EFFICIENT locking and access solutions currently being commissioned at the JW Marriott Marquis project come from a company that has established a reputation for itself, particularly in the hospitality sector in the region.

The Norway-based VingCard Elsafe was involved with the supply, installation and testing of guestroom and back-of-house (BOH) electronic locking solutions, as well as supply and installation of BOH access control solution integrated with different systems and of in-room safe at this prominent project.

This entailed providing customised solutions that meet the client’s requirements in the BOH area and elevator, according to Manit Narang, vice-president, Middle East, Africa and India of the specialist manufacturer of guestroom electronic locks, in-room electronic safes, in-room mini bars and energy management solutions.

“We also provided the key management system in the property with access levels for different zones, sectors and user groups,” says Narang. “We supplied 1,700 rooms located on both the towers with room locks, access control for BOH and ID-restricted areas and in-room safes.”

Work on the project started in November 2010 and is currently at the commissioning stage. Commenting on the project, he says: “It has been a very interesting and challenging job. It was a real challenge to coordinate with the several contractors and satisfy their requirements, meet the deadline and deliver satisfactory service and support. We did a lot of research and development to meet the project’s requirements due to the change in the technical design, and execute the contract in a short time span at a high level of quality.”

“It has been a great pleasure, honour and experience to work on such a wonderful project with a group of multinational professionals. We have been successful in providing timely technical assistance, guidance and product support at the design stage itself. Our systematic and professional method of project execution helped us a lot to meet the end-user requirements,” he adds.

JW Marriott Marquis joins a long list of hotels in the region that are equipped with VingCard Elsafe products.

Some of the other projects the company is or has been associated with include Al Ghurair City expansion with two hotels, PPM Conrad Hilton, Sofitel, Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis, The Palm, Movenpick, Ibn Battutta, Movenpick Deira, One & Only, The Palm, Kempinski, The Palm, and Pullman at the Mall of the Emirates, all in Dubai; and the Nation Tower (St Regis), Al Bustan Complex (Novotel and Ibis), Hyatt Adnec and Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi in Abu Dhabi.

Infinity II ... first wireless online safe.

Commenting on the market and its potential, Narang says: “The UAE construction market is now highly diversified and we see a lot of new construction activity in non-hospitality segments like office complexes, hospitals, and oil and gas, all of which show great potential. We are part of Assa Abloy Group, which is a public listed company that is enjoying good year-on-year growth and see a bright future for the group.”

VingCard Elsafe has gained a reputation for the high reliability of its products and its focus on innovation. “Innovation and new product development is part of VingCard Elsafe’s DNA,” says Narang. “Since launching the first card lock and electronic in-room safe back in 1979, VingCard Elsafe has been constantly developing new products.”

VingCard Elsafe has just unveiled a complete new electronic lock concept, Essence by VingCard, which houses all lock components inside the door.

“This is the first ‘invisible’ electronic lock and will set a new trend in electronic locking solutions for hotels. Essence by VingCard has become a trendsetter by incorporating all electronic components inside the door, including the reader, and thus reaching the heights of minimalistic expression,” says Narang.

The company has also developed what it describes as the first wireless online safe on the market – Infinity II and Sentinel by Elsafe.

Under the revolutionary wireless online network, Visionline by VingCard, the company provides an entire package of electronic solutions for hotels that work wirelessly online, including electronic locks, in-room safes and the Orion intelligent energy management solutions.

“Orion by VingCard Elsafe senses the physical presence of guests and staff inside the room in order to optimise energy consumption while ensuring guest comfort,” he explains.

Another innovation was Signature Remotus electronic lock, featuring the latest radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. Here the reader is placed on the wall and can be integrated with specially designed panels incorporating signs such as ‘Do not disturb’ and ‘Make up room’.

“This solution brings enhanced design possibilities to architects and interior designers to seamlessly integrate the electronic locking solution into the style of the hotel,” Narang points out.

“VingCard Elsafe is focused on providing not only the most advanced and innovative solutions for hotels but also the best service and support to ensure our customers need focus only on creating value-added services to their guests,” he adds.

Assa Abloy, a €5-billion ($6.24 billion) company, which employs over 30,000 people worldwide, was established more than 100 years ago and has been serving the Middle East region for over 30 years.