PTI ASSA ABLOY Team Propels Innovation and Quality in Self-Storage Security Solutions

ASSA ABLOY began as a regional lock maker and transformed into the global leader in access solutions, with a stellar reputation for innovation and quality in door security, entrance automation, and digital access. The company is headquartered in Sweden and operates across more than 70 countries with a workforce of 61,000 employees worldwide.

To expand its safety and security offerings beyond core verticals that include hospitality, the marine industry, critical infrastructure, key- and asset management, senior care, and construction, ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions found an ideal match in self-storage global leader PTI Security Systems. Operating in the United States and the United Kingdom, PTI’s end-to-end solutions and customer-centric designs have earned multiple awards over the last 40-plus years and have become a valued partner to operators and dealers on a global scale.

"We view this union as a win-win. ASSA ABLOY provides resources to help an already successful PTI team reach the next level while also building our expertise in a new market with local teams who are closest to the customer," said Stephanie Ordan, Executive VP and Head of ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions.

With technology at its center, PTI Security Systems  ASSA ABLOY aims to create globally scalable, end-to-end solutions that support operators at all points of their business life cycles, building a portfolio of products that keep pace with the changing needs and demands of self-storage tenants. 

David Shaw, Managing Director of PTI Security Systems, noted that being part of the ASSA ABLOY group fast-tracks PTI’s innovation and product development. “We benefit greatly by bringing world-class technologies, proven processes, and learnings from ASSA ABLOY in-house. By building relationships and sharing knowledge with other ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions partners, we learn about their products that customers in other industries appreciate most. We then use those insights to innovate for our self-storage customers based on existing proof of concepts.”

The advantage of this collaborative approach is evident in the 2023 debut of smart padlock HELOX and the more recent introduction of ProEdge in early 2024. HELOX represents the ultimate portable unit security solution that enables fully automated self-storage rentals, unit overlocking and digital key sharing through Bluetooth devices. ProEdge redefines door security with a more permanent smart solution that marries Bluetooth capabilities and convenience in a sleek product that elevates the tenant experience.

The paths to engineering both products started with customer need. PTI wanted to solve the issue of mechanical key inconvenience at properties with expansive footprints and multiple secure entrances. The goal was to create a top-of-the-line set of mechanical locks that did not require a mechanical key. The Global Solutions critical infrastructure team had a padlock prototype that was quality-tested and performed well for customers in industries that demand the highest levels of security. PTI evolved the physical design and re-engineered the lock to better address the unique needs of self-storage. In the case of ProEdge, PTI aimed to simplify and modernize door security for both operators and tenants with one smart latch solution. Many of ASSA ABLOY’s design principles and best practices were applied to the final product to increase aesthetic appeal and user experience while expediting the go-to-market timetable.  

Both products also underwent ASSA ABLOY’s proven product development process to provide a higher degree of robustness and reliability at launch. The lessons learned throughout the process removed redundancies while enabling the team to stay focused on the critical areas needed to support these innovative initiatives. 

“ASSA ABLOY’s providing of shared services to all Global Solutions partners including legal, IT, and finance, enables teams to stay focused on product development and support,” said Miguel Valdovinos, Senior VP and Chief Financial Officer.

“Our home within Global Solutions enables PTI to remain nimble like a small company, but have the resources, consistent processes, and industry-spanning insights of an international organization dedicated to security and safety,” Shaw noted.

Beyond product research, development, and launch, the PTI Security Systems – ASSA ABLOY’s model promotes a constant feedback loop to keep focus on customer preferences and stay connected from installation through software and hardware upgrades. 

Ordan explained, “At our core, we focus on access control with technology and the customer need at our center. We help companies control who can enter and who cannot, creating exceptional customer experiences and convenience but never compromising security.”

Combining an intrinsic entrepreneurial spirit and a growth mindset with unparalleled knowledge of security solutions across global industries, PTI ASSA ABLOY will continue to innovate and maximize opportunities for self-storage operators to attract and rapidly meet the evolving needs of tenants worldwide. 

About PTI Security Systems: 

PTI Security Systems is part of ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, which provides safe and sustainable cutting-edge technology solutions for physical and digital access management control. As a full solutions provider, ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions is part of the wider ASSA ABLOY Group. Being a global leader in access solutions, the Group operates worldwide with 61,000 employees and holds leading positions in areas such as efficient door opening, trusted identities, and entrance automation.

With more than 40 years of experience and more than 40,000 installations globally, PTI is the most trusted name in self-storage security. PTI provides the most innovative, durable, and reliable security products available today in addition to a wide range of integrated security solutions that help create a seamless experience for both tenants and self-storage operators. 

For more information, please visit www.assaabloyglobalsolutions.com