LAKE FOREST, Calif.—Kwikset – a brand of Assa Abloy Americas Residential Division, has announced the availability of its first electronic access control (EAC) solution: UNITE, which the company says is tailored to the multifamily market.
Originally announced back in March of 2023 during the ISC West Show, UNITE aims to provide multifamily property managers and owners with significant advantages. According to the company, the electronic solution is said to simplify property management, while reducing the time and costs associated with key management, and potentially increases profits. Moreover, Kwikset asserts that UNITE meets the increasing demand from renters and owners for more technologically advanced living experiences by incorporating features like Bluetooth technology and RFID, which are highly sought after in today’s market.
“We recognize the unique challenges that property managers and developers face in the multifamily market, which is why we’re excited to introduce UNITE—an electronic access control ecosystem that streamlines security and management for an enhanced on-site living and working experience,” states Eric Harnischfeger, senior product manager at Kwikset.
UNITE Offers Security Dealers Access Control Flexibility Beyond MDUs
The move into the multifamily housing market’s electronic sector the company explains is spurred by its established presence in the multi-dwelling unit (MDU) housing market through its mechanical lock business, which Kwikset says provides it insight into the specific needs and challenges of the sector, as well as its proven track record with electronic locking solutions in the single-family residential market.
Kwikset notes that while UNITE is designed primarily for MDU property managers and owners, it also caters to secondary markets, including builders, developers, hardware dealers, wholesale distributors, general contractors, LV systems integrators, and third-party software providers, highlighting its wide-reaching benefits within the multifamily sector.
“UNITE is not just an advancement in lock technology,” continues Harnischfeger. “It’s a cloud-based solution that integrates a web portal and mobile app, transforming it into an intuitive security tool that adapts to the roles and requirements of various users, from property managers to residents, without compromising on safety or ease of use. By prioritizing dynamic software and a customer-focused model, we’re offering a sophisticated yet user-friendly system that surpasses our competitors, providing real-time updates and a proprietary secure channel for longer battery life and better performance, even in emergency situations.”
Kwikset boasts that UNITE suited to various property types, including Class A high-rise urban and Class B garden-style suburban properties. Both new construction and retrofit markets present substantial opportunities for the new smart lock unit.
In developing the UNITE platform, Kwikset collaborated with partner companies such as DHI Communities, AMLI, Crescent Communities, and Woodfield. These companies played critical roles throughout the development cycle, offering feedback on existing platforms, suggestions for enhancements, design input, and future participation in beta testing.
