Customer Story - SAG Lock Manufacturers

SAG lock manufacturers bring their lock into the 21st century with Digital Keys SDK's and API's

Headquarted in Velbert Germany, Schulte Schlagbaum AG (SAG) have been a lock manufacturer for over 180 years. In more recent times they have focused their production and service provision activities on highly developed components, systems, software and solutions for the locking and organisation of buildings.

"Together with Digital Keys we have managed to further refine our successful locking system SAFE-O-TRONIC access in order to offer customers in the hotel sector a unique locking system", said Joaquin Borge Sanchez, Head of Business Unit, SAG.

SAG has many existing hotel customers throughout Europe and these customers had been asking for a mobile self-check-in app with digital keys to appeal to millennial travellers, but also for offering 24/7 check-in without having to staff a check-in desk 24/7.

In the past, smaller hotels with reception desks only open during business hours, were missing out on last minute bookings and walk-ins, especially in cities with many late night flight arrivals.

"Our locking system SAFE-O-TRONIC® access has now been supplemented by a Web-based PIN code solution with Digital Keys and thus meets the current requirements of today's hotel industry", sums up Mr Borge Sanchez.

An online check-in system has been established in conjunction with the software developers at Digital Keys; this makes flexible access via a PIN code, NFC or also via the conventional RFID card possible for guests using a smartphone app.

Within the first 2 months of releasing the product into the market the new locks with digital keys apps sold over 3000 units to hotels and motels mostly across Germany and the Netherlands. The product also found market fit for use in other industries and applications such as use in gym lockers and swimming pools.

"We quickly learnt that our new locking system with digital keys had more appeal to other industries outside of hotels, such as in municipal swimming pools", said Marcel Van Den Haak, Export Manager.

SAG's customers can now offer their own customers an option to self check-in and receive their digital key to their smartphones, without the need for human interaction. Most customers have said they still like to offer the old check-in service during business hours, and this is another way to differentiate from other competing hotels and facilities in the local area.

"We have increased sales of our existing electronic lock because of being able to offer digital keys now", said Mr Borge Sanchez.