VingCard Elsafe Captures the “Essence” of HITEC 2012 with Successful Launch of World´s First Invisible Door Lock

DALLAS -- VingCard Elsafe, the global leader in hospitality security and part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, again captured the attention of hotel technology professionals last month, with the successful introduction of its latest hotel locking innovation at HITEC 2012. “Essence by VingCard,” known as the world’s first invisible door lock, was successfully introduced to the global hotel market at this annual hotel technology show, which was held in Baltimore, June 26th-28th. Hundreds of hotel technology professionals from around the world gathered at the VingCard Elsafe booth to get a peek at this revolutionary, patent-pending new concept in locking design and technology, which takes minimalism to the extreme by encapsulating all electronic components inside the door.

Essence not only eliminates a visible lock reader on the door exterior, creating a cleaner aesthetic in the hallway, but also eliminates bulky hardware on the interior of the door, making it more secure and visually appealing from inside the guestroom, as well.

Although undetectable on the door, Essence by VingCard integrates VingCard Elsafe’s most advanced contactless locking solutions into the interior electronics, including Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Near Field Communication (NFC) compatible locking technologies.

“The immediate enthusiasm and feedback that we received for Essence by VingCard following its official unveiling at HITEC 2012 was extremely positive and encouraging,” said Tim Shea, president of ASSA ABLOY Hospitality. “It served to confirm that our projections of where hotel locking technology is heading for the future are accurate, and that the market is continuing to embrace the trend toward minimalism in design, as well as RFID and NFC technologies, which we have incorporated into this new locking platform.”

Essence not only makes the lock disappear from the hotel door, resolving design challenges for savvy, design-conscious hoteliers, but it also minimizes a variety of other operational issues, such as integration, installation and maintenance. “With Essence, we have again developed an original and unique concept in lock design, and there is nothing else like it on the market,” continued Shea. “It is attractive and efficient from both a design and operational standpoint, and typifies the innovative spirit that VingCard Elsafe has displayed over the years.”

VingCard Elsafe began the trend toward minimizing lock hardware of the guestroom door with the 2005 introduction of Signature by VingCard, a design-centric lock developed to meet the needs of designers, architects and hoteliers, and Signature RFID by VingCard, an operations-friendly, contactless electronic lock with NFC compatibility.

“Attendees at HITEC have come to expect to see new technology innovations from us at the show, and I believe we surpassed all their expectations this year,” continued Shea. “Visitors to our booth agreed that the Essence platform is a giant leap ahead for the industry. Several major hotel companies have expressed interest in the solution, and orders are already pending.”

Since introducing the first world’s first recodable lock in 1979, VingCard Elsafe, has continued to “Stay First” in the industry with the continuous development of forward-thinking security solutions. As the world leader in developing locking systems, electronic in-room safes and energy management solutions for the hospitality industry, VingCard Elsafe offers user-friendly systems that meet the unique operational needs of hotels and resorts.

For more information, please contact Riise Walker at +1 (972) 692-3167 or visit www.vingcardelsafe.com.

About VingCard Elsafe
The world leader in hotel security technology, ASSA ABLOY Hospitality has products installed in more than 42,000 properties worldwide, securing in excess of 7 million hotel rooms and is part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, a publicly listed company. VingCard provides numerous electronic locking system solutions, including traditional magnetic-stripe, smartcard systems and the latest RFID electronic locks compatible with the main ISO standards: ISO 14.443A (MIFARE), ISO 14.443B, ISO15.693 and NFC-compatible (Near Field Communication), fully integrated PMS interface software solutions, as well as the world leader in wireless online locking solutions for hotels based on ZigBee secured open platform. VingCard has worldwide service and support in more than 166 countries. Elsafe provides the only UL-listed (1037) hotel safe series on the market today in keypad and card-based models. Elsafe Safes include a UL-listed internal power outlet to support recharging of laptops and camcorders, full wireless online capabilities and RFID versions compatible with VingCard system. Elsafe customers also enjoy the same worldwide service and support. Orion by VingCard Elsafe is the new Energy Management Solution that reduces energy consumption, ensures guest comfort and contributes to improve hotels green initiatives. The ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Group is dedicated to the hospitality industry. For more information on VingCard Elsafe, visit www.vingcardelsafe.com.