There’s been a lot of talk about “integration” lately. In fact, at HITEC this past June, the big buzz surrounded two new White Papers issued by the Hotel Technology Next Generation (HTNG): “Convergence: Hotel Technology for Today and Tomorrow,” which addresses the issue of network infrastructure in hotels, and “The Guest of the Future: In-Room Technology Preferences Today and Tomorrow,” an insight into the needs of tomorrow’s guests and what it will take to satisfy them. HTNG was founded in June 2002 as an industry organization to facilitate the development of next generation, customer-centric technologies to better meet the needs of the global hotel community. Security is one of those technologies that are critical to successful hotel operations, asset protection and guest satisfaction. Yet, while security companies such as TimeLox (which has been providing integrated card-locking security solutions for the past 20 years) is a part of this important and growing organization (the group has increased by 25 percent since HITEC 2004 to 230 companies), I am concerned that security, or electronic-locking systems in particular, may be “out of mind” when technology integration is being discussed or considered at the property level. For years hotels have been built with separate networks to support different applications, including building control systems (which includes electronic locks and back-office systems which support them), in-room entertainment systems, telephony, high-speed Internet and administrative systems. The hotel CIO/CTO has known for years that the redundancy in cabling is costly and that the historical approach made it difficult to get these different systems to work cooperatively. But key applications, such as electronic-locking systems, need to coexist or integrate with other technologies in order to migrate to a true smart hotel that benefits owners, managers and guests. This is especially true in the gaming community. According to HTNG’s Executive Director Doug Rice, gaming is an important part of the hospitality industry, but their requirements go well beyond those of most hotels. Gaming CIOs want to find a way to leverage HTNG's collaboration model to address issues that are unique to casinos. At the same time, they recognize that many gaming systems need to connect with hotel systems, and they feel that aligning with HTNG would ensure a better result. Today, a Gaming Special Interest Group exists within HTNG that will focus on gaming industry technology requirements. After sitting down and talking with many operations directors at some of the biggest casinos and resorts in the world, I’ve learned that a technology application to improve productivity is not only desired among the gaming community, but it is actively being sought after. While I’m glad to hear that HTNG has dedicated a group to the technology needs of the gaming community, I feel it’s important to note that a fully integrated on-line solution does already exist today that can help hoteliers make giant strides in reaching their immediate goals. Simple, Secure Solution Likewise, as turnover remains prevalent in our industry, providing employees with the tools and technologies they need to do their jobs better and faster will help to retain our most important commodity – our people. Consider this: What if a housekeeper who, while cleaning a guestroom, notices the toilet leaking and could simply insert a coded key-card in the guestroom door lock to automatically create a work order? What if after the engineer finishes the job, he could simply insert a coded key-card into the door lock and the work order is closed? What if a guest could change rooms by simply calling the front desk from inside the room -- not having to walk a mile back to the front desk? While these time-saving and guest-pleasing features are impressive, they would not be possible without back-of-the-house security features that make them possible. Turnover is always high, especially among housekeeping, and the effect of this is far reaching. An integrated on-line system eliminates worries because housekeeping employees’ key-cards are re-programmed everyday -- so when they are finished for the day that key-card is useless until it is reprogrammed the following day. Sound to-good-to-be-true? It’s not. An integrated online electronic-locking/security system does exist today. Both the Bellagio and Venetian hotels, resorts and casinos in Las Vegas are already using it and soon Wynn Las Vegas will be on board as well.
Guest satisfaction and streamlined efficiencies always top the list of goals when it comes to implementing new technologies. The HTNG “Guest of the Future: In-Room Technology Preferences” White Paper takes a hard look at how the two goals can be achieved together. What it explains is that hotel rooms being built today will, over the course of their lifetime, be occupied mostly by people who are still under 30, or even 20. Their expectations will not be the same as today’s travelers, and if the hospitality industry is to succeed at meeting those expectations, it needs to understand how the expectations of younger generations differ from those of older ones – and how they are likely to continue to evolve over time.
The One-Card Solution was made possible through a joint partnership between TimeLox and INNCOM International. This exclusive e-locking technology was developed primarily to meet the specific and unique security needs of large resorts and gaming properties. A proprietary player-tracking system feature allows guests to use their guestroom key-cards for access to multiple areas and services, such as game tables, slots, point-of-sale outlets, in-room safes and refreshment centers/minibars. Properties with Player Clubs may allow guests to retain the cards for use on their return visit. This system also allows the property to track guest expenditures, making it easy to customize services and optimize marketing opportunities.
The One-Card Solution is based on the TimeLox DC-One IR5 (infrared) online-locking system and operates on a dual platform that reads both magstripe and smart cards for maximum system flexibility. It utilizes advanced infrared communication technology, developed in partnership with INNCOM International Inc., to create a cost efficient online solution.
The system offers a host of convenient features, including the ability to relocate guests or extend stay times without the need to re-encode their key-cards. It also detects door-left-ajar and immediately cancels lost staff cards without visiting the locks. Other features include sequential and roaming intruder alarm, low battery/maintenance needed notification, instant staff locator and an all-inclusive event list with real-time data transfer.
No other hospitality-specific security or electronic-locking solution provider currently offers this infrared technology, which is proving to be a valuable customer-relations tool at larger resort and casino properties across the country.
If you think having on-line locks doesn’t matter, think again.
Having the ability to communicate with the front desk will change your entire operation and your guests’ experiences. But just having an online system does not mean that all your problems will be resolved. Most on-line locking systems today are not integrated into the daily operating routines of the hotel. Therefore, true “integration” with other property systems doesn’t exist.
There is only ONE on-locking system that is fully integrated with housekeeping, engineering, and the front-desk and only ONE supplier with the ONE-card that makes this all possible -- TimeLox. . . . by far the best in the industry.
  Interview w/ Douglas Rice, Executive Director of Hotel Technology Next Generation (HTNG) – Comments on Selection of 21 Companies Designing the Future of Hotel Room Technology.Thursday 9 December 2004 |
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TimeLox, Inc.
www.timelox.com
631 International Parkway, Suite 100
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Tollfree: +1-800-846-3569
Email: usa@timelox.com
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 Don’t Leave Security Out of Your Integration Plans | By Ken Brown |
