ASSA ABLOY’s latest solution for integrating cabinets and lockers with a digital access management system has earned top honors. The Aperio® KL100 Wireless Cabinet Lock has been presented with the Kings Excellence Award for Exemplary Product Design of the Year.

Despite a low-profile footprint, the Aperio KL100 adds powerful digital security to lockers, cabinets, cupboards, drawers and other small spaces. Because Aperio technology is designed from the ground up for native integration, with almost any system, it makes small openings an integral part of a digital access system. With the Aperio KL100, storage for valuables, documents or personal items benefits from the same convenient digital management as offices, labs or accommodation. Designed for minimal disruption to furniture, its tiny footprint and battery-powered operation ensure quick, cable-free installation without causing damage or making a visual impact.

The Aperio KL100 integrates seamlessly with any new or existing access control system – from over 130 different manufacturers and counting – to help reduce workplace theft and to give confidential documents the digital protection they require, especially important in an era of growing compliance demands on data access management.

The growing importance of product design for digital access hardware

As a security manufacturer, ASSA ABLOY has a long and distinguished heritage of award-winning product design. ASSA ABLOY hardware has won multiple Red Dot and PLUS X Awards in Europe, for example. The Aperio H100, a door device with digital access technology inside its battery-powered handle, was named winner at EUIPO’s DesignEuropa Awards and the German Design Council’s Iconic Award: Innovative Interior.

“We are delighted to add the prestigious Kings Excellence Award to the many product design recognitions that ASSA ABLOY has received,” says Vishal Maheshwari, Director and Head of Digital and Access Solutions MEIIA Region at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions. “From the earliest stages of product development, our processes look at design holistically, considering not just security functionality and aesthetics but also usability, reliability, sustainability performance, ease of installation and maintenance, and much more. To be recognized for this by our industry peers is very rewarding.”

The Exemplary Product Design Award was presented at a ceremony during August’s Safe-Tech Conference in Mumbai, India. At Safe-Tech’s annual conference, hundreds of security and fire safety professionals including government authorities, consultants, architects and senior safety officials gather to explore best practices, innovations, real-world case studies and practical applications in physical security, fire protection, disaster preparedness and process safety.

The worldwide market for digital transformation is on track to reach nearly USD 1.86 trillion by 2031, according to new research by MarketsandMarkets. This represents a steep rise from USD 1.11 trillion projected for 2025, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 9.1%. Industry analysts highlight that the market’s rapid acceleration is fueled by advances in generative AI, omnichannel commerce, and cutting-edge technologies designed to meet evolving customer demands. A growing emphasis on digital public infrastructure (DPI) is enabling organisations to scale services more effectively while optimising operational efficiency and reducing costs.

By bridging online and offline interactions, companies are creating highly personalised journeys that not only streamline operations but also strengthen loyalty and conversion rates. This makes digitalisation an essential enabler of today’s experience-driven economy.

The AI and analytics segment currently dominates the digital transformation space, as enterprises increasingly rely on these tools for predictive insights, automation, and strategic decision-making. Their adoption is helping firms innovate faster, enhance productivity, and better anticipate customer needs. Meanwhile, customer-centric initiatives are emerging as the fastest-growing area of transformation.

With the use of advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and integrated platforms, businesses are tailoring experiences that deepen engagement and accelerate digital adoption across industries.

North America continues to lead the global market, benefiting from robust IT infrastructure, early technological adoption, and heavy investment in cloud computing and AI solutions. The region’s innovation ecosystem and favorable regulatory environment further strengthen its position as a driver of digital advancement.

Key players identified in the research include Microsoft, IBM, SAP, Oracle, Google, Salesforce, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Adobe, Amazon Web Services, HCLTech, Cognizant, Accenture, and Broadcom. Together, these companies are shaping the competitive landscape and setting the pace for global digital transformation.