How does Seam Access Control work in Optix?

The Seam integration connects three key pieces: your access control hardware, Seam access groups, and Optix mapping rules.

1. Connect your access control provider through Seam

You connect your access control accounts (Brivo, Salto, Avigilon and others) to Optix via Seam.

2. Create access groups

Admins organize their locks into Access Groups (called "Spaces" in Seam). An access group is a collection of locks or devices that should be granted together. For example, you might create groups like "Main Entrance," "Conference Rooms," or "Premium Member Access." A single group can include locks from different access control providers.

3. Map Optix items to access groups

Admins map Optix items (plans, resources, locations, or allowances) to access groups. When a member meets the mapped criteria, Optix automatically creates an access grant through Seam. When the criteria no longer applies, Optix removes the access.

4. Members receive access automatically

When a member qualifies for a mapped access group, Optix looks up the member in Seam by email, creates a user identity if needed, and issues an access grant. The member can then unlock doors using the method supported by their provider (mobile key, PIN code, or provider-managed credential).

The Seam Connect picker currently lists these brands:

Commercial access control systems

Video intercom & entry systems

Consumer smart locks

Also shown in Connect (not door access)

These brands can appear in the Seam Connect picker, but they are not access control or smart lock systems. Connecting them will not provision door access in Optix.

To connect your access control system through Seam:

Optix supports mapping the following items to Seam access groups. Each mapping type controls when a member should be granted or revoked access. You configure these from the matching cards in the Seam app: Allowance and discounts, Plan templates, Resources, and Locations.

Plan mapping

Grants access when a member is on a mapped plan. Access is removed when the plan ends or is cancelled. You can map a single plan to multiple access groups.

Resource mapping

Grants access when a member books or is assigned to a mapped resource. Access includes a 15-minute buffer before and after the booking period, and is removed when the booking is cancelled or the assignment ends.

Location mapping (Check-in)

Grants access when a member checks in to a mapped location. Access is removed when the check-in ends.

Allowance mapping

Grants access when a member has a mapped allowance on their account, whether that allowance comes from a plan, a pass, or was manually added.

Access groups are collections of locks that should be granted together. In Seam these are called Spaces. You create them in the Seam app in Optix, then map plans, resources, locations, or allowances to those groups.

To create an Access group:

Mapping allowance and/or discounts to Seam groups will mean users are added to Seam groups when they have allowance or discounts on their account. The allowance or discount could have come from a custom or templated plan, a pass, or manually added by an admin.

To set this up:

Mapping your plan templates to Seam groups will mean users are added to Seam groups when they are added to a plan created from a plan template. When their plan ends they are removed from group.

To link Access groups to plan templates:

Mapping your resources to Seam groups will mean users are added to Seam groups when they book or are assigned to a resource.

Bookings

Users get access for the mapped resource with a 15-minute buffer before the booking starts and after it ends. Access is removed if the booking is cancelled.

Assignments

When a resource is assigned to a user or team, they are added to the mapped Access groups for the assignment window, including the same 15-minute buffer.

To link Access groups to your resources:

Mapping your locations to Seam groups will mean users are added to Seam groups when they check in to that location. Access is removed when the check-in ends.

To configure this:

Depending on the connected provider, members may be able to unlock doors from the Optix app. Tap to Unlock (hold the phone to the reader) is currently supported for select providers, starting with Salto KS, and requires a White Label App built with Seam.
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Other unlock methods depend on the provider and may include a PIN shown in the app, a mobile key, or credentials in the provider’s own app.

How is this different from the existing Salto or Kisi integrations?

The Seam integration replaces the need for individual provider-specific integrations like Salto or Kisi. Instead of maintaining separate integrations, Seam provides a single connection point for the brands shown in the Seam Connect picker. Your White Label App can be built with either Kisi or Seam, but not both at the same time.

Can I include locks from different providers in the same access group?

Yes. A single access group can contain locks from different access control systems. For example, you could have a Salto lock for the lobby and a Brivo lock for the second floor in the same group. Seam handles the coordination across both systems.

Can I map one plan, resource, allowance, or location to multiple Access groups?

Yes. You can select as many Access groups as you'd like for each Plan templates, Resources, Allowance and discounts, or Locations mapping.

Why is Configure disabled on the mapping cards?

Configure on Allowance and discounts, Plan templates, Resources, and Locations stays disabled until you add at least one Access group. Create a group under Access groups first, then return to the mapping cards.

What happens when a booking is cancelled or a plan ends?

Optix automatically removes the corresponding Seam access grant. The member will no longer have access to the doors in that access group.

Does this work with team plans?

Yes. For plan-based access, Optix expands team plans to the individual team members and creates access grants for each user. Team assignment handling should be tested carefully depending on your setup.

Do I need a Seam account?

Yes. You need an account with Seam and with your access control provider. The Seam app in Optix connects through your Seam account to your provider.

Is there a buffer period for booking-based access?

Yes. Resource-mapped access includes a 15-minute buffer before the booking starts and after it ends, so members can arrive early and wrap up without losing access.

Can I use Seam and Kisi at the same time?

No. Your White Label App can be built with either Kisi or Seam, but not both simultaneously. If you are migrating from Kisi to Seam, you will need to switch your WLA build configuration.

Does Tap to Unlock work with the standard Optix app?

No. Mobile unlock (Tap to Unlock) requires a White Label App (WLA). Members using the standard Optix container app will see a message directing them to contact their admin.

Why isn’t a brand from Seam’s website on this list?
The Help Centre list matches what customers can pick in Seam Connect today. Seam’s website is broader, including brands still in testing and credential partners. Those are not skipped by Optix. The Connect list will grow as Seam releases more providers for customer use.

Should I map plans, allowances, and resources to the same Access group?

No. Plans and allowances are standing access. Bookings and assignments are temporary. Map those to different Access groups. The same member can only have one grant on a given Access group at a time. An upcoming booking still counts, so a plan or allowance mapped to that same group may not be created until the booking is cancelled or you use another group.

My locks are not appearing in the Seam app.

A member was granted access but cannot unlock the door.

Access was not removed after a booking was cancelled or plan ended.

Configure is disabled on Allowance and discounts, Plan templates, Resources, or Locations.

The Seam app is showing an error.