Hospitality

In SALTO’s pursuit of making the world more sustainable, we are proud to present the new ‘Eco Guest Key Cards’.

In SALTO’s pursuit of making the world more sustainable, we are proud to present the new ‘Eco Guest Key Cards’. Instead of using single-use plastic guest key cards, our customers now have the opportunity to contribute to the circular economy by changing to sustainable paper-based and wooden alternatives. Opening smarter doors keyless with a clean conscience.

There’s an increasing awareness of sustainability which we accommodate by introducing FSC-certified wooden key cards, made from wood fiber, to our credential portfolio. This way we enable our customers mainly in the hospitality business to offer their customers a more environmentally friendly stay.

The sustainable cards have proven to be equally durable compared to the traditional plastic guest key card, but, unlike plastic, bamboo and wood is a renewable and biodegradable resource that produces no pollution. The cards are entirely made from recycled FSC-certified paper or wood, and therefore contain 0 plastic while maintaining 100% of its structural integrity. Its quality, size, aestatic appeal and durability are so similar to its plastic carrier, the paper-based guest key cards are an excellent option for any business in hospitality that want to contribute to the circular economy.

“SALTO is committed to sustainability and we care about the environment. We have been an early adopter of emerging environmental initiatives that use more renewable resources and less paper, plastic, and fossil fuels in the access control industry” - Aznar Sethna, SALTO Systems Chief Sales, and Marketing Officer.

Just like traditional plastic key cards, the SALTO contactless guest key cards are embedded with a NXP MIFARE Ultralight® C RFID chip that is fully compatible with SALTO smart locks.

“Climate change is a threat that none of us can afford to ignore. SALTO sustainable cards is a clear and decisive statement that the SALTO Hospitality industry is ready to take on this challenge. And that's only the beginning! energy-efficient data management, the efficiency of cloud infrastructure, or IoT solutions to connect innovative SALTO products and services are all part of our Hospitality initiatives contributing to sustainability.” - Nora Urquiza, SALTO Hospitality Global Lead Manager

The bamboo and wooden guest key cards are available in 4 different manufacturing materials, from bamboo, cherry to black walnut, and the paper key cards can be branded with your own logo, so there is no excuse to use plastic anymore.

COVID-19 has forced the Hospitality industry into reconfiguring hotel operations—but has also provided an opportunity to transform them.

Even before the emergence of Omicron, the hospitality industry was continuing to evolve in response to COVID-19. Almost two years into a pandemic that has claimed more than five million lives—and affected billions more—pandemic-induced changes in guest behaviour have forever altered hotel business.

People who travel for pleasure want to get back to doing so. But this will imply a new normal. Even though domestic travel has surged, international travel and business travel are still impacted given pandemic-related border restrictions and concerns about health and safety. 

With hope towards the future as we emerge from the pandemic, 2022 will be a year hospitality can look forward to in shaping its future rather than just grinding through the present and merely surviving. The new normal will be different. However, that does not mean going back to the conditions that prevailed in 2019.

During the COVID-19 global health crisis, one area that has seen tremendous growth in digitization, meaning everything from online customer service to remote working to supply-chain reinvention to the use of digital key technology. These practices have resulted in minimizing if not eliminating altogether the practice of handing over access control credentials and oftentimes the need for human interaction. This has drastically improved hospitality operations and guest safety as it not only eliminates the risk associated with potential exposure to COVID-19 but it also gives hospitality operators and managers an easier way to manage access. Giving guests the ability to manage their full stay (check-in, check-out, extending a stay, accessing the gym, self-service locker) from their smartphone, for example, gives guests full control and improves their experience.

Salto’s smart door locks allow users and system administrators to send and receive Digital Keys that can open any door or gate equipped with a Salto smart lock, cylinder, wall reader, padlock, or locker lock using their iOS or Android Bluetooth LE or NFC-enabled smartphone.  

Mobile access control solutions offer users a keyless experience, providing instant and mobile access without compromising security or convenience. By combining various technologies, Salto's smart locking solutions evolve from traditional access control to ACaaS (Access Control as a Service), enabling users to manage access rights quickly, wirelessly, and without keys. This offers greater security than mechanical keys by introducing digital keys and replacing traditional physical keys or smart credentials.  

Implementing mobile credentials and digital keys. 

Digital Keys are available across smart access technology platforms from Salto. 

Salto Space - Data-on-Card 

Designed to secure any door in a building and make access control more effortless and secure than ever, Salto Space offers a flexible access control platform with a unified software and hardware platform. 

Experience unified, scalable security, integration support, and limitless features to manage your buildings’ operations with a virtually networked, data-on-card based locking system. 

Salto KS - Keys as a Service 

Salto KS (KaaS: Keys as a Service) is a scalable cloud-based Access Control as a Service (ACaaS) solution that’s built to fit your business needs, today and tomorrow. 

Salto KS smart access offers multiple ways of opening doors, including digital keys. It supports a wide range of keyless access methods to improve user experience and the security of any type of building. It also delivers advanced security features on a fully remote and wireless cloud-based smart access management platform. 

Salto Homelok - All-in-one smart access solution for residential living 

Salto Homelok enables modern keyless living for residents, streamlines operations for managers and owners, and improves security across all types of residential properties.   

A cloud-based smart access platform with intelligent, wire-free and virtually networked electronic locking SVN technology optimises hybrid deployments and enables the smart building ecosystem without needing infrastructure.

Program your Salto ProaAccess Space access control management software to send broadcast notifications in the event of a lockdown emergency.

No one wants to think of the unthinkable happening – an intruder in a school, inclement weather, and the like – but it’s best to be prepared, of course, in the event something does happen. Salto electronic smart access platform has the capability to enable AMOK lockdown mode, where authorized users can quickly and safely lock all locks in a building. Salto ProAccess Space software includes broadcast notifications, making it quick and easy to send immediate communication in the event of an emergency lockdown or pre-configured event.

Streamlined Communication for Safety and Efficiency

In an emergency situation that calls for a building lockdown, ProAccess Space can be pre-configured for security personnel to quickly send broadcast notifications to multiple recipients with just a click of the mouse. For non-emergency scenarios, broadcast notifications can be sent out on an as-needed basis to share updates on temporary issues that might affect only certain areas of a building or user groups.

The ability to send broadcast notifications is an excellent tool as it provides the power to quickly and easily contact as many recipients as needed. This is an important feature for any electronic smart access control deployment but is particularly helpful for universities, schools, healthcare, corporate smart offices and the like.

In a new video collaboration by SALTO and Group337 we dive deeper into what we believe "The Next Generation of Smart Locks" will be. The purpose of this collaboration is to spark a conversation—a change. We are hoping to help start a new language for the industry, and if we agree that the smart lock industry has entered into its next generation, we should agree we need to look, say, and act next generation.

In part 1, we are diving into the difference between smart, connected, motorized, and mechanical and what the next generation of smart locks will need to stay relevant. 

In part 2, we will tackle the value beyond locking and unlocking. And in the finale, part 3, we reimagine door openings and our relationship with entering and exiting.

We plan to cover the different verticals such as single-family, multifamily, and commercial locks. We will speak to all of them generically and high level enough that what we discuss applies to all use cases. There are fundamental functionality and value creation that work across all verticals in the Next Generation of smart locks, and we want to cover them here.

Of course, this is just the beginning, and we can't cover it all in such a short amount of time, but we will do our best.

While 2018 was the year of silver and chrome, 2019 saw the beginnings of a return towards golds and darker materials. In 2020, soft sand tones emerged and 2021 promises an even greater contrast in terms of architectural trends, finishes like bacteria-free handles, and styles that reimagine the past and embrace the future.

The perfect addition to any new Ælement door handle is on a square rose design, a contemporary slim style handle that smoothly blends into any door. As an option available for the Ælement product range, the door handle in a square rose design brings charming design features providing a pleasing contrast. Additionally, it enhances the wireless networked locking solution with a modern range of features, without sacrificing security or a great design.
 

One platform, many channels. That is the power of a great guest experience app for hotels. These apps enable a direct communication line with individual guests so hotels can send out personalized offers and elevate the customer experience, increase guest loyalty and boost revenue for their business. 

By incorporating Digital Keys into your guest app you can make an even bigger impact. 

What is a digital key for hotel?

Access control solutions that offer the Digital Key feature, such as Salto’s Justin Mobile or Salto Keys as a Service, can be implemented as a standalone app. However, national and international hotel groups choose to embed the functionality into a branded guest mobile app, which is integrated with the hotel’s Property Management System (PMS). Research shows that when guests can find their key within the hotel app, download rates increase, and the in-app purchase rate goes up to an estimated average of $140 per room per year.  

How does hotel digital keys works?

A Digital Key is stored in the hotel guest app on the guests mobile device. When presented to a lock, it uses BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) to open the lock. With Digital Keys the hotel administrator can grant designated access to guests, employees, or even delivery services whenever it’s appropriate for them to enter. The convenience of being able to open doors with Digital Keys is undeniable.

“Many of our loyal ‘Honors’ members are business travellers who are incredibly tech-savvy., We are thrilled our hotel is able to offer them this cutting edge Digital Key technology and give them an easier, more convenient stay.”
- said Rupert Hallam, General Manager, Hilton Adelaide. 

The Hilton experience

Hilton Adelaide in Australia partnered up with Salto Systems and implemented the solution to their system. This gave the hotel the ability to integrate Digital Keys into their ‘Hilton Honors’ guest app. Within 24 hours of arrival, Hilton Honors members who book direct through Hilton’s channels can digitally check-in, choose their exact room from a digital floor plan and request a Digital Key through the Honors app. Hilton Adelaide will notify guests through the app as soon as their room is ready. Honors members with previous stay history can then head straight to their room when they arrive, pressing the virtual “unlock” button on the app when they’re within five feet of their door.

“With the app, Hilton Honors members can take advantage of a seamless and contactless experience. Digital Check-in and Digital Key allow guests to go straight to their selected room, bypassing the reception.”
- Rupert Hallam, General Manager, Hilton Adelaide. 

Benefits of digital room keys for hotels

Hygiene and safety is, now more than ever, on top of mind for the hospitality sector. By incorporating Digital Keys into their business, hotels eliminate plastic cards being passed from hand to hand. The guest receives their key before arrival and can check-in without any (physical) contact at the reception desk. Together with the antimicrobial coating of the BioCote®, Salto lock range, you are guaranteed the highest form of hygienic protection.. 

Besides the hygienical benefits, there are more advantages of implementing Digital Keys into your hotel experience:

• Guest experience: with their key sent to them in advance, the guest can go straight to their room and start enjoying their hotel experience. From the hotel app guests have information at their fingertips; from concierge services toor spa treatment bookings and other in-app purchases. 
• Flexibility: Digital Keys include information such as expiry date and time and authorised access. The Digital Keys can be very easily reprogrammed if the guest extends their stay, re-rooms or books a facility such as the hotel spa. Providing them with the access they need without any hassle.
• Cost and time efficiency: Hotels save costs of producing and sanitising plastic cards. With fewer guests using the reception, they can operate with less staff and potentially without the need of a 24/7 manned  front desk.
• Up-selling opportunities: When Digital Keys are embedded into a guest app, hotels can present real-time and personalised offers on room service or spa treatments.
• Reporting: Retrieve full audit trails for new requirements such as contracting, and  visibility of actual and attempted access.
• Insights:  Having Digital Keys integrated in guest apps give hotels valuable data on the behavior, preferences and lifecycle of the guest, making it easier to optimize their hotel experience.   

How to select the best digital key for your hotel?

For you to be able to get most out of integrating Digital Keys with your guest app you need to be aware of the following points when selecting the right access control partner for your hotel experience:

• Compatibility: Not all PMS providers integrate with mobile guest apps. Be sure to investigate whether your preferred PMS provider is able to integrate encrypted Digital Keys and push them to the guest experience app.
• Compatible Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) access points: Look for providers who offer a ‘turnkey’ solution that can be used for every access point:from guest to back-of-house. Some hotels, especially those that host a mix of residential and commercial are equipped with seperate systems. For instance one for the guest rooms and another for the base building (including, for example, lifts and car parks), which could turn out to be inefficient and cost increasing. Contact our Salto professionals to inform you about the possibilities for your business.
• Smart wireless locks: Not all access points need to be wired. Wireless on-line and real-time locking reduces installation costs. Find your ideal lock in the Salto lock configurator.

The future of the  hospitality sector looks promising again after a period of setbacks. Operators are harnessing the power of Digital Keys to keep their (returning) visitors feel safe and secure. 

Want to elevate your hotel guest experience? Contact the Salto team here, our professionals are more than pleased to guide you in your process of finding the perfect access control fit for your hotel.