Thierry Smagge, owner of Bistrobar Indonesia, shares how Bold has enhanced his restaurant's access and security. By replacing traditional keys with the Bold app, he now has complete control at his fingertips.
At Bistro Bar Indonesia in Haarlem, hospitality and efficiency are key. We spoke with owner Thierry Smagge about how Bold has helped his restaurant optimise access and security.
Key management: a challenge for every hospitality business owner.
Thierry explains: "The biggest challenge was managing the physical keys. We had an alarm system that recorded who entered first and deactivated the alarm, but after that, anyone with a key could simply walk in and out. This provided little insight, and sometimes there was confusion about who was present at any given time. Additionally, keys would occasionally go missing or weren't returned on time, causing extra hassle."
Why did Bold stand out for you?
A reliable and user-friendly solution is essential in a dynamic work environment like the hospitality industry. Thierry explains: "The Bold Smart Lock immediately appealed to me because of the convenience and control it offers. I was looking for a solution that would allow me to see exactly who entered and when, without relying on physical keys. The fact that I can easily set access for each person and time slot made it the perfect solution for our restaurant. Moreover, the installation is simple, and the system works via an app, which is ideal."
Efficient and secure access for suppliers
Our suppliers now all have access via the app. We’ve set access times, for example, between 07:30 and 13:00. After that, the chefs take over and suppliers no longer need to enter. This not only provides convenience but also added security. We can see exactly who enters and when.
A Bold experience: What does the staff think of the Bold Smart Lock?
Bold is also a huge improvement for the staff. Thierry explains: "My employees love the system. They no longer have to worry about keys and know exactly how it works. For example, the manager has 24/7 access, while some of the chefs can only enter from 08:00 to 15:00. This gives them clarity and ensures smooth operations. Moreover, they appreciate that everything is managed through their phones, which they always have with them!"
What is the biggest advantage of this smart solution?
"We no longer have to deal with physical keys. Previously, employees had to sign for a key and return it when leaving. Now, we can easily add or remove users via the app. Everyone always has their phone with them, so access is always guaranteed."
A tip from Thierry: Why every business owner should consider a Bold Smart Lock.
"Since we've started using Bold, we don't want to go back. The system gives us full control, increases security, and saves a lot of time and hassle. For a busy restaurant like ours, that's simply fantastic."
