DALLAS – June 26, 2012 – VingCard Elsafe, the global leader in hospitality security and part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, today announced the introduction of “Essence by VingCard,” an entirely new concept in locking design and technology, patent pending. Essence takes minimalism to the extreme, eliminating all lock hardware on the door by encasing all electronic components inside the door itself and making security virtually invisible to hotel guests. Although undetectable on the door exterior, Essence by VingCard integrates VingCard Elsafe’s most advanced contactless locking solutions into the interior electronics, including Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Near Field Communication (NFC) compatible locking technologies. Essence by VingCard is being unveiled this week at HITEC 2012, the world’s largest hospitality technology show, taking place June 25th–28th at the Baltimore Convention Center. Demonstrations of the Essence by VingCard locking system will take place continuously throughout the show at Booth # 1210.

“Essence by VingCard represents another giant leap forward in hotel design and technology,” said Tim Shea, president of ASSA ABLOY Hospitality. “It not only makes the lock disappear from the hotel door, resolving design challenges for savvy, design-conscious hoteliers, but it also minimizes a variety of other operational issues, such as integration, installation and maintenance. It combines the very best aspects of design and security technology, and is just the type of innovation that the industry has come to expect from VingCard Elsafe.”

Since the advent of electronic security, hotel door locks have presented a challenge to hotel design professionals, such as architects and interior designers, who are tasked with blending the lock hardware into the hotel décor. Even though lock manufacturers have made strides in recent years by minimizing the lock hardware and incorporating new technologies such as RFID and NFC, a visible card reader has remained on the door exterior, giving hotels a distinctly commercial feel in the hallway. Essence by VingCard eliminates that challenge, hiding the locking components from the user and allowing designers to align the guestroom doors with the current trend toward a more residential look in hotel design, while proving the ultimate in security technology.

"In addition to being the dream of hotel design professionals, Essence is also compatible with our patented wireless online VISIONLINE system,” continued Shea. “This makes it essentially the most advanced and streamlined locking system on the market today, from both a design and operational standpoint. It is the pure essence of form and function, and we are proud to introduce this innovative concept to the industry.”

Since introducing the first world’s first recodable lock in 1979, VingCard Elsafe, has continued to “Stay First” in the in the industry with the continuous development of forward-thinking security solutions. With the 2005 introduction of Signature by VingCard, a design-centric lock developed to meet the needs of designers, architects and hoteliers, and Signature RFID by VingCard, an operations-friendly, contactless electronic lock with NFC compatibility, VingCard Elsafe began a trend toward minimal hardware on the guestroom door.

In 2006, VingCard again revolutionized the industry with the introduction of VISIONLINE, a wireless RF-online system that has since been issued a U.S. Patent, based on its highly advanced and proprietary technology. Unlike traditional off-line standalone locks, VISIONLINE by VingCard uses RF-online communication to eliminate the need for hotel staff to travel to and from guestrooms to perform tasks such as reprogramming individual locks and identifying or changing low batteries. It also eliminates the need for guests to return to the front desk in order to change a room or extend a stay, increasing guest convenience and satisfaction. Today the VISIONLINE system operates in more than 50,000 guest rooms worldwide, offering the most cost-effective solution for hotel properties to facilitate reliable, two-way wireless online communication from standalone electronic door locks to their host security and PMS systems.

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.

To schedule a personal demonstration and be one of the first to discover this new breakthrough in electronic locking solutions, please contact Riise Walker at +1 (972) 692-3167 or visit VingCard Elsafe at Booth # 1210 at HITEC 2012 in Baltimore, June 25th - 28th.

For more information, please visit www.vingcardelsafe.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.