RFID, mobile drive lock trends in 2012

In 2012, the electronic locking field will be crowded with new technologies that allow hoteliers more flexibility and cost-savings than ever before. RFID-based keycards will be more affordable than ever, near-field communication-enabled mobile devices will finally hit the States and new technology like crypto-acoustic credentialing will allow guests to skip check-in and use their phone as a secure room key.

One of the major limitations of implementing RFID systems in the past has been the high cost of RFID chips. The keys are not disposable and cost a few cents more than the average magnetic-stripe keycard, but the locking system doesn’t require any moving parts. The simplicity cuts down on maintenance and installation costs.

Increased supply of RFID chips has helped reduce prices, and prices are expected to drop even further.

“If you look at it on a per occupied room basis, we’re talking about going from seven cents a key to 65 cents a key,” said Rick Creviston, chief engineer of the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch. “It becomes something all good business people have to consider, so we looked at it and tried to trend how RFID key cost had been moving. There was a nice downward curve that showed prices are getting more and more competitive.”

Mobile devices equipped with near-field communication technology will allow guests to unlock doors and communicate with other elements of the hotel through their mobile phone. This automation will help hoteliers reduce front-desk staff and focus on guest satisfaction.

While NFC is still years away from wide implementation in the U.S., hotels in Europe have already begun testing NFC systems that allow guests to skip check-in and access their room without visiting the front desk. Selecting an NFC-equipped locking device during an impending renovation could mean saving money by the time the technology is ubiquitous.

Another locking technology uses mobile phones to open doors without NFC technology. OpenWays has pioneered crypto-acoustic credentials that allow guests to access their guestroom with any mobile phone. Now, hoteliers have robust credential management tools to go along with this access technology. Since any mobile phone can be used with this technology, hoteliers don’t have to outfit their staff with costly smartphones in order to use OpenWays.