Melbourne's renowned 101 Collins Street tower is setting a precedent in access control technology by fully embracing mobile credentials, according to a recent announcement by HID, a pioneer in identity and access solutions, and Kodaa, an Australian digital consultancy.
This landmark building now allows thousands of tenants and visitors to enter using their mobile wallets, eliminating the need for traditional access cards. The adoption marks a significant shift, showcasing how mobile access solutions are integrating into everyday operations of commercial buildings.
Implementation of secure mobile credentials
The project, implemented by Melbourne-based Kodaa alongside HID, has been operational for almost a year and serves over 35 tenancies with thousands of active users. Notably, the mobile access system utilises existing mobile wallets and is seamlessly integrated with the building's current infrastructure. HID contributes to the project's success by providing a robust identity management system through secure mobile credentials.
Steve Katanas, Head of ANZ for HID Physical Access Control Solutions, highlighted the industry shift from plastic cards to mobile credentials as a transformative development. "Through HID's proven ecosystem of credentials and readers, we enable partners like Kodaa to deliver frictionless, mobile-first experiences at scale," Katanas mentioned.
Balancing security with convenience
Katanas further noted the elimination of the perceived trade-off between security and ease of use
Katanas further noted the elimination of the perceived trade-off between security and ease of use, achieved through mobile access solutions.
These systems combine strong identity verification with device-level security, establishing a new benchmark in workplace access control. Kodaa's founder, Seth Khouri, underscored the positive feedback from users, noting that the transition didn't require extensive infrastructure changes. The system's ability to integrate with existing operations reduced risk and facilitated immediate benefits.
Access management and future outlook
The integration at 101 Collins Street has revolutionised access management. Access requests, approvals, updates, and cancellations are now handled digitally via a central portal, contributing to a more efficient administration process. As hybrid working patterns reshape tenant expectations, the demand for intelligent and seamless building experiences increases. Katanas remarked that the digital credential deployment exemplified how such systems could scale without necessitating significant infrastructure modifications.
This successful deployment at one of Australia's iconic towers is seen as a blueprint for how HID and its partners can enhance access control systems in workplaces of the future.
HID, a pioneer in trusted identity and access control solutions and Kodaa, an Australian digital consultancy, announces that Melbourne’s iconic 101 Collins Street tower is emerging as a live example of how mobile credentials are moving from pilot projects to everyday building operations - with thousands of tenants and visitors now accessing one of the city’s most prestigious commercial towers through their mobile wallet, without the need for a physical card.
The Collins Street building is setting a new benchmark for commercial buildings after deploying HID Mobile Access at scale across entry points, elevators, lockers, and end-of-trip facilities.
Secure mobile credentials
The deployment, delivered by Melbourne-based digital consultancy Kodaa with HID Mobile Access, has been live for nearly a year and is supporting thousands of active users across more than 35 tenancies. Rather than introducing new hardware or layered systems, the integrated solution embeds access directly into the mobile wallet, with HID providing the trusted identity backbone through secure mobile credentials.
Steve Katanas, Head of ANZ for HID Physical Access Control Solutions said the shift from plastic cards to mobile credentials is one of the most significant changes the industry has seen in decades. “Through HID’s proven ecosystem of credentials and readers, we enable partners like Kodaa to deliver frictionless, mobile-first experiences at scale,” Katanas said.
Combining strong identity
“There’s often a perceived trade-off between security and convenience, but mobile access solutions remove that compromise entirely by combining strong identity and device-level security, which sets a new benchmark for workplace access control.”
Kodaa founder, Seth Khouri, said the results confirmed the growing demand for mobile wallet access to secure buildings. “A year on, we’re supporting thousands of active users, and the feedback is overwhelmingly positive. People don’t want to go back. Also, the project didn’t require a full infrastructure overhaul. The integrated solution is built to work with existing systems and HID ensures modernisation without disruption, making the transition low risk and the results immediate.”
Modernise access control
The 101 Collins Street deployment has reshaped the way teams manage access administration, with access requests, approvals, updates, and revocations now handled digitally through a central portal.
“As hybrid work continues to influence tenant expectations, office buildings are under increasing pressure to deliver smarter, more seamless experiences from the moment someone arrives. What 101 Collins has shown is that digital credentials can be deployed at scale without disrupting existing infrastructure,” Katanas said.
What began as a flagship deployment at one of Australia’s most iconic commercial towers is now being viewed as a model for how HID and its partners can help modernise access control for the next generation of workplaces.
