ECOFIT24 Introduces Akerun Access Control System Across All Stores, Accelerating Fully Unmanned 24-Hour Gym Operations and Franchise Expansion

The "Akerun Access Control System" (hereinafter "Akerun") provided by Photosynth Inc. (Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director, Kodai Kawase; hereinafter "Photosynth") has been adopted as the infrastructure supporting the fully unmanned operation and franchise expansion of "ECOFIT24," a 24-hour unmanned fitness gym chain operated nationwide by AEC Inc. (Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture; President and CEO, Yasuhiro Nakamura; hereinafter "AEC").

At ECOFIT24, the company-wide implementation of Akerun has enabled fully unmanned operations by combining flapper gates with Akerun controllers, unified QR code-based access control and staff attendance management through API integration with its proprietary member management system "TRESUL," and reduced initial investment and operational burden for franchise owners by standardizing Akerun in the franchise opening package. This has established a stable unmanned operation system across 55 stores nationwide with over 40,000 members*.

* As of May 2026

The overview of Akerun's introduction at ECOFIT24 is as follows:

- Achieved fully unmanned operation of the 24-hour unmanned gym "ECOFIT24," reducing operational costs, including labor, by approximately 600,000 yen per store per month.
- Integrated Akerun with the proprietary member management system "TRESUL" via API, enabling unified management from member entry/exit using QR codes to staff attendance.
- Standardized Akerun in the franchise opening package, reducing the initial investment and operational burden for owners and establishing the infrastructure for further multi-store expansion.

ECOFIT24 (Moriyama Yoshine Store)

Akerun controller (built-in) and flapper gate installed at ECOFIT24

Background and Effects of Akerun Introduction

AEC, as a company building a vertically integrated business model specialized in the fitness industry, handles everything from the development and sale of its own brand fitness machines "ECOLECO FITNESS," the direct management and franchise operation of 24-hour unmanned gyms "ECOFIT24," to the development and provision of the fitness-specific store management system "TRESUL." As of May 2026, ECOFIT24 has grown to 55 stores nationwide, including both directly managed and franchise locations, with over 40,000 members.

Since its founding, ECOFIT24 has been based on the concept of fully unmanned 24-hour gym operation, making an access control system indispensable for the business to be viable. In building a safe and secure gym environment, the company sought a solution that could accurately capture entry/exit logs, provide temporary unlocking means for trial and visiting customers, and offer scalability and operational flexibility for future franchise expansion.

The previous challenges for ECOFIT24's fully unmanned operation and franchise expansion were as follows:

[Challenges Before Introducing Akerun]

- Introduction of an access control solution capable of accurately capturing entry/exit logs and providing temporary unlocking means for trial and visiting customers, a prerequisite for the viability of a 24-hour unmanned gym business.
- Introduction of an access control system compatible with fully unmanned operation that could seamlessly integrate with the company's own member management system.
- Provision of a business opening support package that reduces the initial investment and operational burden for owners to accelerate nationwide franchise expansion.

This time, ECOFIT24 has introduced Akerun controllers that can be retrofitted to the flapper gates already standard in almost all stores, as a solution for achieving fully unmanned operation and accelerating franchise expansion. Additionally, for some stores where flapper gates cannot be installed due to facility requirements, the Akerun Pro, which can be retrofitted to thumb-turn locks, has been introduced, flexibly accommodating the equipment requirements of each store.

With the introduction of Akerun, ECOFIT24 has achieved the following effects:

[Effects of Introducing Akerun]

- Achieved fully unmanned operation and significant labor cost reduction through the combination of Akerun and flapper gates. By installing flapper gates and Akerun controllers in almost all stores, fully unmanned operation without on-site staff has been realized. This has reduced operational costs, including labor and related expenses, by approximately 600,000 yen per store per month, establishing a safe, secure, and stable unmanned operation system even on a scale of 55 stores and over 40,000 members.
- Unified access control and attendance management through API integration with the proprietary member management system "TRESUL." By integrating Akerun and TRESUL via API, unlocking is possible by scanning a QR code after member registration, enabling strict access control with flapper gates. Furthermore, API integration between the staff app "TRESUL for Staff" and Akerun allows for unified management of staff clock-in/out. The system also ensures operational flexibility essential for unmanned operation, such as providing temporary access for trial and visiting customers using Akerun's URL keys and flexible responses during power outages using time-limited emergency unlock cards.
- Reduced initial investment and operational burden for owners by adopting Akerun in the franchise opening package. The ECOFIT24 franchise opening package standardizes a set of equipment centered on its proprietary fitness machines, TRESUL, and Akerun. By automating and standardizing store operations through API integration, the company has created an environment conducive to franchise owners opening new locations, accelerating multi-store expansion toward the goal of reaching 100 stores during fiscal year 2026.

Operational image of Akerun controller and flapper gate at ECOFIT24 (Moriyama Yoshine Store)

Photosynth will continue to strengthen its proposals for solutions centered on Akerun to realize unmanned and labor-saving operations for all types of facilities, including fitness gyms. It will also promote functional enhancements and the expansion of collaborative services to meet various needs, such as flexible integration with external systems through API connections, the construction of safe and secure facility environments, and the reduction of facility operating costs.

For more details on the introduction of Akerun by ECOFIT24, please refer to the case study article on the Akerun service website.

https://akerun.com/casestudy/detail_aec_ecofit24

[About Akerun]

"Akerun" is an IoT service that cloudifies all types of keys, improving convenience and security. By utilizing the access authentication platform "Akerun Access Intelligence," which authenticates users by combining digital and physical IDs, and connecting all doors to the internet, it enables access management for various locations and scenarios.

The main service of the Akerun brand, the "Akerun Access Control System" for businesses, is a cloud-based service that can be retrofitted to existing doors. In addition to locking and unlocking with smartphones and IC cards, it enables key authority management and access control via the cloud, including checking entry/exit history from a web management tool or smartphone app, remote locking/unlocking, and granting/revoking key permissions.

Service website: https://akerun.com/