What Is a Hotel Door Lock System?
A hotel door lock system is a customized array of locks, keys and credentials that secure private rooms, communal spaces and other on-site facilities. Its purpose is to ensure that guests have convenient and reliable access while also allowing staff to easily monitor, adjust and revoke permissions.
Newer smart lock systems offer mobile credentials that users can use with a smartphone app. This approach eliminates the need for keys and can be less expensive than traditional commercial hotel locks.
Keypads
Whether you’re looking to modernize your hotel or want to cut costs, there are many types of electronic lock systems available. A smart hotel door lock system can improve the guest experience by facilitating a no-touch check-in and streamlining staff and guest access. It can also provide valuable data about occupancy.
Mag stripe and swipe card systems use magnetic stripe or RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) readers to allow guests to operate certain doors for a designated time frame. They communicate with a central access management system over either a wired or wireless connection and verify the guest information against a database. This type of hotel lock system is inexpensive, but it has several disadvantages. For example, the magnetic strip is prone to wear and tear, and key cards are easy to lose.
One way to upgrade your hotel is to install a digital hotel lock, such as the Vikey Smart Lock or Handle. These devices replace the existing European cylinder locks and connect to your hotel’s Wi-Fi network to enable guest access. They also send a code that is generated and tied to each reservation and maintained for the duration of the stay. These codes can be entered through the handle’s keypad, or remotely from a host app. In addition, they are easy to install and are more secure than traditional keys.
Electric locks with a sensor and a chip card
Whether they’re based on RFID, PIN code, smart hotel door lock system technology or digital keys, these locks are key to guest safety, satisfaction, and autonomy. They enable guests to lock doors from their mobile devices, order services and make instant payments – all from the comfort of their rooms and without the need to approach hotel staff.
These locks offer a high level of security, as they are more difficult to hack than magstripe or traditional key cards. Their sensors detect a presence at the door and open it when the correct sequence of digits is entered, which eliminates the risk of unauthorised access. They also allow you to change the code remotely and provide a backup power source, so they won’t stop working if the electricity fails in your property.
Many hotels use electronic locks with a sensor and a chip card for their guests’ convenience, but this type of lock is still relatively new in the hospitality industry. Rather than requiring guests to swipe or insert a card, these locks communicate with RFID cards, fobs, and smartphones via proximity and radio frequencies. They can be easily reprogrammed as needed, and they don’t require batteries, so they can save you money in maintenance costs. They are also easy to install and integrate with your PMS. This makes them a great choice for hotels that want to upgrade their existing locks to smart locks.
IC cards
In the hotel door lock system, IC cards are often used as an alternative to traditional key locks. These cards are about the same size as a credit card and can be slipped into a pocket or wallet. They contain a unique code that is recognized by the lock. These codes can be set by the hotel to limit access to rooms and guest areas. IC cards are also more resistant to hacking and manipulation than magnetic stripe cards.
Magnetic stripe hotel room key cards have three tracks within the strip, and system data is encoded on one or more of these tracks at check-in. When the card is inserted or swiped into the hotel lock, the reader in the lock cross-checks this data with the information stored in the guest system. If the match is made, the door opens and a “click” is heard.
RFID hotel lock key cards, on the other hand, don’t require the swiping motion to be activated. These cards contain a small RFID chip that saves the lock (room) ID and the key’s valid life. The hotel can program these keys to only work in a certain period of the day. The hotel can also keep a log of who accessed the lock and when.
LS-8088 stainless steel hotel electronic lock with IC card system is the ideal solution for hotels that want to upgrade their old magnetic stripe or mechanical lock systems. It is a secure and convenient way to control access to the hotel room and other facilities.
RFID cards
Chances are that you’ve used plastic key cards in a hotel door lock system hotel before. These cards contain unique credential data and allow guests to access a hotel room by swiping them through a door-mounted reader. While these systems provide a cost-effective solution for hotels, they require ongoing maintenance and are prone to swiping errors.
Modern electronic locks for hotel doors can offer improved functionality and a better guest experience. They are less prone to swiping errors, and can be programmed for a range of permissions and timeframes. They also enable hoteliers to make use of mobile credentials, which can elevate the guest experience while minimizing costs.
Another option is to replace traditional magstripe cards with RFID hotel lock solutions. These are more durable and don’t require swiping, which reduces the risk of wear-and-tear. These locks can be upgraded to support a wide range of applications, and are compatible with most existing hardware.
Salto offers several RFID models to meet the needs of different hotel operations. For example, the VingCard series is mobile-ready and can be enabled with BLE technology to allow a guest’s smartphone to act as their hotel key. It is case hardened and ANSI certified to prevent unauthorized access, and features a battery status indicator. It also includes a patented handle design that keeps the handles steady over time, and can be triggered from inside to display “Do not disturb.” It is also backed by a cloud-based management system, which allows hotels to update locks remotely.
