A Lesson in Mobile Access Control from A Diet Coke Craving

I have a confession to make: one of my vices is Diet Coke. Despite my generally balanced diet, filled with what I like to think of as a blend of “healthy” versus “unhealthy” choices, Diet Coke remains a craving I haven’t quite managed to kick.

Recently, during one of my monthly cravings, I decided to head over to a local fast food chain that has arguably the best Diet Coke. As I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed something new: the drive-thru now had two lanes. One was labeled “Drive Thru,” as usual, and the other was marked “Mobile Thru.” While the Drive Thru line was packed, the Mobile Thru lane was completely empty. This got me thinking…

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Mobile Technology is the New Norm

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Mobile technology is becoming the new norm, infiltrating every aspect of our lives—even the local drive-thru. Just think of how often you use your phone. It is your alarm clock, your camera, your GPS, your boarding pass.. you get the message. Our environments, habits, and experiences are all evolving because of mobile technology, but not everyone is quick to adopt these changes. 

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This had me asking myself questions as I sat there waiting to order: What is causing the Mobile Thru lane to remain empty? Are people unaware of it? Do they not know how to use it? Are they afraid of this change from the traditional Drive Thru experience? 

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As an access control nerd, I couldn’t help but relate this to the current shift we’re seeing in the adoption of NFC Wallet credentials for access. People are slow to adopt, hesitant about change, and unsure about the “how” and “why” of transitioning to mobile Wallet solutions. They aren’t allowing Wallet to infiltrate just yet… and for good reason.

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From Bluetooth® to Wallet 

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For decades, users have been familiar with physical credentials—cards, fobs, and the like. This is their comfort zone. Couple that with the fact that mobile was originally introduced in the form of Bluetooth Low Energy - a much slower, more unreliable and not as secure solution - causing a bad taste in people’s mouths when thinking of using mobile for access.

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Introducing something new, like mobile Wallet credentials, brings a lot of questions and concerns. Users need to consider their current systems, the range of use cases for Wallet, and the transition process for employees, tenants, students, and others. But this transition doesn’t have to be daunting. In the end, we all know that the mobile experience is faster, more secure, and more convenient—much like the Mobile Thru line at my local fast food restaurant. 

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Experience Something Better

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Seeing the empty Mobile Thru lane and the idling engines of all of us in the Drive Thru, it was clear: the mobile users  were experiencing something better and faster. 

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And you can too - for access control. 

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This is where Wavelynx comes in. As the experts on Wallet, we can answer your questions, help you create a migration plan, and ensure you can utilize your existing systems. What seems scary and unfamiliar can become simple and seamless with our partnership. Check out how Wavelynx is even winning awards with partner SwiftConnect for our mobile access control implementation. 

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As for me, next time I crave a Diet Coke, I plan to step out of my comfort zone. You can find me breezing through that Mobile Thru line, waving to all the Drive Thru traditionalists as I pass them by, while they wait an extra ten minutes for their nuggets. Embracing change can be challenging, but the rewards are worth it. If you’re ready to change your access control for the better, reach out. 

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