Implementation Roles, Responsibilities and Steps

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Customer/Project Manager

   • Responsibilities:

     • Oversee coordination and testing between locksmiths, electricians, software system providers, and Inlet.
     • Provide essential resources such as system links, setup guides, and user journey details to the relevant professionals.
     • Help define user journey requirements and coordinate with the locklsmith and booking software provider. 
     • Ensure API and network configuration details are sent to support@inlet.no following installation to enable integration.

   • Optional: Inlet offers project management services, billed by the hour, to facilitate the process.

2. Locksmith

   • Responsibilities:
     • Recommend and install lock systems compatible with Inlet’s platform and customer requirements. (A list of supported systems can be found under Hardware Integrations.)
     • Follow setup guides specific to the chosen lock system.
     • Share API and network configuration details with Inlet as described in the setup guide.

3. Electrician for Sauna Customers

   • Responsibilities:
     • Install and configure heating systems or other electrical components required for automation.
     • Work with the locksmith to ensure synchronization between heating and access control systems.

4. IT Provider (if applicable)

   • Responsibilities:
     • Configure the network to allow communication between Inlet’s platform and the lock system.
     • Ensure network connectivity for online locks is stable and working as required 
     • Manage advanced configurations, such as firewall adjustments or IP whitelisting, if the network setup is complex.
     • Test to ensure access to the network and server is working
     • Collaborate with locksmiths and Inlet to finalize connectivity.

Steps for Implementation with Inlet

1. Define the User Experience

   • Determine Key User Journey Details (some examples):
     • Will guests need to have the same access codes for various doors in their booking? (Main Door, Room, Gym...)
     • How many guests will need codes for the same door at the same time? 
     • How long should the validity period be for access? 
     • Identify any areas requiring unrestricted access during operational periods, or doors which should remain open only during the booking.
     • What environment will the locks be used in? Cold, rainy, heat .... 
     • Establish methods for communicating guests access details (e.g., SMS or email).
     • Should systems (e.g., heating) be prepared before user access, and if so, how far in advance?
     • Plan for contingencies to ensure user access during system outages or failures.

2. Select a Booking System

   • Choose from Inlet’s list of supported booking systems (Software Integrations).
   • Contact post@inlet.no for assistance or guidance if needed.

3. Choose an Access Control System

   • Consult with a locksmith to select a compatible system from Inlet’s supported hardware.
     • Note: Additional costs may apply for API access or licensing of features from the locksmith or access control system manufacturer
   • Share the user journey details defined in step 1 to help in the selection process.
   • Be aware that access systems have different functionality which may or may not support the required user journeys.  Some limitations might include:
     • Support for a only limited number of total codes they can store or manage at once.
     • Some systems may only allow codes to be valid for specific, rigid time windows.
     • Different access systems handle so called "office mode" or "open mode" in different ways, or not at all. 
     • Some systems cannot handle access to multiple areas with a single code. For example it may not be possible to have the same codes for access to different areas in the user journey. 

4. Install and Configure Lock Systems

   • Provide locksmiths with the appropriate Inlet setup guides.
   • Locksmiths and IT providers must ensure the lock server is accessible from external networks and send the required details to Inlet for integration after they have confirmed connectivity 

5. Integrate Lock Systems with the Booking Platform

   • Once the locksmith provides the necessary configuration details, Inlet completes the connection process.

6. Testing

   • Conduct a testing phase lasting up to 14 business days to ensure system reliability and quality.

7. Launch

   • Following successful testing, the system is fully operational and ready for user interaction.