Table of Contents
The problem with traditional meeting room access
In flexible workspaces, meeting rooms are some of the most in-demand spaces. But they’re also one of the hardest to manage.
If doors are left unlocked, rooms are misused – users squat in spaces they haven’t booked causing lost revenue. If doors are locked, users without access permissions (or keys) are left frustrated, leading to friction in the workspace experience.
Some landlords and operators attempt to solve this pain point by deploying access control alongside their bookings system. Not only does this lead to increased expenses (installing and managing multiple systems), there’s often a costly and time-consuming integration process involved too. On top of this, even when they’re integrated – you’re still left with an experience that’s sub-par, a bit clunky, and doesn’t work in real time. This doesn’t solve for the way people actually use meeting spaces – they’re not always booked in advance. Sometimes you need a meeting room for an impromptu meeting or to take a phone call. If the systems in place don’t unlock the door and let the user in immediately – the pain point hasn’t really been solved.
For too long, operators have had to choose between experience and revenue. That’s exactly why we built elumo – to remove this compromise, and create a seamless, profitable, and user-friendly way to manage bookable spaces.
Access, Bookings, & Intelligence – together in one solution
elumo is the first solution to converge bookings, access, and intelligence into a single, unified solution.
What does this look like for landlords, operators and the users of their workspaces?
- Book & access instantly – Users can book a room and unlock the door with a single tap of their phone, thanks to mobile wallet technology. From “tap” to “booked and unlocked” takes less than half a second.
- Maximise revenue potential – Meeting rooms can finally be monetised properly, requiring users to either, A) make a booking in-advance, or B) tap to book on-the-go, removing the problem of “squatting” without a reservation.
- Eliminate friction – Users get a seamless, mobile-first experience, while operators have full control over permissions and usage. Real-time availability is highlighted via the app, in the software, and through the elumo Reader’s animated light ring.
- Powerful intelligence – Real-time insights into space utilisation and bookings help operators make data-driven decisions that optimise occupancy and increase yield.
By looking at access control differently – from a security function to a strategic feature – elumo enables commercial real estate operators to maximise revenues and increase profitability while simultaneously enhancing the workspace experience.
Rethinking access control as a business driver
The reason this matters so much today is simple: workspace expectations have changed.
Hybrid work, flexible space models, and occupier expectations have completely reshaped how people use office environments. Access control can’t just be about who is allowed in – it has to be about how users interact with spaces, and how operators can optimise that experience.
This is why we built elumo the way we did. Our goal wasn’t just to add access control into the mix – it was to rethink how it fits into the bigger picture of workspace management.
And for operators, this shift is more than just a convenience. It’s an opportunity to unlock new revenue streams, reduce operational costs, and create better experiences that attract and retain tenants.
Managing meeting rooms & bookable spaces – redefined
As Lee Odess, from The Access Control Executive Brief pointed out, this isn’t just about technology – it’s about how commercial real estate operates and monetises space.
When access control becomes a feature of space management, rather than just a security measure, it fundamentally changes the business model. Spaces become more efficient, easier to manage, and more profitable.
elumo is built from the ground up for this new reality. And for landlords and operators looking to future-proof their portfolios, it’s time to start thinking about bookings, access, and intelligence as interconnected elements – not separate systems.