 DALLAS (March 2, 2010) – VingCard Elsafe, a leading
hospitality
security provider and part of the ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Group,
recently completed the installation of
VISIONLINE, its wireless RF-online system, Signature RFID, its
contactless electronic door locks with NFC cell phone compatibility and
SENTINEL II, its leading in-room safes series at the new Hotel da Rocha
in
Portimão, Portugal. Opened in 2009, the hotel is a modern,
first-class property
surrounded by sea and golf courses, located in the heart of the Algarve
tourist
region. Featuring 158 guestrooms, the hotel offers conference rooms,
swimming
pool and the Grand Caffé Bar, where guests can enjoy an elegant,
peaceful
evening on the terrace. “Our property was built as a destination for travelers to get away from the hustle and bustle of their daily lives and enjoy a relaxing stay in a serene environment,” said Paulo Renato, manager at Hotel da Rocha. “In order to achieve this relaxed atmosphere, guests need to be assured that their belongings are ultimately safe. We chose VISIONLINE and Signature RFID by VingCard and SENTINEL II by Elsafe, based on the high level of security, efficiency and reliability the company is known for throughout the industry.”  Introduced to the market in 2006, VISIONLINE by VingCard
offers a cost-effective
solution for properties like Hotel da Rocha to facilitate reliable
wireless
two-way communication from standalone electronic door locks to their
host
security and PMS systems. 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 and changing low batteries, as well 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, Hotel da Rocha 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’s unique security features, like the automatic SMS or e-mail maintenance alerts, downloadable audit trails, and low battery alerts, our staff is able to operate at a high efficiency at all times,” said Renato. “The RF-online system allows our staff to utilize their time more wisely in order to spend less time on maintenance and more time on customer service.” Built on the ZigBee™ Standard ISO 802.15.4 high-security open platform – the only wireless, highly-secured and open standards-based platform to address the unique needs of low power monitoring and access-control network applications – VISIONLINE 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.  To complement the VISIONLINE
system, the Hotel da Rocha also chose Signature RFID 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
guest room entry and are compatible with next-generation NFC cell
phones.
Additionally, Hotel da Rocha is 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 adaptability and integration – with various designer handles and presentation options from key cards to wristbands – creating a sense of ease and exclusivity for hoteliers according to Christian Hénon, president of ASSA ABLOY Hospitality in Europe/Middle East/Africa. “Hotel da Rocha is a top-of-the-line resort that needs a powerful security solution with an elegant design to maintain the highly aesthetic appeal of the property,” said Hénon. “Signature RFID by VingCard adapts to the unique design elements of the hotel while meeting the reliability and functional demands of today’s traveler.” Upon completing installation of Signature RFID, Hotel da Rocha might choose to offer remote check-in to hotel guests with NFC-compatible cell phones, which would allow guests to skip the check-in 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.  In addition to the
VISIONLINE and Signature RFID systems, Hotel da Rocha selected
state-of-the-art
SENTINEL II by Elsafe UL-listed safes, which employ the latest locking
technology, including anti-tamper labyrinths and solid-steel hinges to
make it
one of the most secure in-room safes in the world. With its
industry-leading
audit trail, spring-loaded door and Flash-RAM memory, the safe is
perfect for
protecting guests’ valuables, and the attractive, adaptable design
makes it
perfect for blending into any hotel environment, according to
Hénon. “The SENTINEL II by Elsafe safes offer the right mix of design and security elements for the property,” said Hénon. “And with the ability to upgrade to RFID from digital, Hotel da Rocha can rest assured that their property can easily and affordably upgrade at any time. With a combination of these three powerful security solutions, the property can be confident they are offering the ultimate security pleasing guests and hoteliers alike.” An informational video highlighting the wireless RF-online system, VISIONLINE by VingCard, can be found online at http://www.youtube.com/vingcardelsafe. An informational video highlighting the check-in process using Signature RFID/NFC can be found online at http://www.youtube.com/vingcardelsafe. VingCard Elsafe is a world leader in developing locking systems for the hospitality industry, offering user-friendly security systems that meet the unique operational needs of hotels and resorts. For more information, visit www.vingcard.com. About ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Inc. North America The 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 (www.vingcard.com) electronic locking system solutions, Elsafe (www.elsafe.com) UL-listed (1037) hotel safe series, and TimeLox (www.timelox.com) security solutions for gaming properties and other large resorts. About Hotel da Rocha Located in Portimão, Portugal, Hotel da Rocha hotel is a luxury property surrounded by sea and golf courses. The hotel features 158 guestrooms, pool and Grand Caffé Bar. Newly opened, the property is ideal for both business and leisure travelers. For more information, visit www.hoteldarocha.com. |