HARRISON, NY — June 22, 2026 — URC, a global leader in smart residential and commercial automation, today announced a strategic partnership and technology integration with ekey, a pioneer in premium biometric access control solutions. This new collaboration integrates ekey’s highly secure bionyx fingerprint scanners directly into URC’s award-winning Total Control® ecosystem, elevating personalized automation and property security to a new standard.
By combining ekey's sophisticated biometric hardware with URC's advanced control software, the two companies are delivering a seamless, keyless access experience that bridges physical security with personalized smart home experiences.
Personalized Security and Smart Home Personalization
The integration of ekey biometric systems allows URC's Total Control platform to do more than just unlock a door. It acts as a catalyst for individual user profiles. Because every fingerprint is unique, the system recognizes exactly who is interacting with the scanner, allowing the smart home or business to adapt instantly to that specific person's preferences.
Unlike traditional access methods such as keys, PIN codes, or mobile credentials, ekey’s biometric technology verifies identity directly at the point of entry. The ekey bionyx platform combines advanced fingerprint recognition with encrypted communication and cloud-based management to deliver a highly secure and convenient access solution for modern residential and commercial environments.
By integrating ekey into the URC Total Control ecosystem, access becomes more than a simple door-opening event. Verified identity acts as a trusted trigger for personalized automation workflows, allowing intelligent environments to respond naturally to each individual user.
User benefits of this integrated biometric system include:
- Tailored Automation Scenes: Placing a finger on the scanner can simultaneously disarm the security system, unlock the door, and trigger a personalized automation scene. A homeowner can be greeted with their preferred lighting levels, climate settings, and favorite audio playlist.
- Advanced Access Permissions: Property owners can easily manage entry rights based on schedules or specific roles. Temporary guests, housekeeping services, or corporate employees can be granted access restricted to specific days and times.
- Enhanced Peace of Mind: Homeowners and business managers can receive real-time, customizable push notifications on URC high-resolution touch screens and mobile devices, providing instant visibility into who has entered the property.
- Child and Elder Care Support: Parents can receive immediate notifications when a child returns home from school and scans their finger, offering unparalleled convenience and security without the worry of lost keys or forgotten codes.
Streamlined Installation and Dealer Success
Designed with the custom integration channel in mind, a primary focus of this partnership is the ease of deployment for the dealer. URC and ekey have developed an intuitive software driver that simplifies the setup process, enabling professional installers to configure biometric automation paths efficiently.
Key dealer benefits include:
- Rapid Deployment: The software driver ensures stable, secure IP-based communication between the ekey hardware and the URC controller, accelerating system configuration.
- Versatile Form Factors: With support for wall-mounted, flush-mounted, and door-integrated fingerprint scanners, URC dealers can offer an elegant biometric solution for any architectural design or project aesthetic.
- Diverse Project Applications: The flexibility of the ekey integration makes it an ideal fit for high-end residential estates, secure multi-dwelling units (MDUs), and commercial spaces requiring reliable perimeter security.
The Central Brain of an Open Ecosystem
URC remains the control and automation brand of choice for dealers and users who demand choice, versatility, and flexibility. Built on a legacy of over 30 years of innovation, URC’s Total Control platform is engineered to serve as the "central brain" of the intelligent space, seamlessly coordinating hundreds of third-party devices. By working with global brands like ekey, URC ensures that integrators never have to compromise on quality or adapt to restrictive, proprietary hardware ecosystems.
"Our ongoing mission is to provide our dealers with premium tools that deliver genuine value and security to their clients," stated Joseph Spinelli, Senior Director of Product Development at URC. "Partnering with ekey allows us to combine biometric security with the power of Total Control, giving users a highly secure, frictionless way to interact with and personalize their environments."
"Our partnership with URC illustrates how biometric access becomes a seamless part of a truly connected property. Verified identity is no longer just about security — it becomes the foundation for personalized automation. Integrators can deliver intuitive user experiences, while property owners benefit from enhanced security and effortless everyday access," said Georg Schaffer, Head of Sales and responsible for Business Development at ekey.
For more information about URC and the ekey integration, please visit urc-automation.com.
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About ekey
Founded in 2002, ekey is a leading provider of fingerprint-based access solutions in Europe. The company develops and manufactures biometric systems for doors, gates, alarm systems, and smart home applications, replacing traditional access methods such as keys, cards, or codes with secure and user-friendly biometric authentication.
Headquartered in Austria, ekey serves customers in more than 70 countries worldwide, with international business accounting for approximately 80% of total revenue. Key markets include the European Union and the United States.
For further information, please contact:
ekey biometric systems GmbH
T: +43 732 890 500 – 0
E: marketing@ekey.net
www.ekey.net