By Lauren Hudock, Business Development Representative, Multi-Dwelling Unit (MDU) Division of Access Control Technologies (ACT)
A shrinking supply of affordable housing in many cities across the country coupled with high interest rates has drastically changed the landscape of apartment living. As Gen Zs and Millennials delay purchasing a home, they’re flocking to luxury apartment living with high-end amenities like resort-style pools and tanning shelves, outdoor kitchens and bars and state-of-the-art fitness centers, including sauna and yoga rooms. But don’t forget about perhaps the biggest attraction: smart technology.
In fact, in our experience working with Multi-Dwelling Unit (MDU) developers and owners, there has been a surge in the demand for smart access control over the past 4 to 5 years. Rather than using keys, Gen Z and Millennial residents want touchless mobile app entry to everything—from opening the parking garage gate to entering the building and unlocking the front door to the apartment.
For new construction, that means MDU developers and owners need to work with experts to lay out their access control needs for the building before ground is even broken. And for the millions of existing apartment complexes in need of technology upgrades, there are steps to take to get up to speed with smart access control so you can remain competitive in attracting residents.
Read on for 4 reasons why MDUs should be planning a technology upgrade to smart access control.
– Safety and Security. Installing smart access control technologies is crucial in helping deter vandalism and theft and includes everything from key fobs, card readers and biometric readers to closed-circuit camera systems and making sure the software is hosted along with the vehicle entry gates and pedestrian gates.
By working with an expert like ACT, you get peace of mind knowing that we handle every step of the design and installation of your wired and wireless solutions, including mechanical and touchless mobile app entry.
– Convenience. You’re able to give your residents the convenience they want in accessing their homes with minimal effort. Using Bluetooth, they just need to stand next to the door to open it, which saves them time and hassle.
For MDUs that are in serious need of upgrades, working with an experienced integrator like ACT makes a lot of sense because we’re able to easily retrofit your entire building, including the resident’s individual unit locks, by changing out your older card readers to wireless and Bluetooth.
– Productivity. Instead of having to log into several different sites to track information, property managers have one platform and can issue tenants one credential. This allows your staff to easily manage security monitoring, access requests and even view audit trails and door release logs when needed. And at ACT, we not only install the technology, but we can also train your staff on it.
– Revenue. Modern renters want smart apartments, so it’s important for MDU owners to upgrade so they don’t miss out on a competitive edge in an extremely crowded marketplace. Investing in cutting-edge access control technologies from seasoned pros like ACT pays off quickly in attracting and retaining residents for increased revenue.
One-Stop Integration
As a premium smart access control integrator, we work every day with MDUs around the country to design and then deliver timely installations from ground-up construction to retrofit upgrades that include the low-voltage and structured cable infrastructures required to support them. And when developers and owners need maintenance or further upgrades, they can be confident that ACT will always be here.
About Our Expert
Lauren Hudock is a Business Development Representative for the Multi-Dwelling Units (MDU) division of Access Control Technologies (ACT), part of the Janus International Group. With over ten years of experience in new construction within the multi-family sector, Lauren specializes in access control, gated access and CCTV systems. Her expertise includes seamless multi-platform integration across these systems, ensuring enhanced security and operational efficiency. Lauren is committed to providing innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of the industry, leveraging her extensive knowledge to drive growth and build lasting relationships within the MDU market.