As part of its redesign and
expansion into Europe, the Marriott brand selects the
NEW design-centric electronic lock
from VingCard, and the UL-listed in-room
safe with optional internal power
outlet from Elsafe
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NORWAY � DECEMBER 6, 2005 �VingCard Elsafe has
been chosen by Marriott International to provide its NEW Signature by VingCard
electronic-locking system and Elsafe in-room safes for its expanding Courtyard
by Marriott brand throughout Europe. Courtyard by Marriott currently includes
more than 668 hotels around the globe.
Courtyard stands as Marriott�s most widely distributed
brand and ranks as one of the largest lodging brands in the world, with
hotels located in Europe, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, Australia,
North America, and Latin America. The mid-tier lodging leader is widely
recognized for providing quality accommodations, friendly service, and
carefully selected features and amenities to guests worldwide.
�Based on years of proven reliability and service
with the VingCard Elsafe group and its security products and services,
we have selected VingCard Elsafe to provide our Courtyard hotels with the
most sophisticated security solutions available,� said Stephane Masson,
VP of international procurement for Marriott. �As we expand the Courtyard
by Marriott brand in Europe, both Signature by VingCard and Elsafe in-room
safes provide us with the best-of breed technology and the highest level
of security available today.�
Redefining a Brand, Redesigning Security
Masson said the Courtyard by Marriott brand in
Europe recently launched a major redesign effort for its lobby and guestroom
areas in order to deliver on the future needs of its core customer, the
business traveler. Likewise VingCard redesigned the look of its electronic
door locks so that the door hardware blends into the hotel environment
and door handles mirror the hotel�s decor. Both designs are hailed as being
open, functional, and appealing.
�Courtyard selectively pursues strategic and differentiating
improvements to preserve and expand its marketplace leadership position,�
Masson said. �As one of the leading hotel brands in the world, continuity
among our guest-service standards is top of mind, and that includes security.
Our goal is to provide our guests with the comfort, convenience, and security
of home. The design flexibility of the Signature by VingCard electronic
lock provides the security required in an aesthetically pleasing product,
which is perfect for the new design concepts.�
Pascal Metivier, President of ASSA ABLOY Hospitality
for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, said that both the
Signature electronic lock and the Elsafe in-room safes provide the highest
levels of safety, security, satisfaction and convenience for Courtyard
by Marriott guests while enhancing and protecting asset value for owners.
�Courtyard by Marriott chose Signature by VingCard
because it�s aesthetically pleasing, intuitively functional and extremely
secure,� Metivier said. �It offers minimal outside hardware, a large choice
of designer handles, upgradeable technology, multiple design options, and
flexible configurations.�
With the Signature by VingCard electronic lock,
only the bezel for card insertion and the designer handle are visible on
the outside of the guestroom door, he said. This minimal approach improves
the look of the hallway and the guests� first impressions. The Signature
by VingCard series lock integrates effectively with every design style,
giving the corridor a seamless appearance.
�Elsafe in-room safes were selected by Courtyard
because they are the first in-room safes on the hospitality market that
have achieved the prestigious Underwriters Laboratories� certification
for safety,� Metivier said. �Our in-room safes not only give hoteliers
the added assurance that their guests� valuables are receiving the maximum
level of protection possible, but it also protect a property�s valuable
reputation while keeping it protected from liability claims.�
In order to achieve the UL-listing, Elsafe in-room
safes had to endure rigorous testing procedures. In the physical break-in
test, a team of experienced testers were given free reign with a selection
of tools to try and physically compromise the safe within a set period
of time. The endurance test consisted of more than 6,000 openings and closings,
as well as 50 battery changes. With an average battery life of more than
2 years, this represents approximately 100 years of normal hotel use. In
the dramatic jarring demonstration, the safes were actually hit with a
steel ball to see if the physical structure and electronic components could
withstand such excessive force.
�Elsafe in-room safe offers our Courtyard hotels
the highest security, the most advanced features and the most reliable
service in the industry,� Masson said. �Not only did Elsafe provide us
with a practical selection of operational features, such as an optional
outlet located inside the safe so that our guests can charge their electronics,
such as laptops and camcorders, but they provide us with revolutionary
physical security that rivals anything in the hospitality market.�
Metivier said VingCard Elsafe is proud to continue
and expand its relationship with Marriott, saying: �The level of quality
that Marriott provides its guests is exceptional, and we are pleased to
be able to provide a level of security and design to match.�
About Marriott International, Inc.
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE:MAR) is a
leading lodging company with more than 2,600 lodging properties in the
United States and 65 other countries and territories. Marriott International
operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, Renaissance,
Bulgari, The Ritz-Carlton, Courtyard, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites,
TownePlace Suites, and Fairfield Inn brand names; develops and operates
vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club International,
Horizons, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Marriott Grand Residence Club brands;
operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing
through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers.
Marriott is also in the synthetic fuel business. The company is headquartered
in Washington, D.C. It is ranked as the lodging industry�s most admired
company and one of the best places to work for by Fortune® magazine.
In fiscal year 2004, Marriott International reported sales from continuing
operations of $10 billion, and the company had approximately 133,000 employees
at year-end 2004. For more information or reservations, please visit
our web site at www.marriott.com.
About VingCard Elsafe
 The
world leader in hotel security technology, VingCard Elsafe, has products
installed in more than 33,000 properties worldwide, securing in excess
of 5.5 million hotel rooms. The ASSA ABLOY Group, a publicly listed company,
is a world leader in security and hospitality systems. VingCard provides
numerous electronic locking system solutions, including traditional magnetic-stripe
and smartcard systems, fully integrated PMS interface software solutions
and worldwide service and support. Elsafe provides the first UL-listed
(1037) hotel safe series on the market today in keypad and card-based models.
Safes that include an internal power outlet to support recharging of laptops
and camcorders also are available with a UL listing. Elsafe customers also
enjoy the same worldwide service and support. VingCard Elsafe is dedicated
to the hospitality. For more information on VingCard Elsafe, visit www.vingcard.com
or www.elsafe.com. VingCard Elsafe
is a part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, the leading lock company.
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