more efficient and effective for practitioners, and easier and more convenient for patients. However, unlike other industries, healthcare providers face a number of unique and challenging security issues. Physical safety, patient privacy, HIPAA compliance, and concerns about medication and equipment theft top the list. Implementing modern access control systems in the MOB environment can mitigate these concerns while offering an array of additional benefits that extend beyond mere security.

Forces Leading the Change in Healthcare Facilities

Modern medical office buildings are emerging as an important component of the healthcare ecosystem, but what's fueling the surge in demand for MOBs? A significant driver is the aging population. The 'Boomer' generation isn't just the largest generational group; they're also living longer, increasing the demand for abundant and easily accessible healthcare services.

Another key driver is the continuing advancements in medical technology, treatment methods, imaging, lab capabilities, therapeutics, and other services. These advancements have enabled healthcare organizations to offer an expanded array of outpatient services onsite. As a result, there's a growing need for multiple, decentralized facilities spread across cities, suburbs, and rural regions, moving away from the traditional reliance on one central general hospital.

Additionally, many healthcare systems are shifting away from volume-based care and towards value-based care. A study released by Deloitte points to outpatient revenues growing and surpassing hospitals' inpatient revenue. Now, healthcare providers are exploring strategies to curtail costs while maintaining high-quality care and elevating the patient experience. MOBs present an opportunity to achieve these goals, simultaneously producing new efficiencies and trimming overhead expenses.

Security in Healthcare Should Still Be Top of Mind

Healthcare facilities are some of the hardest buildings to secure properly. They straddle the line between a desire to be welcoming and comfortable, and at the same time employing strict safety, security and privacy protocols.

Medical office buildings face an even more nuanced challenge; unlike hospitals, which typically have 24/7 security staff and layers of physical security technology, MOBs are much more like regular office buildings. It is easy for staff, patients, vendors and visitors to come and go freely. Despite this, security must remain a priority—the consequences of an insecure MOB facility can become serious, even dire in extreme cases. 

Mitigate Risk by Leveraging Modern Access Technology

Modern electronic access control systems are by far the most effective physical security investment a developer, property manager or tenant can make in a medical office building. Far from merely controlling who can enter or exit a building, these systems act as multifunctional facility management tools that reduce risk, streamline operations, bolster security, and ensure compliance.

Here is a list of the top considerations:

1. Reducing Risk - One of the most significant benefits of smart access control solutions is the elimination of traditional metal keys. Electronic locks are not only safer but also more manageable than mechanical keys. This is crucial in a medical setting where security is paramount. Physical keys can be easily lost, stolen, or duplicated. Enhance safety for patients, visitors, and staff, safeguard costly medical equipment and assets, and shield data with the convenience of keyless smart access control.
2. Support Staff - Enhance the working experience for staff. Transitioning from physical keys to smart credentials—be it fobs, key cards, PIN code access, or even smartphone digital keys—frees employees from the stress of dealing with lost, stolen, or misplaced keys. It also alleviates the responsibility of managing or replacing them.
3. Create Efficiencies - These systems represent a substantial leap forward in operational efficiency. Whether it's an employee entrance, an office door, or a drug cabinet, every interaction a staff member makes with an access point is automatically recorded. This eliminates the need for time-consuming, manual reporting and record-keeping. Additional efficiencies can be achieved through integrations with other systems. For instance, visitor management systems can offer self-service capabilities like check-in/check-out kiosks and web portals can increase front-desk efficiency and enhance the visitor experience.
4. Stay Compliant - The digital nature of these systems is also instrumental in staying compliant with regulations. They offer a secure, auditable trail of every access event at every lock or wall reader, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations including CDC, local health departments, Joint Commission and HIPAA. This not only aids in a facility operator’s ability to demonstrate compliance concerning confidentiality and privacy protections but also significantly reduces liability.
5. Emergency Readiness – Many access control systems allow you to immediately lock down specific doors, buildings or entire sites in the event of an attempted unauthorized entry or emergency incident. You can monitor emergencies in real-time and enable localized lockdowns activated by staff on the ground.
6. Liability Mitigation - This robust documentation and reporting capability can also prove invaluable in addressing any potential disputes or malpractice allegations. These benefits provide additional reassurance to doctors and medical staff who could be protected from potential liability.

Looking Into the Future

What else might lie ahead for the MOB market? It may not only be a shift toward outpatient clinics in general but also an increase in repurposed commercial buildings (vacant office space, old strip malls, fast food restaurants, hotels and motels, etc.). Regardless, all evidence points towards the continued evolution of the MOB model.

As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, so will modern access control systems. They are complex data and facility management tools that will streamline operations and administration, enhance patient and staff experiences, and provide crucial peace of mind for families.

While primarily designed for safety and security, these systems offer far more than just locked doors. Today’s access control technologies are reshaping how we live, work, and interact with our physical spaces. By eliminating traditional keys, automating record-keeping, and offering a secure and auditable means of accessing sensitive areas, assets and information, this technology is helping shape a new era in healthcare.

The future of MBOs and medical campuses lies in leveraging new technologies and rethinking how we interact with these environments, always focusing on the ultimate goal—creating a safe and secure environment for people who need care and for the people providing it.

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

GSX 2023 in Dallas has wrapped and the SALTO Systems North America team successfully showcased how our technology delivers inspired workspaces from the office to the field. 

Visitors to the SALTO GSX booth were welcomed by the BlueEntrance Space ID Visitor Management platform, then advanced to use Gantner’s contactless technology, and ultimately got to experience SALTO access management that delivers networked, cloud, and mobile solutions. It was an immersive journey for prospective and existing users that showed how SALTO technology provides a frictionless, keyless solution wherever your office may be.

Best smart access solutions with the latest in locking systems

The booth showcased SALTO’s best smart access solutions with the latest hardware options including our flagship XS4 Original+, XS4 Mini, and Design XS Readers to control lifts, sliding doors, or electronic gate doors to provide your facility with a complete security solution. To illustrate the ability to provide access for workspaces from the office to the field – literally – the team presented a lineup of SALTO’s electronic padlocks, the Neoxx G3 and G4. The SALTO Neoxx padlock line provides the latest industrial-grade smart padlocks loaded with the latest technology and built to withstand extreme environments. 

Colin DePree, SALTO Systems North America Sales Strategy, gave an impressive presentation on the GSX X Stage. DePree shared his insight on Accessing Tomorrow’s Inspired Workspaces, covering how workspaces have radically transformed into a permanent era of hybrid work for many. Technology leaders like SALTO have led this transformation by providing access to technology that allows people to work and manage access from anywhere.

“Access control is no longer purely about control. It’s now about enabling access to an experience,” said DePree. “Access control should never be an organizational hurdle but rather an opportunity to innovate. Leveraging modern access control technology allows organizations to improve business processes, identify efficiencies, optimize operations, and ultimately unlock potential strategic value.”

SALTO hosted an evening reception at The Exchange Hall, providing entertainment, appetizers, drinks, and an opportunity for showgoers to unwind after a busy day on the trade show floor. Thanks to all who took the time to attend!

To stay updated on upcoming trade shows, training, and other opportunities to learn more about our inspired access solutions face-to-face, visit the SALTO events page.

September 25, 2023, marks the eight-year anniversary of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

September 25th marks the eighth anniversary of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is the midway point for attaining the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development. Everything we make impacts the planet and its people, and this milestone presents an opportunity for organizations like ours to reflect on our contributions to the SDGs and the value they provide to society. 

The UN SDGs provide us with a map to identify our social, environmental, and economic impact. Since joining the UN SDG initiative in 2020, SALTO has worked on the establishment of sustainability guidelines and principles for our new technologies, developments, and operations. In doing so, we have reinforced our commitment to positively impacting our planet. We believe that ensuring social inclusion and an accessible circular economy aligns with our sustainability principles and works towards helping us achieve this objective.

SALTO’s sustainability commitment: Creating shared value for the environment and society.

Our commitment to sustainability is illustrated by our work to advance accessibility and the well-being of underserved people through our efforts like our Free2Move.org social initiative, to promote accessibility for people with disabilities, to promote sport as a healthy habit, and to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable people in the places where SALTO is present. We also continually work to overcome environmental challenges in our operations to minimize our environmental impact. As a result, SALTO is 100% carbon neutral at our factory and across our locations. This has been accomplished by accelerating our sustainability journey to help reduce the impact of our emissions.

We prioritize sustainability in our supply chain, products, and operations, which has created value for the environment and society. We have actively supported the UN SDGs through social, environmental, and economic responsibility and our commitment to a circular economy. 

SALTO initiatives help advance progress on UN SDGs, addressing many of society's challenges. 

SALTO contributes to achieving the UN SDGs through our sustainability efforts and activities by defining a Sustainability Strategy aligned with the SDGs, incorporating a specific Climate Change Policy, and by regularly renewing the materiality analysis based on stakeholder and market needs. SALTO has undertaken a profound commitment and transformation towards an increasingly sustainable model to respond to environmental and societal impacts. This is in addition to facing the challenges of the access control and security market. By proactively responding to social issues and developing responsible corporate policies demonstrating our commitment to business ethics, transparency, regulatory compliance, and information security through the development of appropriate codes of conduct, SALTO contributes to achieving specific SDG objectives.

Adopting the UN SDGs has emphasized SALTO’s commitment to aligning our operations with the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact. These principles are universally accepted in human rights, labour safety standards, the environment, the fight against corruption, and adopting measures supporting the UN SDG objectives. SALTO has joined thousands of companies worldwide in carrying out business actions and responsible corporate policies and practices to create a better world. The UN SDGs represent a universal commitment to deliver on 17 ambitious Global Goals for people and the planet by 2030 to achieve a more sustainable future for all. 

SALTO’s sustainability efforts and activism contribute to several SDGs, including those listed below:

We seek to advance the UN SDGs and contribute to a sustainable future that is truly for everyone. We encourage others to make a commitment to environmental and social responsibility.

To learn more about SALTO's sustainability efforts, initiatives, and values, visit our SALTO Sustainability – ESG and Free2Move.org web pages.

#togetherfortheSDGs

 

Local, a Melbourne-born Build to Rent business and SALTO are creating a closed-loop lifecycle for spent batteries within Local’s communities. 

In today's world, the importance of sustainability cannot be overstated. Buildings and properties across various industries are taking bold steps to minimize their carbon footprint and impact in cities and promote responsible practices. In line with this commitment, Melbourne-born Build to Rent business, Local, and SALTO, have joined forces to create a closed-loop lifecycle for spent batteries within Local's communities. This partnership aims to tackle the issue of battery waste through responsible recycling practices. Let's explore how Local and SALTO are building sustainable communities together.

SALTO becomes B-cycle accredited battery steward.

SALTO Oceania is now a proud B-cycle Accredited Battery Steward via the government-approved Battery Stewardship Council’s (BSC) B-cycle Scheme. SALTO pays a voluntary levy on the lock batteries it imports into the country to fund the B-cycle scheme.  

As part of their joint commitment, SALTO and Local have partnered with Ecobatt, a BSC-endorsed battery recycling company based in Melbourne, to set up recycling receptacles at Local’s flagship apartment project in Kensington, to ensure that all the spent batteries within its community, including those from SALTO smart locks, are recycled responsibly. 

Commitment to environmental properties and Net Zero operations.

SALTO and Local are deeply committed to creating sustainable living spaces that prioritize the environment. The buildings are set up to operate at net zero, meaning they strive to produce minimal waste, maximize renewable energy utilization, and improve the overall connection, comfort, and quality of the community.

“Every element of a Local project is designed with the environment in mind to improve the connection, comfort, and quality of the community in and around it,” said Dan McLennan, Local Co-Founder and Co CEO. “Our buildings are set up to operate at net zero. They will be fully electric and will utilise maximum renewable energy while producing minimal waste, so ensuring that SALTO could guarantee that our on-premises batteries were going to be recycled was a non-negotiable for us.”

By providing Ecobatt recycling receptacles at Local Kensington, Local, and SALTO are ensuring that all of the community’s batteries, including those within its smart access control system, can be recycled in the most environmentally responsible way possible at Ecobatt’s state-of-the-art facilities in Campbellfield. 

"At SALTO, we too are 100 percent committed to sustainability and reducing our impact on the environment," said Cedric Duigou, SALTO APAC Living Spaces Lead. "When Local approached us to explore the recycling of our lock batteries, we were excited to implement this initiative together.” 

Creating a closed-loop lifecycle for responsible battery recycling.

To extend the initiative beyond its residents, Local will grant the general public access to Ecobatt receptacles placed in the staffed lobby, along with communication and education programs, to encourage wider community involvement in the scheme. 

Lithium Australia stated that more than six million kilograms of alkaline batteries are consumed nationally each year. In 2019, the BSC estimated that, at the end of their useful life, 97 percent of those batteries were disposed of in municipal waste streams and reported to landfill.

Since its inception in January 2022, however, the B-cycle Scheme has collected and recycled over three million kilograms of spent batteries. 

SALTO is committed to providing clients, like Local, with the highest level of security and convenience while also taking steps to reduce its impacts on the environment. 

For more information about Local and SALTO smart access solutions for Residential, and their commitment to sustainability, please visit www.localresidential.com.au or contact us

To discover more about The Battery Stewardship Council (BSC) and Ecobatt, please visit www.bsc.or.au and www.ecobatt.com.au.