Jordan O'BrienThere’s nothing worse than coming home and finding that dreaded ‘Sorry You Were Out’ delivery card. Rearranging for a different day or picking up the parcel from the local post office is hardly the most stress-free experience. Thankfully, Assa Abloy is hoping to solve that issue using technology, with the company partnering with PostNord in Sweden to offer in-home deliveries using smart locking tech.
“It should be simple and convenient to shop online,” says Johan Hellman, head of eCommerce at PostNord. “We’ll now be able to deliver items inside the front door in a secure way. The recipient doesn’t need to be at home or be available at a particular time, which makes it both simple and convenient.”
The new service works via a PIN code issued automatically to an authorised PostNord delivery driver. The code opens a recipient’s front door just once, so PostNord can leave a parcel on the inside. Now, there’s no need for customers to wait in all day, or make a special journey to a collection point. It’s another real-world example of smart door locks making life easier.
A pilot project is already under way in Lerum, near Gothenburg, in conjunction with some of Scandinavia’s major e-retailers. Approximately 100 households are trialling this new, ultra-convenient delivery option.
“With new and innovative products, such as our Yale Doorman lock, customers have an opportunity to simply and securely avail themselves of different services without having to be at home,” says Kristoffer Wadman, director business development at ASSA ABLOY Scandinavia.
The project illustrates one of many ways a smart door lock can boost convenience and security for everyone. With a smart front door, homeowners no longer have to carry cumbersome keys; there’s no need to cut a spare set for a cleaner, the kids or a cat-sitter. With a smart lock, you can let guests in remotely via an app, send them a digital key, or provide a temporary or single-use PIN to open the door. Digital keys are also safer than metal ones: they can’t be copied or stolen, and can be instantly revoked if they fall into the wrong hands.
To learn more about how PostNord is changing its delivery service business, Assa Abloy has created a video and provided a free download to the case study on its website.