sedisto: “We don’t make smart locks

If you're attending the REFIRE Garage Park Symposium on September 18, 2025, make sure to stop by the sedisto booth between keynotes, networking breaks and tech demos. You won’t just see smart access – you’ll see the entire access system reimagined. All it takes: a clean tablet interface, an app, and a compact Bluetooth module in hand.

“We don’t have a smart lock. We make locks smart,” says Stefan Scheuerle, one of sedisto’s two founders. A line that sticks – and not just because it’s clever. It’s a spot-on description of a well-designed, end-to-end solution for digital access control in the self storage sector. No magic required, no “open sesame” – just giving doors and locks a bit of brains.

Two founders, one clear mission – and plenty of experience

Scheuerle and co-founder Niels Richter know the industry from the inside. Both held leadership roles at one of the sector’s most established access tech companies – Scheuerle as CEO, Richter as CTO. In 2023, they launched sedisto with a simple but ambitious goal: to make access technology for self storage operators easier, smarter, and more efficient.

“We wanted to fix everything that was complicated, fragile, or expensive in traditional systems,” Scheuerle explains. The timing was right: the self storage market is booming, operators are seeking automation, and customers want convenience. sedisto delivers both – not with new locks, but with new intelligence.

The app is the key: How sedisto works

At the core of sedisto’s solution is an app that gives users digital access to storage units, gates, doors and even elevators. On the operator side, it’s a centralized backend portal that can display real-time access status for every site, unit and permission. For users, it’s a digital keychain – secured with a PIN, fingerprint, or tap-to-grant access.

What may sound like a tech gimmick is actually a highly robust digital infrastructure that works for both operators and tenants – even when internet or phone networks go down:

Doors can be opened via app, online or offline – thanks to a compact Bluetooth module that connects directly with the lock on-site.
The system’s building gateway acts like a mini server, caching access rights locally and using mobile LTE communication as fallback if needed.
The central admin portal gives operators real-time visibility into everything: lock status, cable issues, and a full audit trail of who opened what, when, and how.

Installation is simple. Existing facilities can be retrofitted with minimal effort and no major infrastructure changes. The system is modular, scalable, and hardware-independent – making it attractive to a wide range of operators: from inner-city micro-storage to large drive-up facilities with hundreds of units. It works standalone or integrated with storage management software.

Less staffing, more control

The value proposition for operators is crystal clear: processes like granting access, blocking unpaid users, or remotely opening units for viewings are fully automated. No key handovers, no customer support calls, no unnecessary trips to the site.

The sedisto dashboard offers full remote control: from monitoring and emergency access to analytics and performance insights.

sedisto reports significant reduction in operating expenses compared to traditional self storage operations. And for end users, convenience is key: surveys show that 87% prefer using an app over a padlock.

High-tech with both feet on the ground

Despite the tech-forward nature of the product, sedisto keeps things refreshingly down-to-earth. The founders communicate clearly, with zero hype. Their solution isn’t a flashy gadget – it’s a means to an end: streamlining operations, enhancing security, and making everyday processes easier for everyone involved.

“We’re not selling promises – we’re delivering a working system,” says Scheuerle. It’s a message that resonates: sedisto is now running at numerous sites across Europe, with growing interest from beyond such as Asia.

See it live at the REFIRE Conference

Those wanting a live demo will have the chance at the REFIRE Garage Park Symposium in Frankfurt am Main on September 18, 2025. At the sedisto booth, visitors can test the app firsthand, explore the hardware integration, and chat directly with Stefan Scheuerle.

For self storage operators looking to automate and digitize, this conversation will be worth their time. sedisto demonstrates just how far a smart app, a solid backend, and an open system can go – both literally and figuratively – in opening doors.

More information: sedisto.com

Event details: conference.refire-online.com/en