Becorp, build-to-rent housing firm, chooses ASSA ABLOY’s SMARTair wireless locks with mobile keys for energy-efficient remote access control

Becorp is a disruptive force in Barcelona’s domestic rental market. At a growing portfolio of multi-home complexes, they offer contemporary apartments with inclusive on-site resident services, such as concierge, swimming pool, gym and co-working. Having used mechanical lock-and-key security in past projects, Becorp are aware of its drawbacks, in both cost and management time.

For a planned new build-to-rent development in the city, they sought a modern electronic alternative. A keyless solution would save property management time, which is often spent handling hundreds of physical keys. The burden on staff is especially great, when properties are newly occupied or vacated, a regular occurrence in large build-to-rent complexes.

Becorp needed a wireless access control solution

Becorp targeted a wireless solution to combine greater control with cost efficiency

Becorp targeted a wireless solution to combine greater control with cost efficiency, a range of adaptable devices to secure multiple door types, including fire doors and modern security to project an appealing, and dynamic image for Becorp housing.

With over 1,000 individual homes at their new build-to-rent development, Becorp knew mechanical security would create a huge workload. Each apartment requires 5 keys per cylinder — many thousands in total. Rental turnover is often high. This means regular cylinder and key changes, eating up even more management time and resources.

SMARTair Wireless Online with mobile keys

Their chosen solution, ASSA ABLOY’s SMARTair Wireless Online with mobile keys, managed by the Openow app, incorporates around 3000 battery-powered Escutcheons, 200 Knob Cylinders and 125 Wall Readers.

Just under 400 Communications HUBs communicate between doors and the software system in real-time. With the online system management, security staff can check the live status of any access point, open doors remotely or lock-down, in case of an emergency.

Residents use secure mobile keys via Openow smartphone app

Residents use secure mobile keys in their own Openow smartphone app, instead of physical keys. The app also enables easy locking by deadbolt projection: After presenting their phone, a resident simply moves the handle upwards to lock a door securely.

Additionally, facilities staff stays in control, by using the Openow smartphone app for credential management. Virtual keys can be created, sent and cancelled from anywhere, with no metal keys required to administer. The ASSA ABLOY’s wireless solution also ensures that no locks need to be changed, when someone loses a credential.

Battery power for improved energy efficiency

Energy efficiency is another important ethos behind Becorp’s new build-to-rent complex development

Becorp’s Xavier Casals said, “Physical key management for any large development puts severe pressure on operational costs. Choosing SMARTair wireless locks and mobile management via Openow helps us to minimise them.”

Energy efficiency is another important ethos behind Becorp’s new build-to-rent complex development. Because ASSA ABLOY’s SMARTair locks are wireless and battery-powered, they consume much less power than equivalent wired locking solutions, thereby supporting efforts to promote more sustainable domestic living and energy efficiency.

Environmental Product Declarations for SMARTair devices

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are available for many SMARTair devices. These detailed life-cycle audits help customers, such as Becorp, to make informed choices about their footprint, during the construction and specification of a building.

At Becorp’s new Barcelona development facility, ASSA ABLOY’s SMARTair and Openow wireless access control solutions ensure that all three key factors - cost, time and energy efficiency work in combination.