The Holiday Inn chain of hotels will be piloting a new scheme that will let their customers use their smartphone as a keyless entry system for their hotel room.
It will be tested out in various hotels in the US, including ones in Chicago and Houston, and it will work on a number of smartphones including Apple’s iPhone and various BlackBerry handsets.
The system will be tested over a three-month period to make sure it works and people don’t get locked out of their rooms. It will also be tested for security flaws to ensure the system is secure.
How the Keyless Entry System Works
The keyless entry system is designed to be user-friendly and convenient. Guests will receive a digital key on their smartphone through the Holiday Inn app. This digital key will use Bluetooth technology to communicate with the door lock, allowing guests to unlock their room simply by holding their phone near the door. This eliminates the need for traditional plastic key cards, which can be easily lost or demagnetized.
The technology behind this system is not entirely new. Similar systems have been implemented in other industries, such as car rentals and office buildings. However, its application in the hospitality industry is relatively novel and could set a new standard for hotel convenience and security.
Benefits and Potential Challenges
There are several benefits to using smartphones for keyless entry. Firstly, it enhances the guest experience by streamlining the check-in process. Guests can bypass the front desk entirely, going straight to their room upon arrival. This is particularly advantageous for business travelers who are often in a hurry.
Secondly, it reduces the environmental impact by eliminating the need for plastic key cards. With millions of hotel stays occurring annually, the reduction in plastic waste could be significant.
However, there are potential challenges that need to be addressed. One concern is the reliability of the technology. The pilot program will need to ensure that the system is robust and can handle various scenarios, such as low battery on the smartphone or technical glitches. Another concern is security. The system must be impervious to hacking attempts to protect guests’ personal information and ensure their safety.
To address these challenges, Holiday Inn will be conducting rigorous testing over the three-month period. This will include stress-testing the system under different conditions and implementing advanced security measures to safeguard against potential threats.
Future Implications
If the pilot program proves successful, it could pave the way for widespread adoption of smartphone-based keyless entry systems across the hospitality industry. Other hotel chains may follow suit, leading to a significant shift in how hotels operate. This could also spur further innovations in hotel technology, such as personalized room settings controlled via smartphone or enhanced guest services through mobile apps.
Moreover, the success of this initiative could influence other sectors to adopt similar technologies. For instance, residential buildings and vacation rentals could implement smartphone-based entry systems, offering a seamless and secure experience for residents and guests alike.
This is the sort of thing that will keep Steve Jobs happy, as he wants us to one day do everything with our iPhone. It will be interesting to see if the pilot works and if it can be easily implemented.
via Coated
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