Bringing Intelligence to the Electric Strike
Generally, the smart-lock market focuses on bringing intelligence and remote connectivity to the locks themselves, typically through sophisticated internal hardware and software. However, a startup company based in the Netherlands is taking an alternative path to intelligent locks — via the electric strike.
DEN Smart Home earned a 2021 CTA Innovation Award for its new software-powered Integrated Strike that essentially transforms a “dumb lock” into a smart one.
“It works differently than other smart locks, because it is installed in a doorframe,” company founder and CEO Marijn van der Wal says. He demonstrated the strike during the Consumer Electronics Show in January. “It doesn’t do anything with your lock or your door handle. It is just a strike plate that will enable you to actually push the door open.”
The product looks like a normal electric strike for a deadbolt, but the keeper cavity for the deadbolt includes a pivoting “bucket” that can be controlled through an app. “The deadbolt stays out, and there’s just a small bucket that will be released when you have access to the door,” van der Wal explains.
This technology enables a lock to be adapted to the strike, which makes any mechanical locking device an intelligent one. When the user unlocks the door via the app, they simply push the door open with the deadbolt still extended, and the bucket inside the strike pivots open. After the door is shut again, the bucket pivots back in place and locks the door. The strike is failsafe but comes with a battery pack in case of power outages.
Some consumers spend a lot of money on door hardware, van der Wal says. “This way, they can just leave everything in place and just replace the strike plate. It can be installed with any lock, although you may need to take out a little bit more of the wood [in the doorframe] in order to install the strike.”
He adds that the product is attractive to consumers who aren’t comfortable “advertising” that they have a smart lock on their front door, but they still want to enjoy the mobile functionality.
Although the residential access product was introduced at a consumer show, van der Wal says product installation is a bit beyond the skills of the average DIY user, although possible. “We intend to go into the CEDIA channel and installers channel to work with users to get it installed,” he says.
The official launch model will be Z-Wave and Bluetooth capable, and van der Wal says a Zigbee version is also in the works.
Learn more at www.densmarthome.com.
Slippery Rock Glad to Make Switch
Slippery Rock University, located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, strives to make its security practices as effective and efficient as possible. Although many parts of campus use card access, Dan Brown, SRU director of housing, admits that some parts of campus, such as residence halls, still use traditional keys. Transitioning from small-format interchangeable cores (SFIC) to electronic access control there hasn't been a high priority because of the scale and budget, although housing leaders acknowledge the inefficiencies of their key-based system.
“We typically don’t make changes to our access systems as long as they’re working,” Brown says. “When we need to upgrade, we prioritize changeouts to maintain good budget stewardship.”
In 2020, the SRU IT and Housing Department’s leadership team moved some of its offline locks into an online system in student residences. Their goal was to improve security and enable student credentials to be reprogrammed from a central location rather than at each door site to improve efficiency. This beta test would serve as a model on which to develop larger plans to reduce reliance on keys in student housing.
dormakaba worked with officials to install its BEST Switch Tech platform, a digital replacement for SFICs. SRU installed Switch Cores and integrated them into the school’s existing Lenel system to retrofit doors in student residences. The results, according to SRU, have been positive.
The new system makes it easier to control who gains entry and provides greater access visibility and tracking control. Although challenges associated with the coronavirus pandemic disrupted the overall student experience on campus, the Switch Tech platform is enabling the school to upgrade access control in strategic areas and prioritize future replacement to digital technology.
“We have so many doors,” Brown says. “We don’t want to start changing them if we don’t have to. Switch Core fits into existing cores, significantly reducing the costs of adding digital access and it’s easy to install and use. It’s also compatible with our existing Lenel system for a complete plug-and-play install, and our own locksmiths can take care of it.”
“The nicest feature is that I don’t have to go to the lock to reload it,” says Maria Malacaman, information technology generalist II on SRU’s housing staff. “I can see right away if a student or cardholder is having issues with access. I can troubleshoot from my office rather than going to the door site and take care of the student quickly.”
The Switch Tech platform extends electronic access control to applications previously not practical. Switch Core will work wherever SFICs do, including cylindrical, mortise and other locks by BEST, SARGENT, Yale, Corbin Russwin, Schlage and more. It’s aimed at retrofitting electronic control into existing doors on interior rooms, closets, cabinets and cases.
More info: https://timeforaswitch.com
Camden Door Controls Opens Virtual Booth
Camden Door Controls has opened its Virtual Trade Show booth. The Camden virtual booth is built by using Augmented Video Reality (AVR), a software application that adds a layer of computer interface on top of a pre-recorded video presentation. The tour, led by David Price, Camden’s vice president of Corporate Communications & Business Development, allows visitors to interact via various icons and texts that appear on the screen. These include Features, Info, Demo and Navigate options.
The Features portion of the tour includes a hosted tour and overview of Camden’s wide range of product offerings. Visitors can view detailed specs or see a closeup product demonstration. The Next icon allows them to see and get acquainted with the next product highlighted in the tour, as well as request a Zoom Chat with a Camden sales representative. Visitors can click on any of these icons anytime during their tour or pause the tour at any time.
The Virtual Trade Show booth, which is accessible directly from the homepage of Camden’s website, showcases products from each of Camden’s product categories, including its Kinetic “power harvesting” wireless system and wide range of No-Touch/Low Touch solutions.
“We are very excited to provide this groundbreaking Augmented Video Reality Virtual Trade Show booth presentation,” Price says. “Camden has always been and continues to be on the cutting edge of innovation. This launch is indicative of our ongoing commitment to provide our customers with the highest level of service.”
For more information, go to www.camdencontrols.com.
SECO-LARM Celebrates 50 Years
In 2021, SECO-LARM celebrates 50 years of security innovation, providing quality products to its customers since 1971. Starting from a small factory designing and manufacturing lighting devices, it soon branched out to vehicle security systems and the broader security market from an OEM supplier to manufacturing under its own brands, such as ENFORCER, SECO-LARM, CRIMEBUSTER, CBA and SLI.
SECO-LARM has developed a reputation for quality, reliability and innovation, with an extensive product line covering almost everything you want for commercial and residential security on a global scale. It continues to expand into new and groundbreaking products to meet the demands of an ever-changing industry. Known for its commitment to value and service, SECO-LARM looks forward to the next 50 years of customer-focused products and service.
To learn more, visit www.seco-larm.com.
ADI Expands in Texas
ADI Global Distribution, a leading wholesale distributor of security, AV and low-voltage products, opened a branch location in Fort Worth, Texas. This marks ADI’s second location to serve the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area and seventh across the state and furthers strengthens its commitment to providing the best and most convenient service to dealers.
The new ADI Fort Worth branch will provide dealers with more access to ADI’s full range of products and services. The address is: 5036 Saunders Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76119. Phone: 817-516-3820
“The ADI Fort Worth location is the second new branch that we’ve opened over the past few months in North America,” says Bob Appleby, vice president and general manager, ADI North America. “Expanding our distribution network is part of our overall growth strategy and furthers our commitment to provide superior service, products and support. We’re excited to open our doors to another ADI location in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.”
Conveniently located in the southwest DFW area with easy access from all the major highways, the 10,000-square-foot branch will help to reduce customer travel times and expenses while providing additional sales support. The branch also features a dedicated training room, a branch pickup window for One-Hour Pickup, secure lockers for Pick Up Anytime service and a fully trained and knowledgeable sales team.
With this new location, ADI operates 110 branch locations to serve dealers across North America. In addition, ADI has nine distribution centers strategically located to ensure local branches remain fully stocked at all times.
Learn more at adiglobal.com.
Allegion Acquires Technology Company Yonomi
Allegion, a leading global security products and solutions provider, has acquired privately held technology company Yonomi.
Founded in 2013 by building automation and enterprise cloud-computing experts, Yonomi was the first to create an agnostic smart-home ecosystem that automatically discovers and coordinates devices. Today, Yonomi solutions are used in more than 150 countries, and millions of IoT devices are connected to its platforms.
According to Allegion Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Vince Wenos, Yonomi also holds unique intellectual property that matches well with Allegion’s strategic priorities for accelerating growth through seamless access, innovative solutions and meaningful partnerships.
“Yonomi’s patented technology and technical capabilities will help accelerate Allegion’s vision of seamless access and enhance the breadth of our software development capabilities,” Wenos says. “It also opens avenues for integration with leaders in home and enterprise solutions for the IoT — supporting our ‘partner of choice’ strategy.”
Wenos adds, “We are a customer of the Yonomi platform ourselves, having embraced Yonomi ThinCloud technology as a part of our residential smart-deadbolt ecosystem. This, too, makes us a firm believer in Yonomi solutions and, especially, the team behind them.”
Yonomi CEO Kent Dickson will become vice president and general manager of the Yonomi business unit within Allegion. Dickson notes that Allegion has been an investor in Yonomi since 2017, and this acquisition was a natural evolution for the Yonomi business.
“This is an exciting moment in time for the Yonomi family and our customers,” Dickson says. “As an early provider of IoT solutions, Allegion truly understands the value of connected ecosystems and shares an important role in progressing smart-home solutions through its industry-leading brands, like Schlage. In addition, Allegion has been a significant partner of, and investor in, our company, and this acquisition provides more capital and capacity for growth of our existing technologies and platforms.”
Yonomi employs nearly 25 people at its operations in Boulder, Colorado, and Austin, Texas.
Terms of the transaction weren’t disclosed.
People In The News
RemoteLock named Daniel Bailin chief product officer for the company, responsible for developing and driving the technology roadmap and product innovation strategy to propel the company’s growth.
Bailin comes to RemoteLock with more than 20 years of experience in the access control, biometrics and semiconductor industries, where he has held product innovation and business development leadership roles. Prior to joining RemoteLock, he was the senior vice president of sales, marketing and product for UniKey. He also held leadership roles with HID Global and Arrow Electronics and holds degrees in electrical engineering and chemistry.
“Daniel is an industry leader in every sense of the term,” says RemoteLock CEO Nolan Mondrow. “His proven expertise in driving market growth via product and technology innovation will be instrumental in propelling RemoteLock’s universal access control solution in the multifamily, commercial and vacation rental markets. We are so excited to welcome him to the RemoteLock family.”
RemoteLock’s universal access control platform allows users to remotely control access for renters, guests, employees and contractors — saving time and money.
For more information, visit www.remotelock.com.
Altronix announced that Steve Stettner has been appointed sales manager for the U.S. Northeast region.
“Steve’s experience and in-depth knowledge of the industry, coupled with longstanding customer relationships, is sure to further elevate the high levels of support that Altronix is renowned for,” says Alan Forman, president of Altronix. “We welcome Steve into the Altronix family and look forward to the positive impact he will have with both existing and new customers.”
With more than four decades of industry experience, Stettner is extremely well-versed in every facet of electronic security, including IP video, access control, and alarm and fire-detection systems. Stettner’s coverage includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.
“I am very excited to be joining this fine organization,” Stettner says. “My experience with Altronix spans over 30 years as a customer and a sales representative, and it is a privilege to become a member of their team.”
Contact Stettner at [email protected] or 917-576-4227.
