'The hotel industry is also becoming increasingly technology-driven'

As a market leader, Assa Abloy has been active in door security and access control in the hospitality sector in the Netherlands for more than 40 years. "Almost all hotel companies know at least our products VingCard and Elsafe," says Jeroen Coesmans, managing director Benelux. At the Independent Hotel Show, the company showcased three great innovations for a safer and more comfortable world.

What is booming, according to Coesmans, are security solutions in the cloud. "Our Vostio Access Management system has the advantage of leading to a more stable and secure IT operation. Because the software is hosted in the cloud instead of on a server in a network, there is less downtime and integrations with other systems are very stable. Security is guaranteed to be up to date. Administrators and users can also access it remotely. For example, a keycard or mobile key can be created without being physically present in the hotel, or lock activity can be viewed remotely."

"Most Dutch hotels still work with a local server with software," Coesmans knows. "The big chains in particular set the necessary conditions when it comes to global availability, support and software links. We see that a number of labels are now giving space to cloud solutions, because of the advantages and to be ready for the recently launched services." A second innovation, once developed and launched by Assa Abloy itself, is the mobile key. "It is part of the modern guest journey: you open the room door with your smartphone, with the latest Novel lock only by holding it at the door handle. With the recent introduction of the mobile key in the Apple wallet, the ease of use increases further. A phone no longer needs to be unlocked and even with a flat battery the door opens. There is a lot of interest from the hotel industry, also because of the relief of the front desk."

Third, Assa Abloy is introducing the all-new VingCard Novel platform. In it, all the technology is integrated into the door handle. "The locks are supplied ex-factory with mobile key and online functionalities. However, the user only has to pay for these when they are activated in the lock. There is also an option to charge a battery in the lock case contactless. Replacing batteries is then no longer necessary. Durable and user-friendly."

It is important to invest in such solutions now, says Coesmans. "Hotels unfortunately had to stand still during COVID but now the recovery is well underway. We see that the world has changed and is becoming more technology-driven. This is going faster and faster and we want to help our partners with that." There is a lot of renovation going on in the Netherlands at the moment, which offers room for new access technologies. "The new generation of hoteliers then sees the old magnetic card locks or physical keys and wants to achieve better access management. Modern locks tell you exactly who has been in a room. By the way, we can often upgrade existing VingCard locks. Then we simply convert the card reader so that the lock is up to date again and suitable for contactless RFID cards, mobile keys and cloud software. This is often even possible for 10-year-old locks. For the physical VingCard lock boxes and the door hardware itself, this is not a problem because they are almost indestructible."

Incidentally, many people think Assa Abloy only works for the big players but nothing could be further from the truth, Coesmans explains. "As the inventors of the first hotel lock, we are recognised suppliers to the major global chains. However, national parties account for more than half of our turnover within Europe. In the Benelux, we serve the entire market. We provide our total solutions with just as much commitment and pleasure for a 16-room hotel as for 600 rooms."