For some building operators, choosing the right access control provider for their buildings can seem a daunting task. It is indeed a big decision, as access control is a fundamental part of the security of a building. With or without surveillance integrations, access control systems protect the people and their valuables within a building, as well as the building itself. Additionally, they provide an overview of who enters a building while keeping it safe from unwanted visitors.

When making this decision, there are various factors to take into consideration, such as the cost of installation, maintenance requirements, available support, and the time needed to implement the system. To illustrate the process involved in installing SALTO KS, and hopefully facilitate the decision-making process, we’ve written this comprehensive guide to SALTO KS locks and installation. In this guide, we will walk you through the necessary steps to bring smart lock solutions to your building.

Getting started

The first and most important step that an interested party has to take is to fill in the contact form. This form requires general information, such as name, email address, and location. If the person is inquiring about SALTO KS for their business site, they also need to fill in the name of their company, the number of locations, company website, and business type. Finally, the form requires an estimated number of access points (doors or locks) and an estimated number of users in the building. This information enables SALTO KS to estimate the prospective client’s needs better but does not need to be perfect as it is verified at a later stage.

An example of general info required in the Contact Form. However, it might vary from time to time.

Designing the perfect lock and completing the form

Clients can customize the lock themselves using the intuitive new tool, MyLock by SALTO. Using the MyLock configurator, clients can create a virtual likeness of their own doors, allowing them to design a suitable lock for their site, in terms of both aesthetic and function. The client can design the handle, colour, and finish of their potential lock to their liking. After completing the design process, the client receives a printout containing a code. This code can be used to specify the desired design in the contact form, by placing the code in the optional “Business needs” box in the contact form. However, there may be a need to adjust the design if there are custom doors at the site.

The process of designing a custom lock in the MyLock configurator

Depending on which country the prospective client is from, the form gets routed to a business unit in the respective country where it gets picked up by a salesperson. Together with a SALTO certified business partner, the salesperson gathers more information from the prospective client to gain further understanding of the needs of the client, and book a time for a site survey. This process should take no more than two working days.

The site survey

During the site survey, a SALTO representative comes and looks at the site in question. He or she inspects the doors and takes measurements for the SALTO electronic locks. The representative also advises the client which types of locks are the best fits for their doors. SALTO Systems has locks for every door, but the types available depend on the type of door. Glass doors, for example, need a specific type of lock.

Once the SALTO representative has gathered all the necessary information, they’re able to give the client a quote from SALTO. The price given is representative of the types and the number of locks needed, the cost of installation, and all other related factors. Should the client want to proceed, a contract is signed and the locks are ordered from SALTO Systems’ 100% carbon neutral manufacturing plant.

SALTO Systems can produce and ship the customized locks within 2-3 weeks. This time frame may also be subject to change depending on circumstances. The locks are sent to a certified third-party dealer, who will install the product at the site.

Installing the hardware

The SALTO locks are completely wireless, which means that the installation has minimal disturbance to the existing architecture. If the doors in question are custom-made or very different, there might be a need to slightly modify the door to accommodate the SALTO lock.

Installing the customized SALTO lock

“Each lock from SALTO Systems comes with a template for the fit of the lock, which makes any modification to the door very easy to do.” - Alexander Rosdorff, KS Connect Partner Manager, who recently had SALTO KS installed at his home.

The amount of time needed for the installation depends on the number of locks being installed and the work needed for the door. As an example, installing the locks for a residential apartment would take 30 minutes, while it could take up to 2 days at larger sites with 100 doors.

For setting up the hardware, nothing is required from the client except a power socket for the IQ. The IQ is the central hub of the site, allowing the locks to be updated to new settings within seconds from the SALTO KS app. Larger sites need multiple IQs, as well as so-called repeaters, which extend the possible distance between IQs and locks.

Installing the software

The time needed for installation also includes setting up the SALTO KS software. This process depends greatly on which product the client has chosen. The SALTO KS product is the out-of-the-box product, and therefore the easiest to set up. All the client needs is a verified smartphone to download the SALTO KS app, from which they can develop their own unique access control solution. After connecting the locks to the respective IQs, site admins can immediately start distributing Digital Keys to residents/workers, creating access rules, assigning user roles, or determining specific opening hours for the locks, to name a few.

“You’re guided through the entire process, which makes it very easy. I just had to plug in the IQ, follow the instructions provided at the SALTO KS app, and make sure everything was connected.” - Alexander Rosdorff, KS Connect Partner Manager, who recently had SALTO KS installed at his home.

The SALTO KS Digital Key

KS Core is the white-label solution, allowing customers to build their own custom access control solution through their own app. SALTO KS has built their own independent commissioning tool, used by certified dealers to install hardware.

KS Connect is a solution that enables integration through services or integration partners. The SALTO KS website includes an easy-to-navigate developer’s page, which helps clients get started with their integrations and contains necessary endpoints for available features.

‘’There are many electronic lock manufacturers out there, but the benefit of SALTO KS is the 8-year experience of cloud-based solutions.’’ – Michael Van Anen, Technical Project Manager at SALTO Systems Netherlands

Why should you choose SALTO KS?

Founded in 2012, SALTO KS is one of the very first cloud-based access control solution providers. Over the years, it has grown as a software scale-up and a service provider. With roughly 1.5 million lock openings per day, more than 100.000 access points, and over 70 integration partners, we strive to transform the experience in daily operations and security of our customers. The SALTO KS community ranges from property managers to space owners, and we guarantee our customers more time and energy to focus on what is important to them.

SALTO KS gives you all the tools and support you need to integrate cloud-based smart locks to your existing business and product portfolio, built on a foundation of user experience and ease-of-use.

Due to the SALTO locks being wireless, it is also easy to replace the locks to mechanical locks again if required in the future. A business renting a space in an office building can install SALTO KS for their office, and simply replace them when the rental contract expires, if the landlord wishes.

‘’SALTO KS has proved itself throughout the years by developing solid design hardware together with functional and easy-to-use software’’ - Michael Van Anen, Technical Project Manager at SALTO Systems Netherlands

We hope this guide has given you a comprehensive overview of the process of implementing the SALTO KS solution to your building, and wish you an exciting journey on your way to going keyless! If you happen to have any additional questions concerning the process, please feel free to contact us.

To read more about SALTO KS, click here or follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest product features, team updates and news from the industry.

SALTO KS provides a flexible access control management system that requires no software installation or the added expense of a fully-wired electronic product. Modern cloud-based, wireless access control system is easy and simple to use for businesses including Coworking Spaces, Coliving Buildings, Purpose Built Student Accommodation, Retail, Multi-Tenant Housing, Gyms and many more. Our best in class wireless access control solution and smart locks guarantee the efficiency for your business. Integrate smart locks, start easily managing wireless access control now!