Gulf Construction Online - iLOQ to ‘revolutionise’ locking systems

Manufacturers & Procurement

The Finland Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai is said to feature more than 100 iLOQ locks.

iLOQ to ‘revolutionise’ locking systems

A leading Finnish company has embarked on a drive to transform mechanical locks with digital and mobile access management solutions based on technologies it has developed and patented.

01 January 2022

iLOQ, a rapidly growing Finnish company in the digital locking industry, is gearing up to open an office in Dubai, having already set a prelude to its expansion in the region with its impressive installations at the Finland pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.

“With more than 100 iLOQ locks installed on all exterior and interior doors throughout the Finland pavilion, interest in iLOQ’s battery-free digital and mobile access solutions is high,” says a spokesman for the company.

iLOQ says it is leading the way in developing battery- and cable-free digital services, mobile solutions and software that are addressing society’s demands for not only more sustainable, but more secure and smart living. It aims to replace mechanical and electromechanical locking systems with environment-friendly solutions that solve the problems of lost or copied keys, reduce lock maintenance and minimise lifecycle costs. It transforms mechanical locks with digital and mobile access management systems solutions based on technologies developed and patented by the company, enabling electronic and mobile locking without batteries or cables.

iLOQ is one of 120 Finnish companies featured at the Finland pavilion – known as Snow Cape – which opened its doors in October. The company says locking solutions have ensured that the visitor’s journey throughout the Snow Cape is smooth and efficient.

iLOQ S5 system ... one key can be programmed with the access rights for all the doors and areas.

At the pavilion, iLOQ’s industry-leading solutions are integrated with those of fellow Dubai Expo partner and global leader in the elevator and escalator industry – Kone – thus showcasing its digital locking and mobile access sharing solutions that support Kone’s successful people flow and contribute to the development of smart cities.

“General visitors to the pavilion experience easy movement throughout the building facilitated by the iLOQ S5 digital locking solution. VIP visitors and personnel have smooth and efficient access to other areas of the pavilion using the Kone DX Class elevator which is integrated with the iLOQ 5 Series Online reader. This integration ensures that only the right people have access to the right places at the right times, providing a smooth visitor experience combined with maximised security,” the spokesman says.

The integration of iLOQ’s locking solution and the Kone DX Class elevator in the pavilion demonstrates how the success of a smart city lies in a collaborative digital infrastructure, he adds.

As part of its growth strategy in the Middle East, iLOQ appointed Aiman Soufi as Export Manager in July last year. Originally from Syria, Soufi is an electronics engineer with nearly 20 years of experience in the security industry – 14 of them within the locking systems. His role is to establish iLOQ’s presence in the Middle East with an initial focus on the UAE, but taking steps into neighbouring countries as the company’s partner network expands.

His main customer focus is on introducing the battery-free and keyless iLOQ S50 to the critical infrastructure and utility sectors (telecoms, power production and distribution, data centres and transportation).

Soufi will also promote iLOQ’s digital locking systems that are described as being ideal for residential and commercial properties to ensure a secure and reliable flow of people around the building – one key can be programmed with the access rights for all the doors and areas that are important to the users. For these sectors, the iLOQ S5 digital locking system maximises security while minimising administration and lifecycle costs.

The keyless iLOQ S50 ... for the critical infrastructure and utility sectors.

The locks are powered by the kinetic energy produced when inserting the key – no batteries or cables are needed – reducing maintenance costs and eliminating battery waste. Lost or stolen keys can be quickly and easily blocked, and their access rights can be securely reprogrammed to a new key, the company says.

Cylinders are easy to install and can be fitted to any modern lock case without modifications. Device-to-device communication allows data (such as a list of blocked keys, time limitations, latest time, audit trails and accesses of the key) to be remotely updated and shared in both directions between the management software and the readers, keys and locks in a building before doors are unlocked, it adds.

The power needed to confirm access rights and open locks comes from a smartphone, reducing maintenance costs and eliminating battery waste.

“And the beauty of iLOQ’s solution is that you don’t need to choose between a digital or mobile solution. With the iLOQ 5 Series you get the best of both worlds in one flexible, modifiable and easy-to-use platform that can be adapted to customer needs,” Soufi says.

“The robust and reliable cylinders of the iLOQ system are a big advantage for outdoor use in this region where they must withstand the harsh weather conditions and high temperatures for almost eight months of the year. And being a battery-free solution is fantastic for the environment by saving 50,000 kg of non-recyclable battery waste every year. I look forward to some great feedback from Expo 2020 Dubai and to establishing iLOQ as a major player in the Middle East,” he adds.

Since 2003, iLOQ has been developing digital locking and mobile access sharing solutions that can now be seen in all sectors of a smart city; in residential properties, student housing, schools and public facilities, offices, hospitals and utilities.

“They ensure high levels of security and unparalleled access management capabilities, along with competitive lifecycle costs and significant savings, to building owners, users and key holders.

“This apart, iLOQ’s solutions are entirely battery free. They also save businesses time, money and the travel-related environmental impact associated with maintenance activities. And, as our solutions are also cable free, there is no worry about access problems if batteries run out or if there is a network outage,” the spokesman concludes.