Digital accessibility? - What's the key to - Hardware Journal
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security, windows & doors
What’s the key to
digital accessibility?
In an increasingly connected world,
these days it’s not just early adopters
that are embracing digital security.
Who else is getting in on the act?
Steve Bohling reports.
SETTING THE SCENE,
Bryce Carter, National
Sales Manager at Allegion,
says the year has “started with
another hiss and a roar” and that
residential consents continue to “tell a
really strong picture for the next couple of
years”.
“So we’re still very much in a buoyant market,” says
Bryce, for now at least: “Interestingly enough, will that be
sustainable forever? Who knows? But right now, the signs in the
market are still particularly positive.”
Ronnie Pocock, ASSA ABLOY’s Marketing Manager, agrees
that the retail hardware market is “really positive” at present,
adding the caveat that “a push towards cheaper products seems
to be taking precedence over quality in the general window
channel.”
18 NZHJ | MARCH 2020 MORE AT www.hardwarejournal.co.nz
security, windows & doors
new “jewels in the crown” are
locks offering remote connectivity
and remote access.
Demand is particularly strong for products
that are easy to set up and install which will be
attractive for DIYers encouraged by the promise of an easy
retrofit, he says.
We’ll return to this later.
BUILDERS ARE GOING DIGITAL TOO
Another driver towards a much broadened base of demand for
remote locking products has been emerging over the last 12
months.
In contrast to this flight to price, he Having got used to their new smartphones and liking how
says that demand for smart locks is growing easy it is to do their banking and bill paying, not only online
fast, on top of which digital lock and security
products are now “definitely mainstream”, demand
having moved away from just the early adopters towards
“Consumer feedback is they are looking
a true mass market as more and more consumers look to be
connected. for smart solutions when it comes to
What’s driving this? “Keeping up with the Jones – we live in a
digital world run from our phones and tablets and everything is
their door security”
now going digital with connectivity to phones.
“Plus, consumer feedback is they are looking for smart
solutions when it comes to their door security. Many are but on their phones, the older generation has also now bought
running home automation so it’s a natural adjacency for their into “smart”, says Sean Crowley, General Manager Sales &
lock to integrate into this, where they can remotely grant or Operations at KnK Architectural Hardware.
deny access to their door.” One of the other key changes from this time last year is that
Bryce Carter confirms that Allegion too is seeing “significant demand for digital or smart locks is no longer limited to the
year on year growth in the digital product category” and that the high-end DIY or homeowner market.
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security, windows & doors
For example, at Allegion, Bryce Carter confirms that the
brand’s Schlage Encode Wi-Fi Deadbolt is going “really well”
thanks to strong sales, not only through existing channel
partners but also now thanks to growing demand from the
previously wary and price-conscious (my words!) group home
builders.
Over at ASSA ABLOY, Ronnie Pocock confirms: “Digital is
the ‘in thing’ for the look, convenience and practicality. Group
home builders have already started to incorporate a fully smart
home and locks are a major component of this.”
Sean Crowley is another who’s seen the building trade fuelling
growth in the market, with Chinese builders in particular – and
their customers – demanding electronic locks on their front
doors, he says.
Food for thought in this respect that a 2019 report from Fixr
(a US service matching consumers who are remodelling with
professionals) found that 81% of people surveyed indicated that
they would be more likely to buy a home if smart features were
already installed.
TOWARDS THE SMART HOME
What about the market for a more whole-of-home or “smart
home” approach to security? What about smart doorbells with
remote video?
Miles Nelson gets commercial In the UK last year, Sellhousefast.uk surveyed 1,462 UK
After years in the making, Sales Manager and qualified locksmith households to discover which smart home products they
Kyle Raynes is pleased to announce the launch of the new Miles intended to own in 2020.
Nelson Commercial (MNC) range. They found that smart thermostats (71%) and smart doorbells
Miles Nelson has brought to bear its 90 years of experience in
residential hardware to develop and design this new commercial
range from the ground up, including a wide variety of standard
door mechanisms including, fire rated mortice locks, door
hinges, deadbolts, locksets & handles, strikes, door closers and
“Group home builders have already started
accessories which are all suitable to secure businesses, schools, to incorporate a fully smart home and locks
community buildings and even residential homes.
Supported by MNC’s in-house technical expertise, the range is are a major component of this”
made from heavy duty metal designed to endure additional wear
and tear from heavy usage, cycle tested, fire rated and provides
added security to any building or home. There is a full range of
functions available to cover any project specification. (66%) were top of the list for 2020, while 60% expressed a strong
Included in this range are brand new easy-retrofit Miles desire to install smart cameras around their property, and 57%
Nelson handles designed to cover common furniture plate sizes had set their sights on smart locks.
and screw fix spacings, a quick handing change design on wide But – and here’s something to consider for our readers – in
body door furniture and a through fix option for round rose terms of where they said they’d go for advice, 31% said they’d
accessories.
seek advice and/or recommendations from an established home
The range also includes wide and narrow style mortice lock
retailer (e.g. B&Q etc) but almost half (48%) said they’d go direct
options that are easily adaptable to suit card access handle
escutcheons. to a supplier or manufacturer of products…
www.miles-nelson.com I ask Ronnie Pocock at ASSA ABLOY how far he thinks there’s
still to go before Kiwi consumers want a smart whole-of-home
automation infrastructure that includes entry systems.
“We are already there!” he exclaims. “Also, as more group
home builders start to offer it as part of their standard package,
it will become an expectation.”
Saying “It’s only a matter of time before we’re seeing more and
more uptake in New Zealand”, Allegion’s Bryce Carter is also
enthusiastic, if a little more circumspect, about the prospects for
home automation.
20 NZHJ | MARCH 2020 MORE AT www.hardwarejournal.co.nz
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security, windows & doors
Key to all this, saus Bryce. is connectivity/compatibility with people that are already integrated and having great success in
a broader ecosystem (i.e. Google or Amazon) and simplicity: that space.”
“What we are starting to see around these smart products is a
lot more collaboration. You can open up accessibility for these YOU CAN RING MY BELL...
devices to work in conjunction with one another. That’s where Talking about the brands that are “having great success in
we see some really strong value.” that space”, we turn to the likes of Ring, Eufy and Swann, all
So Allegion would rather collaborate than launch its own of whom are active in the New Zealand market, both through
smart video doorbells? Says Bryce Carter: “At this stage, we do consumer electronics dealers and, more recently, the hardware
not have anything in line with a camera. However, that might channel.
that might be something further down the track. How’s that progressing?
“But at this stage, it’s more about partnering with those It’s fair to say that the hardware channel has taken a more
considered approach to smart doorbells, cameras and the like
than the fiercely price-competitive CE dealers – and perhaps
with good reason.
Take the view of Bunnings Warehouse boss, Michael
Schneider, who recently said: “There are some categories that
have a little bit more volatility and ... smart home is one of those.”
My reading of his use of the word “volatility” is that it’s code
for “extremely price-competitive”…
The view of an established player in this sort of product
comes from Mark Fletcher, APAC Managing Director for Ring,
incidentally an Amazon-owned company, who says he’s starting to
see big growth in the New Zealand market through the DIY channel
and that demand here for a smarter home has turned a corner.
“In this part of the world we’ve been quite
far behind the rest of the world, especially
Jaeco shortens the US. But I think that is being narrowed
stays, joins black brigade quite dramatically”
Jaeco has just rolled out a new range through Bunnings
Warehouse which consists of shorter range of window stays
designed for people who like to open their windows just a crack
“In this part of the world we’ve been quite far behind the
without the stay poking into the room. rest of the world, especially the US. But I think that is being
Also new is a Stainless 304SS Friction Stay for timber narrowed quite dramatically. I think we’re only about maybe 12
windows (photos above), in white and brushed stainless and months behind the rest of the market. Maybe less than that now.”
face-fixed to allow just a 100mm window opening for second Mark Fletcher puts this down to the availability of more
storey windows and for security purposes. affordable products as well as something of an upswing
Also new and exclusive to Bunnings (and very much on-
in interest of Ring’s products from the trades, in this case
trend!), Jaeco window hardware range is now available in a black
powder coat (photos below). electricians and integrators who are “realising that installing
www.jaeco.co.nz these products is great for their business.”
Jimmy Andrew is Business Development Manager at
Directed Electronics which distributes the Eufy brand.
Admitting the category is “quite saturated”, he says “I think even
the retailers are having a bit of a hard time trying to distinguish
which product has what and what brand offers this and that.”
So, in his view, there’s a heap more education required.
HOW TO DO WELL WITH DIGITAL?
Knowing that in some cases digital locks still require just as
much education as connected security, Baber Lock & Key has
produced a Digital Access Solutions booklet which is available
in-store, digitally and online.
Its purpose is to provide enough information so consumers
22 NZHJ | MARCH 2020 MORE AT www.hardwarejournal.co.nz
security, windows & doors
SALTO’s easy access
products use the cloud
Sash anchor makes a SALTO Systems has developed PIN-based electronic locks that
difference enable hotels to offer guests mobile options for check-in, check-
out and room access without having to download an app.
BLK’s Carbine Universal Window Restrictor takes a different The SALTO KS (Keys as a Service) cloud-based electronic access
approach to restricting window openings. With the cable anchor control platform powers these self-service solutions which can
located on the window sash, it’s easier to avoid breaking the also be used on main entrance doors, elevators, car park barriers,
window if a screw nips the edge of the glass. On top of being meeting rooms and more.
able to be keyed to match most house keys, the lock body can Also compatible with SALTO KS is the new SALTO XS4
also be located in a wider range of positions than conventional BLUEnet lock range, which includes the stylish and compact XS4
restrictors, plus it allows wide opening when required, all the Mini and revolutionary XS4 One.
while being deadlocked. www.saltoks.com
www.baberlocknkey.co.nz www.saltosystems.com/en-au/
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security, windows & doors
Sylvan goes
mechanical,
back to black Wi-Fi deadbolt ensures access
New from GD Rutter, the Sylvan Mechanical – without hubs or wiring
Digital Lock S201-S is ideal for residential entrance
The new Schlage Encode Wi-Fi Deadbolt is sleek in design,
doors, garages, sheds and shared spaces. Features
quiet in operation and simple to operate. It’s also graded Best in
include satin chrome plate, easy code programmable
Security, Durability and Finish according to the BHMA Grading
lock, supplied with a 60mm backset, suitable for
System.
doors 35-55mm but not
Simply pair the Schlage Encode deadbolt with the Schlage
suitable for use in high salt
Home smartphone app to lock or unlock your home from
and sulphur environments.
anywhere using up to 100 custom access codes which you can
Also new in the Sylvan
add or delete at any time. You receive notifications when your
Black Series of architectural door hardware are Lever
lock has been accessed (and if entry has been forced!), wherever
Handles for aluminium doors, featuring 85mm
you are.
spacing between spindle and keyhole, available with
Easy to install (even as a retrofit) and operate, with no door
202 and 240mm backplates and 26mm backplate
prep or wiring, the Schlage Encode Wi-Fi Deadbolt has Wi-Fi built
width. Matches Black Series door pulls, entrance
in (no extra hubs or gateways!), can be connected to a front door
sets and lever handles, architectural cabinetware,
camera and its handy keypad means you don’t need to worry
banister brackets and Iseo hydraulic door closers.
about losing your key.
www.gdrutter.co.nz
www.allegion.co.nz
Jaeco has just rolled out a new range of shorter window stays, a stainless 304ss friction stay for timber
windows, and added a modern black powder coat finish to its window hardware range. Also attracting interest are
hand worked solid brass and stainless cabin hooks and socket and necked bolts.
MPM HW0320
7 Neilpark Drive, East Tamaki, Auckland 2013, Ph: 09 636 6421, Fax: 09 636 4835, www.jaeco.co.nz, www.drakeandwrigley.co.nz
24 NZHJ | MARCH 2020 MORE AT www.hardwarejournal.co.nz
security, windows & doors
can make better choices on what type of digital will work
for them.
It’s also useful for staff in-store to help them choose the
solution that’s most suitable for each type of home or business.
Why is it needed? “Consumers are keen to learn about the
various types of digitals,” says Murray Baber.
“Early adopters are already telling them they need to have
them but telling is not enough, they need to have facts and
product images so they can imagine more easily understand the
increased convenience.”
Allegion’s Bryce Carter agrees it’s important to inform your Electronic locking option for
channel partners and has set about addressing this with video aluminium joinery
content for staff and interactive displays in-store that show the New from KnK Architectural Hardware is the E-Lok electronic lock
unique capabilities of the Schlage Encode lock. set for aluminium joinery from the 1990s and 2000s and new doors.
I ask Mark Fletcher if there was a trick to doing really Unique to the New Zealand market, E-LOK has a slim 38mm
well with Ring products what would it be? Range? Service? profile, offers 30, 35, 45 & 60mm backset options to suit a range of
door styles, while its lever style has been designed to complement
Demonstration?
popular current internal styles from other popular brands.
“It’s really about education and demonstration,” he says. Designed & engineered to suit New Zealand conditions with
“People see it, they want to touch it. We try to educate as many its IP55 rating, multiple use and unlock functions include pin
of our retail staff as possible so they get an understanding.” code, security key, RFID card, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi functionality
So there you have it – understanding is everything – and (E-LOK -707 only, using the additional E-LOK Gateway).
everything you can do to help and customer understand what it www.knkhardware.co.nz
is you’re offering is the key to success.
Commercial Hardware
NOW AVAILABLE
MPM 0320
Th yo to
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ha cu w nl
nd st nlo ine
y b om ad .
oo er an
kle s, d
t, f is a vie
P: 0800 663 533
ull va w
of ilab
E: commercial@milesnelson.co.nz
ad le
vic
W: milesnelson.co.nz
ef
or
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