HID discusses the latest mobile access control solutions for modern properties

Steve Katanas (pictured), Head of ANZ, Physical Access Control Solutions at HID, discusses the latest mobile access control solutions for modern properties. 

1. Please start by giving us a quick overview of HID – what is the company best known for in the proptech industry?

HID is a leading company in Physical Access Control technology, and is a part of the ASSA ABLOY group of companies. As such, HID powers the trusted identities of the world’s people, places and things. Everyday millions of people in more than 100 countries use our products and services to securely access physical and digital places. This extends to the barriers securing their place of employment, the door to their office, the computer they log onto, and much, much more. 

2. To your mind, what are the biggest and most interesting changes currently taking place in commercial property market, and how is technology stepping up to help?
   

The prevalence of IoT and smart devices has significantly impacted how people live and how businesses operate and deliver products and services in a positive way including speed and convenience. This has allowed us to reimagine how people can turn a building or workspace into a more modern and connected architecture right from the point of a person entering the office building all the way to their seat.

3. At HID, what solutions are currently making an impact on both property managers and their end-users?

HID Mobile Access® solutions in digital wallets such as Apple Wallet and Google Wallet allow individuals to access all corporate spaces, amenities and services seamlessly, while organizations can maintain the highest levels of security, achieve management and operational cost efficiency, as well as contribute towards their ESG goals. 

4. What ways are people using this technology, and can you provide us with any examples?
   

Aligned with its goal of harnessing advanced property technology, the leading Australian property fund manager ISPT has recently adopted HID Mobile Access via a digital wallet, providing employees and tenant communities with a modern, easy and seamless means of accessing their workplace, amenities and services throughout the organisation.

The solution was deployed through HID’s technology partner onUgo, and highlights ISPT’s mission to provide advanced property technology to create exceptional experiences for their employees. (more information in the press release here)

The key benefits of this technology include enhanced security, with employee credentials kept in a secure digital repository with advanced encryption and security protocols. As such many aspects of daily life in the office are made more convenient, such as accessing the bike storage room, building elevator control, offices to printers and lockers. 

5. Is the current economy having an impact on market expectations when it comes to adopting new technologies?

Due to the uncertainty over Australia’s economic outlook, businesses are increasingly cautious about spending and where they should prioritise their investments, while keeping up on business efficiency and competitiveness.

Therefore, it would be wise to adopt technologies that can allow for future integration and advancement as the business grows and evolves. An integrated system instead of a proprietary one also allows for vendor independence, so organizations do not have to be locked into a single vendor’s ecosystem. This can save some potential headaches and allow for a progressive scale up based on business needs.

6. What is next for HID – are there any exciting new developments in access control coming through?

During ASIAL, we showcased the new HID® Signo™ Mechanical Keypad Reader 40T that is designed to perform in the harshest conditions. This new range of readers is perfect for extreme cold weather environments. This robust reader ensures reliable access control, even in the most challenging settings.

The signature HID Signo Reader lineup has also been extended with the addition of the new ‘White’ range, which brings a new aesthetically pleasing look to the sleek, modern range of readers. The new white range will provide designers and architects with a bright, minimalistic alternative. These two new products demonstrate HID’s dedication to innovation and durability in our products.

We also showcased HID Mobile Access solutions with employee badges deployed on Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. This allows employees the convenience and flexibility of using their smartphones and smart watches to access all office spaces, amenities and services seamlessly without the needing a physical card access.