London, April 2025 – Digitalizing access brings many benefits, but greater knowledge is needed when it comes to making the right long-term decision. As a global leader in access solutions, ASSA ABLOY and its over 60 thousand employees worldwide work every day towards a safer and more open world. In a new series of videos, experts in various specialisms within ASSA ABLOY share their expertise on digital access, including the complexities to overcome and the range of benefits for those who get digital access right.

 This new series of Expert Talks aims to better inform decision-makers – including security managers, directors, consultants and specifiers – about the key topics needed to consider when digitalizing access.

“The first talk in our series covers Security,” says Thomas Schulz, Director & Head of Marketing DAS at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions EMEIA.

“Security may seem obvious, almost a ‘given’ these days. But digitalizing access upgrades security in many valuable ways, not all of them as obvious as you might imagine. Our Security talk also maps out some facts and topics that forward-thinking teams should be aware of.”

1. Mechanical and digital must work together for security

One message upon which all ASSA ABLOY’s security experts agree is the symbiotic relationship between mechanical and digital security. ASSA ABLOY’s decades of experience in mechanical locking situates it uniquely to ensure security applies consistently across mechanical and digital access.

Digital does not replace mechanical. Its additional layers of security and identity verification benefit the customer by helping to provide a concrete ROI from digitalization. Within the access device, mechanical and digital components must work together – the mechanical backbone is as important as the digital technology inside.

2. The growing importance of cyber-security for digital access

In a world of emerging and evolving security threats, building users need the reassurance of reliable access control to work productively. As security converges, moving beyond mechanical and cyber ‘siloes’, the right digital access solution enables building management teams to define exactly who goes where, and when, across all their sites in an easy and intuitive way.

“It’s not enough to have robust, reliable and secure access control devices if they don’t have the right cyber protection. Having a robust, reliable, and secure mechanical foundation for access control devices is not sufficient if they lack proper cyber protection,” explains Milivoj Simeonovski, Director & Head of Information and Cyber Security, ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions EMEIA.

For this reason, cyber-security compliance will soon be mandatory for any digital product sold within the EU market. Many ‘traditional’ security staff remain uncertain about its relevance. In research for one recent ASSA ABLOY market report^*, 55% of security professionals surveyed did not recognize four important regional laws and directives which are (or soon will be) critical to cyber- and mechanical security. “Staying ahead of these regulations and ensuring digital access adopters understand their importance was another key motivation for making this video – and for the series as a whole,” he adds.

This first in the series of ASSA ABLOY Expert Talks can help security and access management stakeholders face future challenges with greater confidence. Forthcoming Expert Talk videos will cover ASSA ABLOY’s four more key topics in digital access: sustainability, reliability, convenience and innovation.

To watch “Expert Talk: Security”, the first in ASSA ABLOY’s new series, visit https://www.assaabloy.com/group/emeia/stories/blogs/das-expert-talk-about-security

London, April 2024 – At high-traffic doors including main entrances, access control is often essential. However, many traditional solutions require electrical wiring, which can increase installation costs and damage door or building fabric in a retrofit situation. Now there is a way to control access digitally, effectively and wire-free.

“The new Aperio DR100 Wireless Wall Reader brings award-winning encrypted digital access technology to new indoor and outdoor applications,” says Robert Eriksson, Head of Wireless Door Lock Product Management at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions EMEIA.

“It ensures organizations can now fully equip their building with ASSA ABLOY’s Aperio solution – another important step in getting their access ready for what’s ahead.”

The Aperio® DR100 Wireless Wall Reader with Relays adds flexible, reliable digital access control to entrances, turnstiles, loading bays, roof access and more – both inside the building and outdoor-facing (IP65).

In multiple convenient ways, compatibility is built into the DR100. The device is a universal I/O reader which works with any electrified, electromechanical, electronic or motorized lock. It integrates seamlessly with almost any access or building system. Facilities managers can extend control and access management with the Aperio DR100 and still manage every lock and user from their existing interface and a single database. It saves time and effort.

Like all Aperio devices, the DR100 works with the broadest range of RFID technologies and protocols. Compatibility with mobile credentials brings even greater convenience: Aperio Mobile Access supports both NFC and BLE unlocking, which is easy and intuitive. Users simply present their phone at the reader.

Take access management anywhere with Aperio

Installing an Aperio DR100 is simple and flexible, with no cutting and a choice of configurable relay options – for operating the electric strike and powering the operator or delay switch. The hard-powered device does not need a control panel, simplifying fitting and saving installer costs. Secure installation mode further optimizes reliability; device tamper and weather resistance are protected by integrated monitoring.

ASSA ABLOY’s Aperio range of battery-powered cylinders, escutcheons, security locks, server rack locks and handles can control access through many different types of opening. Office building entrances, commercial loading bays, school turnstiles and a host of other openings at all kinds of premises can also now enjoy the benefits of convenient, efficient Aperio digital access.

To learn more about Aperio wireless digital access, visit https:// https://www.assaabloy.com/group/emeia/solutions/topics/access-control/aperio

London, March 2025 – Growing businesses require flexibility and easy scalability from their access management. Choosing a secure digital solution which easily adapts and grows as needs change, ensures the organization is prepared not just for today, but for the future.

H.R. Owen is a dealership specialising in the sale, service and repair of luxury and sports cars. Its portfolio of high-end brands includes Lamborghini, Bentley, Aston Martin, Rolls Royce and Lotus. Based primarily in London, the company expanded operations with a new facility in Hatfield to accommodate its growing business. As with all of H.R. Owen’s premises, this new showroom required high security due to the nature of its vehicle stock.

“Security is paramount as we needed to ensure that we are not just protecting our high-value products, but also our staff and our customers,” explains Sean Nevatte, Group Aftersales Director at H.R. Owen.

For the new premises, managers sought a single, unified access management solution which could encompass a wide range of openings including glass doors, fire doors and parking barriers.

H.R. Owen customers expect a degree of refinement in the showroom environment. So, as well as security and reliability, access devices must blend with the high-end interior design.

Finally, they needed a solution which offered easy scalability. As a successful, growing company, they have to be confident their investment in digital access would meet evolving requirements for security, flexibility and aesthetics – now and long into the future.

SMARTair® brings real-time control and easy scalability

“During the planning stages with H.R. Owen and the architects, it was clear that ASSA ABLOY’s SMARTair solution was the only real choice for the site,” says Matthew Taylor, Operations Director at Knightsbridge Security, who installed the dealership’s system.

SMARTair, part of a suite of connected digital access solutions from ASSA ABLOY, is an out-of-the-box system ideally suited to medium-sized premises with a broad range of openings to equip. Among more than 100 devices installed throughout the facility, SMARTair Wall Readers and SMARTair i-max Escutcheons were selected for their sleek aesthetics and versatility.

The devices are wireless, and therefore fast and cost-effective to fit. With no need for extensive cabling, they are quickly installed, minimizing onsite disruption. Another benefit of choosing wireless, the reach of H.R. Owen’s solution can be easily extended or reconfigured anytime, protecting their investment for the long term.

SMARTair is equally convenient to operate. The facility can manage access remotely, ensuring access rights may be monitored or amended in real time in response to any potential threat.

H.R. Owen also chose SMARTair’s mobile access solution Openow®: staff can use their smartphones for access, rather than physical cards or fobs. Access by secure mobile app boosts both security – fewer lost credentials – and sustainability performance by cutting single-use plastics. Particularly well suited to car showrooms and other premises with parking, Openow’s Parking Mode feature allows drivers to unlock barriers from 3m–5m away. They don’t need to get out of the car to open the barrier. This reduces the risk of opportunist theft or unauthorized access, which is a critical benefit for premises like H.R. Owen with high-value goods inside.