Reinventing Perimeter & Gate Access

When Allegion acquired Gatewise, it wasn’t just a product expansion — it was a strategic leap toward solving one of the most persistent operational challenges in multifamily: broken gates, outdated perimeter systems, and the inefficiencies tied to physical credentials.

On a recent episode of Solving for Multifamily, host Robert Gaulden sat down with Joe Summers — former CRO of Gatewise and now Consultant for Multifamily at Allegion — to explore how the company is reshaping access control from the community entrance all the way to the resident’s door.

A Founder’s Story Rooted in Real‑World Problems

Gatewise didn’t begin with a pitch deck — it began with a simple observation. Founder Amit [SJ1] Sherman noticed that many gated communities had their gates permanently propped open or broken. Instead of ignoring the issue, he started knocking on doors.

Summers recalls: “He noticed when he was driving around the apartment communities that a lot of the gates were just open… so he went door knocking and said, ‘If I could fix your gate for nothing, would you allow me to do that?’”

That grassroots approach revealed a massive opportunity: legacy gate systems were expensive to repair, unsupported, and often left communities vulnerable. Gatewise built a retrofit friendly module that revived these systems at a fraction of the cost — and operators took notice.

Mobile‑First Long Before the Industry Caught Up

While many access control providers are only now embracing mobile credentials, Gatewise has been mobile first for nearly a decade. Summers emphasizes that this wasn’t a trend play — it was a response to how people actually live.

“We adopted a mobile first approach to everything we do… people have their phone in their hand or pocket. If not, they’re freaking out and turning their car around to go get it.”

Today, Gatewise sees 90–95% mobile adoption across communities — a number that surprises many operators who assume residents still prefer fobs or cards. The reality is simple: phones have become the universal credential.

Operational Efficiency: The Hidden ROI

Beyond convenience, Gatewise’s platform unlocks significant operational savings. With integrations across major PMS platforms, move-ins and move-outs become automated, credentials are issued digitally, and regional managers gain visibility into access points across their entire portfolio.

Summers explains: “It becomes a little bit of a set it and forget it… once we set everything up, we can automatically move people in with credentials based on the PMS integration.”

This centralization means:

Fewer lockouts
Fewer rekeys
Fewer after hours calls
Better security oversight
Reduced physical key management costs

For operators managing dozens or hundreds of properties, the impact compounds quickly.

Why This Matters for Off Campus Student Housing

Off campus student housing is one of the most gate dependent and turnover heavy segments in the entire rental ecosystem. Gatewise’s model fits perfectly because:

Students overwhelmingly prefer mobile credentials
Turnover cycles are predictable and access can be revoked or granted via PMS integration[DA1]
Lockouts spike during move in and finals
Delivery traffic (DoorDash, Amazon, Instacart) is constant
Access needs to be fast, flexible, and secure

Gatewise’s QR-based guest access and mobile only workflows eliminate the chaos of physical keys — and give operators a way to manage high volume, high velocity access with ease.A Natural Fit for Mixed Use Properties

A Natural Fit for Mixed Use Properties

Mixed use communities — with retail, restaurants, coworking, and residential stacked together — have some of the most complex access needs in real estate.

Gatewise’s architecture is uniquely suited for this environment because:

Each access point is independently controlled
Credentials can be segmented by user type
Retail and residential flows can stay separate
Vendors, visitors and delivery drivers can use QR-based access
Operators gain visibility across every door, floor, and zone

This is where Gatewise’s flexibility shines: one platform, many access types, zero friction.

Beyond Gates: A Full Perimeter to Unit Ecosystem

While Gatewise built its reputation on gate and perimeter solutions, the platform now extends to:

Amenity doors
Perimeter entries
Fitness centers
Interior access points

With Allegion’s hardware ecosystem behind it, Gatewise is positioned to deliver a unified access experience across the entire property.

A New Standard for Guest & Vendor Access

One of Gatewise’s most innovative additions is its QR-based virtual call box, designed for delivery drivers, guests, and vendors. It eliminates the need for expensive intercom systems and gives residents more control over who enters the community.

Summers describes the experience: “When a guest scans that QR code… they can find their friend in the directory or do a direct video call with that resident. It’s super easy.”

This solves a major pain point for gated communities struggling with:

Delivery access
After‑hours entry
Lobby congestion
Security compliance
How QR-based guest access works

The Bottom Line

Gatewise’s evolution — now accelerated by Allegion — represents a shift toward mobile centric, retrofit friendly, portfolio wide access control. What began as a simple fix for broken gates has become a comprehensive ecosystem that improves security, reduces operational burden, and meets modern resident expectations across:

Multifamily
Off campus student housing
Mixed use communities
Self storage

Summers sums it up best: “With Allegion, we’ve become that one stop shop — front of community all the way to the resident door.”

Ready for more? Connect with a multifamily expert and discover why Gatewise is the go‑to choice for multifamily communities nationwide.

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Reinventing Perimeter & Gate Access

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