Author: Kashif Aziz, Country Manager, iLOQ Canada

As universities increasingly move away from traditional physical keycards, fobs, and keys, they are modernizing their student identity programs by adopting mobile credentials. This shift is driven by several key factors:

1. Lack of audit trails with mechanical key systems: Traditional key systems offer no audit trail and cannot be integrated into modern security systems, making it difficult to track and manage access.
2. Security risks from access sharing: Physical keys, keycards, and fobs are easily shared, which can create significant security vulnerabilities on campus.
3. High maintenance costs: Mechanical key systems are expensive to maintain, particularly when cylinders need to be replaced at the end of each school year as students move in and out of residences.
4. Difficulty in tracking hard credentials: Managing physical credentials is challenging, and errors in revoking access can lead to safety and theft risks.
5. Heightened focus on student safety: Campuses are more focused than ever on ensuring the physical safety of their students, driving the need for more secure access control solutions.

iLOQ’s advantage in universities and student housing

iLOQ has achieved significant success in this sector due to several innovative solutions:

1. Convenient mobile credentials: With iLOQ, students can use a single mobile device (their cellphone) as their access control key, providing them with seamless access to dorms, classrooms, laboratories, gyms, and cafeterias. At the same time, security teams benefit from audit trails that enhance campus safety.

2. Cost-effective digitalization: Retrofitting existing student housing or university buildings with digital locks is often prohibitively expensive due to the need for door replacements, which can compromise fire ratings. iLOQ cylinders, however, are door hardware agnostic and can be easily retrofitted into existing doors without compromising their fire safety standards.
3. Network independence: iLOQ cylinders do not require communication with any wireless network devices other than a cellphone. The iLOQ S50 credential serves as the network gateway, simplifying the system and enhancing reliability.
4. Battery-free operation: Unlike most smart locks that require frequent battery replacements, iLOQ’s battery-free cylinders are maintenance-free and environmentally sustainable, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.
5. Seamless access control management: With iLOQ’s integrated mobile credential system, access can be granted or revoked without any physical changes to the locks, streamlining security management and reducing operational costs.

References in the university and student housing segment

• SSH Rotterdam: SSH chooses digital smart locking from iLOQ – iLOQ
• HOAS Finland: The Foundation for Student Housing in Helsinki – giving bright young minds the keys to better living – iLOQ
• Anker Oslo: A seamless living experience for Oslo students – iLOQ
• Erasmus University: The homework regarding updating the locking system paid off – iLOQ
• We Are Kin: Smart solutions for sharp students – iLOQ
• Camelot Europe: Innovative student housing in a digital world – iLOQ

Author: Mason Reiff, Sales Manager Mid West, iLOQ USA

Property management is an ever-evolving field, requiring constant innovation to meet the demands of security, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Traditional mechanical key systems, once the backbone of property access control, are increasingly becoming a source of financial and operational burden for property managers. This article explores the hidden costs associated with mechanical key systems and introduces a forward-looking perspective on the adoption of electronic access as superior alternatives, addressing both the financial and environmental concerns of traditional and battery-powered and battery-free smart lock systems.

The hidden costs of mechanical key systems

Operational expenses

Managing a property involves myriad responsibilities, with access control being paramount. Mechanical key systems incur significant operational costs, including key distribution, collection, and management. For properties spread across wide areas, the travel costs for key handovers can quickly add up, negatively impacting the bottom line.

Security risks

The security risks associated with mechanical keys – such as lost, stolen, or unreturned keys, and unauthorized key duplication – pose not only a threat to property security but also incur substantial financial costs for lock rekeying or replacement.

Maintenance and replacement

Regular maintenance tasks, such as rekeying lock cylinders and copying keys, represent direct costs and divert resources from other critical property management activities, further exacerbating the challenges faced by property managers.

Calculating the costs: A proposed framework

To quantify these challenges, a calculator focusing on three main cost components can be developed:

• Key replacement and lock rekeying costs
• Operational costs
• Impact of security breaches

This calculator would allow property managers to input specific operational variables and obtain a tailored estimate of the costs involved, providing a clearer picture of the total cost of ownership (TCO) for mechanical key systems.

Key replacement and lock rekeying costs

The formula to estimate these costs involves calculating the annual expense of replacing lost or stolen keys and rekeying locks, considering the number of keys lost or stolen and the number of locks rekeyed per year, alongside the cost per key replacement and rekeying operation.

Annual key replacement and rekeying costs = (Nk ​× Ck​) + (Nr ​× Cr​) where:

• Nk ​= Number of keys lost per year 
• Ck = Cost per key replacement 
• Nr ​= Number of locks rekeyed per year 
• Cr ​= Cost per rekeying operation 

Operational costs

Operational costs are calculated by considering the total hours spent on key management activities per month, the cost per labor hour, and the annual travel costs associated with key management.

Annual operational costs = (Tm ​× Hm ​× Cl​) + (Ct)​ where:

• Tm = Total hours spent on key management activities per month 
• Hm = Number of months in the operational year (typically 12) 
• Cl​ = Cost per labor hour (including benefits and overheads) 
• Ct​ = Annual travel costs associated with key management (fuel, vehicle maintenance, etc.) 

Security breach impacts

The potential costs of security breaches are estimated by considering both the immediate and indirect costs per breach, including lock replacements, security assessments, downtime, reputation damage, and increased insurance premiums.

Annual security breach costs = (Nb​ × Ci​) + (Nb ​× Cd​) where:

• Nb = Number of security breaches per year 
• Ci = Immediate costs per breach (lock replacements, security assessments, etc.) 
• Cd = Indirect costs per breach (downtime, reputation damage, increased insurance premiums) 

Comprehensive calculation

To get a comprehensive overview, we calculate these costs:

Total Annual Cost = Annual Key Replacement and Rekeying Costs + Annual Operational Costs + Annual Security Breach Costs

This formula provides property managers with a clearer understanding of the financial impact of the current mechanical key system. It aids in decision-making regarding the investment in more advanced key management solutions, such as smart-locking systems, by comparing these costs to the potential savings and security improvements offered by new technologies.

Implementation

To implement this calculator, property managers would input their specific operational data into a simple interface, which could be created as an online tool or spreadsheet. By adjusting the variables, managers can see how changes in their operations – such as improving key management practices or reducing the number of keys lost – affect overall costs. This personalized analysis empowers property managers to make informed decisions about upgrades and investments in their access control systems.

Looking towards the future: Smart-locking solutions

The transition from traditional mechanical locking systems to more advanced electronic solutions marks a significant shift in property access control. Despite their reliability, mechanical systems come with notable security limitations, inconvenience, and costs. These revelations have paved the way for the adoption of electronic alternatives.

In Europe, electro-mechanical systems – combining a fob with a metal key rod for electronic identity verification and physical access via a key cylinder – have set a precedent for efficient property management. Despite their advantages, such as scalability and ease of management, this innovation has not gained traction in the United States.

Here, the preference for leveling up from mechanical keys leans towards upgrades to high-security SFIC core options, which are easier to rekey and master, and electronic key-tracking systems which provide better accountability. These options, albeit offering some improvements, still involve costs related to copying and rekeying, without substantially enhancing functionality or user experience.

Hardwired electronic access systems, established in the 1980s, offer extensive features and flexibility but at a significant cost and infrastructure requirement, making them impractical for widespread adoption to every door. These systems often coexist with mechanical keys, even on the same doors, potentially leading to inefficiency.

The latest trend in wireless locking solutions, particularly smart locks, addresses many of these challenges but faces limitations due to battery dependency, affecting their reliability and maintenance. Typically limited to indoor use and low-traffic doors, their applicability remains restricted.

Addressing these constraints, innovations like those from iLOQ have emerged, merging the efficient, reliable, electro-mechanical cylinder format approach with smart-locking features, all while eliminating the need for batteries. Utilizing NFC technology, these smart locks authenticate and power access via a smartphone and unlock with a quick turn of the knob, offering a seamless blend of security, convenience, and low operational burden. While this specific battery-free innovation is patented, the industry must move towards high efficiency solutions for a sustainable electronic access future.

Advantages of smart-locking systems

• Real-time access rights management: Immediate updates and issuance of access rights enhance security and flexibility.
• Enhanced security and audit trails: Prevents key duplication and provides real-time monitoring of access.
• Operational efficiency: Facilitates the delegation of access control remotely, reducing the need for physical key handling.
• Elevated living experience: Happy residents lead to higher occupancy rates and longer tenancies. Smart locks offer convenient features that enhance the living experience, making your property an attractive choice for modern renters.
• Environmental benefits: Contributes to sustainability by reducing travel requirements for key management.
• Battery-free operation (iLOQ): Eliminates the need for battery replacements, reducing operating costs and environmental impact.

Conclusion

The shift towards smart-locking solutions represents a significant advancement in access control technology for property management. Offering a fast return on investment (ROI) and low total cost of ownership (TCO), smart-locking systems not only address the immediate challenges of key management but also present a more secure, efficient, and environmentally friendly solution. For forward-thinking property managers, adopting smart-locking technology is a strategic move towards enhancing property security and operational efficiency while contributing to environmental sustainability and elevating the user experience.

iLOQ’s mission is to make everyday life more accessible by providing a diverse range of secure and sustainable products. We continually capitalize on new technologies, and, for example, opportunities offered by digitalization to create smart access management solutions that provide even more added value for our customers.

Our manufacturing methods and processes are geared up to handle significant increases in volume and ensure accurate, fast deliveries. However, in today’s highly competitive environment, to bring products to the market faster, we also need to be sufficiently agile when it comes to product development. Conventional product design principles and techniques struggle to keep up with this pace.

One process that is helping to save manufacturers the time, costs and risks involved in prototyping and support product development by ensuring the functionality and design of individual parts is making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file – more commonly known as 3D printing.

For iLOQ, 3D printing is just one more tool to help us to become more agile. Along with other methods, it enables us to quickly review a structure in its conceptual phase and get some preliminary insights into how a solution works.

Of course, some of iLOQ’s parts are so small that printing from plastic does not provide enough precision and durability for deeper testing; these parts would usually need to be machined. And, in the actual design phase, more final manufacturing methods are used, as it is also important for us to get feedback on the chosen manufacturing technology, the part supplier and information on the proficiency of the final part. But, we use 3D printing whenever it makes sense and there is no risk of distortion of the results.

The capability of 3D printing has improved quite a lot over the years, especially in terms of accuracy, materials and durability. But the biggest benefits are definitely the significant time savings and possibility for faster product development. It allows us to accelerate testing in the concept phase, which also speeds up other processes. Once a novelty, 3D printing is now an established technology. Industrial-grade 3D printing, materials, equipment and processes are constantly evolving, and in the future, the possibilities for 3D printing will be even greater. We look forward to capitalizing on such evolving technologies to continue providing added value for our customers.

“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” This quote from British historian, explorer and activist, Robert Swan, over a decade ago was certainly provocative. But it shook a lot of people into action.

In today’s business world, companies are finally realizing they can no longer distance themselves and their operations from the eco-systems around them. We must have the right policies and strategies in place and conduct our activities in ways to ensure we have a minimal use of natural resources and minimize our environmental impact.

Thankfully, since its establishment in 2003, iLOQ has been ahead of the game in the access management industry when it comes to acting sustainably.

Product sustainability

No batteries

All iLOQ access management solutions are self-powered, with the power needed to confirm access rights and open the lock coming either from the kinetic energy produced by the motion of inserting the key into the lock or from a smartphone. This unique feature eliminates 50,000 kg of non-recyclable battery waste each year. 

Digital is environmental

Cloud-based digital access management reduces the number of needed physical local servers. This reduces the amount of physical hardware, which eventually ends up as electronic waste and scrap metal. Running one server rather than thousands of separate local servers drastically reduces the consumption of energy. 

Reusable and reprogrammable keys

All iLOQ keys are reusable and reprogrammable. This means that instead of becoming waste, they can be reallocated to work with a new or different set of locks within the same system. Reprogramming also includes blocking lost or misplaced keys, which eliminates the need to change entire lock systems for security reasons helping to save raw materials in everyday use. 

Built to last and perform

Creating durable and virtually maintenance-free products and solutions with an extended lifecycle means a reduced need for materials and hardware, as well as installment- and repair-related travel.

Production sustainability

Water: No water used in our processes

Our product assembly processes do not use any water. Water consumption at iLOQ facilities is restricted to regular office use. 

Materials: Metals and plastics

We concentrate on efficient use of raw materials and the recycling of process waste whenever possible. Raw materials only account for 1–3% of the total cost of our standard locks. 

Packaging: Recyclable board

All iLOQ products are shipped from our assembly plant in packaging made of recyclable cardboard. Inbound components are also mostly shipped in recyclable packaging. 

Recycling and waste management

Waste material is always handled in compliance with local regulations at each iLOQ site. All metal waste from machining and tooling is collected and returned to the foundry to be reused. Waste sorting and recycling on premises is carried out with separate collection points for metals, electronic waste (according to WEEE), paper, cardboard, and combustible energy waste. 

Transportation sustainability

Taking advantage of UPS’ carbon-neutral program, we offset emissions from our courier and parcel transport to verified environmental projects where methane is turned into biogas for heat and electricity production. Through Kuehne+Nagel’s Net Zero Carbon environmental program, we offset emissions from our transportation to verified environmental projects that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. And, whenever possible, we recommend overland transportation over air freight.

2022 and beyond

Going forwards, we will continue to heavily invest in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance) as the foundation of our collective commitment to sustainability. We will be bringing you regular updates throughout this year on our progress on topics such as analysis of our greenhouse gas emissions, our circular economy and our social development goals. So please follow us on all our channels and bookmark our website for the launch of our new Sustainability section. If you have any questions about our sustainability policies and strategies, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Did you know that, in a human foetus, touch is the very first sense to form, with development starting as early as 8 weeks? For infants, it is one of the most vital senses to learn about the world around them. And, in adults, studies show that touch has a close link to feelings of safety and trust.

For all of the above reasons, it makes sense, in product design, to focus not only on a product’s visual aesthetics, but also on how it feels to use.

Think about things you use daily; something as simple as the handle on your coffee mug or your toothbrush. How does it feel in your hand, do you get a good user experience? And, based on that experience, how likely are you to buy the same product again or would you try to find something different that feels more ‘comfortable’?

Those examples are basic products, with not much ‘intelligence’. So, let’s move up a notch. Think about something like your mobile phone that’s packed with intelligence, but it’s still a phone. You still need to feel comfortable using it – in its simplest form – to make calls. Just because it’s smart doesn’t mean that it needs to be difficult or feel unfamiliar to use.

How something feels has a major impact on what you think about it not only as a product but also, on a more visceral level, what you think about the brand. It can be assumed that a positive user experience keeps a customer loyal to a certain brand.

iLOQ is in the business of making life accessible for its customers by providing solutions that maximize security while minimizing lifecycle costs. Our digital locking systems use a physical key. But it’s no ordinary key. It features state-of-the-art technology which allows it to be quickly and easily programmed with a user’s access rights. These rights can be updated as needs of the user change or cancelled if a key is lost or stolen. The power needed to open a lock comes from the motion of inserting the key into it. No batteries or cabling is needed slashing maintenance costs and adverse impact on the environment from battery waste.

The digital key is also an important component in iLOQ’s unique device-to-device network. Using two-way communication, a vast amount of data such as access rights, time limitations, a list of blocked keys and audit trails, is quickly shared between the readers, keys and locks in a building before a door is unlocked. With all devices connected and communicating with each other, access rights information is continually kept up to date.

These are just some of the features that make iLOQ’s keys so special. But, at the end of the day, and to the user, they are just keys. The user needs to be sure that they can get into and move around their buildings with as little hassle as possible. And, as a daily object, like the toothbrush and coffee mug mentioned above, they need to have a user experience that is as normal and ‘familiar’ as possible.

iLOQ’s R&D department focuses a great deal of time and effort on not only making its products smart, but also on making them exceptionally easy to use. If you’re looking to update your mechanical locking system, it’s worthwhile replacing it with something that offers you more features for lower lifecycle costs and that just ‘feels’ right. Pay a visit to your local locksmith and try out iLOQ for yourself. I’m sure you’ll be feeling it.

When I joined iLOQ in 2018, there were 100 employees based in 7 countries. Today, we have over 200 employees based in 10 countries. To ensure we achieve our business results, it’s vital to create a strong sense of togetherness and build a close community as, in the end, it’s all about the people. When an employee is hired, and before they even take part in our in-depth onboarding program, we want to make them feel that they are not only joining iLOQ – the company – but, more importantly, iLOQ – the Family.

We are a rich tapestry of personalities, cultures and languages. So, for sure, it’s difficult at the best of times to create a strong team spirit. But even more so during coronavirus times when we are working remotely and unable to meet each other face to face. iLOQ is known for its innovation – developing solutions that are changing the face of our industry. And, I am delighted to see that we are also finding innovative ways to ensure our unique team spirit never dies.

Last year, in a regular online team meeting with our French colleagues, when I switched on my camera I was greeted by Batman, Elvis and a range of other interesting characters. At the end of the ‘official’ part of the meeting, the team showcased their singing and dancing abilities. That was it – Team France had laid down the gauntlet and challenged other teams to go ‘one better’. In a recent blog post, I explained how the “Let’s keep up the iLOQ family spirit” video challenge became a regular fixture in our calendars. Each new video was awaited with hot anticipation with the final video, from Team Norway, released earlier this year.

We saw some amazing acting, costumes, original scores and dance moves. All our locations joined in the fun and several team leaders noted that it was one of the best team-building activities they had ever done. We couldn’t let these efforts go unrecognized. And so, to celebrate, we arranged the iLOQ Oscar Gala.

This unique and very fun event was joined online by over 100 employees. It featured red-carpet interviews, a series of hosts from the management team and a musical half-time show. Awards were presented in the following categories: ‘Most creative vocals’, ‘Most Inspiring iLOQ spirit’, ‘Excellent effort’ and, the pièce de resistance – the ‘Favorite video’ (congratulations to Team Sweden).

Studies have shown that humor can improve mental and physical health. The author Mark Twain wrote that: “Humor is the great thing, the saving thing after all. The minute it crops up, all our hardnesses yield, all our irritations, and resentments flit away, and a sunny spirit takes their place”.

I think this is a great quote and sums up our resilience and ability to cope in such exceptional times. I really believe in the strength of the iLOQ Family. We have pulled together and supported each other in every way possible. I am proud of all our family members. I hope that we will be able to get back to a more normal situation soon. But, if not, I think there would be a great willingness to see the 2nd iLOQ Oscar Gala on the calendar. In the meantime, our Team Germany has already started a new video challenge: One Key Across the World. Can’t wait to see what happens next…

One key factor driving today’s businesses is the universal concern regarding sustainability and environmental performance.

In the past, acting in a sustainable manner was the domain of large corporations and a discussion topic among a smaller proportion of ‘enlightened’ consumers. Encouragingly, sustainability is no longer a novelty topic; it is a global megatrend that affects every market and customer segment and is becoming a major consideration in purchasing choices. It is pretty much universally accepted that we all have a role in safeguarding the future of our planet by behaving responsibly now.

Sustainability has always been at the heart of iLOQ’s innovations. The genius of our solutions is that they are entirely battery free. Our digital locking solutions are powered by the kinetic movement of pushing a key into the lock. While our mobile access solutions are powered by a smartphone running a mobile app. Consequently, every year, our self-powered solutions save 30,000 kg of battery waste compared to mechanical and battery-powered locking solutions. Some countries, such as France, are considering placing a total ban on the use of lithium-ion batteries within the next few years. Isn’t it reassuring to know that iLOQ is already ahead of the game?

However, we are now seeing the positive hype surrounding our solutions shift from purely the fact that they reduce battery waste to the understanding that they are probably the most sustainable locking system in the market.

Probably the most sustainable locking system in the market

How do we justify that claim? With no batteries to change, maintenance actions are minimized. This means that there are far fewer service staff out on the road, polluting the atmosphere as they visit sites to perform scheduled and ongoing maintenance.

As stated above, our mobile access solutions are powered by a smartphone running a mobile app. That same phone acts as a key. Access rights are remotely sent to the app. They can be updated immediately and as often as access rights change. This means there’s no need to travel between admin offices and sites to pick up and drop off keys – again minimizing travel-related environmental impact.

Reusing and recycling

iLOQ is also extremely conscious of its responsibilities when it comes to production of our products and their transportation.

We aim to minimize the use of natural resources and maximize the usability of our products. We favor recyclable packaging and invest in the recycling of used products. All our locks and keys are fully re-programmable, they can be returned to their factory settings and reused in another system. Lock cylinders, keys, fittings, installation materials and thumb turns can also be recycled as metal waste.

Neutralizing CO2 emissions

iLOQ manages its air and sea transport in a CO2-neutral manner in cooperation with Kuehne+Nagel.
We are able to offset emissions from our transportation through Kuehne+Nagel to verified environmental projects that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The projects are certified according to the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) or the Gold Standard and comply with UN sustainable development goals and support and improve basic living conditions in developing countries.

“It’s great to see that environmental issues are in the values of more and more of our customers, and we can be involved in providing services that support our customers’ goals. We have promised that, by 2030, all the logistics services we provide will be carbon neutral. iLOQ’s decision to offset emissions from its transports supports our common goal of slowing down global warming,” states Iris Kollanus, National QSHE Manager Kuehne + Nagel from Finland.

We are also taking care of our courier and parcel transport in a CO2-neutral manner in cooperation with UPS. Through its carbon neutral program, UPS provides companies with an easy environmental solution to neutralize CO2 emissions from transportation. We are able to offset emissions from our transportation through UPS to verified environmental projects where methane is turned into biogas for heat and electricity production.

“Our customers want to ship more, with less environmental impact. To deliver what matters, we are accelerating our efforts to create more sustainable solutions, including our UPS carbon-neutral service which, since 2010, has saved more than 100,000 metric tonnes of carbon every year. Through collaboration and innovation, we can continue to move the world forward supporting our people and communities shift to a low-carbon and sustainable future,” explains Michiel van Veen, UPS’ Nordic Country Manager.

We are excited to join environmental programs which allow us to easily offset emissions and are dedicated to continuing innovating products that contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable environment today and for the future.

A golfer’s journey to the top is a leap into the unknown. The unifying factor for professionals competing in the higher ranks is that they know how to play the game well. However, that is not enough to guarantee success. It also takes continuous hard work, passion and a bit of luck.

From a young age, it’s been very clear to me what I want to achieve from golf. Simply put, I want to be one of the top players in the world. Even after a year disrupted by COVID-19, that dream still holds true. Last season was very limited in terms of game opportunities with competitions mostly in my home country of Finland. However, I am extremely motivated to prove that I can compete at an international level.

The reduced competition calendar and travel restrictions in 2020 were discouraging. But, on the other hand, it gave me plenty of time to train. I am fully aware that I am not yet ‘the complete package’ as an athlete and there is a lot of work to be done. The fact that I know what I want makes it easier to practice, and I hope the coming year will provide more possibilities to test myself in a competition setting. Practicing and competing will enable me to improve my game and give me a better chance of achieving my goal of getting on the European Tour.

In the coming season, my goal is to climb to a higher tour than where I currently have the right to play. I strongly believe that determination and my will to play good golf are the keys to success. iLOQ and I share the same desire to conquer the world through hard work and passion. I don’t know what it feels like to be on top, but I have enjoyed the challenges so far, and I am pleased to have iLOQ’s support on my ongoing journey.

As we all know, practice makes perfect. If you’ve already started your preparations for this year’s golf season, here’s a video to help with your chipping.

Keep following iLOQ’s blog and social media channels for some more great tips and videos to help get your game in shape for the spring.

Market insights highlight that security solutions are more critical than ever in today’s business operations. In a bid to move away from the security risks and administrational challenges of traditional mechanical locking, companies are keen to implement new methods of access management.

Since its inception, iLOQ has been in the realm of developing digital locking solutions. Innovation is at our core and finding ways to provide the highest levels of security keeps us motivated to continue innovating.

The key to smarter properties

As far back as 2007, we introduced the world’s first battery-free digital locking solution. The key’s access rights can be granted and updated as user needs change. And, if a key is lost, it’s no problem. The access rights are immediately cancelled using iLOQ’s secure software platform rendering the key useless. A new key can be quickly and easily programmed and issued to the user. Locking system administrators can view up-to-date information on the keys, locks and access rights within their system to ensure the highest level of security at all times.

In 2019, we took advantage of the opportunities offered by digitalization and the Internet of Things to develop the new features and functionality in iLOQ’s latest digital locking system – the iLOQ S5. The advanced device-to-device communication feature in iLOQ S5 allows a vast amount of data to be remotely updated and then shared between readers, keys and locks in a building. Information, such as access rights, time limitations, a list of blocked keys and audit trails, is quickly shared between the devices before the door is unlocked. All devices are connected and communicating with each other to keep access rights information continually up to date, and to ensure that only the right people have the right access to the right places at the right time.

Already five years ago, iLOQ also entered the arena of mobile access technology by introducing keyless, NFC-enabled mobile access technology and secure cloud-based access sharing. With iLOQ S50, a mobile phone becomes both a key and a power source and access rights can be instantly shared, updated and cancelled over-the-air.

Impact of COVID-19

COVID-19 has created many challenges for businesses and the population as a whole. The pandemic is teaching us to find ways to adapt to, what seems to be, the new normal – how we work, how our children learn and how we function in society.

Over the last year, we have taken time to safeguard that iLOQ’s solutions are fulfilling what society needs both in these uncertain times and for the future. Research shows that the role of security is developing from protecting physical and digital assets to promoting safer, healthier, and more efficient environments. This has also encouraged the shift from analog and unconnected to digital, touchless, and highly integrated. And, in this respect, iLOQ is in pole position.

Making life accessible

We’ve explained here the technology, the innovation, and the future-proof solutions iLOQ has developed and will continue to develop. But perhaps one fact that should also be emphasized is the ease of use. Our key-based systems are, after all, keys. There’s nothing difficult or complicated there – just put it into the lock and turn or hold it up to a reader. If you have the right to open that door, iLOQ quickly and simply lets you in.

Mobile apps are shaping how we live our lives today by giving us endless options and increasing the speed that we get things done. iLOQ’s mobile-phone-based solutions are unlocking a world of possibilities and ensuring the smooth running of modern society.

iLOQ’s purpose is ‘Making life accessible’. Our strong portfolio of safe and sustainable products has been designed to make life easier – even more so in these challenging times. And, talking about apps, watch this space for more great news to come from iLOQ.