Most likely, tenants and visitors to a coworking space will value agile, modern solutions. In other words, pretty much the opposite of mechanical lock-and-key technology. Thankfully, there is an ­intelligent security alternative that won’t blow the budget or ­create renovation chaos.

A forecast by the Global Coworking Unconference suggests flexible, non-dedicated workspaces in the EMEA region will number around 17,000 by 2022. Such coworking spaces are designed to provide a productive and collaborative environment for their users, without the typical corporate constraints of an office environment.

Coworking provision is a dynamic market, with increasingly fierce competition for a user base that knows what it wants. The right access solution helps a space to stand out from its competitors and can deliver real benefits for users and the way they work.

Smarter Space Usage

Many creative and tech-oriented coworkers demand round-the-clock access. Indeed, according to the Harvard Business Review, the sense of control this flexibility gives is one reason people thrive in coworking spaces. If you have an access system you can manage remotely, from a PC or smartphone, staff need not be on-site to manage people coming and going 24/7.

An intelligent access system can also feedback critical business data in real time. Who is using your facility? And when? The more you know, the more likely you will make better business decisions.

Safer Belongings, Slicker Incident Handling

Open, collaborative coworking involves lots of expensive tech and personal items lying around. In the words of one report by commercial property experts Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), “While coworking spaces are perhaps safer environments to leave equipment unattended than your typical coffee shop, companies still risk a loss of equipment.” You can maximize security and minimize space users’ risk with effective access control. Coworkers will not rent desks where intrusion is easy — and you do not want to operate a space with a reputation for petty theft.

Imagine the worst happens to a tenant: something unexpected occurs or their valuables go missing. An access control system helps you sort it out quickly and efficiently. Because everyone carries personalized credentials — and you can order instant audit trails using access system software — you can quickly find out who went where, and when. Investigation is easier.

Cutting Out Cutting Keys

In any sizeable workspace, standard physical keys are difficult to track without a dedicated key management system. Some types of physical key are relatively straightforward to cut without permission. How much time do you waste when a key is lost or stolen? Changing a standard mechanical lock is time-consuming and expensive.

When you install an access control system, one click cancels any ‘key’, key-card or smartphone credential. You can program and reprogram door devices as many times as you like. You’ll never change a lock again.

Another study by JLL found around two-thirds of coworking providers expect to expand their workspace in the future. The good news is that wireless access systems like Assa Abloy’s Smartair are almost infinitely flexible; you can bolt on new areas, easily move locks around, or add new sites as you grow. Wireless access control helps you change the security status of a door at any time — or expand your coworking area to another floor cost-effectively. Add a meeting space; connect two offices; no keys or cables are needed.

Image Can Be Everything

Modern workers prioritize convenience and user experience. The latest electronic access systems include an option for people to carry virtual keys on their smartphone in place of a physical key or key-card. Savvy, smartphone-enabled access will set a space apart from its local competitors. And Assa Abloy are currently offering a free coworking access control guide via their website to help affordably transform the security of coworking spaces.

Could a coworking space find another revenue stream by hosting weekend or evening events? Because smartphone keys are so flexible, they make it easy to issue time-limited access for temporary staff or one-time attendees. When the event is over, their ‘keys’ no longer unlock the doors. Nothing needs to be done — it’s all automatic.