Compatible with existing building hardware, the mobile Wallet credential helped reduce costs for the customer

‍

The JJ Mack Building in central London represents the future of work. Completed in 2022, the 10-story building blends connectivity and sustainability in ways we could only once imagine.  

‍

‍

Using a bespoke JJ Mack Building smartphone app built by Smart Spaces, a London-based smart building operating system provider, tenants and their employees can unlock doors, adjust lighting, and other workspace settings, and keep connected to every corner of the building.

‍

Smart Spaces is responsible for physical identity and access management for the building. It manages the identities of individuals who need regular physical access to the building, as well as visitors and those who need occasional access, like delivery services. 

‍

In an effort to enhance the daily workplace experience at the JJ Mack Building, Smart Spaces wanted to move away from plastic access control cards, key fobs, and physical keys that have long been used for access control but are old-fashioned in today’s smart buildings.  These traditional methods of building entry are gradually being replaced by mobile access credentials that unlock doors. 

‍

Mobile access control offers benefits to facility managers and tenants. It is more secure than cards and keys, which can be easily lost, stolen, or cloned.

‍

‍

Making the Switch from Bluetooth to NFC Mobile Credentials

‍

Smart Spaces collaborated with STid, a French manufacturer of security systems, to install access control readers at the JJ Mack Building. The system relied on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) credentials to transmit authentication data to an access reader, which then granted or denied entry to occupants. 

‍

While BLE is designed for low power consumption, it was never intended for secure physical access. Its slower data transfer speed compared to other wireless technologies caused users in the JJ Mack Building to experience delays of several seconds before the connection was established and the door opened. In addition to an unreliable user experience, BLE credentials carry security risks due to potential vulnerabilities in their communication protocol.

‍

BLE mobile credentials also have limited functionality. They allow users to gain entry,  but that’s about it. Smart Spaces wanted to transition to Near Field Communication, or NFC, credentials to gain added convenience, stronger security, and remote management capabilities. They needed a creative solution that could work with their existing access control system.

‍

Why Smart Spaces chose Wavelynx 

‍

Wavelynx has a mobile credential that uses NFC, which is built into mobile devices and most commonly supports contactless payments using digital wallets.  The Wavelynx Wallet solution puts secure digital credentials in Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet for a familiar user experience. NFC also elevates the security of mobile access by enabling true validation of user identity on every single presentation of the credential through multi-factor authentication and biometrics. This benefits both the user and the business in protecting the facility.

‍

Wavelynx gave Smart Spaces a major advantage: they were able to leverage their existing network of approximately 80 access readers from STiD. This not only enabled a smooth transition to mobile credentials but also saved the JJ Mack Building tens of thousands of dollars in hardware replacement costs. 

‍

Wavelynx’s strength is going against the grain of what other market players with proprietary technologies are doing. The company’s approach is based on Interoperable technologies and interoperability. That means its NFC wallet can seamlessly communicate with NFC-enabled devices from other vendors. 

‍

Since transitioning to Wavelynx Wallet credentials, Smart Spaces has received fantastic feedback from building users. More than 1,200 occupants can safely and easily access the building and their offices with a simple tap of their phone or smart watch.

‍

The interoperability of Wavelynx’s solution also has Smart Spaces looking to unify the entire access control experience in the building, tying access to print, vending, lockers, and more to one mobile credential. 

‍

Wavelynx offered Smart Space a flexible, cost-effective solution that integrated with the JJ Mack Building’s existing access control infrastructure and made it more secure and convenient for tenants. Through a combination of Wavelynx’s advanced access control systems, Smart Spaces’ intuitive workplace platform, and the sleek design of the STid readers, the JJ Mack Building has transformed the traditional office into a smart, secure, and efficient environment tailored for the future.

‍

Interested in learning more? Contact Wavelynx.

This case study is available for PDF download here.

‍