| DALLAS � June 17, 2008 � In the current North American hospitality
market, an estimated 18 million traditional plastic keycards are discarded
by hotels and their guests every week, ultimately ending up in landfills
across the continent. Additionally, experts say the industry could save
as many as 9 million batteries each year by switching to more energy efficient
locking systems. With this in mind, VingCard®, a leading hospitality
security provider and part of the ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Group, is introducing
new eco-friendly initiatives to support hoteliers� efforts to go �green.�
�In an effort to support the overall green efforts of the hospitality industry, we are pleased to offer these new eco-friendly security alternatives to our hotel customers,� said George Winker, vice president of business development for ASSA ABLOY Hospitality North America. �In making these options available, we hope to encourage hotels and resorts to choose products that enhance their current green initiatives, while maintaining the same level of security the industry has come to expect from VingCard.�
Made from Earthworks� environmentally friendly plastic, the RecycledCard
offers the same level of security and the same high-quality printing and
personalization as traditional plastic keycards at no additional cost to
hoteliers. Non-magnetic stripe cards are made from 100 percent recycled
plastic, while magnetic stripe cards are made from 88 percent recycled
plastic.
Signature RFID/NFC by VingCard, a new radio-frequency identification electronic locking system, features Near Field Communications (NFC) cell phone compatibility, allowing hotel guests to use their next-generation NFC-compliant cell phones to open guestroom doors. Prior to arrival at a hotel, guests will receive a booking confirmation number, room number and encrypted room key access code through Short Message System (SMS), allowing them to skip the check-in line upon arrival and go straight to the room, where their NFC-cell phone will unlock the door � eliminating the need for a keycard to be issued. Hotels can also use guests� cell phones to track loyalty points, rather than issuing plastic cards.
Part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, VingCard is the world leader in developing locking systems for the hospitality industry, offering user-friendly security systems that meet the unique operational needs of hotels and resorts. For more information, visit www.vingcard.com.
|
Innovative
recycled keycards are now available to VingCard customers, and one unique
guestroom door lock not only operates on fewer batteries than traditional
electronic locks, but it also gives hoteliers the option to forgo keycards
altogether.
For
hotels using magnetic stripe or smartcard operated electronic locking systems
by VingCard (including the Signature and Classic product lines), more eco-friendly
keycards can help reduce waste created by traditional plastic keycards.
VingCard now offers the AB RecycledCard�, an alternative for hotels taking
steps to go green.
Additionally,
Signature RFID/NFC locks promote green efforts by requiring fewer battery
changes than traditional electronic locks, meaning less waste (not to mention
lower battery costs) for the hotelier. Signature RFID/NFC�s sealed hardware
design also means less maintenance because the locking mechanism does not
require cleaning.
About
ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Inc. North America