Hotel Technology Next Generation

Hospitality’s newest electronic-locking solution to showcase benefits of RFID technology for remote check-in/check-out; Hotels and hotel chains will be able to send booking confirmation number, room number and an encrypted room key via SMS (Short Message System) to a guests’ NFC-cell phone; Solution to demo in Stand 1A111

PARIS | VingCard continues to unlock the future of Radio Frequency IDentification technology with its newest electronic-locking solution Signature RFID. For the first time in lodging history, guests will be able to use their Near Field Communications (NFC) compliant cell phones in addition to other RFID key cards and carriers to open their guestroom doors. The solution will demo at the at Stand No. 1A111 during The Hotel Show 2007, the exclusive forum for the hospitality industry in the United Arab Emirates, 3-5, June, at the Dubai International Exposition Centre.

NFC is the new short-range wireless technology that combines the functionality of a reader and a card into one device, and it is being implemented in new generation cell phones this year. Through a joint collaboration with NXP (formerly Philips semiconductors) (NYSE: PHG, AEX, PHI), hotels equipped with Signature by VingCard RFID locks will be able to offer remote check-in/check-out. Guests will receive booking confirmation number, room number and an encrypted room key access code through SMS (Short Message System), prior to the arrival at the hotel, and they will avoid long lines at check-in going straight to the room. Guest will open the room with their NFC-cell phone.

“Hoteliers around the world are discovering the many value-added benefits that come from Signature RFID,” said Pascal Metivier, President of ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Europe/Middle East and Latin America. “Not only is this security solution built on an open-platform system that is compatible with the leading RFID ISO standards (ISO 14.443 A-MIFARE, ISO 14.443 B, ISO 15.693), but by making it compatible with the new NFC (Near Field Communication) secure transaction platform, we are preparing hotels to be intrinsically ready to meet future guest demands.”

By installing Signature RFID today, Metivier explained that hotels will instantly reap the benefits associated with the technology (including improved guest service via a variety of personalized carriers; attractive hardware with colorful readers to blend into the environment, and an anti-clone protocol which keeps anyone from cloning guests or staff cards), PLUS they will be able to utilize the NFC application in the near future when it becomes widely available..

“The industry is moving towards a complete adoption of RFID locks for guestrooms and back-of-the-house applications,” Metivier said. “It’s important to note that not all RFID locks are created equal. Those designed with true anti-clone technology and those which are NFC-compatible will help hotels to increase security, streamline operations and differentiate themselves from the competition.

“We are extremely proud to be the first hospitality security company to bring NFC technology for access control via cell phones to the hospitality industry, and we are thankful for our partnership with NXP and the major cell phone manufacturers who helped develop this technology,” he said.

Get More with Contact Less Signature RFID is modeled from Signature by VingCard (a card-based system which made its debut at The Hotel Show in 2005) in which only the key-card reader and door handle are visible, enabling the door hardware to blend in with the hotel environment.

Also like Signature, the system’s design flexibility offers different aesthetic finishes and colors to be applied to the RFID reader. Designers’ Collection handles also are available. Signature RFID provides a new, interactive experience to guests while enhancing the image and design of your hotel environment.

Finally, the Signature RFID reader also has been designed to fit on the same mounting plate as the Signature magnetic reader. This makes for an incredibly simple upgrade without disrupting operations.

“VingCard always has been focused on providing the best security technologies to protect guests’ valuables and owners’ assets,” Metivier said. “We are proud of Signature and Signature RFID and the convenience these solutions offer to guests and the brand differentiation afforded to hotels.”

About VingCard Elsafe | The world leader in hotel security technology, ASSA ABLOY Hospitality has products installed in more than 35,000 properties worldwide, securing in excess of 6 million hotel rooms. The ASSA ABLOY Group, a publicly listed company, is a world leader in security and hospitality systems. VingCard provides numerous electronic-locking system solutions, including traditional magnetic-stripe and smartcard systems, fully integrated PMS interface software solutions and worldwide service and support. Elsafe provides the only UL-listed (1037) hotel safe series on the market today in keypad and card-based models. Safes that include an internal power outlet to support recharging of laptops and camcorders also are available with a UL listing. Elsafe customers also enjoy the same worldwide service and support. The ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Group is dedicated to the hospitality industry. For more information on VingCard Elsafe, visit or .

About NXP | NXP is a top 10 semiconductor company founded by Philips more than 50 years ago. Headquartered in Europe, the company has 37,000 employees working in 20 countries across the world. NXP creates semiconductors, system solutions and software that deliver better sensory experiences in mobile phones, personal media players, TVs, set-top boxes, identification applications, cars and a wide range of other electronic devices. News from NXP is located at

About Near Field Communication (NFC) | NFC technology evolved from a combination of contact-less identification (RFID) and interconnection technologies. NFC operates in the 13.56 MHz frequency range, over a distance of typically a few centimeters. NFC technology is standardized in ISO 18092, ISO 21481, ECMA (340, 352 and 356) and ETSI TS 102 190. NFC is compatible with Sony's FeliCa™ card and the broadly established contact-less smart card infrastructure based on ISO 14443 A, which is used in Philips' MIFARE® technology.

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Ivan Aramayo
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Irun, Spain
Email: iaramayo@vcegroup.com

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