Salto KS

COVID-19 has challenged governments around the globe to act in the best possible way during a pandemic. Each country manages its protocol in a different way. Needless to say, this has an influence on the number of COVID-19 patients. Since SALTO KS is a cloud-based access control solution, able to provide insights with help of real-time data, we have tried to analyse the people’s behaviour during the outbreak with the help of the number of lock openings. We focus on questions such as: ‘are the rules of the national lockdown being obeyed?’ and ‘is there a correlation between an increase in COVID-19 patients and the number of lock openings?’.

The graphs below show lock openings from the beginning of week 9 (24th of February) when all countries were still operating at 100% even though the Chinese authorities, where the outbreak started, had already defined the virus in early January.

Among the countries that are at the top of decreased lock openings are Spain, with 8% of normal lock openings, Italy (11%) and France (6%). While these countries faced a steep drop of lock openings, other countries stayed moderately equal, such as The Netherlands (47%) and Sweden (66%).

Below you can read our observations of the more extreme cases.

Spain
It started with a tourist from Germany that was hospitalized with the Coronavirus when she visited the Canary Islands. At the beginning of February, she was released and declared healthy. Despite the high hopes that she would be the first and last victim, a second case soon followed. At the beginning of March, the Coronavirus made her first (male) victim in Valencia, Spain. This victim was the first of the now over 14.000 deaths. As the second country with the highest ranks in the world (besides the USA), it makes sense the lock openings dropped quickly from a high 87% at the beginning of March to 24% around the 16th of March when the first death was declared.

Italy
Until the end of February, the people of Italy were instructed not to change their behaviour. We can see the lock openings significantly dropped (from 100% to 48%) around the 9th of March (week 11) when the country withdrew their initial instructions and went into full lockdown. Sadly, Italy now has exceeded China as the country with one of the highest death toll (besides the UK and the United States). With an exhausted healthcare system and the lock openings not dropping to 0% but staying at a quite high 16%, we assume this is due to the many healthcare institutions that remain open during the lockdown.

France
A country that dropped heavily in lock openings in the short time span of a week was France. Despite President Macron encouraging citizens to practice social distancing, the lock openings stayed at a baseline rate until the middle of March. Then, due to high death rates, a lockdown was issued on March 17th. The steep drop in lock openings is evident on the graph below, with lock openings going from 100% to 14% in the matter of a week.

USA
In mid-March, the number of lock openings decreased from a sky-high 94% to 59%. This is correlated with President Trump’s words on the 13th of March when he officially declared the virus to be a national emergency, eight weeks after the U.S. confirmed its first case of Coronavirus.

China
China started the lockdown in December and is now going back to the new ‘normal’. This has everything to do with the quick and thorough response of the country. In contrast to other countries, it seems China was able to stop the outbreak fast. This strategy also came along with the decision to close the borders, so Chinese citizens got stuck abroad. With a steep drop of openings at the beginning of the year, the lock openings are slowly getting back to normal as one of the first countries around the world. However, the total lock openings have not reached 50%.

The Netherlands
Since the Netherlands enforced a ‘smart lockdown’ the lock openings stayed relatively high. About 50% of lock openings were decreased even at COVID-19’s ‘worst’. By having the population exposed to the virus in a controlled pace the Dutch citizens developed a basic level of immunity. While schools, universities, bars and restaurants were forced to close, citizens were only advised to work from home. Additionally, the country did not impose national travel restrictions; this explains the still relatively high number of lock openings.

Sweden
With roughly 60% of lock openings at the lowest point, Sweden’s lock openings did not decrease as much as the other countries. This percentage has to do with Sweden not forcing any type of protocol regarding the outbreak, except the message that the government trusts their citizens to proceed with common decency: washing hands, staying home and keeping the physical and social distance. While this approach resulted in the Swedish economy being less affected, it also led to higher death rates than in the neighbouring countries. The reason for the high death rate might be attributed to more high-risk residents contracting the disease, such as the elderly.

A few countries maintained a high level of lock openings, which can be linked to the various protocols the respective countries maintained during the outbreak. Countries that have maintained a high level of lock openings are known for their herd-immunity strategy to keep large parts of society open.

The purpose of this article is to investigate lock openings during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic by country. We also provide short explanations of the respective country’s physical/social distancing regulations. However, SALTO KS does not assume causation between the reduced lock openings and amount of Coronavirus infections and/or deaths. This data is derived only from sites with SALTO KS access control systems, which are not necessarily representatives of other sites in that country. High instances of lock openings might be from sites providing essential services, such as grocery stores and health care facilities, or simply residential buildings. Above findings are solemnly to inform and are based on the regular operations at SALTO KS. All anonymous data is collected from our SALTO locks- and systems and will remain anonymous and will neither be shared nor sold.

Find out the policies SALTO Systems is wielding in the light of COVID-19 here.

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, Coliving Buildings, Purpose Built Student Accommodation, Retail, Multi-Tenant Housing, Gyms and many more. Our best in class wireless access control solution and smart locks guarantee the efficiency for your business. Integrate smart locks, start easily managing wireless access control now!

As Coliving continues to push boundaries, the interest for niche spaces and values within the industry has increased. Coming up with innovative coliving concepts not only helps one gain a foothold in the market, but also provides opportunities to stimulate creativity, solve social problems, and simply bring together like-minded individuals.

This is why we have compiled a list of our 5 favourite niche coliving spaces, each with their own unique characteristics.

Haven: A community for wellness and personal growth

An unreasonably high rent to income ratio, experiencing loneliness despite spending hours on social media, and not finding the time in the day to exercise or meditate are problems experienced by many. These kinds of modern problems are precisely what the founders of Haven wanted to solve.

Providing a place to live at half of the regular rental price in Venice Beach, LA, Haven offers its residents an opportunity to spend their money on experiences, rather than rent or furniture. Communication, a healthy lifestyle, and going carbon-free is encouraged at this coliving space, where each resident is also required to spend two hours a month dedicated to community service.

Haven’s wellness-oriented quarters are designed to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to exercise their body or mind. The communal areas include a yoga studio, a gym, and an outdoor meditation area, as well as a movie theatre and a coworking space. It also offers an impressive range of activities, ranging from motivational talks and vegan community dinners, to star energy healing events and sound baths.

Its mission is to make larger cities more accessible, as well as to create a balance of the need for housing with community growth. As most of their residents work in the health or wellness industry, Haven also provides the opportunity of networking and mutual professional advancement.

Source: Haven Coliving

Nest Copenhagen: Coliving for the creators of tomorrow

At first glance, Nest Copenhagen seems like most other coliving spaces. Residents engage in communal activities such as movie nights and dinner parties, and developing close friendships while still maintaining their private bedrooms. However, what separates Nest from the others, is that they only accept entrepreneurs.

Founded in 2014, Nest is one of Denmark’s first coliving spaces. A non-profit run by the residents, it is composed of four connected apartments, each containing five or six bedrooms. Nest encourages entrepreneurial discussion and sharing innovative ideas, but emphasizes that it is neither a coworking space nor a “second workspace”. Networking is highly recommended, and they welcome visits by foreign entrepreneurs.

Only people who fit their values are accepted into Nest. The tenants must be trustworthy, creative, supportive, and warm-hearted. They must be social, as they say, that Nest is not a place where people can come and go without speaking to anyone. Each resident must actively contribute to the community, socially and as an entrepreneur. Sharing successes, failures, and advice to help each other grow is what Nest is all about, as well as creating the best home possible for people who understand one another.

Source: Nest Copenhagen on Facebook

G|Code House: Closing the gender gap in the tech industry

G|Code House is a brand new addition to the world of coliving, as it hasn’t even officially opened yet, but its purpose is important enough to be mentioned in this list! Two women, Bridgette Wallace and Carolle Nau, bought a 5,000-square foot Victorian house in Boston, with the purpose of combining affordable coliving, technology instruction, industry placement, and post-secondary education. Tired of the skyrocketing rents and increasing homelessness, they want to use this house as a means to contribute to society.

Realizing that many educational and professional triumphs are owed to people having stable homes, they will recruit young women of colour who have an interest in technology. They will welcome women who don’t have the stability in their lives required to follow their technological ambitions. Their two-year program, provided at the house, will include technical education, internships, and speciality training.

Despite not being opened yet, G|Code House has already started providing their services. They launched a 10-week “Intro to G|Code” program in February 2020 where they taught young women the fundamentals of coding. Originally hosted by the Boston Public Library, the course started providing online lessons when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Currently, they’re in the process of collecting donations and renovating the house, while also celebrating their first graduation; they have a bright future ahead of them.

Source: G|Code House

New Ground: A community built by older women, for older women

As waiting lists for retirement homes are steadily increasing because of the ageing population, and many senior citizens have had to relocate away from their loved ones to find appropriate accommodation, it is perhaps not surprising that some have started to take matters into their own hands. Enter the Older Women Co-Housing group, which founded the UK’s first senior cohousing community, New Ground, in 2016. Their mission was simple: developing a community that cares for one another and is actively managed by the women themselves.

Refusing to be confused with sheltered housing or a retirement village, these women look out for each other instead of relying on on-site care. They eat dinner together once a week, and have schedules for cleaning and tending to the communal garden. They even carpool to shops and doctor’s appointments!

Besides the financial benefits of sharing costs and utilities, cohousing also benefits the mental and physical health of its residents. Loneliness and social isolation is a common problem among retirees and is linked to health risks such as depression, anxiety, and cardiovascular disease. Coliving can help alleviate these problems by providing opportunities for social interactions and helping retirees feel valued, independent, and a part of a community.

Source: Older Women Co-Housing Group

Suderbyn: Self-sufficient, sustainable, and socially positive

Whether it is intentional or not, there is no doubt that Coliving spaces are contributing to sustainability. Due to the sharing of food, furniture, and amenities, coliving frequently leads to less consumption and food waste. It also takes up less land space and is more energy sufficient. Some Coliving communities are taking the adoption of a sustainable lifestyle even further, and are trying to become entirely self-sufficient. One of those communities is Suderbyn.

Located on a small island in the middle of the Baltic Sea, Suderbyn was built on an old farm property. Their goal is to live in a way that creates a prosperous living environment while minimizing their environmental footprint. They place an emphasis on living close to nature and each other, creating a new model of society where everyone has a part to play.

While growing most of their food on their property according to Permaculture principles, they also buy organic, local, and seasonal food in bulk from farmers or wholesalers. Only biodegradable products are allowed, to avoid chemical residues in the soil where they grow their food. They live a vegetarian lifestyle and distance themselves from mass-consumption. Entrepreneurship is encouraged, but only when it stimulates sustainability.

Ecovillages such as Suderbyn are resilient and are not as affected by the goings of the outside world as others might. While the COVID-19 pandemic has made its mark on the world, Suderbyn claims that their daily lives have “barely changed” despite many of their projects and events having been cancelled. They attribute their resilience with their proximity and relationship with nature, as well as their access to a supportive and nurturing community.

Source: Suderbyn

Looking at these 5 diverse homes, it seems that there are endless opportunities for creativity while designing Coliving facilities. Does the future of Coliving lie in niche spaces? Only time will tell, and we can’t wait to find out!

To read more about SALTO KS, click here or follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest product features, team updates and news from the industry.

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 system is easy and simple to use for businesses including Coworking Spaces, Coliving Buildings, Purpose Built Student Accommodation, Retail, Multi-Tenant Housing, Gyms and many more. Our best in class wireless access control solution and smart locks guarantee the efficiency for your business. Integrate smart locks, start easily managing wireless access control now!

Over the past few months, we have seen the impact of the pandemic across several industries all over the world. Businesses have been gravely affected, communities have been strengthened, and initiatives have been taken in response to these changes. In April, we looked into the Coliving industry; the positive response to the crisis and the various avenues through which some spaces kept their locations open and running.

Now we offer our platform to experts in the Coworking industry. To do this we invited DropDesk—New York-based real estate marketing agency & the creators of the DropDesk coworking management software. Graham Beck, Founder of Dropdesk has penned his views for us on the impact of COVID-19 on the Coworking industry.

Read ahead to find out why the industry is here to stay, and how it has been changed forever, according to Graham:

I have been getting a ton of questions lately about how COVID-19 will impact the Coworking industry. Being both a coworking space operator and a part of a technology company that supports shared workspaces, I thought it was time to provide some insight and set expectations.

For obvious reasons, any community or location that brings together vast amounts of strangers is due for disruption with the current state of affairs, but what will the impact be for the long-term on the industry as a whole?

How Coworking has been impacted

Coworking spaces rely on selling both open space memberships to small businesses, as well as private spaces to companies of all sizes. The industry has often been criticized on the sustainability of signing long-term leases with landlords and short-term leases to members or tenants. This model places the burden on the spaces themselves while giving members the flexibility to cancel or upgrade their memberships.

There have been very little studies or information on what the impact will be as a whole with an economic downturn and other large coworking companies that have boosted economic resilience, have shown that this is simply not the case.

So will coworking and remote workers be affected? Of course. Coworking spaces in New York City are actively navigating the stay home climate by negotiating with long-term members on lease discounts or membership suspensions to ease the bleed. Occupancies have dropped across the board by 40%-60% (with a focus only on servicing essential companies), cutting communities in half.

Workspaces that have been struggling to keep their head above water, who are unable to take advantage of government or SBA loans, will, unfortunately, meet their end.

With all the above, it might be difficult to see a light at the end of the tunnel, but I can assure you that there is, and we will all get through this.

Why Coworking is here to stay

1. Everyone has to work, period.

Whether remote or in an office, businesses that have never embraced remote work are now being forced to do so at rapidly expanding numbers. With remote work being a new norm, once the pandemic clears, companies will look to coworking spaces as a feasible alternative. Shared workspaces are a major catalyst that helps spur remote productivity at a local level.

2. We can do without the commute

With the spread of COVID-19, people are looking to avoid close proximity to public transportation such as a packed subway or train. Biking or walking to a local workspace sounds much better (healthier to say the least and better for the environment!).

3. Flexibility will always be in demand

Businesses who have signed long-term lease agreements will start to rethink their options when it comes to finding space (especially at a time like this).

4. Community cannot be replaced

One of the major reasons companies choose coworking spaces is for the sense of community. If you are a remote employee or freelancer, what is better than working and having conversations with like-minded professionals? You can dress up a volleyball and call it Wilson, but you cannot replace real human connection.

5. Small communities need them

It is a fact that coworking spaces attract jobs, companies, and economic activity to their local towns. They serve as an anchor to retain business, especially within suburban regions.

How remote teams have evolved

Being able to remotely meet, log tasks, and secure employees have been popular topics. So what can you do as an employer to ensure your team is just as productive as they were before?

1. Utilize remote collaboration tools for video conferencing such as Zoom.

2. Protect employee logins and sensitive material by verifying employees are who they say they are, using identity verification tools like Ipsidy.

3. Document processes using project management software tools like Trello.

With all being said, there seems to be a bright future ahead for the adoption of remote work and expansion of coworking spaces.

This article was supplied by Graham Beck, Digital Marketing Expert and Founder of DropDesk, a platform that offers solutions for coworking spaces, local businesses, and remote teams.

To read more about SALTO KS, click here or follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest product features, team updates and news from the industry.

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, Coliving Buildings, Purpose Built Student Accommodation, Retail, Multi-Tenant Housing, Gyms and many more. Our best in class wireless access control solution and smart locks guarantee the efficiency for your business. Integrate smart locks, start easily managing wireless access control now!

We are proud and excited to introduce the online lock customisation tool that allows users to choose and see potential door configurations prior to final real estate (architectural design) projects: MyLock by SALTO Systems.

SALTO allows users to customise their locks alongside the technology that fits their personal or business demands best. A unique combination in the world of access control.

Upon encountering the tool, you may select a model, door type and customise your electronic lock with a broad range of colours, finishes, handles and functions. The MyLock design has an improved user experience for the web as well as mobile access and adds important new capability including configuring additional products like Wall Readers.

Within the MyLock platform, you can find SALTO KS compatible product ranges, offering the cloud-based access control solution for your smart security needs.

What is Salto MyLock created for?

Easy to navigate, the tool will guide you through the essential steps of customisation including preferences of privacy, mechanical locks, aesthetics, keypads, and third party integration. In a nutshell, all your (business) needs can be translated into your own SALTO lock. If you are an architect or designer for instance, the tool allows you to customise your own access point in order to prepare you for your project ahead of time.

Easy to navigate, the tool will guide you through the essential steps of customisation including preferences of privacy, mechanical locks, aesthetics, keypads, and third party integration. In a nutshell, all your (business) needs can be translated into your own SALTO lock. If you are an architect or designer for instance, the tool allows you to customise your own access point in order to prepare you for your project ahead of time.

Easy to navigate, the tool will guide you through the essential steps of customisation including preferences of privacy, mechanical locks, aesthetics, keypads, and third party integration. In a nutshell, all your (business) needs can be translated into your own SALTO lock. If you are an architect or designer for instance, the tool allows you to customise your own access point in order to prepare you for your project ahead of time.

How to customize your locks with Salto MyLock

SALTO developed MyLock to aid project designers and planners by enabling them to preview how their electronic lock choices work with a variety of doors. This new MyLock design has simplified the user interface and website navigation to provide users with a clear user experience.

Try out MyLock and start customising. Carefully construct the access point model and find the access control solution that’s best suited to your project or business. Contact us for more information, we are happy to help!

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 system is easy and simple to use for businesses including Coworking Spaces, Coliving Buildings, Purpose Built Student Accommodation, Retail, Multi-Tenant Housing, Gyms and many more. Our best in class wireless access control solution and smart locks guarantee the efficiency for your business. Integrate smart locks, start easily managing wireless access control now!

Digital keys for work

Imagine this scenario: You are a coworking space operator. Your new member finds himself in front of a locked door. To be specific: Your locked door. The member is in a hurry, doesn’t have any keys and on top of it all, there is no internet connection available. You do your very best to hurry but traffic jams make sure you will be delayed at least half an hour.

For a coworking space operator or any other operation manager for that matter, the above scenario is a true nightmare: These kinds of situations can make or break the carefully constructed reputation of a company.

What if we told you there’s a way to avoid not only these situations but also the front desk and extra paperwork? With Digital Key, you bring a multitude of possibilities into your space that enhances your members experience beyond expectation.

Digital keys for home

Let us paint another picture: You own a Coliving space and don't want your tenants (or you) to worry about invoicing for the usage of the laundry machines. By providing the possibility of depositing money on their credentials the tenant is able to 'tap' to use the laundry machine. By using the Digital Key functionality on their phone the amount will automatically be deducted from their credit so additional administrative tasks become obsolete.

Discover SALTO Digital Keys

Digital Key used from the Salto KS app

If you are already familiar with Salto KS, you are already used to make remote openings with the app on your phone from wherever you are on the globe. With Digital Key, you now are able to simply tap your lock and open the door without an internet connection or even opening the app.

Digital Keys are transferable and stored in your digital device. This means you can send your member a secured message and therefore enabling him or her to open the door with their own phone. With the help of BLE technology (Bluetooth Low Energy), the lock gets opened when receiving the signal from the Mobile Key.

With the Digital Key Widget, we offer an enhanced customer experience where you don’t even have to open your app anymore: Opening doors never been this easy. Your Widgets can be easily accessed from your Home screen.

Digital Key for iOS

Granting access to visitors, employees or delivery services can be managed the same way as the other four ways of opening: With help of Access Groups on which you are able to manage your users and group them to your preference. Establish timeframes and easily add or remove users from a group.

With the introduction of the Digital Key functionality, we are one step closer to a key-free world. It becomes easier and intuitive to open your doors for yourself or anyone you want to grant access to wherever on the globe you might be.

The Salto KS team keeps moving forward with their mission and we will keep you up to date with the latest product news with this blog as the main platform as our social media channels: LinkedIn and Instagram.

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 system is easy and simple to use for businesses including Coworking Spaces, Coliving Buildings, Purpose Built Student Accommodation, Retail, Multi-Tenant Housing, Gyms and many more. Our best in class wireless access control solution and smart locks guarantee the efficiency for your business. Integrate smart locks, start easily managing wireless access control now!

This month’s Think Tank Partner is Spatial Experience, founded by Bart Sasim, an expert in designing the utilization of spaces to optimize the customer experience. This fundamental idea is where the agency gets its name: Super Positive Experience, of which Bart is now CEO. Their mission is to create and develop brands which connect to the hearts of their customers through experience-driven real estate. This mission is achieved through innovative and sustainable tools within new media including VR and AR which they believe can enhance the experience of the customer, especially within Coworking, Coliving, Student Housing and more.

SALTO KS is excited to present this guest blog written by the Spatial Experience, in which they take us through their inception and provide us with their take on the future of experiencing real estate.

SALTO KS is excited to present this guest blog written by the Spatial Experience, in which they take us through their inception and provide us with their take on the future of experiencing real estate.

In the early 2012s, Europe was still in the middle of a real estate crisis and it was a challenging yet exciting moment for the student housing industry to discover new possibilities.

As the demand for student housing was stimulated by an immense influx of students, student accommodations were moving from a public, standardised offer to a privatised model with an experience-driven focus. That is when, as a fresh interior architect, Bart Sasim, CEO & Founder of Spatial Experience, was introduced to the Student Housing Research Foundation, The Class of 2020, to develop their branding and corporate identity.

Having acquired work experience from various architecture- and design firms throughout, and after his studies, he had been trained to develop concepts from an architectural standpoint, adopting the ability to revitalise spaces and envision their potential beyond their basic functionalities.

Possessing a genuine interest in understanding the perspective of human interaction within constructed spaces and community, he welcomed the opportunity to bring the experience-design methodology to his next project—cooperation on building up Student Housing Brand (The Student Hotel).

After overseeing the successful launch of The Student Hotel in several locations, it soon became apparent that a great number of other parties involved in micro-living developments were in dire need of similar services and support to take their brand to the next level. It was evident that the new generation of students and young professionals expected brands to find better and more innovative ways to deliver experience.

Inspired by the new energy that he brought into the market at The Student Hotel, Bart ventured out on his own to help other housing players grow and push the bounds even more. With the mission to help brands connect to the hearts of their customers through super positive experiences, Spatial Experience was brought to life.

Inspired by the new energy that he brought into the market at The Student Hotel, Bart ventured out on his own to help other housing players grow and push the bounds even more. With the mission to help brands connect to the hearts of their customers through super positive experiences, Spatial Experience was brought to life.

We bring our expertise and knowledge of target needs to real estate developers and operators to ensure that the schemes that they develop are truly elevating the lives of inhabitants. As creative partners in business, we support our clients in the full spectrum of branding and marketing-related activities to help roll-out their brand and take the overall student experience to new heights. In addition, we offer innovative tools within new media such as 360-degree video & photo, VR & AR to help our partners adapt to the digital-driven times and take on a more 'hospitality-like' approach to attract customers, providing them with an information-rich & more memorable customer experience. We believe this is the way of the future.

We believe our goal of bridging the gap between hospitality and the real estate sector will help to enrich the lives of young people by bringing back the ‘human’ factor within constructed spaces, community & experience building to support them on all levels of their personal and professional development.

By helping to shape and build student housing, Coliving and Coworking brands from concept to development, we also strive to foster a sense of social responsibility & sustainable growth in brands to positively influence the cities & communities of tomorrow.

By helping to shape and build student housing, Coliving and Coworking brands from concept to development, we also strive to foster a sense of social responsibility & sustainable growth in brands to positively influence the cities & communities of tomorrow.

To achieve this ambition, we partner up with enthusiastic frontrunners who leave ordinary behind as they race toward extraordinary the same way we do. We are excited to work alongside SALTO KS to innovate the ways people experience the spaces and to co-create a better future.

To achieve this ambition, we partner up with enthusiastic frontrunners who leave ordinary behind as they race toward extraordinary the same way we do. We are excited to work alongside SALTO KS to innovate the ways people experience the spaces and to co-create a better future.

In Coliving & student housing industries today, what speaks to people is not just finding a place to sleep, eat, work and repeat, but it is the promise of community, convenience and fulfilling experiences that foster both their personal and professional growth. And with the power of our niche expertise along with our think tank partners, we hope to create more super positive experiences and influence the way cities & communities of the future develop.

For more on the work of Spatial Experience, take a look here. If you’d like to get in touch, contact Spatial Experience through this form.

Thank you, Spatial Experience for collaborating with us on this edition of our Think Tank Partner series and we look forward to what the future of Spatial Experience has in store!

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 system is easy and simple to use for businesses including Coworking Spaces, Coliving Buildings, Purpose Built Student Accommodation, Retail, Multi-Tenant Housing, Gyms and many more. Our best in class wireless access control solution and smart locks guarantee the efficiency for your business. Integrate smart locks, start easily managing wireless access control now!

Access control is more commonly being used across different types of businesses today. By using access control, an admin has full control over who enters their spaces and what certain time of day they want to grant that access. Physical keys are becoming a thing of the past and access control systems are more commonly being installed for higher security and safety. In the coliving industry, it is clear to see that many businesses are modernizing by implementing access control systems in their spaces for greater control. Throughout this blog, we’ll take you through some of the reasons that our access control system, SALTO KS, will monetize your coliving business.

Access control is more commonly being used across different types of businesses today. By using access control, an admin has full control over who enters their spaces and what certain time of day they want to grant that access. Physical keys are becoming a thing of the past and access control systems are more commonly being installed for higher security and safety. In the coliving industry, it is clear to see that many businesses are modernizing by implementing access control systems in their spaces for greater control. Throughout this blog, we’ll take you through some of the reasons that our access control system, SALTO KS, will monetize your coliving business.

SALTO KS provides you with the ability to customize what kind of access rights you want a specific user to have. As an admin, you can control this by providing open or limited access to a user. For example, say you want to provide a tenant of your coliving space access rights to your common room facility, but that you don’t want them being there overnight to avoid disturbances. With SALTO KS, you can customize that user’s access by blocking their entry from a specific time period. Not only can you customize what time period someone has access, but also which certain facilities they are permitted to enter besides their own rooms/apartments.

SALTO KS provides you with the ability to customize what kind of access rights you want a specific user to have. As an admin, you can control this by providing open or limited access to a user. For example, say you want to provide a tenant of your coliving space access rights to your common room facility, but that you don’t want them being there overnight to avoid disturbances. With SALTO KS, you can customize that user’s access by blocking their entry from a specific time period. Not only can you customize what time period someone has access, but also which certain facilities they are permitted to enter besides their own rooms/apartments.

Providing your users with higher security is a huge boost to your business. The technology used in SALTO KS offers you the advantage of having greater security measures that prevent break-ins and keep your users safe. By controlling who has access to your space, you have the ability to minimize security threats and maintain the safety of your space.

Providing your users with higher security is a huge boost to your business. The technology used in SALTO KS offers you the advantage of having greater security measures that prevent break-ins and keep your users safe. By controlling who has access to your space, you have the ability to minimize security threats and maintain the safety of your space.

Ever had to run to a store to make copies of your keys? Yeah, we’ve all been there before. The risk around that is having too many copies, losing one of them, or having your keys stolen. If that happens, it increases your vulnerability to a break-in. SALTO KS offers you an immediate solution for such or similar cases. With SALTO KS, you are able to instantly block a tag if someone has lost it. By simply removing a tag from a user’s page, you are fully protected against the risk of someone entering your space with a stolen/lost tag.

Ever had to run to a store to make copies of your keys? Yeah, we’ve all been there before. The risk around that is having too many copies, losing one of them, or having your keys stolen. If that happens, it increases your vulnerability to a break-in. SALTO KS offers you an immediate solution for such or similar cases. With SALTO KS, you are able to instantly block a tag if someone has lost it. By simply removing a tag from a user’s page, you are fully protected against the risk of someone entering your space with a stolen/lost tag.

Generally, having multiple coliving locations makes it more difficult to provide access and have control over all locations. SALTO KS offers a high-end solution to this issue. By simply adding certain users to different access groups, your users will easily have access to multiple locations. For example, say you need your receptionist to work at a different location for the day. Without providing them with a new key, just simply assign their tag to have access rights for the new location and they’re good to go.

Generally, having multiple coliving locations makes it more difficult to provide access and have control over all locations. SALTO KS offers a high-end solution to this issue. By simply adding certain users to different access groups, your users will easily have access to multiple locations. For example, say you need your receptionist to work at a different location for the day. Without providing them with a new key, just simply assign their tag to have access rights for the new location and they’re good to go.

One of the highlights of access control is the ability to integrate it with other systems and software. SALTO KS also offers you the opportunity to do this. By getting access to the SALTO KS API, you have the opportunity to advance your spaces by doing more with our smart locks. In the coliving industry, SALTO KS has already partnered with several coliving spaces to offer a customized cloud-based locking system. Some of these partners include Cohabs and Obeyo.

One of the highlights of access control is the ability to integrate it with other systems and software. SALTO KS also offers you the opportunity to do this. By getting access to the SALTO KS API, you have the opportunity to advance your spaces by doing more with our smart locks. In the coliving industry, SALTO KS has already partnered with several coliving spaces to offer a customized cloud-based locking system. Some of these partners include Cohabs and Obeyo.

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 system is easy and simple to use for businesses including Coworking Spaces, Coliving Buildings, Purpose Built Student Accommodation, Retail, Multi-Tenant Housing, Gyms and many more. Our best in class wireless access control solution and smart locks guarantee the efficiency for your business. Integrate smart locks, start easily managing wireless access control now!

The Salto KS team is continuously working to improve your user experience from small bug fixes to big improvements that will advance performance. From today the new versions of the Salto KS mobile app will be available on stores for both iOS and Android versions.

Below you can find an overview of fixed items within the iOS and Android app:

We value your opinion. Contact us if you have any concerns or suggestions regarding the above updates, we are happy to help!

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 system is easy and simple to use for businesses including Coworking Spaces, Coliving Buildings, Purpose Built Student Accommodation, Retail, Multi-Tenant Housing, Gyms and many more. Our best in class wireless access control solution and smart locks guarantee the efficiency for your business. Integrate smart locks, start easily managing wireless access control now!

Building a stable community is one of the pillars of running a successful coworking space. Anything that helps you to manage your time as efficient as possible so you can focus on your members is an asset to your space. After all, you want to offer your community more than just a nice work environment.

Running a self-service coworking space by automating your operations is a realistic plan for the future if you choose to integrate your preferred management tool with SALTO KS.

Imagine a new member signing up for your Coworking space, he or she gets an automatic e-mail welcoming them including a variety of information such as house rules, community news and administrative tasks, but also the request of downloading your space’s internal app.

Within this integration, it’s even possible for your (new) member to book a desk or meeting room on their smartphone within seconds, schedule classes you might provide, sign up for events you will host and all other online services that make your space unique. Think of a built-in chat functionality that keeps your members connected and let the community answer questions for you.

With Digital Key, your space member is able to open doors he or she has access to, by tapping the lock with their mobile phone even without opening your app. The mobile widget is available through the Today View screen of smartphones. This enables them, and you, for that matter to work more efficiently, saving time bypassing you as a space operator. Establishing a personal relationship with your members from the first minute they arrive becomes an effortless undertaking.

An automated billing function enables your members to receive bills based on their data. The accurate time they spend in your space, which space, what services they’ve been using and more, are all to be found on the invoice without you even having to look at a calculator.

Running a self-service coworking space is all about building a community rather than have everything automated. Define pain points in your daily operations that are costing you valuable time. Tackle these pain points by automating with the help of the right tool for you, and make sure you invest most of your time on strengthening your relationship with your members (manually).

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 system is easy and simple to use for businesses including Coworking Spaces, Coliving Buildings, Purpose Built Student Accommodation, Retail, Multi-Tenant Housing, Gyms and many more. Our best in class wireless access control solution and smart locks guarantee the efficiency for your business. Integrate smart locks, start easily managing wireless access control now!

This month’s Think Tank Partner is a creative genius that has a passion for designing meaningful services and experiences with a human-centric approach. With collaborations on projects with Coworking and Coliving phenomenon’s such as Zoku, Vermaat and Colonies in his portfolio SALTO KS is proud to present this inspiring guest blog written by Felix Burghardt:

Hey there, I am an Amsterdam-based experience designer with a hospitality background, German roots, a problem-solving brain and an eye for detail.

My experience spans across multiple continents, cultures and industries, from luxury hospitality to cutting-edge boutique hybrid hotels, to coworking and coliving spaces but also food & beverage concepts. This has allowed me to gain valuable skills in creating and implementing meaningful services and experiences based on a human-centric approach, to increase guest satisfaction & engagement and generate sustainable business growth.

If you are not familiar with what experience design is or why it is important to your business, then keep on reading this article.

What is experience design?

According to Kaospilot, an innovative hybrid business and design school in Denmark, ‘experience design is the practice of designing products, processes, services, events and environments with a focus placed on the quality of the user experience.’ Experience design creates moments of memories and engagement between brands and their audiences through exceeding expectations, emotional engagement and involving the user as co-creator. It ultimately helps build your brand around your customers and what matters most to them instead of the other way around.

My very own definition and what I love most about experience design is that it is a catalyst for positive emotions, engagement and connections. Paired with a sense of purpose, this is what makes businesses thrive.

Why is it important in today’s world?

‘Customers who had the best past experience spend 140% more compared to those who had the poorest past experiences.’ Peter Kriss, Harvard Business Review

We are currently living in an age lead by rapid innovation and digitalization, where customers increasingly look for experiences rather than just objects.

But still, a lot of brands use standardized services to stay competitive. For customers, it becomes difficult to differentiate one brand from another, and their decisions will often be based on the quality-price ratio. In their book, The Experience Economy, Pine and Gilmore call this effect commoditization. In their opinion, it is through staging memorable experiences you can create successful market differentiation and drive economic growth.

Experiences are not only important to stand out from your competitors and to level up your services, but also to create a stronger relationship with your audience and therefore increase loyalty. In the book ‘The Power of Moments’ Chip and Dan Heath explain that to create fans you need the remarkable and that requires peaks. Peaks don’t emerge naturally. They must be built. So instead of only focusing on building a complaint-free service, it is necessary to include moments of surprise and delight to create a memorable customer experience.

Well-Designed customer experience makes your audience feel that you care about them and that they are more than just part of a process. It’s one of the most effective marketing tools as people love to share stories of their experiences with their friends and family, online as well as offline. Or as Forbes calls it, customer experience is ‘the new brand’.

4 tips on how to design a great customer experience:

Apply human-centric research

An essential part of how I approach projects and create experiences is to first understand more about the client and their customers. Having a good understanding of what your customers desire and what the drivers of their actions are is key to exceed their expectations. Therefore, for me, the first step is always gaining empathy and putting myself in the shoes of the users. In order to get these insights, it helps to start interacting with your customers whenever possible. Use something as simple as elevator rides to find out more about them. Conduct interviews asking a series of ‘why’ questions. Start to observe their behaviour and how they interact with your online & offline community.

Define a high concept

In order to create a cohesive experience that involves many different points of interaction, and to structure its concept and design process, it is essential to define a guiding premise at the beginning of the process. The high concept is a clear statement that explains the core meaning you will create for your users with your future experience and aims to create guidance, excitement and engagement internally. In order to come up with a high concept ask ‘What if …’ questions and reframe it as a statement.

Design for memory

Experiences are not always about the beginning but also about how they end. According to Nobel Prize-winning psychologist and economist Daniel Khaneman, two things have a big influence on what we remember of a past experience. According to him, it’s about how we felt at the peak (good or bad) and at the end of an experience (peak-end rule). In order to design for memory, make sure to have a closer look at how you can implement peaks and unexpected changes into your customer journey as well as a happy end. This doesn’t mean that all other parts of experience don’t matter. But it’s definitely worth to keep the end in mind when designing an experience.

Balance technology with humanity

Great customer experiences revolve around your audience and ultimately help them reach their goals. Technology can assist to reach these goals faster and in a more convenient way. Technology should focus on solving a problem and not necessarily be implemented just for the sake of innovation. It should not distract from the real human experimentation of the experience, but be used to surprise, delight and enable a frictionless and personalized journey.

Final takeaway

There are obviously many more things to take into consideration when designing a memorable and engaging customer experience. These can range from creating excitement before the experience starts to define what you want your audience to feel and think during the experience, to deciding how you can extend the process and align and organize all stages within a customer journey. But these tips will definitely help to understand your audience better and create something that adds value to their experience and to your brand.

For more tips on how to enhance your customer experience journey, have a look at another recent article of mine here.

If you want to work together or have any questions, feel free to get in touch via hello@felixburghardt.com and stop by at www.felixburghardt.com to learn more about what I do. Always happy to help.

Good luck out there!

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 system is easy and simple to use for businesses including Coworking Spaces, Coliving Buildings, Purpose Built Student Accommodation, Retail, Multi-Tenant Housing, Gyms and many more. Our best in class wireless access control solution and smart locks guarantee the efficiency for your business. Integrate smart locks, start easily managing wireless access control now!