Twilio > Case Studies > Smarterkey: Revolutionizing Property Access with IoT and SMS Verification

Smarterkey: Revolutionizing Property Access with IoT and SMS Verification

Technology Category

Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Application Development Platforms
Robots - Wheeled Robots

Applicable Industries

Buildings
Telecommunications

Applicable Functions

Quality Assurance

Use Cases

Perimeter Security & Access Control

Services

Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services

About The Customer

Smarterkey is a London-based company that provides a guest access control platform for property owners. The company was founded in 2012 by brothers David and Simon Moss, who were inspired by their background in real estate. The product was initially designed to make life easier for property owners looking to rent out their premises on both long and short term basis. The company's innovative solution has made it possible for guests to access rental properties simply by sending a text message, eliminating the need for physical keys and the presence of the property owner.

The Challenge

The challenge was to find a simple, secure, and efficient way for guests to access rental properties via their phone. The traditional method of physical keys posed several problems. For instance, the risk of losing keys, the inconvenience of getting another key cut or calling out a locksmith, and the security implications of lost keys. Furthermore, the property owners had to be present to hand over the keys to the guests, which was not always feasible, especially for short-term rentals. The need was for a solution that would eliminate the need for physical keys and allow guests to access the properties without the owner's presence.

The Solution

Smarterkey, founded by brothers David and Simon Moss in 2012, came up with an innovative solution to this challenge. They developed a mobile app that enables users to open their front doors by simply sending a text message. The property owners upload their rental bookings onto the Smarterkey guest access control platform, which is securely hosted in the cloud. When the guest arrives to check-in at the premises, they use the Smarterkey mobile app to open the host's door, eliminating the need for the owner to be present. The app uses Twilio's two-way SMS capabilities, which provides an intelligent and secure SMS validation system in the cloud. This solution not only simplifies the process of accessing rental properties but also enhances the security of the properties.

Operational Impact

The operational results of implementing Smarterkey's solution have been significant. The process of accessing rental properties has been greatly simplified, with guests no longer needing to coordinate with property owners for keys. This has saved both parties considerable time and effort. The solution also enhances the security of the properties, as there is no risk of keys being lost or duplicated. Furthermore, the use of a cloud-based platform for managing rental bookings has streamlined the process for property owners, making it easier for them to manage their properties. The use of two-way SMS for validation also adds an extra layer of security, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access the properties.