SECURITY SYSTEMS
Get smart
on access
control
solutions
» WITH HOTEL BUILDINGS HAVING A
variety of access control requirements,
it is an opportune time for locksmiths
to encourage owners to think smart
about streamlined, innovative solutions.
Here, John Hardman, Product Manager
Electronic Access Controls and Lodging
Systems at dormakaba explains the
benefits of smart lock designs.
Professionals will be well aware that
access control and security is a top priority
for hotels – whether it is protecting
sensitive information, keeping guests
away from staff only areas, or keeping
guests’ belongings secure.
Traditionally, there are hoteliers that still
use traditional lock-and-key systems – which
can be unreliable, costly to maintain and
have security vulnerabilities. Locksmiths
should encourage their hotel customers to
replace these systems with innovative, up to
date smart lock technology.
Smart locks, for example, offer a wealth
of benefits that can make securing
the hotel much easier and safer whilst
improving the guest experience. With
more than 200 new hotels planned in
London alone in 2020, locksmith and
security professionals have an opportunity
to upsell to current hoteliers and provide
innovative, future-proof solutions.
A TOTAL SOLUTION
When specifying a product to support
hotel owners, professionals should first
consider that working with a single
manufacturer and supplier that can offer
a total solution – from front entrance, to
reception desk, to individual rooms and
staff areas only.
There are numerous benefits to this
end-to-end approach, such as the fact
that systems will be cross-compatible, and
are therefore designed and tested to work
together.
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In addition, working with one provider
will make the specification service much
easier, as there will not be multiple parties
to liaise with or consult, which will cut out
unnecessary delays and confusion. Should
you be called back for maintenance
later down the line, this also cuts out the
requirement to liaise between multiple
suppliers.
RFID
Your hotelier customers will naturally be
concerned about any potential downtime
or rooms being out of commission whilst
new locking systems are installed or
retrofitted. Leading manufacturers will be
able to provide solutions that can minimize
this issue – wireless RFID (Radio-frequency
identification) locks, such as the dormakaba
Saffire LX, provide far less additional work
when compared with a wired system.
In addition, a reputable installation team
will be able to work closely with you in order
to ensure you’re creating the ideal solution
for the design team at the hotel and ensure
your customers final product is finished to a
high standard that completes the aesthetic
– such as supplying and installing the locks
as an integrated door handle solution, or
standalone card reader.
Naturally, security is the most crucial
factor in the specification process, to
ensure guests feel safe and that only staff
can access authorized areas.
This is where the RFID two-way
communication system can greatly benefit
your hotelier clientele. The technology can
detect and send notifications to either the
reception or security desk regarding doors
left ajar for an extended period of time.
Additionally, a keycard which has failed
on multiple doors triggers an alert as a
‘wandering or standing intruder’, or when
multiple cards fail on a single door.
This two-way system also allows for the
extremely simple and effective management
of room keys from the front desk. Staff will
be able to cancel lost keys, extend a guest
stay, or change a guest’s room quickly and
remotely. In addition, there can be remote
audits taken to review keycard useable on
specific locks – deterring potential theft by
hotel employees.
In addition, this also means it is
incredibly simple to supply and remove
access to new or leaving staff members,
ensuring the business is consistently
secure should an employee leave and
forget to hand over their keycard.
Working with a supplier who understands
that technology is advancing at a rapid pace
and can provide systems that will adapt to
this, is highly beneficial. Many hotels are
beginning to adopt mobile access, which
allows a smartphone app to unlock the
rooms – allowing guests to skip the check-
in desk, ensuring further convenience and
therefore an improved guest experience.
By working with a supplier who provides
this, your hotel customers are able to have
the flexibility to upgrade to meet increasing
guest demand for this type of service – for
example, the dormakaba RFID technology
allows for this transition at a later stage.
www.dormakaba.co.uk
JAN/FEB 2020
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