VingCard Outpacing Industry in RFID/NFC Skill
Displays Electronic Lock Advancement for Remote Hotel Check-in/Check-out at IH/MRS
NOVEMBER 6, 2008. A year after the launch of Signature RFID/NFC, VingCard has achieved global recognition for its security system that allows hotel guests with Near Field Communication-enabled cell phones to bypass the check-in/-out process and unlock their room doors via mobile device. Named "The Best NFC Service of the Year 2008" by the NFC Forum, VingCard reports that beta testing of the system at undisclosed international hotel chains is underway and is proving to be very successful. In addition, cell phone manufacturer Nokia will soon deploy its latest NFC phone, the 6212 Classic, to receive the encrypted room key and work as an RFID carrier to operate with Signature RFID/NFC.
A demonstration of the Signature RFID/NFC electronic lock working with the NFC-enabled Nokia 6212 Classic cell phone will be showcased at the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show, Nov. 9-12, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York in Booth No. 3138.
VingCard Elsafe, a company of ASSA ABLOY Hospitality (the recognized world leader of hotel security technology), provides electronic-locking systems and in-room safe solutions to more than 36,000 hotels worldwide. In April, the NFC Forum, a non-profit industry association developed to advance the use of NFC technology, chose VingCard and its Signature RFID/NFC solution as "the best" from among 20 finalists and more than 50 entries from 21 countries.
"While other hospitality security companies are just beginning to dabble in the NFC technology arena, VingCard is light-years ahead in product development, partner collaboration and hotel deployment," said Pascal Metivier, President of ASSA ABLOY Hospitality EMEA and Latin America. "Field tests of Signature RFID/NFC are demonstrating positive results, and we anticipate announcing our first international brand installation of Signature RFID/NFC during first quarter 2009. This is yet another 'first' in which VingCard has taken the industry lead in developing technology that preserves owners' assets, provides brand differentiation, and promotes guest satisfaction."
Near Field Communication (NFC) is a standards-based, short-range wireless connectivity technology that enables simple and safe two-way interactions between electronic devices. NFC technology allows consumers to perform contactless transactions, access digital content and connect devices with the simplicity of a single touch. NFC technology provides global interoperability of contactless identification and interconnection technologies.
As part of a joint collaboration with NXP (founded by Philips), VODAFONE and THE HUMAN CHAIN, VingCard developed the application for the NFC enabled phone to receive the encrypted room key and work as an RFID carrier to operate with Signature RFID/NFC electronic locks. Working with Nokia, for example, THE HUMAN CHAIN, a management consultancy specializing in mobile communications, together with VingCard helped further develop the NFC application for guestroom access control and other NFC services such as loyalty, payment and discovery.
"Nokia has been working with companies such as VISA for several years developing an application for RFID-enabled payment services via mobile devices," said Tim Jefferson, Managing Director of THE HUMAN CHAIN. "VingCard came to us several years ago with their vision of using the RFID / NFC platform for guestroom access control. It's a great way to provide secure, two-way communications between devices for immediate information access and convenience.
"The Nokia NFC-enabled handset contains an RFID module that can function as an RFID tag and as an RFID reader," Jefferson explained. "The module operates at 13.56 MHz frequency and support ISO/IEC 14.443 - identical to the Signature RFID/NFC platform. The Nokia 6212, which begins shipping this month and will be available worldwide, is Nokia's fourth-generation NFC-enabled handset and will be able to support Signature RFID/NFC immediately."
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
