Stories

Community. Flexibility. Freedom. Experiences.

Benefits of coliving

So, why exactly is coliving such a huge trend right now? The growth in modern-day coliving comes about due to a shift in priorities amongst consumers, along with a strong push forward from the pandemic. Here are a few reasons why people are gravitating toward coliving now more than ever before:

• Ease of Living: When it comes to coliving, life is easier in every way. Although amenities differ from space to space, you will typically find perks like housekeeping, all-inclusive bills, fully furnished spaces, coworking areas, a dedicated community manager and events. Many spaces are prioritising tech, enabling enhanced security and keyless access for a seamless user experience and even more freedom. Some operators integrate platforms that enable members to connect based on similar interests and further encourage community interaction. 
   
• Flexibility & Accessibility: With the rise of remote work due to the pandemic, consumers have more freedom and more choices than ever before. When you can work from anywhere in the world, you can live anywhere in the world. Coliving spaces typically offer flexible leases and furnished spaces. With coliving for example, you can move to London tomorrow with nothing more than a suitcase if you’d like.
   
• Experiences Over Things: In recent years, especially among millennials, we’ve seen a strong shift toward valuing experiences more than physical things. Consumers are willing to share spaces if it means having higher-quality interactions and experiences than they’d get living solo.
   
• Shared Economy: We no longer need to own a car, we have Uber. We don't need to buy a dress for that black-tie event, we have Rent the Runway. We don't need to own a villa in France, we have Airbnb. With the rise of the shared economy, consumers have access to all sorts of amenities, without the need to acquire a bunch of possessions. Sharing homes gives us access to spaces and experiences that we might not ever be able to afford on our own.
   
• Community: Throughout the pandemic, we’ve seen the negative effects that social isolation can have on our well-being. People are craving a real sense of connection and coliving delivers on this in every way. Far from being a millennial trend, coliving offers a solution to combat loneliness for those of all ages. With the rise of senior and multigenerational coliving, it's clear that the desire to be part of a connected community sticks with us throughout our lives. 

So to recap, what is coliving in 2022? Coliving is a lifestyle. It’s a modern-day solution to an age-old need for a more connected, seamless living experience.

There's a meme I’ve seen going around that says, "Normalise splitting a mansion with your 5 best friends and 10 dogs." And, while ten dogs might be a bit much, I appreciate the overall sentiment.

The coliving movement is normalising living with an inspiring group of like-minded people. Through tech, through superior resident experiences, and through community, coliving is shifting the entire housing market and pushing it forward to provide more enriching at-home experiences.

So, when people ask me why someone would choose coliving, my question to them is, “Why not?” Coliving is the key.
 

Stay tuned for the second of our coliving blog posts series which will be live in June with a focus on hybrid hospitality.

Contact our team of experts to offer a seamless customer experience to your residents with SALTO.

Stay tuned for updates on our partnership with Coworkies by following us on LinkedIn and Instagram!

Looking for more? Click here to discover more on SALTO’s access control solutions for Coworking and follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest updates. 

SALTO KS provides a flexible access control management system that requires no software installation or the added expense of a fully-wired electronic product. Modern cloud-based, wireless access control systems are easy and simple to use for businesses including Coworking Spaces, Shared Living Spaces, Retail, and many more. Our best in class wireless access control solution and smart locks help make your business more secure and efficient. Integrate smart locks into your access solution and start easily managing wireless access control now!

Some of our areas of expertise:

• Workspace: Give your employees, workspace users or coworking members the convenience of keyless smart office door locks. They can even open doors using their smartphone, a smart credential, or a code. SALTO enables their system operators and users to improve their workspace experience and simplify access control by leveraging the latest in access control technology. 
  
  We are proud to have optimized a solution for Erste Group, an Austrian bank listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange. With 4500 employees and 16 million clients, Erste Group is one of the largest financial service providers in Europe. They required an innovative solution to complement their flexible working environment. Because their 4500 employees don’t work within an assigned workplace, they required the ability to lock away documents every day with their employee IDs serving as their key and credentials. GANTNER, a SALTO Group Company, provided a one-system solution to all their access needs. We offered 7000 multi-functional lockers. Staff could access any available locker but were restricted from accessing occupied lockers. This entire system uses GAT Relaxx software. HR uses this to assign credentials and access to employees at various levels. Personalized mailboxes, storage facilities, dining and cleaning areas were also secured using this state-of-the-art technology. 
   

• Hospitality: With SALTO Hospitality solutions, you can extend smart access across your property. Our digital systems provide seamless access to the guest rooms,
  entrances, perimeter access doors, elevators, gyms, conference rooms, parking lots, and more. Provide the modern, easy access option guests increasingly expect with digital keys or sustainable guest key cards giving convenient instant, and safe access improving guest journey. 
  
  SALTO has developed advanced and aesthetically designed hospitality-specific electronic access control solutions that set a new standard in the industry– from back-of-house organization to guest room management – with one easy to use system for hotels that can be Integrated with in-room, check-in, PMS, guest apps and complete building management systems.
  
  SALTO optimized South Africa’s tallest building, The Leonardo, with smart access control. This mixed-use commercial building features 232 luxury apartments, eight penthouse suites, nine conference areas, restaurants, shops, and a spa. To future-proof this building, developers chose SALTO to optimize all 55 floors. This technology also meets the aesthetic of the luxury property. More than 400 electronic locks were installed, and this access control solution was integrated with the Bosch Video Management System for added video surveillance. Our revolutionary JustIN Mobile access control allows guests and staff access with an iOS or Android device. This makes entry touchless and convenient. Everything is managed from the security control center and access is easy to grant and is as simple to revoke. 

• Residential: SALTO enhances luxury living experiences with integrated, super-smart electronic locking systems. Our technology is ideal for apartments, residential housing, multi-family communities, vacation rentals, home care, and more. 
  
  Dockside Apartments is a hotel and apartment block in London. They rely on our advanced technology to keep guests and homeowners safe. With many apartments being used as vacation rentals properties, there was a need for reliable locking solutions with access granted as needed. With SALTO’s XS4 handle sets and wall readers, guests could check in and out seamlessly, offering a hotel-like experience.

• Retail: In a retail working environment, it’s crucial to be able to define who can enter or exit through which access points. It’s a necessity to track your staff, suppliers, or delivery services with keyless and mobile access. SALTO offers this as a solution along with the ability to remotely open doors and empowers employees with convenient, smart key access to the locations they need, add or revoke authorizations in real-time or offer quick and easy onboarding. 
  
  Sleepworld in Ghent, Belgium, utilizes our systems to eradicate mechanical key management between store staff and managers. Now an employee or manager calling in sick no longer impacts anyone’s access to the store. Our SALTO KS system provides access on the go to all required employees. Employees could be divided into groups with some granted special access as needed for limited timeframes. Plus, management could track the opening times of stores to check efficiencies.

After reading this article you still need convincing that you can offer the ultimate customer experience by combining security and convenience? Why not contact us today to discuss a custom solution for your facility and let one of our representatives explain what we can do for you in more detail.

We look forward to securing your building with our advanced technology and making your life easier in the process (and that of your staff, guests, and family while we're at it!)

1. Congratulations on the launch of your book! Can you briefly introduce “Around the World in 250 Coworking Spaces” to our new readers?

Thanks for your kind words! “Around the World in 250 Coworking Spaces” is a coffee table book we’ve launched after travelling the world of collaborative workspaces for the last 6 years, visiting over 430 of them across 48 cities around the globe.

It features 250 unique spaces, communities and interiors and gives the teams behind those new work environments an opportunity to share their incredible stories with the world. 

2. What does it mean to you to see the book being embraced by the global coworking community and beyond?

It’s such a special feeling to see people from all walks of life embracing the book. 

When we started to work on the concept, we knew we wanted it to be as inclusive as possible. What does inclusive mean in this context? It means that whatever prior knowledge readers have on coworking and new ways of working, the book has been designed as a journey they can build for themselves, choosing where they want to start and what they want to learn.

For instance, if someone has no prior understanding of what coworking is, the first part of the book will be very helpful and will bring him/her up to speed for the rest of his/her journey.

On the other hand, people who already operate coworking spaces might want to dive right into concrete knowledge and examples, choosing the type of learning they seek among the ones we’ve highlighted through the tags reading system we’ve developed. 

3. What was the biggest challenge faced and best highlight experienced in creating the book?

Without a doubt, the biggest challenge for the book was the pandemic.

This is not something we’ve shared a lot so far but we actually started working on the book at the end of 2018 and our initial intention was to release it in early 2020. But then, COVID-19 entered the world and it had a huge impact on coworking spaces. Although we were almost ready to roll, we thought that releasing a book in the midst of the pandemic without even talking about it would diminish its entire purpose.

So, we started all over again. 

We reached out to the spaces featured in the book to ask them how they were adapting and what was their outlook for the future so we could update their stories and be the closest possible to the reality they were living when the book came out.

The idea was not to create a book all about COVID-19, which means we had to find the right balance between stories that would talk about it and stories that would cover other topics.

But in the end, the pandemic was also an opportunity for us to reconnect with spaces, to be close to them in hard times and support them, remotely, with knowledge, connections and moral support too. 

4. What do you want people to take away from “Around the World in 250 Coworking Spaces” and how do you see the future impact of the book?

Very often, people believe that if they are not freelancers or startupers they don’t belong in coworking spaces.  That belief has driven our mission to “make coworking better” by educating more people and companies on its principles, but more importantly, to the different shapes coworking takes.

So, to answer your question: we hope that by flipping through the book, readers will feel that coworking is, as we often say, “the same dish everyone cooks differently”, and that it serves so many more communities than just freelancers and startups. 

5. How have access control solutions impacted the coworking industry? Why did you choose to join forces with the team at SALTO Systems? 

On the operators’ side, access control solutions have allowed them to (1) design better experiences for their users but also, (2) relieve some of the operational work that is often very heavy on coworking teams. Being able to provide easy-to-manage solutions allows them to focus more on creating value for their members and less on managing lost keys :)

On the users’ side, access control solutions allow them to live better experiences within spaces. No need to carry yet another key or fear losing it. Right now and more often than not, users can access their workplace from the comfort of their smartphones and that’s convenient.

As said previously, having the aim to “make coworking better” also meant that the book needed to be full of resources operators can use to evaluate where they stand in terms of community, operational management and experience offered. Joining forces with SALTO Systems means that the book can offer unique insights, coming from experts (you guys!), who have a far deeper understanding of the topic than any of us, and who can help our readers to learn from your experience and expertise.

We feel grateful to Christian Schmitz, your Head of Coworking, Coliving and PBSA, for having shared so much in the book about using access control systems to enhance the overall members’ experience.

6. How did SALTO Systems cross paths with you in the making of the book?

It all happened at the Coworking Spain Conference back in 2018. 

(If Manu Zea, the founder of coworking, is reading this, thanks again for inviting us back then!)

We were invited to speak and share our story with participants and SALTO was one of the sponsors. We had never crossed paths with you guys before but meeting at the conference felt like fate. When we started telling the team on-site about our ambition for the book and showing them the concept behind it, they got so excited that they immediately connected us with the right people within your team.

The rest is history :) 

7. Can you describe the relationship between the coworking community and SALTO Systems? 

We always feel so happy when we tour around a space and see them using SALTO Systems. You guys have such a vast array of options. You can really support spaces at any given part of their [a user’s] journey, which is amazing.

Whether they [a user] are starting with one space or growing tremendously, SALTO Systems is there to make their life easier when it comes to designing their “access control systems strategies”.

Beyond the technology, SALTO Systems has an incredible team of passionate people, dedicated and committed to integrating access control systems into community strategies, using it as yet another way to bring people together because as you guys say so well, “Community is the key”.

8. What were the highlights of the book launch in Berlin and the online community launch?

The Berlin book launch felt so magical for so many reasons! First, Berlin is our home, so being able to host an in-person event after everything we’ve all been through was quite something.

Then the venue: The Student Hotel, which is featured in the book, was just the perfect place for us all to reconnect. Spacious, beautiful, flexible, centrally located. Working with them in preparing the event was a stress-free experience and they really helped us focus on what matters: bringing people together.

Due to the context and COVID-19, we had no idea how many people would actually show up to the event. It’s one thing to get a ticket on Eventbrite or say “attending” on Facebook and it’s another to come and attend. So seeing close to 100 people throughout the night come and celebrate this life achievement was just incredible. Above all, their eagerness to (re)connect with one another was super nice to witness. Many people shared that the book launch was their first in-person event since the pandemic started. We feel very grateful that they chose our event as their first!

Last but not least, the cake you guys surprised us with was (quite literally!) the icing on the cake.

I (Pauline) really didn’t expect it. When I saw it coming, I almost felt like crying. Such a nice gesture and it was very yummy too. Thanks again to you and the team for contributing to the night in the way you did.

9. Can you give us a glimpse of the next steps for you and Coworkies? What would you like to accomplish next with SALTO Systems? 

Right now most of our efforts are focused on the book and its promotion - so expect to read and hear about it across many outlets worldwide!

As per what we would like to accomplish next with SALTO Systems, there are many things we are currently discussing together, from events to an eventual volume 2 of the book — many doors are open :)

Stay tuned for updates on our partnership with Coworkies by following us on LinkedIn and Instagram!

Looking for more? Click here to discover more on SALTO’s access control solutions for Coworking and follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest updates. 

SALTO KS provides a flexible access control management system that requires no software installation or the added expense of a fully-wired electronic product. Modern cloud-based, wireless access control systems are easy and simple to use for businesses including Coworking Spaces, Shared Living Spaces, Retail, and many more. Our best in class wireless access control solution and smart locks help make your business more secure and efficient. Integrate smart locks into your access solution and start easily managing wireless access control now!

Benefits of mobile credentials for Access Control 

Salto’s digital keys eliminates losing keys, added expenses, and frustration. 

• Digital Key: Increases flexibility and improves security. Easy, efficient, and intuitive automated key delivery. 
• Bluetooth LE, NFC and Apple Wallet: Proven mobile and secure technology to create a unique keyless experience anytime, anywhere, and on any device. 
• Smarter access: Send or receive a Digital Key to open any door. Grant access or block users easily to specific timeframes and/or locations. 
• Improved operational efficiency and significant cost savings: Traditional mechanical keys can be expensive to replace and maintain, and the cost of key cards or physical credentials can quickly add up. Operators can instantly manage access permissions to grant, disable and revoke access to optimize user experience and enhance security management. 
• Mobile and card-based access control systems are the most secure way to give access to the right person at the right time. 

JustIn Mobile Digital Keys: Using your smartphone for access 

JustIN Mobile eliminates the need for physical keys or cards and all the associated costs and access management hassles.  

The JustIN Mobile technology replaces the need for a physical access card by securely sending a room key “Over the Air” (OTA) from Salto’s Space, KS or Homelok smart access platforms to a registered and verified iOS or Android device. The phone then uses Bluetooth LE or NFC to send a signal to the door’s electronic locks.   

Leverage the performance and usability of the fully native Salto JustIN Mobile key delivery experience into your mobile app. With the JustIN Mobile SDK, which is available for both iOS and Android, you can integrate JustIN Mobile for a fully customised mobile digital key integration into any third-party application. The JustIN Mobile SDK makes it easy and secure to incorporate smartphones into your access control solution. 

Give workspace members, hospitality guests, or multi-family house residents the convenience of going keyless using their smartphones, enabling community-based access control solutions supporting user satisfaction, security, and safety. 

Can’t get enough? Click here to learn about Salto’s smart access solutions. 

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

The solution provides a flexible, cloud-based access control management system that requires no software installation or the added expense of a fully-wired electronic product. An online device with internet connection is its only necessity. The key benefits of the SALTO KS cloud-based solution include: very little maintenance; scalable to any number of doors or properties; and extreme reliability. Property management can easily oversee the electronic locks on doors from any device – a phone, PC, or tablet – and residents can conveniently access their homes with a smartphone. Ultimately, this system eliminates the hassle, cost, and security worries associated with lost mechanical keys.

“SALTO makes it easy to manage users and access groups on SALTO KS remotely without physically presenting an access card, key fob, or smart device” - Juliana So, Weave Living Systems Manager.

SALTO Systems Business Unit Manager, Greater Bay Area and Taiwan, David Lee, said that when Weave Living and SALTO representatives first met, it was apparent that Weave Living placed a very high priority on using technology to drive a better user experience for their residents. Furthermore, SALTO KS is integrated with Weave Living’s PMS provider. As such, SALTO KS delivers a convenient digital key that residents can access from their smartphone within the same mobile app where they read news feeds, sign up for events, and make maintenance or housekeeping requests.

“Whether it’s using the SALTO key fob or integrating with the Weave Living mobile app as a digital key via Bluetooth to access doors, we have been able to create a great experience for our residents and our Weave Living staff members,” said Weave Living Systems Manager, Juliana So.

Another key benefit of SALTO KS is the ability to block access remotely, “In the case of a lost or stolen phone, one of our staff can remotely block access for that digital key and either install a new key on one of the resident’s other mobile devices or issue a SALTO key fob until they can replace their phone. The SALTO system even allows senior Weave Living staff to access multiple properties with just one digital key on their smart device,” explained So.

On a final note, SALTO KS, coupled with the elegant selection of SALTO electronic locks, is the perfect access control solution for the sleek Weave Living decor – comparable to luxury hotels. On this theme, So said, “the SALTO locks are stylish and blend in really well with our beautifully designed homes.”

Weave Living will continue to incorporate the latest SALTO smart locking technology as they expand across Hong Kong and into additional markets like Singapore and Australia. For any global gateway city – good, quality, and professionally-managed rental accommodation is the key to keeping the city competitive and attracting the best international talent to the city.

Take a look at the SALTO KS page for more information on this cloud-based access control solution. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest product features, updates, and news from the industry.

SALTO Systems develops and manufactures advanced and reliable wireless electronic locking and access control smart solutions that provide a smoother, more comfortable, and secure daily life for the people using our systems. We bring added value to our clients, making it easier for decision-making and smarter management of facilities. Our goal is to not only be within the top three companies in our sector in the world, but to also be your number one smart electronic access control provider. As an organization, we intend to create an ecosystem of end users, clients, partners, collaborators, and suppliers with whom we build long-lasting, win-win relationships guided by closeness, flexibility, integrity, and trust. 

What are some best practices when implementing a new access control system?

Research, research and research! Kick the tires and ask a vendor for an onsite demonstration installation or trials—and use it without any company representative present with a brand and certified installers ensuring support is always available to deliver top notch security for schools.Take this opportunity to put the system through its paces. Test and explore every scenario your team can think of.

Look for a system that includes the following features:

• Extensive students cards and credential compatibility 
• Access points that allow for growth, such as lockers, cabinets, exterior gates, parking gates, glass doors, emergency exits and panic bars, cylindrical and mortise applications
• Wire-free, wireless and wired applications
• Emergency preparedness and Crisis responsiveness features incorporating electronic door locks for schools improves security for schools and an overall crisis management plan.
• Easy I/O data integration with custom or third-party systems
• Mobile iOS and Android applications for remote access assignment

What trends are you seeing on cutting-edge higher education campuses today?

One emerging trend is providing self-service offerings such as kiosks and mobile access credentials or digital keys to campus users. These provide the ability for a student to cancel their lost or stolen card through a portal, change a pin code, and request a replacement, all on their own and without involving staff.

Many higher education leaders who are using mobile credentials are looking to make the most out of this technology and to eliminate the risks and costs of lost keys, finding ways to customize their existing app to their brand, and ensuring compatibility with iOS and Android devices that utilize Bluetooth and NFC for access control communications.

The future of access control is here, and mobile credentialing offers a level of security, convenience, and self-service that enhances the end-user experience.

Contact us if you have any questions on the SALTO product range or visit our education website located here for information on all things SALTO. We look forward to help you!

Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest product features, updates, and news from the industry.

SALTO Systems develops and manufactures advanced and reliable wireless electronic locking and access control smart solutions that provide a smoother, more comfortable, and secure daily life for the people using our systems. We bring added value to our clients, making it easier for decision-making and smarter management of facilities. Our goal is to not only be within the top three companies in our sector in the world,but also tobe your number one smart electronic access control provider. As an organization, we intend to create an ecosystem of end-users clients, partners, collaborators, and suppliers with whom we build long-lasting, win-win relationships guided by closeness, flexibility, integrity, and trust. 

So, how did a ski resort town in the middle of Bulgaria become one of the top digital nomad destinations?

In 2016, Uwe Allgäuer and Matthias Zeitler founded Coworking Bansko, with the intention of not only building a top-notch coworking space but developing a real community around it.  The results have been pretty incredible. Now, with multiple locations and 100+ members at any given time, Coworking Bansko has been able to foster an environment that supports entrepreneurs and remote workers, while cultivating an incredibly close-knit community.

With its picturesque location at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, it’s easy to see the allure of spending time in Bansko, but the real undeniable draw here? The community of Coworking Bansko.

Coworking Bansko has crafted its own unique community experience, one that makes its members feel at home right away. It’s not unusual for members to come for a week or two and end up staying for a few months or years. That’s the power of the community built in just these past few years.

Wanting to open the experience up to a larger audience, Coworking Bansko decided to create a festival to celebrate the location independent lifestyle and connect on an even bigger scale, and with that, Bansko Nomad Fest was born.

With attendees from over 30 different countries, the festival drew in crowds from all over the world. Israel and Italy also participated with their own Digital Nomad communities to join the international nomads who flocked to the festival. With 48% of attendees being women, it's clear that the work-from-anywhere trend is growing among female entrepreneurs and remote workers.

The festival itself was jam-packed with activities all week long, including professional events and workshops, alongside more community-based activities like bonfires, karaoke competitions, quiz nights, horseback riding, and pool parties. But, even during a quiet week at Coworking Bansko, you’ll find an entire schedule of events. With yoga classes, community dinners, skill shares, game nights, group hikes, and more, there are plenty of opportunities for members to connect on a daily basis. No matter your interests, there’s always something you can participate in.

With a strong interest in the coliving and coworking sector, the team at SALTO Systems had been hearing the buzz about Bansko for a while now and wanted to experience it first-hand. Nomad Fest was the perfect opportunity to connect with users and be fully immersed in the community. 

SALTO Systems’ Christian Schmitz, Global Lead of Shared Living and Workspaces, and Cate Maoilini, Community and Partnership Manager, presented their talks on The Freedom of the Cloud’ and Growth in Tech in the CO to the main stage audience. Bringing technology to the shared living and working experience is all about creating both a sense of connection and a sense of freedom. Both SALTO presentations took an in-depth look at the user journey experience and the tech needed within the coliving and coworking industries. From communication tools to cloud-based keyless access solutions, the duo discussed how properly integrated technology has the potential to improve the customer experience from the very first touchpoint to the last.

Additional highlights of the week included SALTO’s Sharing Is Caring workshop, bringing together festival participants to collaborate and find solutions to real-life issues they were facing. Along with a Virtual DJ Party, various networking events, and impromptu meetups, SALTO was able to provide their own community experiences and bring further awareness to the possibilities that tech solutions can have within the industry.

Digital Nomads are on the cutting edge of all types of industries: travel, tech, coliving, and coworking to name a few. They’re not the average traveller. Nomads have a very unique set of needs and a unique set of values. They are experience-driven and with a location independent lifestyle, strongly prioritize freedom, which is part of the reason SALTO’s access control solutions are such a powerful tool within the coliving and coworking industry/sector.

One of the things that stands out most while spending time in Bansko is the collaborative, supportive spirit that exists within the community. The personal connections derived from coliving and coworking are immense, but the benefits extend even beyond that. Being surrounded by a group of people with different mindsets and backgrounds allows for an incredible amount of personal growth opportunities.

The sharing economy is about more than just coliving or coworking together. It’s about combining skills, creating together, and sharing experiences that can enhance life in real tangible ways.

One of the biggest trends in coliving right now is the rise in rural and destination-based coliving experiences. Places like Bansko are proving that there’s so much value in a community. As a coliving or coworking operator, if you’re able to create an experience that’s truly unique, people will travel around the world to be part of it. On top of that, rural areas tend to offer a lower cost of living, access to nature, and an enhanced quality of life that you simply can’t find in major cities around the world. 

As the remote workforce increases, people are becoming more and more conscious about where they choose to live. If you can work anywhere, you can live anywhere too, right? It’s clear that the number of digital nomads will rise in the next several years. The numbers speak for themselves; an estimated 17 million people aspire to become nomads in the future. Analysts say that by 2035, there will be 1 billion digital nomads in the world. 

As for those that are already living the nomad life in Bulgaria, and in various hotspots around the world? They are early adopters of the shared living/working experience and part of a rapidly-growing demographic. 

Bansko offers community, ease of living, and the freedom to experience the world a little differently, factors that will one day become the norm. SALTO Systems has the ability to make a real impact within these communities by enabling seamless experiences and creating opportunities for connection through their solutions.

Christian Schmitz put it best, “Community is the key.” 

All right, let's get into it part one. 

It is important to note a clear difference between smart, connected, motorized, and mechanical locks. Unfortunately, we sometimes mix them all and conflate their abilities.

If we are honest, most of the electronic locks on the market today are not smart. What they are, is connected. We went from mechanical to motorized, motorized to connected, and we still haven't gotten to what we all want, which is smart.

But we are getting there. One of the most significant barriers to our industry boarding a rocket ship and seeing that hockey stick growth and adoption we all expected to see by today is that we have not innovated the smart lock (enough). We have only iterated the mechanical lock. Motorized and connected were feature iterations off of mechanical. So think about it, we as an industry said, "what if the door opened itself? Well, if it's locked, that won't work, so let's automate the unlock function." So we went and took the same mechanical lock that we had before, updated it a bit, and integrated a motor into it.

Is it an advancement? Yes, no doubt. But it was not very smart.

Then the market and ecosystem said, "We'd like to take your motorized lock and have our system lock and unlock it. We want to control it." We also said, "wouldn't it be cool if we could lock and unlock via our phone or watch?" 100%.

And we were happy to do it, so we took the same motorized lock and added some radios and gave the ability for it to connect to other systems... introducing the connected lock.

Some marketing departments and analysts got excited and dubbed it "smart locks," but unfortunately, once the cool factor wore off and the inability to drive a consistent experience became a reality, what we ultimately had was a connected lock that, frankly, wasn't so smart.

But that is ok because, like many things, the market is shifting. New technology is being introduced. 

As a result, new players are interested in the market, and end-user demand has increased, resulting in a renewed interest in smart locks.

So what does the next generation of smart locks look like?

• It is a reimagined platform—all of it, including the hardware. 
• It is not a feature of a mechanical lock like a brass finish. It is its entity.
• Some use cases and end game functionality are unknown, which is ok because it is part of an ecosystem. It is an ingredient to a much larger solution.
• It is a software product with hardware that supports the experiences desired by end-users versus administrators and installers. 
• It has safety at the core and safety as table stakes. It is a given and includes cybersecurity as well as hardened physical security.
• A team supports it focused on it day in and day out, not as a side hustle. 
• It is a product line understood by leadership with the same importance and expectations as its mechanical brothers and sisters. 
• Business plans are not predicated solely on yesterday's metrics. 
• Distribution and hardware sales are not the only measures of success. It is time for a new spreadsheet.
• Hardware is used to grow the platform's adoption to unlock software potential exponentially, not get in the way of said growth. 

The smart lock is this and many other things. But, more or less, the smart lock of today and tomorrow is a complete re-imagination. And those with curiosity and imagination will unlock it.

Contact us if you have any questions on the SALTO product range or visit our website located here for information on all things SALTO. We look forward to helping!

Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest product features, updates, and news from the industry.

SALTO Systems develops and manufactures advanced and reliable wireless electronic locking and access control smart solutions that provide a smoother, more comfortable, and secure daily life for the people using our systems. We bring added value to our clients, making it easier for decision-making and smarter management of facilities. Our goal is to not only be within the top three companies in our sector in the world, but to also be your number one smart electronic access control provider. As an organization, we intend to create an ecosystem of end users, clients, partners, collaborators, and suppliers with whom we build long-lasting, win-win relationships guided by closeness, flexibility, integrity, and trust.