What Sentry Interactive does

Sentry Interactive is a privately held Austin, Texas-based software company that builds readerless NFC mobile credential technology for the physical access control (PACS) market. Its core product is a Software Development Kit (SDK) that allows the smartphone itself to act as the active NFC reader, enabling enterprises to deploy mobile credentials onto existing door access infrastructure without replacing hardware readers. The technology is built on Public Key Infrastructure (PKOC / asymmetric cryptography), uses device secure enclaves for private key storage, and is delivered through AWS cloud infrastructure with extensive security certifications (ISO 27001, PCI DSS Level 1, SOC 1/2/3, NIST compliance, ISO 27018).

The company operates an SDK-first, channel-led go-to-market model, embedding its mobile credential engine into Access Control OEM platforms, PropTech and workplace experience applications, integrator/dealer offerings, and Managed Service Provider services. It monetizes through recurring SaaS licensing to partners, one-time SDK integration fees, and downstream licensing/royalty streams. Sentry serves end customers indirectly across coworking, commercial real estate, healthcare, higher education, fitness clubs, and access-control verticals, with named adopters including Cisco, Colliers, BE Offices, IMRON, RightCrowd, Z9 Security, and ForeTees. The company originated in 2021 as a Covid-era workplace safety kiosk business, acquired Doordeck in 2022 to acquire its mobile credential software, and has since pivoted almost entirely to readerless NFC credentials, culminating in a 2026 PKOC Mass Enrollment SDK co-developed with PSIA members Elatec (Allegion), Johnson Controls, and EMSi.

Name

Sentry Interactive

Legal name

Sentry Interactive

Website

https://sentryinteractive.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sentry Interactive is a private Austin-based software firm that provides an SDK enabling readerless NFC mobile credentials for physical access control systems. It sells through OEM, PropTech, integrator, and MSP channel partners across coworking, commercial real estate, healthcare, education, and fitness verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mobile Access Control Software

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132)

SIC

Finance Services (6199)

akta.pro primary industry

Mobile Wallets (NFC Tap-to-Pay / HCE) (FSAMAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

In-Store Contactless & NFC Acceptance (Tap-to-Pay, EMV Contactless) (FSAMADAF), Authentication (MFA/Passwordless/Biometrics) Platforms (BPAMAEAE)

Keywords

• Mobile access credentials
• NFC access control
• Physical security software
• Mobile credential SDK
• Access management software

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. SDK Licensing / SaaS Licensing: Partners (OEMs, software developers, MSPs) integrate Sentry's SDK into their platforms and pay SaaS licensing fees. The company mentions 'reoccurring revenue from a SaaS licensing model' for partners.
2. SDK Integration Services: One-time integration fees for embedding the readerless mobile credential SDK into partner platforms and existing access control systems.
3. Readerless Mobile Access SDK: SDK integration for physical access control systems, tenant/member management platforms, and identity/access management platforms. Single integration provides cross-platform NFC mobile access for iOS and Android users.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sentry Interactive develops and licenses a readerless NFC mobile credential SDK and supporting cloud services that enable physical access control systems (PACS), building management platforms, and identity platforms to add smartphone-based mobile access without replacing existing door readers. Its smartphone acts as both the credential and the active NFC reader, using asymmetric PKOC cryptography. The company distributes the technology primarily through OEM, integrator, MSP, and software developer partner channels.

Product overview

Sentry Interactive is a software company providing readerless NFC mobile access credentials that work alongside existing physical access control systems without requiring hardware upgrades. The core product portfolio consists of the Readerless Mobile Access SDK (for integrating mobile credentials into access control systems and management platforms), the PKOC Mass Enrollment Service (for bulk provisioning of asymmetric credentials at enterprise scale), and the Sentry Interactive Mobile App (consumer-facing iOS application). Key features include Digital Visitor Passes (time-limited, remotely-issued access passes for guests) and Public Key Mobile Credentials (using asymmetric cryptography following PKOC open standards). The hardware component Smart Access Tile (passive NFC tag requiring no power) enables tap-to-unlock functionality. The system is architecturally distinct from wallet-based solutions as it uses the smartphone as the active NFC reader rather than requiring upgraded door hardware, and supports interoperability across multiple access control systems from different manufacturers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Smart Access Tile: Passive NFC-enabled tile that allows smartphones to unlock doors without requiring new reader hardware
• Doordeck

Products and services

• Readerless Mobile Access SDK Software development kit that enables enterprises to integrate readerless NFC mobile credentials into physical access control systems (PACS), tenant management platforms, and identity management platforms. Uses the smartphone as the active NFC reader instead of requiring new door hardware. A single SDK integration covers both iOS and Android.
• PKOC Mass Enrollment Service Cloud-based service for bulk provisioning of asymmetric Public Key Open Credential (PKOC) credentials at enterprise scale. Built in collaboration with Elatec, Johnson Controls, and EMSi, it allows enterprises to remotely enroll thousands of users with open-standard credentials from a centralized platform without vendor lock-in.
• Sentry Interactive Mobile App iOS mobile application for storing digital keys, unlocking doors via NFC tap-to-unlock, QR code scan, or iOS widgets. Supports unlocking in under 0.5 seconds, remote unlocking, key sharing, and time-limited visitor pass distribution.
• Smart Access Tile Passive, wireless, battery-free NFC smart access tile applied next to doors. Communicates with the user's smartphone NFC technology to unlock doors without requiring power, batteries, or wired installation.
• Sentry Interactive Lobby Platform Health and safety screening digital kiosk platform developed during the Covid-19 pandemic to enable safe re-entry to offices.
• Sentry Interactive Tower 3-in-1 digital check-in, digital receptionist, and digital communications kiosk.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2 million mobile credential unlocks completed
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration30 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Elatec (Allegion)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2026Collaborated with Sentry Interactive to develop PKOC mass enrollment SDK. Elatec, a brand of Allegion, provides reader and credential technology. Jason Ouellette, Chairman of PSIA and VP of Innovation at Elatec, commented on the partnership enabling interoperable credentials at enterprise scale.
• Johnson ControlscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2026Collaborated on PKOC mass enrollment SDK development. Rick Focke, Director of Product and Market Development at Johnson Controls, noted that PKOC marks a major shift in how mobile access credentials are deployed through C.CURE IQ and other access control platforms.
• EMSi (Electronic Media Systems)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2026Collaborated on PKOC mass enrollment SDK. John Tepley, Founder & CEO of EMSi, stated that PKOC creates a truly open credential giving end users freedom to introduce PKOC alongside existing proprietary card systems without ecosystem lock-in.
• RightCrowdcoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with RightCrowd SmartAccess platform provides centralized management of physical identity access control systems (PIAM), HR information systems, and ticketing systems with NFC-enabled mobile credentials.
• IMRON CorporationcoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with IMRON UnityIS platform providing remote managed NFC mobile credentials alongside physical access control, video systems, intrusion detection, visitor management, AI analytics, and cybersecurity management.
• LenelS2coreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with LenelS2 OnGuard enables mobile and physical building access management in one centralized platform with scalable mobile entry without door reader upgrades.
• GeneteccoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Genetec Synergis creates ultra-secure and scalable mobile and physical access credential system managed from anywhere.
• AMAG TechnologycoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with AMAG Symmetry provides affordable mobile access management that scales without door reader infrastructure upgrades.
• Gallagher SecuritycoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Gallagher Security Command Centre provides mobile credential management alongside physical credential operations.
• BrivocoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Brivo PACS enables secure mobile access upgrade without cost of reader hardware and installation.
• PaxtoncoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Paxton Net2 and 10 provides mobile building access without rip and replacement of access control system hardware.
• ZKTecocoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with ZKTeco physical access control systems provides mobile option without replacing a single reader.
• Axis CommunicationscoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Axis creates smarter, more secure, and easy to manage readerless mobile access control system alongside physical keycard management.
• AvigiloncoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Avigilon physical access control system enables flexible mobile access management scalable through wireless access control technology.
• Software House (CCURE)coreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Software House C-CURE 9000 and IQ provides option to move to mobile credentials without upgrading reader hardware.
• Securitas TechnologycoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Securitas Technology access control systems provides physical credentials, mobile NFC credentials, and digital visitor pass options.
• NexuduscoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Nexudus coworking space management software links mobile access with room booking and dashboard system. Members use one app to enter and interact with Nexudus managed spaces.
• CoworkscoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Coworks completes all-in-one flex workspace management platform with mobile access control and remote managed credentials.
• EquiemcoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Equiem building management platform adds mobile credential management alongside building operations, flexible space management, and community engagement.
• LocalecoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Locale's smart tenant experience platform enables smarter building management with cloud-based mobile access control.
• InterGatecoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with InterGate enables mobile access control within the app alongside building operational capabilities to reduce costs.
• HqOcoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with HqO's OfficeApp workplace experience platform upgrades capabilities to offer end users mobile access as value-add.
• RicohminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal technology and SaaS solutions provider in partner network.
• SiemenscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal technology service provider automating and digitalizing buildings in partner network.
• SALTOcoreTechnology or IntegrationHigh-tech security locking solutions provider in partner network.
• Knight FrankminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal real estate consultancy and estate agency in partner network.
• CollierscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProfessional services, investment management and property agents in partner network.
• JLLcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvider of real estate and investment management services in partner network.
• HinesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrivate real estate manager and investor in partner network.
• SavillsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialist property services provider in partner network.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Brivo: Cloud-based physical access control and mobile credential platform serving commercial real estate, multifamily, and enterprise customers. Direct competitor to Sentry in the cloud-hosted mobile access space, and also a Sentry integration partner.
• Openpath (Motorola Solutions): Mobile-first cloud access control provider offering smartphone-based credentials for offices and multifamily. Direct competitor to Sentry in the cloud-mobile access category.
• Kisi: Cloud-based mobile access control platform targeting SMBs, coworking, and enterprise with smartphone-based credentials. Closely comparable in target segments and mobile-first go-to-market.
• RemoteLock: Cloud-based access control platform with mobile credentials and broad smart lock integration, serving vacation rental, multifamily, and commercial customers. Comparable in cloud-mobile access approach.

Broad incumbents

• HID Global (Assa Abloy): The dominant mobile credential and physical access control vendor (Seos, HID Mobile Access). Direct competitor in mobile credentials and a Sentry partner; led by former CEO Denis Hébert who is now Sentry's Chairman & CEO.
• Genetec: Major enterprise PACS and unified security platform provider (Synergis). Both a Sentry integration partner and a competitor offering its own mobile credential capabilities.
• LenelS2 (Carrier): Enterprise PACS provider (OnGuard) owned by Carrier. Direct competitor in access control and a Sentry integration partner.
• Allegion: Global lock and access control hardware conglomerate, parent of Elatec. Collaborated with Sentry on PKOC mass enrollment, and competing in mobile credentials via its own portfolio.
• Assa Abloy: World's largest lock and access control conglomerate, parent of HID Global. Dominant incumbent in the physical access market that Sentry is retrofitting with readerless NFC credentials.

Emerging players

• Salto Systems: Electronic access control and mobile credential provider with strong presence in hospitality and coworking. Sentry channel partner and a competitor in NFC-based mobile credentials.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sentry Interactive