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Grand Hyatt San Francisco Offers Eco-Friendly Rooms,
High-Tech Security From VingCard Elsafe


Comprehensive renovation of luxury Union Square hotel includes installation of VingCard's Orion
energy management system, RFID locks, Elsafe safes and VISIONLINE access control system.



DALLAS – February 3, 2012 – VingCard Elsafe, the global leader in hospitality security and part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, announces that the luxurious Grand Hyatt San Francisco has selected  a complete package of VingCard Elsafe solutions for installation as a key component of the comprehensive renovation of its 659 guestrooms. The completed renovation features the addition of VingCard’s Orion energy management system and Signature RFID locks powered by the cutting-edge VISIONLINE wireless online access management system.

With VingCard Elsafe products as the centerpiece, the 38-story, 39-year-old iconic Union Square property is now one of the most tech-forward hotels in all of San Francisco. “VingCard Elsafe has truly helped modernize our hotel, giving us a real competitive advantage with discerning, savvy travelers who desire the latest and greatest hotel experience,” says Matthew Kovac, director of sales and marketing for Grand Hyatt San Francisco. “Guests love and appreciate that their RFID keys can’t be demagnetized—they revel in that fact. And with the Orion energy management system, we are a big step closer to becoming one of the greenest hotels in San Francisco, which feels great, and is a great selling point, as well.”

The Orion system is comprised of wireless digital thermostats, occupancy sensors, door position interfaces, remote server software and a comprehensive dashboard reporting interface. The room control dashboard provides an overview of guestroom electronic systems, including occupancy status, locks, safes, lighting and total energy consumption. Orion automatically assumes control of ambient temperature when guestrooms are unoccupied, never allowing them to become either too warm or too cold. Upon guests' return, the system automatically resumes the preset temperature settings. Likewise, Orion interfaces with the hotel's property management system to pre-condition the room upon guest check-in and automatically engage enhanced energy savings mode upon check-out.

“There’s only so much retrofitting an older hotel like ours can do to go green, and Orion gives us a fantastic ability to reduce our carbon footprint in a meaningful way,” Kovac says. “There’s definitely a segment of our guests who are more likely to choose us because we’re greener now, and it also helps us cut down on our energy bills. It’s a win-win.”

The backbone of the Orion system is VISIONLINE by VingCard, a revolutionary wireless communication platform that encompasses both the energy management and guestroom locking systems. VISIONLINE allows the standalone electronic locks to communicate with a central property server via online radio frequency, eliminating the need to manually reprogram locks, cancel master cards and check battery life. A remote audit trail and live card-tracking capabilities provide valuable intelligence in the event of a guest dispute. And optional advanced communication functionality keeps hotel management constantly in the loop regarding security issues via automated text message or email.

VISIONLINE by VingCard integrates seamlessly with Elsafe’s Infinity II electronic safes, also in use at Grand Hyatt San Francisco. With VISIONLINE by VingCard, front desk staff can remotely view a safe’s locking status, allowing them to notify departing guests if they have forgotten to empty the safe. This prevents guests from leaving valuables behind, which happened several times per week before the installation of VISIONLINE by VingCard, Kovac says. Infinity II by Elsafe safes are UL-listed and employ the latest locking technology, including a hook-style interlocking system, an anti-tamper labyrinth, a solid cold-pressed curved steel door, and arc-welded extended solid steel hinges.

The most visible piece of the hotel’s technological upgrade is the installation of VingCard Elsafe’s Signature RFID locks. The Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) locks allow for simple, contactless guestroom entry, and they communicate with VISIONLINE by VingCard to give hotel staff a real-time view of guestroom access attempts for quick security response in the event of an intruder, or to notify guests if a door is left ajar. Additionally, the system is designed to be easily adapted to Near Field Communication (NFC)—technology that is expected to be in widespread use globally within a few years and which will enable travelers to use their mobile phones as room keys and could allow guests to go straight to their rooms upon arrival.  

In fact, for a limited segment of Grand Hyatt San Francisco guests—the hotel’s 75 most frequent customers—the hotel is already using the RFID locks to allow the bypassing of check-in. As part of a program being piloted by Hyatt Hotels Corp., these loyal guests have been given an RFID-enabled loyalty keycard that they can reuse on each visit to the property and which is remotely activated and deactivated as appropriate.

“The VingCard Elsafe suite of security solutions combines stringent safety standards with cutting-edge technology and high design to an extent that our competition simply can't match," says Tim Shea, CEO ASSA ABLOY Hospitality. “Adding the Orion energy management system to the 360-degree view of the hotel provided by VISIONLINE by VingCard makes good environmental and economic sense, as well."

VingCard Elsafe is the world leader in developing locking systems, electronic in-room safes and energy management solutions for the hospitality industry, offering user-friendly systems that meet the unique operational needs of hotels and resorts. For more information, please visit www.vingcardelsafe.com.
 
About Grand Hyatt San Francisco
With an unparalleled location in the heart of the vibrant metropolis of San Francisco, Grand Hyatt San Francisco offers luxurious accommodations, authentic hospitality and limitless access to the City by the Bay’s world-class shopping, historic landmarks, attractions, premier dining and entertainment.  Ideal for business and leisure travelers alike, Grand Hyatt San Francisco features 659 guestrooms, including 29 suites, Respire hypo-allergenic rooms, a private Grand Club, expert Les Clef d’Or Concierge staff, a state-of-the-art Stay Fit health club, sophisticated dining with spectacular panoramic views, as well as award winning business facilities with 25,000 square feet of flexible function space, plus San Francisco’s only conference theatre. For more information, call 415.398.1234, or visit www.grandsanfrancisco.hyatt.com.
 
About VingCard Elsafe
The world leader in hotel security technology, ASSA ABLOY Hospitality has products installed in more than 42,000 properties worldwide, securing in excess of 7 million hotel rooms and is part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, a publicly listed company. VingCard provides numerous electronic locking system solutions, including traditional magnetic-stripe, smartcard systems and the latest RFID electronic locks compatible with the main ISO standards: ISO 14.443A (MIFARE), ISO 14.443B, ISO15.693 and NFC-compatible (Near Field Communication), fully integrated PMS interface software solutions, as well as the world leader in wireless online locking solutions for hotels based on ZigBee secured open platform. VingCard has worldwide service and support in more than 166 countries. Elsafe provides the only UL-listed (1037) hotel safe series on the market today in keypad and card-based models. Elsafe Safes include a UL-listed internal power outlet to support recharging of laptops and camcorders, full wireless online capabilities and RFID versions compatible with VingCard system. Elsafe customers also enjoy the same worldwide service and support. Orion by VingCard Elsafe is the new Energy Management Solution that reduces energy consumption, ensures guest comfort and contributes to improve hotels green initiatives. The ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Group is dedicated to the hospitality industry. For more information on VingCard Elsafe, visit www.vingcardelsafe.com  
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Media Contacts:

Andrea Roland
Plan A Public Relations & Marketing, Inc.
Tel: +1 (407) 905-0608
[email protected]

Riise Walker
Marketing Manager
VingCard Elsafe
Tel: +1 (972) 692-3167
[email protected]


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