eCLIQ at WGSH Rostock: From the building entrance to the key deposit box

From the building entrance to the key deposit box: The housing cooperative Schiffahrt-Hafen Rostock (WGSH) is gradually replacing its mechanical locking systems with the electronic eCLIQ system from the brand IKON from ASSA ABLOY. Lost keys can be blocked, locking authorisations precisely controlled and different locking points integrated without wiring. This increases security and simplifies the work of administration, caretakers and external service providers.

When lost keys become a permanent risk

WGSH operates more than 600 houses for more than 10,000 tenants in Rostock. Entrances, basements, communal rooms and technical areas must be reliably accessible and also protected. This affects a large number of user groups: residents, caretakers, craft businesses, utility providers, telecommunications and lift companies, as well as emergency services.

With the mechanical systems originally installed, this complexity became increasingly difficult to manage. Since several master key systems ran in parallel, employees and service providers always had to carry numerous keys. If keys were lost or copied without permission, they remained permanently authorised. After the patent and copy protection expired, keys could also be reproduced more easily outside the controlled reordering channels. It was difficult to keep an overview of how many copies were actually in circulation.

As bicycle thefts, intrusions into basements and vandalism increased without any evidence of break-in, it was suspected that perpetrators had entered the buildings with existing keys. In some cases, they had also gained access to key deposits. Many cylinders and keys would have had to be replaced to restore security mechanically. For a large, decentralised stock, this was neither cost-effective nor fast enough.

Electronic authorisations instead of costly cylinder replacement

With CLIQ technology, WGSH combines robust locking technology with electronically managed authorisations. If a key is lost, its authorisations are revoked and blocked at the affected cylinders. Keys for deposits or external partners can be limited to a building, specific doors and a defined period. A loss no longer endangers the entire stock.

Centralized control is handled by the cloud-based CLIQ Web Manager. It bundles the overview of cylinders, keys, user groups and access profiles. Authorisations can be assigned, changed and revoked individually, via groups or according to time slots. For example, access can be restricted to 24 hours for a tradesperson; after this time, the key can no longer be used.

CLIQ Connect also simplifies collaboration with external service providers. Users load the required authorisation on site via a smartphone app and Bluetooth onto their CLIQ Connect key, saving an additional trip to the administration office for collection and return. After the predefined period, the access right expires automatically. In addition, keys can be updated using stationary wall programming devices.

Rapid conversion in occupied buildings

Another advantage is the simple retrofitting. The electronic cylinders do not require any cables or their own power supply, as both energy and data are transmitted via the key. It is usually sufficient to loosen the fixing screw and replace the mechanical cylinder with the new eCLIQ cylinder. No need for drilling, cable routing and noisy construction work. This means that WGSH's buildings can be converted one after the other with minimal interruptions during ongoing operations.

Before each conversion, the caretaker records the cylinder dimensions and authorisations. The components are then ordered and programmed, the residents are informed and the new keys are issued. Only then are the cylinders in the respective building replaced. This ensures that access remains secure during the changeover.

Around 3,000 cylinders and around 18,000 keys are currently in use. In the long term, the project will include up to 10,000 new cylinders and around 30,000 user keys. The diversity of design types is essential for this: In addition to house and basement doors, it is possible to integrate letterbox sets, skylights, display cabinets, padlocks, lifts and technical areas.

Secure access for everyday use and emergency situations

More precise access control is particularly beneficial for communal areas such as the bicycle garage. Only keys with a currently valid authorisation provide access; lost keys can be specifically blocked. In this way, WGSH is responding directly to one of the main reasons for the changeover: the increasing number of bicycle thefts in its buildings.

The eCLIQ Spark key is available for rarely used emergency access points. It does not require a battery; instead, it generates the energy needed for authorisation verification and the locking process when inserted. This means that it remains ready for use even after long periods of storage.