PULSE electronic locking supports Helsinki housing cooperative in simplifying key management

Managing multiple units and regular tenancy changes with mechanical lock-and-key technology is time-consuming and inefficient. It can also create security vulnerabilities when keys are lost. ASSA ABLOY argue that, an easier, electronic solution — without wires or batteries — can save management time and money. 

At Metsäpurontie 20, a housing cooperative in Maunula, Helsinki, the doors had long been secured by mechanical locks and keys. However, there was no valid patent for their locking model and the copying of additional keys was not restricted or controlled. In addition, some 15 locks had been replaced over time, so serialisation could not be fully utilised. 

“During the plumbing renovation, there were more than 10 apartments with locks not compatible with the master key. The chairman of the board of the housing cooperative had to open the doors to the workers and keep track of access,” says Property Manager, Raimo Rahkonen.  

They needed a long-term solution which simplified secure key management. 

Wire-free electronic access control powered by energy harvesting

PULSE key-based access control is self-powered and operates without any external power source. In order to open a PULSE lock, a user inserts their programmable PULSE key which then powers the lock’s encrypted electronic security, if the key is authorised by the system, the lock opens. 

Users are issued with one PULSE key pre-programmed with all of their cleared permissions, no matter how many locks they need to open. Because the key harvests energy at the door, no one needs to remember to change key batteries, simplifying system admin for block managers and residents.  

A cost-effective upgrade 

“The new locks were compatible with the old doors. Only a small, indiscernible protective cover was needed around the hole,” explains Tero Korhonen, Project Sales Manager at ASSA ABLOY.

 “Previously, the doors in an entire section needed to be serialised again if a key went missing,” adds Rahkonen. “That was expensive. This happened when a resident’s handbag was stolen at the checkout in a store, for example. In the digital system, access rights can immediately be deleted for a lost key.” 

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