News for the Hospitality Executive |
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
|
Media Contacts: Andrea Roland Plan A Public Relations & Marketing, Inc. Tel: +1 (407) 905-0608 [email protected] |