Inlet simplifies sauna accessibility and energy efficiency by integrating access control systems and digital locks with booking software and sauna preheating automation.

Combine locks and booking systems from Inlet's list of supported partners to create a fully automated sauna solution.

Have a look here first Getting Started with Inlet

In this document, you will find all the information you need to successfully build an automated sauna.

How an Automated Sauna Works

With an automated sauna solution, guests will book and pay online, and receive an access code by SMS before their booking starts. The code is generated, sent and changed automatically for each booking. The sauna heater is automated to start before the booking, so the sauna is hot when guests arrive.

Inlet works by connecting the booking system to the lock system. We control the sauna heater directly by using a HUUM UKU controller (recommended), or by connecting the heater to the lock system by using a timer and a relay.

Functionality Delivered by Inlet

Inlet delivers automation of the locks and heaters. Here are some of the technical features we can offer.

Lock and Access Control Features

Guest SMS/Email with codes:
- Unique codes generated and sent to each guest by mail or SMS
- Codes also work for related areas (e.g., showers, wardrobe, entrance)*
- SMS/email can be timed in relation to bookings
- Contents of SMS/emails are fully customizable
Office Mode/Unlock Mode: Keeps certain doors unlocked during bookings*. This is often used in the sauna room during the booking to allow guests to move in and out without entering the code every time.

* Features are lock system specific: Not all locks support this, check with your locksmith

Sauna Preheating

The sauna heaters can be automated in two different ways:

Using a HUUM UKU controller
Connecting the heating controller to the access control system via a relay and timer.

1. Direct integration with HUUM UKU controllers (recommended)

The recommended way to automate the sauna heater is using a HUUM UKU controller. This allows Inlet to control the heater without using the access control system. That means the type of lock or access control system you use will not affect the heating automation.

Figure 1: This technical drawing illustrates the solution using a HUUM UKU controller. It also illustrates the responsibilities of each party when setting up the solution.

2. Via access control system using a timer and relay

You can control the heater via the access control system. In this case, you need to connect the heater physically to the access control system and attach a timer with a relay. When the access control system receives a “pulse signal” from Inlet, it needs to reset the timer to allow the heater to function.

Figure 2: This technical drawing illustrates the solution using a timer and relay connected to the access control system. It also illustrates the responsibilities of each party when setting up the solution.

Note: The heating controller can be stand-alone (as pictured) or integrated directly into the oven heater

What You Need to Automate a Sauna

Inlet Premium Subscription
Booking system: See supported systems at Inlet's Software Integrations
Access control or digital lock: Choose any digital lock or access control system supporting your desired guest journey. A full access control system is required if not using a HUUM UKU controller for heating.
Correct network configuration: Inlet must be able to access the network when the server is installed on-premise. This is described in the setup guide and might require an IT-technician.
Internet connection: Reliable connectivity at the sauna location.
Electric Sauna Controller
- A HUUM UKU cloud based controlled heater, which Inlet supports. All controls are managed directly between Inlet and HUUM via a cloud integration. (Recommended) (See Figure 1 above)
  
  OR
- A sauna heater connected with a relay and timer:
  This will physically connect the heating controller to the access control system and control the timing function. (See Figure 2 above)

Important notes when using relay and timer:

Ensure the timer function can support reset and start again each time a new pre-heating signal is received (not all support this, and can lead to problems with preheating). This means if the oven is set to stay on for 3 hours, and the booking is for 2 hours, the oven should be reset to 3 hours again when the next booking starts. This prevents the heater from turning off before the next reservation is over.
The "lock" which controls the heater must be installed as a separate "lock" in the access system, thus generating a unique Inlet lock ID.. This is because we send a pulse signal to this lock at a pre-configured time before the booking (and code) is valid in order to start the oven before the guests arrive.

Who You Need To Automate a Sauna

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Customer/Project Manager

Responsibilities:
- Coordinate with locksmith, electrician, booking system provider, and Inlet.
- Provide partners with necessary resources (links to supported systems, setup guides).
- Ensure API and network details are sent to support@inlet.no after installation.
Optional: Inlet can provide project management services (billed by the hour).

2. Locksmith

Responsibilities:
- Recommend and install lock systems compatible with Inlet.
  Compatible lock systems can be found here (Hardware Integrations)
- Follow the appropriate setup guide for the chosen lock system (Setup Guides).
- Send API and network details to support@inlet.no after installation.
  This is described in the setup guide for the chosen lock system.

3. Electrician

Responsibilities:
- Install and connect sauna heaters.
- Ensure heaters integrate with locks via a relay/timer or via the HUUM UKU controller.
- If not using HUUM, the sauna heater must be connected to the access control system and the electrician might have to cooperate with the locksmith.

4. IT Provider (if necessary)

Responsibilities:
- Configure the network according to the correct setup guide (where needed), to allow Inlet to connect to the lock system.
- Coordinate with locksmith and Inlet to ensure Inlet’s connection to the lock system.

If you have a complex internet network, your IT-provider or IT-technician needs to open up the firewall and white-list the IP addresses described in the setup guide for the chosen lock system. (Setup Guides). This might not be required if you have a simpler network setup.

How To Automate a Sauna

Steps for Implementation / Checklist

Define your guest's user journey?

Should the sauna be preheated before guests arrive?

If so, how long before each booking should the oven be turned on?

Should the guests have a single code for all the doors at the location?

How many guests will have access to the location at any one time?

Do guests book individual seats or the entire sauna at once?

Are there doors which should remain unlocked or open during the booking period?

Should the guest receive an email or SMS with information about the booking and codes?

Do you have a backup solution in case there is a problem with the locks, codes or something else so the guest can still get access?

2. Choose a Booking System

Select from Inlet’s supported systems (Software Integrations).

Contact post@inlet.no for guidance if needed.

3. Select an Access Control System

Consult a locksmith for recommendations from Inlet’s supported systems (Hardware Integrations).

Make sure you inform them about the user journey you decided on in step 1. This will help them recommend the right lock system.

4. Decide on a Sauna Heating Controller

Recommended: Use a HUUM UKU controller for direct integration.

If not using HUUM UKU, you can connect a timer and relay to the sauna heater and the access control system (to get automated heating in your sauna).

If you decide to not use HUUM UKU, talk to your electrician and locksmith to set up the timer/relay solution. See the technical drawings above - Figure 2).

5. Install the Lock System

Provide the locksmith with the setup guides (Setup Guides). They must use the specific setup guide for the lock system they are installing.

The locksmith (and IT-provider) must ensure that the lock server is reachable from an outside network. They must send API and network details to support@inlet.no. This is described in the setup guide.

6. Connect Locks to the Booking System

When the locksmith has sent API and network details to Inlet, we will complete the connection process.

7. Testing Period

Testing of the system takes up to 14 business days to ensure the quality of the solution.

8. Launch

Once testing is complete, the sauna is fully automated and ready to use.

FAQs

What’s the difference between an Access Control System and a Digital Lock?

A digital lock is usually a simple lock with smart functionality. An access control system is a professional-grade software and hardware system designed to allow and deny access.

For practical purposes, a sauna heater can be connected to an access control system, but not a simple digital lock. You can only use simple digital locks when using HUUM UKU for heating (or if you don’t want to automate the sauna heating using Inlet).

What is an Electric Sauna Controller?

The sauna controller is there to maintain correct temperature and to make sure the sauna heater operates safely. Sauna control units can be a simple model with inbuilt manual switches, or a high-end sophisticated Wifi-controller operated with mobile devices.

What if I don’t use HUUM UKU?

You’ll need a timer connected to the access control system to manage preheating.

See Figure 2 in this document

Can I use any lock system?

No, only locks from Inlet’s supported list (Hardware Integrations) are compatible.

If you have a specific system you want to use and we don’t support it yet, ask us about building a new integration.

Can Inlet manage the installation?

Certainly! If you don’t want to manage the project yourself, project management services are available from Inlet at an hourly rate. Contact post@inlet.no for more information.

The Sauna Playbook