BNY has transformed its building access system by incorporating mobile access solutions, inspired largely by employee feedback. This initiative allows employees to use their iPhone or Apple Watch to access buildings conveniently.
Employees have embraced this modern approach, which is being progressively implemented across BNY's global office network.
Integration with pioneer technologies
To bring this vision to life, BNY collaborated with SwiftConnect and HID. The solution integrates the employee badge in Apple Wallet with HID’s mobile-enabled Signo readers, connected by the SwiftConnect network.
These technologies facilitate seamless and secure access, eliminating the need for a physical ID badge and enabling entry to doors, turnstiles, and more with just a mobile device.
Implementation and technological efficiencies
BNY's rollout began at its New York headquarters, rapidly extending to offices in Boston, London, India
BNY's rollout began at its New York headquarters, rapidly extending to offices in Boston, London, India, and other global locations. Their goal is to implement the system in all 110 locations across 35 countries, ensuring the same user experience and convenience worldwide.
Key features include Express Mode, which allows access without unlocking the device, and Power Reserve mode, enabling use even when the device’s battery is low.
Privacy and security considerations
The employee badge in Apple Wallet offers robust privacy protections, as personal data is not shared with Apple or stored on Apple servers.
If a device is lost, Find My app can secure it swiftly. Privacy and security are fundamental, backed by Apple's built-in safeguards.
Consistency and user experience
The implementation of mobile access solutions aligns with BNY's aim for consistent access experience across their properties. Dafna Alsheh, Global Head of Workplace Experience & Design at BNY, highlights the benefits of using familiar technology that mirrors everyday experiences, such as using Apple Wallet in stores. Employees have responded positively, noting the ease and familiarity of the system.
The combination of user-friendly technology and heightened security measures underscores BNY's commitment to a safe and efficient workplace environment.
How do you rethink and transform building access for a 241-year-old company? BNY started by asking employees. The response was encouraging. The BNY team found that employees embraced the concept of mobile access solutions.
The thought of implementing access solutions was already being considered by the company and the team was excited about the idea of providing a modern experience that allows employees worldwide to conveniently access their building spaces with a simple iPhone or Apple Watch.
How powerful of a concept
“The whole idea of people navigating around our facilities globally — it just brings a smile to your face,” said Ken Damstrom, Global Head of Corporate Security at BNY.
“But it really brings a smile to their face because when they come to work they come with their iPhone they don’t necessarily need to come with their (physical) ID badge and how powerful of a concept is that?”
Getting started with the right team
To put everything in motion, BNY engaged connected access network provider SwiftConnect and mobile access provider, HID. Selecting experienced and reputable partners was important for BNY, along with the technologies that they brought to the table.
For this project, those technologies included employee badge in Apple Wallet alongside HID’s mobile-enabled Signo readers and the reliability of the SwiftConnect connected access network.
How does the technology work?
Two key components of BNY’s initiative were essential to its success. Employee badge in Apple Wallet, paired with HID’s mobile-enabled Signo readers gives employees and their guests easy and secure access to corporate spaces using only their iPhone or Apple Watch. Users can simply hold their device near a reader to access doors, turnstiles, elevators, spaces and more.
SwiftConnect unifies identity and physical access into one effortless experience, connecting systems and spaces into a unified network. It supports on-demand access via mobile credentials and optimises existing methods like fobs and cards for secure, consistent access — replacing friction with fluidity at every interaction.
“What we learned by partnering with SwiftConnect and HID was employee badge in Apple Wallet was absolutely ready for prime time,” said Ken Damstrom. “We’ve had nothing but confidence in rolling it out in our organisation.”
Making mobile access technology a reality
With full support from their partners, BNY launched their new mobile access solution at their headquarters in New York City, then expanded to other offices in Boston, London and India, as well as others. They’ll continue until every BNY office worldwide is using the technology — at 110 locations in 35 countries.
Regardless of which country the technology is implemented, employee badge in Apple Wallet will work the same across BNY’s facilities. That’s important because their employees can seamlessly and securely enter and move around multiple locations.
Also, with Express Mode, employees do not need to unlock their device to use their employee badge in Apple Wallet. Even if the phone needs to be charged, the device can still be used to access spaces with Power Reserve mode.
Advantage of privacy and security
When an employee has an employee badge in Apple Wallet, their data is never shared with Apple or stored on Apple servers. If their iPhone or Apple Watch is misplaced, the owner of the device can promptly use the Find My app to lock the device and help locate it.
Employee badges in Apple Wallet are stored on personal devices and take full advantage of the privacy and security built into iPhone and Apple Watch.
“We wanted consistency across our real estate portfolio, so whether you’re in New York, Lake Mary or London, you know how to access the site because you know how to use employee badge in Apple Wallet,” said Dafna Alsheh, Global Head of Workplace Experience & Design, BNY.
Combination of technologies
The combination of these technologies is now helping BNY create that convenient, quick access experience for employees — while ensuring a secure workplace.
“One of the things that makes employee badge in Apple Wallet really impactful is that it works the same at work as it does when they’re at the store or on the subway because you don’t have to teach people how to use it,” said Dafna Alsheh.
“We’ve had people who are like, ‘wow this just works.’ But when they realise they can use their Apple Watch, then they’re like, ‘this is magic.’”
