Access Control as a Strategic Feature, Not Just a Function

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I have known James Shannon , Chief Product & Technology Officer, and the company essensys for a while now. I was also a customer in a few coworking spaces over the years as they managed wifi at many of them. They were the classic identity provider and service provider you could see take a hard swing at the access control industry given they have digital identities, a captured audience, and a use case where the user is super digital and looking for a great experience. Well, they recently came up with something to put that idea into motion.

The recent announcement of elumo by essensys represents another example of how access control is evolving from a standalone security function into a strategic feature of a larger value proposition. essensys, already a formidable commercial real estate technology player (publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange AIM Market since 2006), has clearly identified a critical pain point in the flexible workspace market. The traditional binary approach to meeting rooms—either locked (causing frustration) or unlocked (inviting "squatting")—has created a significant challenge for property operators balancing experience with revenue generation. Elumo is compelling because it seamlessly integrates three critical elements: bookings, access, and intelligence. By leveraging mobile wallet technology, the solution enables users to instantly book and access spaces with a simple tap, completing the process in under half a second. This approach prioritizes the user experience while simultaneously addressing operators' revenue concerns.

The real innovation here is positioning access control not as a security afterthought or siloed system but as an integral component of the overall space management and monetization strategy. essensys has recognized that controlling who enters which spaces at what times isn't just about security—it's about creating frictionless experiences that drive adoption while enabling operators to maximize revenue from their physical assets. For property managers and operators in today's hybrid work environment, the promise of "ROI in days, not years" is particularly appealing. The ability to instantly monetize meeting spaces and even convert vacant offices into revenue-generating assets represents a fundamental shift in how commercial real estate can perform financially. The real-time intelligence component further elevates the offering, providing operators insights into space utilization patterns that can inform future decisions about their portfolios.

essensys has effectively transformed the expectations for what technology should deliver in flexible workspaces. By approaching access control as a strategic enabler rather than just a tactical function, they've created a solution that addresses multiple stakeholder needs simultaneously—enhancing user experiences while optimizing operational efficiency and revenue generation. This integrated approach demonstrates how the commercial real estate industry is evolving to meet the needs of today's flexible, hybrid work environment, with technology solutions that go far beyond traditional access control to deliver comprehensive space management capabilities.

And if you're attending ACS25, you won't want to miss?James's?as he participates in a panel titled "The Plus Protocol: Redefining the Power of Access Systems," where we will break "The Plus Protocol explores how modern access control has evolved. Beyond traditional security functions to become a strategic business asset. This panel brings together global thought leaders to discuss the untapped potential of these systems, from operational efficiency to enhanced user experiences. Join us to discover what actions industry stakeholders should take today to realize the shared vision of tomorrow's intelligent access ecosystem."