How RemoteLock Modernizes Older Buildings

Retrofitting an older multifamily building with smart technology can feel like a daunting task — especially if the property doesn’t have wired doors or property-wide Wi-Fi. But it doesn’t have to mean compromising on modern conveniences.

First, start with some easy considerations about improving your property. Are you upgrading from physical keys? If you already have smart locks, are you still setting access codes manually? 

Next, think about the scope of your property. Are you only upgrading unit doors or do you also manage common doors, elevators, or other entry points that could benefit? Finally, what kind of connectivity does your building have? Do you have Wi-Fi throughout the building or wired internet?

Whether you’re looking for a simple way to manage access remotely or a more comprehensive access management solution, RemoteLock can bring seamless, secure, and scalable access control to any building — no costly renovations required.

Upgrading From Physical Keys

Physical keys are easy to misplace and copy, which can significantly compromise the security of your property. In addition, every lost key, employee turnover, or new lessee requires time and money spent on rekeying.

Smart locks can alleviate some of this inconvenience, but without an access management platform like RemoteLock, you’ll still need to spend time manually assigning and revoking codes. With RemoteLock, you can assign and revoke digital credentials from anywhere, at any time. This can significantly cut down on your need to physically visit the property and make your operations much more efficient.

Hardware That Fits Your Building

Many managers of older buildings worry that their building isn’t compatible with modern lock hardware, but RemoteLock can alleviate that concern. Our platform is hardware agnostic, which means that property managers can choose the smart lock that best fits each door — whether it’s a Schlage Control model for offline unit access, a Kwikset Halo for Wi-Fi connectivity, or Z-Wave options that integrate via a smart hub.

This flexibility is especially valuable in buildings where not every door is the same size, shape, or material. RemoteLock adapts to the building’s existing structure instead of requiring costly overhauls.

Smart Access Control Without Site-Wide Wi-Fi

Older properties often weren’t built with today’s tech in mind. That means limited internet access, no existing wiring for electrified doors, and outdated mechanical locks. Even if you’ve made the switch to smart locks, you might still be changing codes individually or using different apps for different lock models.

Our software platform supports smart locks that connect in multiple ways — Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, wired, and even offline. That means you can upgrade resident experiences, increase security, and streamline operations without installing building-wide infrastructure, all from one unified dashboard.

For buildings without managed Wi-Fi, our integration with Schlage Control offline locks provides a flexible solution. These locks work without a constant internet connection and support mobile credentials, so residents can use their phones to enter — no keys or fobs required.

One Platform for Every Door

Access control isn’t just about unit doors. Older buildings often have a mix of door types: exterior doors, stairwells, elevators, garages, amenity spaces, maintenance closets, and more. RemoteLock makes it simple to manage all of them from a single dashboard.

Whether you're securing 30 doors or hundreds, RemoteLock supports every access need. Use time-based schedules for staff and vendors, assign mobile credentials for residents, and monitor entry events in real time — all without needing separate systems for different door types.

Security, Visibility, and Peace of Mind

With a modern access control system, you’re not just saving time. You’ll also gain benefits like:

• Improved security with the ability to track when every user is accessing the property
• Advanced scheduling features that unlock doors at certain times of day
• Door groups and user groups that allow staff and maintenance to access multiple doors with one credential
• Real-time alerts about failed unlock attempts, low batteries, lost connections, and more

Seamless Integration with Your Systems

Older properties often use legacy property management software or none at all. RemoteLock integrates with more than 50 platforms, so you can continue using the tools you know while adding powerful access control capabilities.

Prefer to keep things simple? RemoteLock’s dashboard works as a standalone solution, offering everything you need to manage users, track access events, and configure devices, all in one place.

More Than Access: Automate Your Entire Property

Access control is just the beginning. RemoteLock now supports on-site device automation like thermostats and leak detectors. These features are especially useful in older buildings where utilities are harder to control and water damage can be more frequent.

By managing thermostats remotely and receiving real-time leak alerts, property managers reduce energy costs and prevent costly damage — making older buildings more efficient and less risky to operate.

Getting Started

You don’t need a new building to offer a modern resident experience. If you’re looking for a scalable, cost-effective way to improve access control, RemoteLock is built for you. Whether you're managing one community or multiple properties, our solutions scale as you grow, ensuring a secure, connected experience for every resident.

See What RemoteLock Can Do

Do you manage more than 30 doors or devices? Schedule time with our experts to get a custom quote.