Technology : Security of corporate engineering for Destination . “ Magstripe locks do not embrace vendor interfacing well .”
Meanwhile , as NFC increasingly becomes an integrated part of consumers ’ daily lifestyles , most hospitality technology experts believe NFC will eventually become the default access format for hotels across segments and regions . At that point , guests will be able to use mobile devices to unlock their guestroom doors immediately upon arrival , without even needing to conduct a front-desk check-in process .
A key selling point for both RFID and NFC locks are their reliability ; magnetic stripe cards can become deactivated when they come into contact with mobile phones , while RFID locks generally require less maintenance . These technologies also have a lower rate of misreads , which can be a point of maddening consternation for guests using magnetic stripe locks .
Aesthetic enhancements are a corollary benefit to NFC locks , along with RFID to a slightly lesser extent . Since these systems need not require physical contact between the “ key ” and the lock , visible locking hardware components will become obsolete , streamlining the appearance of hotel corridors .
Geoffrey Fordham , vice president of projects and product development for Onyx , says the sleekness of RFID and
NFC plays a role in selecting locking systems for the company ’ s new luxury brand , Saffron . However , appearance is subsidiary to brand reputation , system integration , maintenance , sales support and pricing . “ The aesthetic will be an important factor as the door appearance will have to be carefully integrated with the corridor designs ; however , the aforementioned points will have to be met first ,” Fordham says . “ There are new designs on the market that allow the door lock to be fully integrated , basically hidden in the door , so it looks beautiful .”
In general , though , the traveling public seems rather indifferent about advances in locking technology . Hoteliers see other capital improvements to technology , like faster Wi-Fi or bigger televisions , as being greater drivers of rate than locking systems . “ I don ’ t think that the majority of guests know the differences between the locks and technology ,” Rock says . “ They primarily look at the aesthetics of the door lock and whether it ’ s RFID or magnetic stripe .”
Stokman , however , says the RFID locks in use at some Anantara properties still evoke a “ wow ” factor with guests .
Potential roadblocks Critical-mass issues aside , some practical obstacles stand in the way of widespread
RFID and NFC adoption . The most obvious objection for hoteliers in adopting new locking systems is cost . A retrofit can cost US $ 300 or more per door , and RFID cards are more expensive than magnetic stripe cards , about US $ 1 on average compared to US $ 0.10 . On the other hand , RFID keycards can be reused many times , assuming they are not lost or thrown away , whereas magnetic stripe cards lose their integrity in fairly short order . Then there is the issue of a guestroom with multiple occupants for a room ; if the access device is a smartphone , then multiple devices will need to be activated .
Finally , the security of the lock systems is its own concern . Although it involved the older magnetic stripe technology , the 2012 hacking scandal involving Onity magnetic stripe guestroom locks has made hotel companies leery of vendors ’ claims that the newer systems are impenetrable to data theft and access manipulation .
“ Until they prove that technology is 100 % secure , or there is assurance from the manufacturers that they will compensate the owners and operators if a breach occurs , then it will continue to be slow adoption ,” says Tom McElroy , director of safety and security for Red Roof Inn , Columbus , Ohio .
“ There are new designs on The markeT ThaT allow The door lock To be fully inTegraTed , basically hidden in The door , so iT looks beauTiful .”
– Geoffrey fordham , vice president of projects and product development , onyx hospitality Group www . hotelsmag . com March 2014 HOTELS 49