VingCard Elsafe, a leading hospitality security provider and part of the ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Group, announced the installation of VISIONLINE by VingCard, its wireless RF-online system, and Signature RFID by VingCard, its contactless electronic door locks with NFC cell phone compatibility, at Fairmont Pittsburgh.
“Our property was designed to perfectly meet the needs of business and leisure travelers who frequent this area of Pittsburgh,” said Len Czarnecki, general manager of Fairmont Pittsburgh. “With the ideal combination of VISIONLINE and Signature RFID by VingCard, we knew we would be able to meet the design standards that our guests have come to expect, while providing the ultimate level of security.”
Introduced to the market in 2006, VISIONLINE by VingCard offers a cost-effective solution for properties like Fairmont Pittsburgh to facilitate reliable wireless two-way communication from standalone electronic door locks to their host security and PMSs. Unlike off-line standalone locks, VISIONLINE by VingCard provides total security control from one central location, utilizing RF-online communication capabilities that eliminate the need to travel to each guestroom to perform tasks such as reprogramming individual locks, remotely cancelling guest and staff keycards with one click, or identifying locks with low batteries, as well as the need for a guest to return to the front desk to change a room or extend his or her stay. By centralizing these functions, Fairmont Pittsburgh can expect to increase the overall productivity of hotel operations and the overall security. Also, VISIONLINE by VingCard components communicate with multiple rooms at once, reducing the number of network components required for installation when compared to other online technologies.
“With VISIONLINE by VingCard, our staff can operate at the most efficient level,” said Czarnecki. “Our staff will be able to track events around the property, and the ability to receive important information via SMS text messages or e-mail maintenance alerts will not only increase the productivity of our staff, but the overall satisfaction of our guests.”
Built on the ZigBee™ Standard ISO 802.15.4 high-security open platform – one of the only wireless, highly secured and open standards-based platforms to address the unique needs of low power monitoring and access-control network applications – VISIONLINE by VingCard offers increased reliability and performance at an affordable cost. Operating on a reliable and secure platform like ZigBee also enables smooth interface and integration opportunities for other online devices such as safes, energy management and mini bars.
“By utilizing the unique security features of VISIONLINE by VingCard, Fairmont Pittsburgh can expect to not only improve the bottom line, but also increase the satisfaction of guests,” said Rune Venas, president of ASSA ABLOY Hospitality, Inc. in North America. “VISIONLINE has consistently decreased maintenance costs and increased the efficiency of hotel operations, pleasing guests and hoteliers alike.”
To complement the RF-online system, Fairmont Pittsburgh selected Signature RFID by VingCard contactless electronic door locks, which offer highly reliable security features and provide unprecedented convenience and ease-of-operation for hoteliers and hotel guests alike. The radio frequency identification (RFID) locks allow for contactless guestroom entry and are compatible with next-generation NFC cell phones. Fairmont Pittsburgh will be fully equipped to provide user-friendly and intuitive guest interaction, including NFC cell phone compatibility, while decreasing the overall workload of the hotel’s management and staff. Signature RFID also provides unmatched control and security – with a 600-event audit trail and innovative anti-cloning software – creating a sense of ease for hoteliers according to Venas.
“Fairmont Pittsburgh wanted a unique solution to provide the ultimate in security and adaptability while providing the exclusivity the brand is known for,” said Venas. “By choosing Signature RFID by VingCard, the property can integrate all of these elements to provide the highest security available today.” Upon completing installation of Signature RFID, Fairmont Pittsburgh might choose to offer remote checkin to hotel guests with NFC-compatible cell phones, which would allow guests to skip the checkin line and instead use their NFC-enabled cell phones to unlock the guestroom door. Signature RFID is a secure open-platform system compatible with the three leading RFID ISO standards (ISO 14443A/MiFare, ISO 14443B, ISO 15693) and the new NFC transaction platform for cell phones.
An informational video highlighting the checkin process using Signature RFID/NFC can be found online at http://www.youtube.com/vingcardelsafe. VingCard Elsafe is a world leader in developing security systems for the hospitality industry, offering user-friendly security systems that meet the unique operational needs of hotels and resorts.
A world leader in hotel security technology, ASSA ABLOY Hospitality has products installed in more than 35,000 properties worldwide, securing more than 6 million hotel rooms. The ASSA ABLOY Group, a publicly listed company, is a world leader in security and hospitality systems. The North American division of ASSA ABLOY Hospitality brings three security brands to hotels throughout the United States and Canada, including VingCard electronic locking system solutions, Elsafe UL-listed (1037) hotel safe series, and TimeLox security solutions for gaming properties and other large resorts.