Modern workplaces demand operational efficiency, sustainability and personal experiences that younger generations expect.
Companies are tasked with a pressing challenge: to attempt to address all three of these dimensions, simultaneously.
Nan Fung Group, one of Hong Kong's leading property developers with a deep commitment to sustainable development, faced exactly this challenge at their flagship AIRSIDE tower. Their solution? Employee credentials in mobile wallet for commercial real estate — a singular solution to security, efficiency and environmental concerns.
Addressing Hidden Costs With Mobile
The challenges with plastic access cards extend far beyond environmental impact. Lost cards create security vulnerabilities and administrative burdens. The constant cycle of replacement and re-issuance consumes resources that could be better spent elsewhere.
For Nan Fung's 32-story AIRSIDE complex in Hong Kong's Kai Tak Central Business District, these operational inefficiencies conflicted with their vision of creating spaces that embody "wholeness" — integrating sustainable living with seamless experiences.
Nan Fung’s Green Goals Drive Digital Innovation
AIRSIDE's HID mobile wallet experience demonstrates how sustainable intent can lead to a myriad of other benefits. Employees can now tap their smart phones or watches to access office doors, turnstiles, elevators and even copy machines — eliminating waste while enhancing security and convenience.
Immediate Impact: Security, Efficiency and Sustainability
The operational benefits of AIRSIDE’s new mobile access-led ecosystem were clear from the start. New employees receive building access instantly through a secure digital process — no waiting for physical cards, no risk of outdated credentials and no plastic waste. Building administrators gain real-time control and visibility, with detailed access logs and the ability to modify permissions instantly.
From a security perspective, mobile wallet credentials offer significant advantages. Employee credentials are stored on personal devices and protected by device biometrics. If devices are lost or stolen, users can quickly disable access remotely, providing superior security compared to traditional methods.
Building the Foundation for Smart Workplace Evolution
Mobile credentials serve as more than a replacement for plastic badges — they create the digital identity foundation for advanced smart building capabilities. As IoT sensors, AI-powered building management and personalized workplace experiences become more widespread, secure mobile credentials are an instrumental piece for unlocking these capabilities.
Some buildings today already feature elevators that know your destination floor, climate systems that adjust to your personal preferences, and meeting rooms that configure themselves based on scheduled activities. Mobile credentials help form the digital identity infrastructure that makes these experiences possible.
For Asia's commercial real estate sector, the AIRSIDE implementation provides both validation and a roadmap. As pioneers of change in commercial real estate, Nan Fung has demonstrated that the technology is proven and the benefits — operational, environmental and experiential — are clear.
Read the full case study or watch the video (with English subtitles).
Ready to explore what’s possible with mobile access? Take a moment to play with our Interactive Mobile Experience >>
