The Municipality of Liminka in Finland becomes a model in enhanced security and user experience in recreation facilities with HID Mobile Access

Located in Northern Finland, by the sea in northern Ostrobothnia, the Municipality of Liminka was founded in 1477 and is internationally known for its breath-taking nature and being the main route for several species of migrating birds.

With a population of more than 10,000, the majority (56%) of whom are between the ages of 16 and 56, Liminka boasts the services, safety and nature settings that make it particularly attractive to young families.

Optimising physical and data security

The cost to replace the key tags, which were easily lost and misused, was problematic

Seeking to improve utilisation and optimise physical and data security in its recreational facilities, Liminka’s officials determined the need to replace the keyless entry system, controlling access to meeting rooms, indoor gym equipment, and outdoor sports facilities.

The cost to replace the key tags, which were easily lost and misused, was problematic, and efforts to utilise text messaging to deliver entry codes suffered from delays that were far too long for most users.

Deploying mobile access control in recreational facilities

To enhance security and convenience, the Municipality of Liminka decided to implement mobile access control across the municipality’s recreational facilities.

The new system would also eliminate key tag replacement costs and improve the experience for people using the municipality’s gym and recreation facilities, which would potentially generate an uptick in visitor attendance and room bookings.

HID Mobile Access and Signo Readers installed

Working with Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Security Expert access system, which leverages the HID SDK (Software Developer Kit), Liminka implemented HID Mobile Access, Seos Credential Technology and HID Signo Readers, in order to provide secure, convenient digital access control throughout the municipality’s recreation facilities.

Doing so allowed Liminka to take advantage of an increasingly mobile-first world

Doing so allowed Liminka to take advantage of an increasingly mobile-first world, by enabling mobile devices to function as secure access credentials.

Upon registration, facility users simply download/install an app on their smartphone, smartwatch or other mobile device, in order to automatically receive their mobile ID. This convenient, touchless credentialling system allows for immediate facility access, simply by presenting the mobile device to HID Signo Readers located throughout the buildings.

User data stored securely on the HID Origo cloud platform

User data is securely stored on the HID Origo cloud platform, enabling administrators to seamlessly create, manage, issue and revoke credentials, and assign access levels.

“The readers offer unparalleled security via a multi-layered model that ensures data authenticity and privacy. Further, data stored on the ISO 27001-certified platform provides valuable and actionable insights into who accessed specific facilities, when and for how long,” said Kimmo Honka, the IT Manager for the Municipality of Liminka.

HID Mobile Access solution integrated into room booking system

To leverage all the benefits of user data and mobile credentialing that the HID Software Developer Kit (SDK) provides, the HID Mobile Access solution was also integrated into Liminka’s room booking system – in cooperation with Asio and Seniortek.

The transition was undertaken incrementally, so as to ensure compatibility with the existing IT infrastructure and to maximise user adoption.

Streamlined access management for the municipality

HID Mobile Access can be managed from anywhere, without requiring in-person interactions

Along with a more satisfying user experience, the resulting system streamlined access management for the municipality. From an operational perspective, HID Mobile Access can be managed from anywhere, without requiring in-person interactions.

Using the integrated reservation system, residents and employees can use their smartphone to conveniently book sports facilities and meeting rooms. At their allotted reservation time, the user simply presents their smartphone or smart watch to the reader by the door to allow them to securely access the space.

Connected and customised mobile access solution

Now, the number of users with HID Mobile Access is nearly six times higher than with the previous key tag method. Furthermore, by eliminating physical tags and text-based entry codes, the municipality has realised a 15-20% savings per user, as it no longer needs to replace lost tags, physically maintain older systems, or pay to send codes to facility users by text message.

“Before, physical ID passes had been handled using tags. They were widely used, which also allowed for their misuse. The new mobile access solution is connected and tailored solely to the right person, and a significant improvement has taken place,” said Janne Laamanen, the Sports Services Manager for the Municipality of Liminka.

Faster, reliable and secure access control

In addition to significantly improved data security and accuracy, mobile IDs are faster and more reliable than key tags. This has led to a drop in support call volume compared to previous systems.

As one of the first in Finland to utilise mobile access control in its recreational facilities, the Municipality of Liminka’s success with HID Mobile Access has paved the way for other municipalities in the country to consider making the transition. Officials from the surrounding areas have already visited Liminka to experience the solution for themselves.

Easy tracking and access control

“With previous systems, monitoring facility utilisation was a challenge. With HID’s mobile access solution, we can easily track and control access. It’s now possible to make more informed decisions,” said Kari Karjalainen, the Property Manager for the Municipality of Liminka.