EVVA has been a pioneer and innovator for mechanical locking systems for almost one hundred years. Around two years ago the European market launch of the Xesar and AirKey locking systems marked the starting point of their own electronic systems range. As part of a press conference at the world's leading trade fair for security, Security Essen, Stefan Ehrlich-Adám, CEO of EVVA Group, and Johann Notbauer, Market Innovation and Technology Group Division Executive, reported about news from both worlds.
EVVA has been a pioneer for mechanical locking systems for almost one hundred years. EVVA's innovative force is underlined by numerous patents, thousands of buildings worldwide featuring EVVA locking systems and a continuously growing network of partners and authorised retailers. This is also not least emphasised thanks to the European market launch of the own electronic systems two years ago: Xesar and AirKey are the responses to global mega-trends that are also affecting the security industry and its products. Stefan Ehrlich-Adám, CEO of EVVA Group, and Johann Notbauer, Market Innovation and Technology Group Division Executive, reported at Security Essen, the world's leading security trade fair, about the route EVVA will be following and what smart, new worlds look like.
Generating value with innovations
EVVA as a family-owned company has been integrating innovation into its corporate culture since 1919 as an invention, experimentation and application institute, or in German: "Erfindungs-Versuchs-Verwertungs-Anstalt". "EVVA has always been innovative. It's in our DNA", Ehrlich-Adám explains. Continuous innovations, such as the first patent for a cylinder padlock in 1937 or the market launch of the magnetic code system with almost 100% copy protection in 1979 permanently boosted EVVA’s competitive edge.
"The increasing mobility, advancing |
These innovations were made possible by being close to markets, clever investments at the right time and the ability to identify trends at an early stage. A concentration on EVVA's strengths, the development and production of high-grade mechanical and electronic locking systems, as well as the link between these two worlds helped to develop Xesar and AirKey over the past years, both products that are setting benchmarks on the security market.
EVVA on smart paths
"With the 'Smart new worlds' slogan we have been keeping our course since 2014, a course set as a result of the market launch of our electronic Xesar and AirKey locking systems", Ehrlich-Adám adds. These are security solutions that bring about many benefits in an increasingly complex world with more and more individual demands, both in terms of electronic and mechanical systems. Ehrlich-Adám emphasises "here we are, witnessing the dawn of a new and better mechanical as well as electronic product portfolio that merges both worlds. Consequently, EVVA is opening up smart, new worlds!"
The world is changing
"We must analyse the mega trends of our times to bring the developments at EVVA into an overall context", Johann Notbauer said at the beginning of his presentation. "There is no mistaking that we are experiencing times of permanent changes. The increasing mobility, advancing levels of individualisation and digitalisation also dictate new challenges to the security industry that already demand solutions now, not tomorrow", Notbauer adds. He also refers to a future society that will be even more mobile, linked and "always on" than we already are today. In this process, developments are also effecting the so-called silver society. Demographic changes increasingly require taking into account older generations. "Simple and intuitive operating concepts paired with particularly high levels of application convenience are in demand", the EVVA expert explains.
| Xesar and Airkey were launched to the European security market by EVVA in 2014 |
EVVA is changing
The world is changing, and so is EVVA. "Our products have been providing the response to the aforementioned challenges for almost 100 years. AirKey, where the smartphone is the key, is the response to our mobile world", Notbauer says. From the outset, investments in security were paramount during the development of AirKey. The security concept is based on the online banking security concept. "If I send a key online, I need to be sure that no one is skimming off or even modifying my data." AirKey is also characterised by particularly smart functions, such as geotagging. This involves saving door components' geographical coordinates. "Consequently, service engineers can ideally navigate their way to remote locations."
The combination key unites two worlds
Global trends are increasingly moving towards a combination of mechanical and electronic locking systems. "There will not be a world without mechanical components in the near future. New demands won't change this. Electronic, but also mechanical systems fulfil their purpose as they cover different, individual demands." However, purely mechanical locking systems no longer meet the changed requirements in terms of facility usage. Individual solutions that have been adapted to customer demands are gaining more and more importance. EVVA's combi key is the missing link connecting the two world.
More robust, secure and stronger: 4KS
One of the most recent mechanical systems, 4KS, is suitable for integration into electronic locking systems. "4KS represents more than a consistent, advanced development of 3KSplus." 4KS is a reversible key system that may not look like it meets this security concept, but it does. The difference to its predecessor is also the asymmetry of the left and right side of the key. This makes copying using 3D printers significantly harder. The system also withstands the harshest conditions and is very suitable for any application. This is a particular advantage for master key systems with a highly complex structure.
MCS: 100% copying protection
"There will not be a world |
An advanced development of MCS was also showcased. The system, introduced to the market as early as 1978, remains unrivalled in terms of copying protection. "We are obviously delighted if MCS is mentioned in scientific publications in the US as the only response to 3D printers. Simultaneously, this also means we must develop MCS further. That is what we did and now we can offer 20 more years of patent protection with MCS." The aforementioned combi key, suitable for integration into existing electronic systems, such as Xesar, is also available for MCS.
Simply versatile
Xesar as the response to the required flexibility and degree of individual characteristics offers a very wide range and timeless design. Each door situation is equipped with the right solution and in connection with the Xesar Virtual network users can always rely on an up-to-date and highly secure system. "Thanks to the feedback from doors you can immediately tell which doors remain insecure and still require updating."
EVVA continues to evolve
Thanks to the concentration on EVVA's strengths, the development and production of high-grade mechanical and electronic locking systems, EVVA has developed completely new electronic systems that are setting benchmarks on the security market. This boosts an excellent reputation as a manufacturer of access systems and creates new jobs. For instance, at the headquarters in Vienna, where the workforce increased from 428 in 2011 to 460 in August 2016.