PARIS – February 18, 2013 – VingCard Elsafe, the global leader in hospitality security and part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, has installed the world’s first invisible door lock at the 5-star Hotel Bristol in Vienna. Essence by VingCard is a revolutionary concept in hospitality security, taking minimalist design to the extreme by eliminating all lock hardware on the door. Essence encases all electronic components inside the door itself to make the access devices practically invisible to hotel guests.

Hotel door locks have long posed a challenge to hotel design professionals tasked with blending the locking hardware into the hotel décor. Lock manufacturers have made strides in recent years by minimizing the hardware and incorporating new technologies such as RFID and NFC, but visible card readers had remained on the door exterior, giving hotels a distinctly commercial feel in the hallway. Essence by VingCard solves that dilemma, 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, without compromising security in any way.

“The moment I was introduced to the Essence by VingCard lock, I was struck by the minimalistic design and I realized that it would help the hotel to become even more elegant and beautiful, perfectly fitting into our Art Deco design,” says Matthias Winkler, co-owner of the 150-room Hotel Bristol. “Essence has allowed us to create a clean design in our hallways, giving it a modern sophistication that is simply unmatched by any other luxury hotel in Vienna.”

VingCard Elsafe’s suite of RFID locking systems feature contactless access control via Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) encoded communication and secure anti-cloning software. Additionally, VingCard Elsafe RFID solutions are 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 mobile devices as room keys. Both communication protocols are compatible with Essence by VingCard locks.

In addition to the obvious aesthetic benefits for hoteliers, Essence by VingCard also minimizes several other operational challenges inherent to guestroom locking hardware, such as integration, installation and maintenance. Essence by VingCard is compatible with VingCard Elsafe's patented VISIONLINE system, a proprietary wireless networking platform that connects standalone electronic locks and other guestroom devices and systems, via a central property server.

“We are very excited about the debut of our Essence lock at the Hotel Bristol Vienna, and would like to express our gratitude to Andreas Spitzer from Ameya GmbH, our business partner in Austria and everyone involved who made this possible,” said Tim Shea, global president of VingCard Elsafe. “We look forward to implementing this unique design and security solution at additional properties around the globe.”

VingCard Elsafe is the world leader in developing locking systems and electronic in-room safes for the hospitality industry, offering user-friendly security systems that meet the unique operational needs of hotels and resorts. 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

About Hotel Bristol, Vienna
A member of Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ prestigious Luxury Collection, Hotel Bristol opened in 1892. The hotel, which is located adjacent to the Vienna State Opera, boasts 140 rooms and suites, including the legendary Prince of Wales Suite. Throughout the 5-star Hotel Bristol Vienna, find antiques of the fin de siècle harmoniously combined with the latest technology providing an authentic stay. The 5-star hotel in Vienna is a place for unforgettable moments. For reservations and more information, visit www.bristolvienna.com.