Daily, senior living property managers are challenged to provide residents with an enjoyable and convenient living experience, optimize occupancy, and run an efficient and profitable operation. There are not enough hours in the day to accomplish all these tasks so managers must find a smarter, better way to do their jobs. Technology and smartphones can provide many of the solutions. It seems like every day we are doing more and more from our mobile devices, such as ordering an Uber ride, using Apple Pay to buy groceries, opening Grubhub for dinner or even operating a lock -- all with a smartphone. Mobile-enabled smart locks seem to be all the rage in senior living trade magazines and newsletters, but – you have to wonder -- are they right for my property? They sound cool but they are probably expensive, so what are the benefits? Can they help me run my property better? Will they make my job easier? If these questions sound familiar, you are not alone.
Here are nine ways keyless smart locks can make your property run better.
1. Seniors prioritize safety and security
Surveys have found that seniors don’t feel secure in their home and that safety and security are top priorities. Smart locks offer more security than traditional locks. With a smart lock the phone becomes the key so there are no extra key copies floating around. Instead of handing out a key to relatives or friends, they can text or email access and be able to revoke it in an instant.
2. Smartphones become keys
We all know about the hassle of replacing lost keys and the cost to re-key a lock when a resident departs. Almost everyone owns a smartphone today. If a resident’s smartphone becomes their apartment key, then managing and dealing with keys will be a thing of the past. Your property expenses just dropped, and your life just became a whole lot easier. With the time wasted on keys now eliminated, you have more time to focus on other things.
3. Operational flexibility
Smart locks give you the flexibility to instantly make changes when residents or staff come and go. You can give access to apartments, common areas, pool gates, garages and more, all without having to worry about managing keys. Experiencing anxiety about that disgruntled employee you just terminated? Simply revoke their access when they walk out the door and you will never have to worry about them coming back and making a scene.
4. More control and more knowledge
With smart locks you are in control, you know who’s coming and going and when they accessed a lock. It’s easy to figure out who messed up the pool area or left the game room in shambles. Plus, smart locks give you an audit trail so you can check on everything that’s going on, allowing you to better manage and control your property.
5. Added convenience means happy residents
Smart locks can be operated by smartphone, RFID card, PIN code, smartwatch, smart remote or even a traditional key. Residents can operate their lock however they feel most comfortable.
6. No more time wasted waiting for the plumber to show up
Smart locks let you schedule access remotely from a smartphone or your computer. You don’t need to drop everything and drive halfway across town to meet the plumber at another property. Just send him access in a text or email from your smartphone. You can even dictate what time he can gain entry and how long he can stay.
7. Smart locks are future-proofed, and never become obsolete
Smart locks let you schedule access remotely from a smartphone or your computer. You don’t need to drop everything and drive halfway across town to meet the plumber at another property. Just send him access in a text or email from your smartphone to his smartphone. He can fix the leak without you ever having to leave your desk. You can even dictate what time he can gain entry and how long he can stay.
8. Smart locks are future-proofed, and never become obsolete
The last thing you want to do is invest money in new locks and then after a couple years find out they are obsolete and need to be replaced. Today’s smart locks just keep getting smarter, they are constantly updated via over-the-air firmware just like your smartphone (and for free). That way your locks keep up with all the new technological advances without ever having to change a piece of hardware.
9. Retrofits are easy and don't require door modifications
Smart locks are designed to easily replace existing hardware. They mount in the same holes as your existing locks, which makes for an easy and affordable installation. The technicians are in and out quickly without the mess and confusion of a wired access control system.
No question about it, keyless, mobile-enabled smart locks make a whole lot of sense, operationally, economically -- and they can make your life a whole lot easier too. Today’s senior renters are becoming more and more tech savvy. They are seeking out safe and progressive living situations and smart locks may be the tipping point to choose your property over the one down the street.
