Allegion is no longer just a traditional manufacturer; they are now focused on software and electrification to differentiate themselves from competitors. I was hired to establish a new multi-family brand that included creating a brand and design system for a web app, as well as a native iOS and Android app. This project has been the toughest challenge I've ever faced. Our team has encountered significant obstacles such as working with Schlage's hardware, dealing with different team dynamics, and constantly shifting product directions. Nevertheless, we've still managed to design a fantastic user experience, and I've added a level of detail and polish that Allegion has never seen before, particularly in the Zentra web app. This project has challenged me to develop my people and mentoring skills, rather than simply honing my design craft. Although this project is still ongoing, I will continue to update this piece with new developments and wins.
The multi-family space has been a space that Allegion has placed in as a hardware provider for some time, but has been hesitant to enter the market, fearing to step on the toes of its partners who use the Schlage Control lock. However, this sector is ripe for innovation, and property technology companies are continuously emerging to offer a new spin. These companies have focused on new construction, where their hardware and solutions require an internet infrastructure to provide real-time information. Nevertheless, we interviewed multi-family property portfolio owners and discovered a significant portion of the market is looking for a retrofit solution to offer smarter and cheaper access control without requiring a new infrastructure setup. Many apartment complexes have to deal with two access control systems, one for real-time perimeter security and another for the residences' apartments, which use a traditional lock and key setup. Our primary concern was how to develop a retrofit setup that could provide existing apartment complexes with the benefits of electronic access control while unifying access under a single software solution.