Located in Dunedin, Florida, Artisan Apartment Homes is a luxury 65-unit property just steps from the Gulf of Mexico. With high demand and over 400 people on the waitlist, the property faced mounting challenges managing access for residents, visitors and deliveries. Legacy systems—mechanical locks and disconnected fob-based infrastructure—created inefficiencies, increased costs and frustrated staff and residents alike.
Property Manager Sally Caron struggled with time-consuming tasks like issuing and deactivating fobs, replacing lost keys and juggling multiple systems. Residents, meanwhile, wanted the convenience of mobile credentials they’d experienced elsewhere.
To solve these issues, Artisan partnered with Comfort Technologies, a Florida-based integrator specializing in multifamily access control. Comfort introduced Allegion, whose open architecture and responsive support made them the ideal technology partner.
In 2022, the team began upgrading all apartment doors with Schlage Control® smart locks and ENGAGE™ access control. Residents received new fobs and the option to use Schlage Mobile Bluetooth® credentials, enabling keyless entry via smartphone. Over time, staff-only areas and retail storage spaces were also upgraded with Schlage NDE wireless locks, reducing the need for physical keys and streamlining access for employees and leaseholders.
The transformation continued in 2023 with the adoption of Zentra, Allegion’s cloud-based software platform designed for multifamily properties. Zentra centralized access management across perimeter, amenity and unit doors, allowing staff to assign access, create fobs and manage schedules from a single dashboard. Comfort Technologies, the first Zentra Authorized Integrator, handled the upgrade seamlessly.
Residents transitioned to Bluetooth mobile credentials via the Zentra app and in 2024, Artisan became one of the first properties to offer resident key in Apple Wallet. This allowed tenants to unlock doors with a simple tap of their iPhone or Apple Watch—no app required. With Express Mode and Power Reserve, access remained available even when devices needed charging.
The impact was immediate. Residents appreciated the convenience and security, while staff saw major improvements in operational efficiency. Temporary access for deliveries and housekeeping could be granted instantly. Enrollment and move-out processes became smoother. And with fewer fobs to order and less need for additional personnel, the property saw significant cost savings and a boost in NOI.
Looking ahead, Artisan plans to expand its access control system with additional Schlage devices, including the Schlage XE360 wireless locks and sleek MTB Series wall readers. The property is also preparing to support resident key in Google Wallet, further future-proofing its infrastructure.
As Caron puts it, “Zentra is a game changer. It’s made my job easier in so many ways and our residents feel safer and more empowered. We’re not just keeping up—we’re leading.”
To read the full case study, visit Allegion Case Study: Artisan Apartment Homes – Dunedin, Florida.
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