With a capacity of 66,500 spectators, the MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA in Düsseldorf, home to Fortuna's main football team, is the largest multi-purpose venue in the city. The arena regularly hosts major events, both sporting matches and concerts, posing ongoing challenges for security and access management.
In search of a reliable and secure update to their mechanical master key system, stadium managers D.LIVE turned to a more comprehensive solution that avoids the issues of traditional mechanical keys.
Digital Locking System Solution
Frequent changes in event formats and service providers often led to lost keys, resulting in administrative burdens and financial costs.
Given the extensive areas needing security, a digital locking system emerged as the optimal solution, meeting the performance demands without compromising on convenience. The technology had to be rugged and inconspicuous, capable of withstanding the physical demands of vibrant football and music events.
Meeting Security Needs
The new system also had to simplify the management of numerous private spaces within the complex
The new system also had to simplify the management of numerous private spaces within the complex, like the Promenade, Merkur Business Club, and east wing boxes, which combined, host nearly 7,000 individuals for various functions.
Critical to the system was the ability to individually grant and revoke access permissions, especially for external event coordinators.
Implementation of Innovative Digital Access
D.LIVE selected the eCLIQ programmable-key locking system from ASSA ABLOY's Digital Access Solutions. Known for its security, reliability, and convenience, eCLIQ was implemented with approximately 2,500 wireless cylinders and about 1,150 eCLIQ Connect keys distributed.
This solution allows each keyholder to have customized access rights, with the capability to revoke them as necessary and block lost keys for enhanced security.
Streamlined Contractor Access Management
The system's software simplifies the process of issuing quick licenses to contractors and service staff
Lukas Angenendt, VEFK & Project Manager for Electrical Engineering at D.LIVE, notes, "One of the reasons we chose eCLIQ Connect keys was to enable us to grant or revoke authorizations to external organizers and operators via Bluetooth in a rapid and user-friendly way."
The system's software simplifies the process of issuing temporary permissions to contractors and service staff, enhancing site management efficiency. Importantly, the eCLIQ Connect keys require on-site validation using a smartphone app PIN for additional security.
Flexibility and Low Maintenance
The eCLIQ system offers notable flexibility and ease of programming, as the power and communication with each cylinder are facilitated through the battery-powered key, eliminating the need for on-site visits to replace batteries.
Installation, free from wiring, is straightforward; the low-maintenance cylinder fits flush with the door, reducing vandalism risks. The entire conversion, executed in a two-week window without events, streamlined the update process efficiently.
With a capacity of 66,500 spectators, the MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA is the largest multi-purpose venue in Düsseldorf and home to the city’s main football team, Fortuna. Regular and constantly changing major events, both matches and concerts, present an ever-evolving security and access challenge.
Stadium managers D.LIVE sought a secure, reliable replacement for their mechanical master key system; comprehensive, flexible security which would no longer create the problems and inconvenience of mechanical keys.
Digital locking system
Due to frequently changing event formats and service providers, keys were often lost, causing considerable administrative work and financial expense.
Due to the large number and size of the areas to be secured, it became clear that only a digital locking system would combine the required performance features in a convenient solution.
Another critical requirement was for robust devices which did not protrude from doors: football and music events can sometimes be a little rough. The technology installed needed to be tough and reliable enough to withstand the odd kick.
Key requirements for the new system
Finally, the solution would also need to simplify the management and rental of multiple private spaces inside the building, including the Promenade, Merkur Business Club, and boxes in the east wing. These offer additional space for a total of almost 7,000 people for meetings, press conferences or product presentations.
One of the key requirements for the new system was, therefore, the ability to grant and revoke access authorizations individually, especially for external event organizers and operators.
Innovative key-based digital access
Based on these requirements and their experience with other local venues, D.LIVE chose the eCLIQ programmable-key locking solution, part of a suite of Digital Access Solutions from ASSA ABLOY, which scores highly on security, reliability and convenience.
Their new eCLIQ key-operated digital access solution has approximately 2,500 wireless cylinders; around 1,150 programmable eCLIQ Connect keys have been issued.
With this solution, every authorized keyholder carries their own eCLIQ key which can be programmed with tailored access authorizations. For added security, access rights can be individually revoked at any time and lost keys can be blocked.
Convenient management of contractor access
“One of the reasons we chose eCLIQ Connect keys was to enable us to grant or revoke authorizations to external organizers and operators via Bluetooth in a rapid and user-friendly way,” says Lukas Angenendt, VEFK & Project Manager Electrical Engineering, D.LIVE.
Powerful, intuitive software makes it easy for stadium managers to issue temporary authorizations for contractors, cleaning staff, and external event service providers, which streamlines site maintenance and management. As an additional layer of security, their eCLIQ Connect keys have to be validated on site by entering a PIN code in the smartphone app.
Digital security enhancements
In addition to the digital security enhancements, eCLIQ’s high degree of flexibility was another big plus: eCLIQ is convenient to handle and program as, for example, the power supply and communication with each cylinder take place via the battery-powered key. There’s no need to visit every door or device to replace its battery.
No wiring is required for the very low-maintenance cylinder, which is fitted flush to the door and thus offers no attack surface for vandalism. Cable-free installation was also simpler and quicker: only two weeks, when no events were taking place in the stadium, were available for the conversion of all doors.
