Exhibit 99.1
Latch Announces Expansion into Commercial Office Space with Launch of LatchOS for Offices
In addition to bringing its full-building operating system to commercial offices for the first time, Latch also launches Latch Visitor Express, set to streamline visitor access with pilots at the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center and Brookfield Place
NEW YORK, N.Y. – May 24, 2021 – Latch, Inc. today announced the expansion of its full-building enterprise software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform, LatchOS, into commercial offices, bringing Latch’s expertise in multifamily building management technology to the commercial office space for the first time. With the availability of LatchOS for offices, Latch is extending its smart access, visitor and delivery management, smart device and sensor control, connectivity, and identity and personalization solutions to meet the needs of modern office spaces, both today and in the future. As flexible working models become the norm, LatchOS will provide the backbone for future operations, enabling in-person, hybrid, and remote organizations to effectively collaborate, come together, and use their office spaces in a way that works better for both employees and building staff.
The first solution in Latch’s new ecosystem for commercial offices is Latch Visitor Express, a new contactless visitor entry system designed to streamline visitor entry within office buildings, reduce lobby lines and wait times, and greatly increase operational efficiencies for building staff. As more companies start to put in place plans for their employees to return to the office as COVID-19 vaccinations gain pace, maintaining social distancing guidelines will remain critical. With Latch Visitor Express, office buildings can expect to cut lobby traffic from people waiting in line by over half. The new solution will bring a new standard in best-in-class visitor experiences to some of New York City’s most iconic locations with Latch Visitor Express pilots set to launch at Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, and Brookfield Place ahead of the biggest return to the office in history.
This innovative solution is powered by LatchID, Latch’s proprietary identification system that creates a trusted network of users, across spaces and devices. Inspired by the fluidity of airport trusted-traveler systems such as Global Entry, LatchID provides users with digital credentials that can be accepted at Latch-enabled buildings, streamlining access across both residential, short term rental locations, and office spaces. Once users are credentialed, they receive a personalized and unified “identity” that works across every Latch-enabled space and device, allowing them to move seamlessly across Latch-enabled buildings. These features will automate the resident, office and visitor access process while maintaining the highest levels of building security and user privacy, to make limitations with keys and keycards and long wait times at front desks for visitors a thing of the past. While this flexibility has long been built into Latch products and services, the launch of LatchID will accelerate the utility of Latch’s trusted network of users, spaces, and devices with a growing range of features.
“We are thrilled to be expanding the Latch ecosystem in the commercial office space, and are proud to empower our partners with the product solutions necessary to provide the best experience for visitors and tenants,” said Luke Schoenfelder, co-founder and CEO, Latch. “Latch Visitor Express is an exciting first step in the rollout of LatchOS for commercial office buildings large and small. The biggest back to office moment in history is around the corner, and Latch’s products will ensure that office building staff, tenants, and visitors will experience seamless, contactless building entry and visitor management from day one.”
Latch’s background as a leader in the multifamily space – more than one in 10 new apartments being built in the United States feature Latch products – means the company is ideally suited to seamlessly introduce new technology solutions tailored to commercial offices too. The Empire State Building, Brookfield Place, and Tishman Speyer’s global headquarters at Rockefeller Center, will be among the first to experience the benefits of Latch’s brand-new solutions for commercial offices with Latch Visitor Express.