At Europe’s newest multipurpose arena, Nokia Arena, doors open with mobile phones – Helsinki Times
Europe’s newest multipurpose arena, Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland, includes state-of-the-art access management. Security and access control systems are integrated with arena staff shifts and logistics. Mobile devices and wristbands are used as keys. Rapid emergency exit is also central t…….
Europe’s newest multipurpose arena, Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland, includes state-of-the-art access management. Security and access control systems are integrated with arena staff shifts and logistics. Mobile devices and wristbands are used as keys. Rapid emergency exit is also central to the arena, which draws 15,000 people.
Solutions for the arena have been provided by Abloy Oy.
A new era began in the heart of Tampere, Finland, when Nokia Arena opened its doors in December. The arena, designed by the internationally renowned architect Daniel Libeskind – and built above the main line railway – will host large events, including the 2022 Men’s Ice Hockey World Championships. The central location of the venue in the city centre and its opening hours around the clock highlight the importance of access management. For example, it must be possible to separate semi-public, open areas from premises accessible only to employees or hotel guests. Security solutions as well as access management and control systems for the arena have been implemented by Abloy.
“Nokia Arena is a striking example of security trends, where access rights are becoming digital and door environments are touchless. In this development, various human resource, space and access management systems, for example, are integrated. They share information to improve operational efficiency and security. There has been a lot of discussion about the API economy, i.e., utilizing data shared through application programming interfaces, in recent years,” says Jari Perälä, Vice President, Domestic Sales and Marketing, Abloy Oy.
Mobile devices and wristbands acting as keys
In the arena, the doors are opened with access rights on mobile devices and wristbands. Electromechanical keys are also used.
“We have introduced a wide range of keys. Access permits can be sent to smart devices, in which case the door opens with the help of a mobile phone or smartwatch in the blink of an eye. This way, for example, an ice hockey team training in the rink does not have to worry about losing the keys or returning them to the right place when the access rights expire at the end of the game shift. When granting access, it is also possible to determine which premises can and cannot be accessed,” says Jani Helenius, Property and Security Manager at Nokia Arena.
“The doors of the arena open with a smartphone or smartwatch, which is really clever. I am convinced that the hockey people will enjoy many moments in the new arena,” says Jukka Peltola, Assistant Captain of the Finnish ice hockey league team Tappara. The team is one …….
