Coworking

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

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

Cloud-based access control solutions 

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

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

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

On-premise access control solutions 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SALTO’s innovative smart access solutions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Make the best selection

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

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

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

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

How does a smart locker work?

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

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

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

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

Advantages of Salto smart lockers:

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

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

Are electronic lockers safe?

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

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

OfficeRnD's integration with SALTO Keys as a Service’s cloud-based access control platform automates granting access to workspace members. For every company, staff member, or guest, access can be automatically matched to their membership or a pre-defined area. This ensures that people can only enter where and when they should, 24/7, while you can simultaneously keep track of notifications for specific events so that you're always up-to-date.

OfficeRnD focuses on reinventing flex and hybrid work management software. Combine this with SALTO’s solutions for workplace flexibility, and there are endless opportunities to optimize operations in a single informative overview.  

We reached out to Michael Everts, Product Marketing Manager for OfficeRnD Flex, and asked him about the future of flex work, OfficeRnD’s mission, and how SALTO KS fits into place to help them achieve their goals. 

Read ahead for our conversation with Michael! 

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us about your role at OfficeRnD.
   My name is Michael Everts, and I am the Product Marketing Manager for OfficeRnD Flex. Before I joined the OfficeRnD team, I was an operator who used the software. I work with customers daily to promote our new features — and better understand their needs related to coworking and flex management.
    
2. Could you please introduce your company to our readers?
   OfficeRnD powers more than 2,500 locations worldwide to deliver better workplace experiences. Coworking and flex operators, asset managers, and landlords use OfficeRnD Flex to automate billing, make data-driven decisions, and improve their member experience.  Every month, operators send out nearly 100,000 invoices and process over $140 million worth of revenue in the platform. Trusted by the largest flex brands like CommonDesk, Serendipity Labs, and Hub Australia — OfficeRnD Flex acts as the central hub that integrates with key workplace systems, saving operators time and allowing them to focus on scaling and growth. 
    
3. OfficeRnD’s mission is to “build technologies to power the future of flex and hybrid work”. What does the future of flex and hybrid working look like from your perspective? 
   We envision an office future where employees have more optionality. After working at home for years, employees are finally being given more choices regarding where to work physically. This was not the case at all in the past. Our mission is to ensure that the physical office is supported by top-notch digital experiences — from booking desks to scheduling meetings with colleagues and even payment and billing.
    
4. OfficeRnD has several software solutions that power flexible working, for instance, your Hybrid Workplace Software and Desk Booking System, among others. How do these solutions cater to the needs of the modern workplace to ensure they run smoothly?
   Our workplace software OfficeRnD Hybrid allows employees and managers to visually understand who is coming into the office on what days and where they will be physically working. Workplace usage analytics give office planning teams better insight into what space is needed and how much. Policies can be set up - to tell employees which days they need to work in the office. Employees even have the ability to book desks and offices through workspace apps they are already using, like Microsoft Teams and Slack.
    
5. The company's main purpose is “to help you bring people together in vibrant, flexible, and collaborative workplaces”. What role does access control play in fulfilling this purpose?
   Access control allows for secure automated access to office environments. As companies and communities grow and scale, it can be hard for operational teams to deploy and manage access. Access control ensures that the right people have the right access to the cor and makes the whole community more secure.
    
6. Could you please describe the technology integration between OfficeRnD and SALTO KS for our readers?
   OfficeRnD and SALTO KS’ access control integration allows operators to automatically sync members and employees to gain access to your space. This means that once the users are configured within OfficeRnD, they will automatically be synced to their corresponding access group in SALTO KS and be sent a Digital Key. This technology can also be applied to offices and meeting rooms. So, for example, if someone books a room at 10 am, they will get access to that specific room during their booked time. 
    
7. What is the most important feature of the integration? 
   The ability to sync members is absolutely the most important part of the integration. This ensures that active members have the correct office access, and when their membership is terminated, they will lose access and no longer be able to enter the space. This gives operators the ability to spend more time with their members and less on administrative tasks. 
    
8. What, according to you, are the key ingredients to creating a successful and smart hybrid workplace? 
   Workplace technology that integrates and talks to each other makes life easier for operators and members alike. This means fewer steps when setting up a new member at the space and not worrying about forgetting to turn off access control for that member when they leave. 
    
9. Which recent project is the OfficeRnD team most excited about at this moment?
   OfficeRnD recently built an improved integration with SALTO KS that allows for Member Keys to be used from directly inside the OfficeRnD Member App. Member Mobile Access puts SALTO KS Digital Keys directly inside the OfficeRnD Mobile App to streamline door access for members and simplify the onboarding process for staff. This means one less app for members to download when onboarding with the space. 
    
10. Before we close, is there anything you’d like to add or inform our blog readers? 
    Access control is a critical part of the workspace infrastructure. The more automated operators can make the process, the less they will have to worry about maintaining a secure space. 
    
    As workers return to the office after working from home for years, they expect modern systems that provide instant access to the resources they book when they book them. The OfficeRnD and SALTO KS integration can help solve this problem for members and operators alike. 

One such example is Salon Lane in Australia, Sydney’s first shared workspace for independent hair, beauty and wellness professions. This dynamic business sees members frequently moving through available spaces, and the integration between OfficeRnD and SALTO KS ensures the seamless provision of members' space access. Watch the video below to learn more about how this solution comes to life. 

Thank you, Michael, for taking the time to answer our questions and shed light on the potential for our technology solutions to provide a smart and flexible hybrid workspace. 

We look forward to what’s to come for this partnership! 

Can’t get enough? Click here to learn about SALTO KS’ smart access solutions. 

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

Csuites is the first premium flexible workplace in Asia that is designed to facilitate the need of enterprises with a large team of 50 to 200 members. The workspace solution caters to small and medium enterprises, enabling shorter leases, immediate move-ins, as well as security and sustainability credentials. Csuites aims to provide the benefits of a coworking space but with the quality and comfort of a next-generation enterprise space that would otherwise be forced to take a traditional lease. 

Csuites aims to create an environment that promotes corporate innovation, collaboration, well-being, and growth amongst its members. They are also mindful of the impact on people and the future and are consciously committed to lowering their carbon footprint through a mix of sustainable design and strategies.

Read on to find out how the integration between SALTO’s cloud-based access control solution SALTO KS, and Office RnD, the provider of software solutions that power flexible working, has helped Csuites reach their goal of offering high-end technical solutions that enhance their coworking member experience.

Csuites was looking for a cloud-based solution that could integrate with their space management tools and allow the operations team to manage access easily. The access control solution Csuites was looking for had to be secure, user-friendly, and seamless. Also, the solution SALTO offers (SALTO KS) includes the Digital Key feature, which aligns with Csuites’ vision of providing a seamless experience for their members, where they can have all their workplace needs within their mobile app, including opening doors.

The integration setup with OfficeRnD is really easy and seamless. The integration allows their Member Experience team to easily set up the door access and manage everything member-related in one single platform. They rarely have to go into the SALTO KS admin portal once the access group is set up. This makes the operation procedure easy and such a time saver so that the Csuites team has time to focus on what matters.

As Csuites is catered for corporates, they have to ensure that the fit-out quality and technology are progressive and the best in class. The design, layout, and amenities of the space also have to be catered to the need of their target market, which is spacious, with ample natural sunlight, and different types of workstations to enhance focus and collaborative work.

Csuites has been built with a people-centric design in mind. One area championing is wellness in the workspace. The office suites feature sound-dampening walls, and noise-canceling duct works to reduce the sound emanating from utility pipes. Another wellness aspect is the variety of work desks in each office suite, which include sit-stand desks, team tables, and desks along the windows.

The technology guiding principles are based on our customers’ needs. Taking into consideration that large corporates generally have preferred technologies. As such, the technology they have in place needs to be agnostic and seamless. Shared meeting rooms and event spaces will need to be equipped with high-quality audio and visual technology. Security is a big concern for most corporates. Therefore, Csuites need a reliable, safe, and secure physical space powered by technology. 

Some of the key design features of Csuites:

• Ultra-low power lighting of 4.3 W/m2, more than 50% reduction vs SS530:2014
• All water fittings in the project are rated 3 ticks under PUB Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme
• Acoustical Treatment: All office suites and meeting rooms are sound-proofed, and feature noise-canceling duct works to ensure maximum privacy and minimal distraction
• The base building is awarded Green Mark Platinum. 
• Active Workspace Elements: height-adjustable desks, high-quality ergonomic furniture and fixtures, and a diverse workplace typology to meet the needs of today’s dynamic workforce
• Biophilic Design: Full glass ceiling-to-floor facades provide an abundance of natural lighting, while natural elements such as wood and ample plants create a healthy, green, and well-ventilated space
• Extensive use of materials certified by the Singapore Green Building Council and Singapore Green Labelling Scheme 

Companies looking for new workspaces today want places with services that can better support their employees, and there is a major focus on well-being, talent attraction, and enhanced productivity.

About 35% of the total floor area at Csuites has been set aside for communal spaces that encourage people to interact. On the fifth floor is a fully serviced reception, and the common area for tenants will feature a café managed by ‘Huggs’, an event space for up to 150 people, as well as a variety of informal collaboration spaces. These are places where members can work at their leisure and where they can additionally hold informal meetings.

Each office suite has at least one meeting room, depending on its size, but other meeting rooms and a boardroom can be booked through a dedicated mobile application for members of Csuites. The app is designed by London-based space management platform OfficeRnD and allows Csuites tenants to unlock workspaces they have booked with their mobile phones.

Csuites also maps out heavily booked areas and collect data on space utilization rates throughout the workspace. By having data about how many people are in the space and what time they are there, they can get a sense of which areas are popular and which aren’t. Csuites will use the data to better furnish the spaces that are used more frequently, with more seats or work desks to better meet demand usage there.

Csuites is the first in Asia to provide premium, flexible workplace options for larger enterprises. They have 10 suites available, and each will be supported by additional hot-desking and flexible workspaces when required. Walls between the office suites can be removed to create a larger office space for larger-sized groups. 

The 10 private suites range from 50, 75, 95, and 170 people. Each office is equipped with 1.5-meter sit/stand desks, ergonomic chairs, lockers, indoor plants (to provide good air quality), and a utility area for storage and printer. The office also comes with ensuite meeting rooms with excellent acoustic treatment. One-third of our space is allocated for common shared amenities like a board room, event spaces, nursing mothers room, multi-faith room, first aid room, phone booths, shared meeting room, cafe, and pantries (including fridge and cabinet allocated for each office, instead of a shared fridge as you normally see in coworking spaces).

Traditionally coworking spaces provide a pedestal under the table, which restricts the movement and space one can have. Csuites provides lockers in the office, freeing up the workstation, and there are no table legs between a cluster of work desks to draw the distance between two members closer to promote collaboration. 

The design and the amenities allow larger corporations to network with other companies of similar scale. This might be quite new to the corporates that usually have their own traditional office, with no option of networking with other people aside from their colleagues.

As Csuites is also the only flexible workplace in Singapore that clinched Singapore Green Mark for Healthier Workplaces Platinum certification in 2020, which recognizes sustainable and resource-efficient solutions, SALTO is even more proud to have established this unique integration.

Want to learn more about how your coworking space could benefit from an access control integration that will offer your members a seamless experience? Feel free to contact our teams; they will be happy to demonstrate how SALTO can help.

Founded in 2016 SaaS (Software as a Service) Holistic Building Experience technology platform Spaceti is used by both landlords and occupiers to enhance the building experience for the users and gather and manage all of their data in one place. Spaceti was the first-place winner in the prestigious Worldwide Proptech startup competition by MIPIM in 2019. Spaceti offers its client adaptability and scalability with a range of flexible, interoperable modules allowing clients to customize their solutions based on their key-organizational priorities. And is today running in over 200 workplaces and has global coverage with localized partner support.

We are very excited to announce Spaceti as a technology partner. By integrating with our cloud-based access control solution SALTO Keys as a Service, Spaceti users are enabled to reserve meeting rooms for specific timeframes through the Spaceti Booking System and automatically get access to the rooms for the reserved times and days.

SALTO took this opportunity to ask Spaceti’s CTO & Co-founder Ondrej Plevka about the integrations’ possibilities and what he foresees for the future:

Spaceti offers a Holistic Building Experience platform and works with clients to realize their smart building development vision. Can you give us an example of how this works?

The example has 3 levels of human interaction with the smart building. 

• Passive. We collect data from sensors on occupancy, air quality, or energy consumption and show it in real-time to people or process them in our historical analytics proprietary tool. 
• Active. We enable people to book spaces (workspaces, meeting rooms, parking spaces, etc.), get context on what services the building can offer, and be a part of social features like Newsfeed or Events. 
• Interactive. People can open doors with their phones based both on static access or dynamically based on the booking of a given space. Also, they can interact with smart lockers and share their access with colleagues. Last but not least, people can call elevators from their phones.

How do you help companies to enhance their performance of spaces over time?

We provide a Workplace analytics solution that enables companies to enhance their workplace performance by using that space more effectively. Our solutions help companies to become more flexible, agile, and responsive to future changes in the workplace environment by providing a better understanding of office layouts, and patterns in utilization per department and gathering insights into employee preferences for better comfort and improve their workday performance.

What would be the ideal digital infrastructure for a company, according to Spaceti?

We believe that the ideal digital infrastructure for a company must be capable of supporting modern and secure APIs, allowing each system to be used as a building block. The ideal digital infrastructure should also be prepared to connect to a cloud and enable the business to adapt to change.

It is a well-planned digital ecosystem that maximizes the value of data, integrates internal and external systems, and offers a platform for business innovation.

You help companies with data to transform vacant areas into flexible coworking spaces. How do you feel the workplace is changed positively because of your platform?

Spaceti's data-driven approach is helping companies transform vacant areas into flexible workspaces that meet the needs of both tenants and employees. Based on a data-driven approach, we help companies identify which spaces need to be transformed and create a space that can be used for any work: from traditional offices to co-working spaces, coffee shops or restaurants, or even recording studios.

An excellent example of this transformation is The Music Station. Together with our partners, we helped Warner Music Spain create a new creative co-working environment for Warner Music employees, artists, composers, producers, and managers, providing them with a powerful tool to enhance the building and workplace experience while enabling hybrid and flexible work via the mobile app.

Read the case study here

We believe that our platform positively changes the workplace because it provides a holistic solution for companies to establish a space-efficient and cost-effective workplace environment while satisfying the needs of tenants and employees.

Do you think becoming data-driven is the only way to elevate operational efficiency for a company?

As data-driven operations have evolved, they've become a must-have in today's rapidly changing business environment because they also provide support to other parts of operations within a company.

How does the integration between Spaceti and SALTO KS help companies scale?

Spaceti integrates with SALTO KS to create a strong competitive solution for both static and dynamic keyless access based on Spaceti Booking System. The easy installation of SALTO KS, combined with its fast connection to the Spaceti mobile app, helps companies scale through simple implementation.

Can companies also integrate with your product when they would like to learn more about their use of gas, air quality management (temperature, humidity, CO2, etc.), and smart parking, for example?

Yes, we offer integration with third-party systems. Our cloud infrastructure is prepared for quick integration and provides a modern and secure API. 

Please contact one of SALTO’s sales teams for more information. They are more than happy to give you all the information you need!

Would you like to become a SALTO technology partner? Fill in this form, and we will contact you as soon as possible.

SALTO proudly introduces a partnership with Coworking Bansko, one of Europe’s largest digital nomad hubs based in the mountainous town of Bansko in Bulgaria. Coworking Bansko integrates SALTO technology across their locations for smooth and seamless user experiences. With a strong community of over 125 members on average, Coworking Bansko is people-first. That’s why, each year, they bring together a global community of 500+ digital nomads, location-independent, freelancers, and entrepreneurs at Bansko Nomad Fest.

Since you opened the very first location 6 years ago, Coworking Bansko has developed, changed, and grown. Tell us more about the different spaces at Coworking Bansko, and your ethos.

Our community is built on  freedom and happiness and is guided by the five core values of coworking: comm­unity, open­ness, collab­oration, sus­tain­ability, and accessibility.

We provide the infrastructure so that our members can become the very best version of themselves. Different people have different needs and work habits; we aim to support them with our different environments. So for deep work, our members can head to the Gondola or the Quiet Space, our main community hub with a large garden that’s home to the famous Friday potluck gathering, where all community members contribute to food and drink and come together to celebrate and enjoy the community. Or, if they want to work and casually socialise in more laid back areas, they can do so in the calming Social Space. We also have the Lounge, a space that recreates a coffee shop with a blend of music, work, and chat, and a great rooftop with a work and chill area.  

In which Coworking Bansko locations have you installed SALTO technology?

We’ve installed SALTO technology in all our four locations in Bansko, including an off-the-grid forest location on the doorstep of Bansko National Park that we call the Playground. It’s a place where we host lots of community events and where we’re building our wood cabin. 

We’ve integrated SALTO technology across standard use cases, like the main entrance doors, but also at more experiential spaces, like all our meeting rooms and our wood cabin, to better manage access and usage. We’ve also integrated SALTO technology at a separate storage site for external contractors who help with events or other projects to access our locations. They can easily come in and out without our team needing to be around. As it’s so secure, it helps us to continue creating safe experiences for our community.

What impact has equipping your spaces with SALTO technology hadmade in your business and community?

Before we began using a smart lock system, we were using physical tokens that generally worked well although there were issues with the system’s stability. It was a homegrown DIY solution which didn’t work when we experienced power or internet outages, plus there were hardware issues during cold winters. Using only physical tokens held us back. When people arrived outside normal office hours to pick up or return tokens, it created a lot of work for several people, including our team, trial members, and day pass users. We also didn’t have the token system on all our doors, so our teams still had to use physical keys alongside them, which was inconvenient.

We’ve now installed 19 SALTO locks and 5 IQs on our doors, and plan to add a few more wall readers, locker locks, and padlocks in different locations for different uses.

Our users love the new system. Being able to open all doors with the SALTO KS app means that they no longer need to pick up and return any hardware tokens, making operations and welcoming new trial day members much easier. Also, the look and feel of SALTO locks helps us to create the best community experience possible when new people open our doors for the first time.  

How did you meet Cate and Christian at SALTO Systems?

I was surprised when Cate and Christian approached us to partner at Bansko Nomad Fest 2021 (we met through a mutual connection). Initially, I didn’t understand why they wanted to come to a digital nomad festival because we’re not an industry trade show. But it soon became clear to me that Cate and Christian are visionaries. They have a passion for community and togetherness, with‘community is the key’ at the heart of it all. They wanted to explore the future of access management for coworking and coliving, and that was the perfect fit for us. 

Christian ended up staying with the community, overnight, despite having to fly home early the next morning, I realised  that he is someone who we had to work with. Cate stayed longer in Bansko after her first Nomad Fest to engage with our community, organise some photoshoots with our 40-year-old orange Lada jeep and brainstorm many ideas. During that time, she became part of our community. We loved seeing her again this year and look forward to her every visit.

Why do you also believe that community is the key?

Our members join Coworking Bansko to make connections for their business, social life and to enjoy Bansko together. In an era of remote working, nobody really needs to work at a traditional office anymore. But, everyone needs connections to thrive and become the best version of themselves. Our community is not limited to our members. Coworking Bansko is part of several communities who’ve helped us grow from grassroots as a rural coworking location, to one that is now a globally recognised ecosystem and nomad capital. Community is the key that unlocks our peoples’ happiness. That’s how I view my community. 

How will SALTO technology continue to support Coworking Bansko now and in the future?

I believe that SALTO KS cloud-based access management and SALTO industrial leading hardware, in combination with a very responsive support team and dedicated partner organisation, is a great basis to integrate with our strategy and operations.

Coworking Bansko is constantly growing. We successfully crowdfunded  a “crypto cabin” via an NFT using Web3 authentication, which gives owners access to the cabin at different times. We’re also building a sauna at the Playground, as part of our efforts to boost our community’s well being. To streamline the whole operation, all these locations will have SALTO locks which are accessible using the SALTO KS app that our members already use. 

A lot of our members use bicycles that often break down on the rough roads around town. So, we’re building a bicycle repair station outside one of our locations, with access to the tool box and air compressor via SALTO Padlock. We also plan to use SALTO locker locks to facilitate car key access to our orange flotilla of rental cars. 

It’s been fantastic to receive the support of SALTO and the Community and Partnership team, particularly over the last couple of years when Cate and Christian joined us at both  the Nomad Fest and the CUBB (coliving unconference). We look forward to our continued partnership and collaboration with SALTO at community-oriented events like these as well as events outside Bulgaria.

What’s next for Coworking Bansko?

Our next big exciting project will move us into the coliving space. “Coliving Bansko” will be a purpose-built coliving space co-owned with our community. Unfortunately, supply chain issues and high energy costs are slowing down construction, but this project is at the top of our list, and we hope to start building it in early 2023. 

We’ve recently announced our Nomad Festival 2023 edition. I feel that it will attract even more attendees next year (this year it was around 550). We’ll most likely host the second edition of the coliving conference (CUBB)  in April 2023, and I’m pretty confident there will be more surprises from Coworking Bansko and our community to come.

We look forward to witnessing Coworking Bansko’s continuous evolution and its growing use of SALTO technology. And we’re looking forward to partnering with them again at their upcoming coworking and coliving events because community is, indeed, the key! 

Want to find out more about our partners in coworking or other industries? Take a look at our industry pages and follow us on LinkedIn for updates!

The B. Amsterdam coworking hub in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is built to give entrepreneurs the flexibility and inspiration they need to grow their businesses. In the open-plan coworking space, you will find like-minded people. This often results in an increase in collaboration, igniting great ideas that might have not come to life otherwise. With a ‘full membership’ you get to enjoy this entrepreneurial community, and additionally make use of unlimited access to events, support, and facilities any coworking space should be proud to offer such as a padel court! All of this is spread over three buildings situated close to one another.

For this interview about how SALTO Keys as a Service helps B.Amsterdam increase member satisfaction, we spoke to Robin Slijkhuis, their New Business & Sales Manager.

What challenges or needs did you face in your building facility that led you to look for an access control solution like SALTO KS?

Well, there are approximately 300 spaces that need to be opened and closed on a weekly basis. This is time-consuming. We needed to get new keys, hand them over, get them back, change them, and worst of all, dismantle locks when someone lost a key. You can imagine with all these businesses that rent a space at B.Amsterdam there was a lot of administration, and therefore frustration regarding key management.

What steps and processes did you follow to determine your specific access control needs? 
There is great circulation in the number of people coming and going. The Digital Key functionality is therefore a big plus of SALTO KS. Because of Corona and after there was an increase in flexibility. We don’t need a receptionist anymore because there are no keys. Different types of people come and go such as members, cleaning staff, suppliers, and employees of ‘STACH’ the in-house coffee bar. We have people coming in from 6 am to 11 pm without any hassle. We are not using it yet but it would be ideal to share keys with guests of our members. For instance, when one of the companies that rent a space organizes an event they can simply send the ‘key’ to their guests so they can come in at a specific time. Additionally, it’s nice that the organizer can see who of the invitees came and maybe wants to subscribe for more events or information.

Why did B. Amsterdam choose SALTO KS in the first place over any competitor and how does it compare to previous management?
From the very beginning, SALTO KS was chosen as the access control management tool for B.Amsterdam. I wasn't included in the process but I find SALTO KS very reliable and easy to use. It’s also a big advantage that SALTO KS can be integrated with Office RnD which increases the ways we can optimize our member experience. It goes without saying, this way of managing access control in the buildings is way better than when we were working with mechanical keys and a receptionist.
 

How many members do you have in one building on a regular basis?
It depends on the day, but we have 300 offices spread over three buildings, with 3000 members, a STACH (coffee bar), and, event rooms. So I would say 750 members per day. 
 

What type of openings do you use and why? 
We have an 80% Digital Key adoption rate which means most people use the Digital Key feature to open their offices. We have a lot of regular suppliers such as cleaners and grocery delivery services who can get their own personal keys. We can see exactly who was in the building and at what time which makes a great case to attract new potential members. It gives them a sense of security. 

I recently learned about the Digital Key widget which seems to be a great next step for our members to make it even easier to open their doors.
 

How much does using SALTO KS reduce the cost and time of your building operation management tasks?
I don’t have the exact numbers but I’m guessing it’s a lot since we don't have to replace any locks or keys anymore and a receptionist is not necessary for access management at all times. It’s also helpful that we know when an office is empty so we can directly notify the cleaners to come and get the office ready for the next day/member.
 

How does using SALTO KS ignite the sense of community at B. Amsterdam?

Because you are able to get in the building and your office straight away, members feel included from the very beginning of their journey at B.Amsterdam. Members feel like they have ownership of their ‘own’ office, instead of a big building where they are just a ‘number’, which contributes to the exclusivity B.Amsterdam offers. 
 

What would you tell others who might be considering using SALTO KS?

SALTO KS makes operations way easier, and it increases member satisfaction. The system is intuitive so adding, deleting, and blocking members is a simple task.
 

Thank you, Robin, for taking the time to meet with us! It’s an honour to have B.Amsterdam in our customer portfolio.

Are you looking for a private office or a nice spot in an open office filled with entrepreneurs? Contact B.Amsterdam! 

Do you own a coworking space or are you interested in SALTO KS for another reason? Please contact one of SALTO’s sales teams. They are more than happy give you all the information you need!

Don’t want to miss a thing? Follow us on LinkedIn and/or Instagram to stay up to date.

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

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

Why to become a Salto Technology Partner?

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

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

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

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

Salto offers a range of solutions to technology partners

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

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

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

Salto’s Two Main Solutions

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

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

Click here to learn more. 
 

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

Click here to learn more. 

Technology partners: bringing excelence to customers

Technology Partners benefit from a wide product range across numerous industries

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

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

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

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

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

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

Become a Technology Partner today

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

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

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

Learn more about becoming a technology partner and sign up today

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

Uptime

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

So?

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

What is important to the customers?

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

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

Reporting

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

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

What do we want to achieve and measure?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What did the development of SALTO Systems look like?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Share with us, what’s next for SALTO?

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