It has been about two months since the Vulcan Post team moved into our new office.
When we first moved here, it was very troublesome for us when the door was equipped with the traditional knob that requires a physical key to unlock it.
With 20 people in the office, we duplicated 8 keys and distributed it to the head of departments, as well as those who often stay in the office till late, to hold on to the keys.
Despite this, it was still hard coordinating with them.
In the mornings, the early birds will have to literally wait at the front door for the colleagues with keys. And the same waiting game happens during lunch hours as well, so it can get pretty annoying.
One time, our colleague even lost a duplicate key, sending the whole office into a flurry! I mean, ANYONE who holds the key can enter – break into, rather – our office!
The Smart Lock That Changed Our Lives, Literally
Looking at the row of our office neighbours’ doors installed with smart locks, we would always lament at how sleek and fancy it looks.
So after endlessly badgering our boss to get one for ourselves, we were pleasantly surprised to find the office door newly installed with a smart lock one morning.
And it’s the exact same model that the Vulcan Post team in Malaysia have in their office!
Not gonna lie, we do feel like a badass every time we enter our new office.
Posted by Vulcan Post on Thursday, April 27, 2017
With this new smart lock – specifically igloohome’s Deadbolt 02 – we’ve got to say that office life is even more fuss-free.
The smart lock has multiple entry modes – you can unlock it with a PIN code, via bluetooth keys on smartphone, or use the emergency physical keys.
Unlocking the door with igloohome’s mobile app / GIF Credit: Vulcan Post
Though I think it would be even cooler if they can integrate a fingerprint scanner. One can never have too many options can they?
Also, while we were out having lunch that day, a deliveryman arrived at our office to drop off a parcel. Since no one was in, my boss used the igloohome mobile app to send a one-time PIN to the man so he can let himself in.
Similarly, our office hires a part-time cleaner that comes by every Saturday to clean the office. And because time is precious, it’s unproductive to head back to the office on a weekend and sit around for two hours while the cleaner goes about her duties.
With igloohome, we could simply schedule a PIN code with a 2-hour validity period.
Security is also not an issue because this lock works offline, which increases reliability against WiFi hacking.
The smart lock is pretty much foolproof and has not let us down. Only one tiny gripe – I wish they are available in more funky colours so we can better showcase our vibrant company culture.
The office door is after all, the first thing our clients see when they step into our office.
That aside, they are definitely much more efficient than physical keys, no doubt about that!
With smart locks, you don’t have to worry about misplacing your keys, accidental lock-outs, or the hassle of digging deep into your pockets to find a key.
Sure, the price might be a little steep as compared to a conventional lock, but it’s really worth the price tag for the conveniences and security that it offers. We take it as an investment!
The Smart Lock Market Will See A Boom, And So Will igloohome
According to London-based analysis company IHS Markit, the smart lock market will increase by 6.8 per cent and exceed US$4.2 billion (S$5.9 billion) globally this year.
With this boom, smart lock provider igloohome is set to soar as well.
They have been gaining international attention after clinching partnerships with some of the biggest names in the short-term rental market, including Airbnb and HomeAway.
igloohome has even taken part in this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, marking their first time on a global tech stage.
Their Smart Keybox was featured on Digital Trends, and was also recognised as one of the best tech products of CES 2017 by The Huffington Post.
The team attended CES Asia 2017 in Shanghai as well, and both their products – the smart keybox and smart lock – was selected as Innovation Award Honourees at the event.
According to an article by The Straits Times, 70 per cent of their smart lock sales are generated from the Asia-Pacific region. This comes as no surprise since they have resellers for their products in both Malaysia and Japan.
After dominating APAC, it is only natural for this company to explore other regions too.
Currently, numerous large e-commerce chains in the United States carry their locks in online stores such as on Newegg, Walmart and Home Depot.
On top of that, distributorship with partners for their smart lock in Hong Kong, Vietnam, Indonesia and Mexico are in the pipeline, which means that their locks will soon be available in these countries too.
Always heartening to see a homegrown startup succeeding and making waves overseas!
Featured Image Credit: Vulcan Post
