Signature Unlocks Canadian Market with Installations in Two Luxury

For Immediate Release
Signature Unlocks Canadian Market with
Installations in Two Luxury Properties
Alberta and British Columbia hotels choose new Signature by VingCard
electronic-locking system to enhance decor, ensure security
DALLAS — DECEMBER, 2006 — As the global hotel-market leader
in providing design-centric, state-of-the-art electronic-locking
systems and hardware, VingCard has announced the installation of
its Signature by VingCard product in two Canadian luxury
properties: the Hotel Arts, a 185-room boutique hotel in downtown
Calgary, Alberta; and the new Playa del Sol Resort, a 283-suite
condominium resort in Kelowna, British Columbia.
Signature by VingCard, which blends into the hotel environment and features minimal door hardware
and “Designers’ Collection” door handles, was installed at that Hotel Arts in April and is scheduled to be
installed at the Playa del Sol Resort in October. The new locking system made its debut at the
International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show in New York in November 2005 and was showcased at the
Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference in June in Minneapolis. Marriott, Hilton,
Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Best Western International, and InterContinental Hotel Group are some of the
hospitality companies that already have selected Signature by VingCard for hotels in North America.
Overseas, Signature by VingCard has become the electronic lock of choice for most hotel chains,
including: LeMeridien Hotels & Resorts, Rezidor SAS Hospitality, Marriott International and Movenpick
Hotels & Resorts.
For the Hotel Arts, installation of the Signature by VingCard system replaces the
property’s previous VingCard locking system—and was motivated by design
factors.
“We were happy with the performance of the existing VingCard Classic series
brass locks, but we were looking for an updated look to go with our new doors,”
said Tim Wagner, information system manager for the Hotel Arts. “Our hotel is very style conscious, and
the Signature series locks helped us achieve the clean, modern look we were hoping to implement.”
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The bonus for the Hotel Arts, said Wagner, was the quick, hassle-free installation.
“I was happily surprised by both the ease and relatively problem-free nature of the installation,” he said.
“We are happy to have implemented a locking system that not only is able to provide a fit and finish that
complements our Luxury rooms and suites, but does so while providing a secure and auditable entry
system to ensure the safety of our guests and their property during their stay with us.”
Proven reliability, Attractive appearance
For the new Playa del Sol Resort, developed by Cove Properties Ltd. as a condominium resort hotel, the
decision to install the Signature by VingCard system was based on Tepic Management Group’s previous
experience with VingCard as well as on a desire to feature an attractive, state-of-the-art locking system.
“VingCard locks have proved to be very reliable and virtually trouble-free for Tepic properties over the past
14 years,” said Tom Matthews, President Tepic Management Group Inc. ”We considered cost, of course,
but it was not the main factor in our decision to install Signature by VingCard. Appearance, the system’s
virtually maintenance-free features, and the fact that we know VingCard’s sales and support teams to be
terrific to work with and very responsive were more important factors.
“In short,” Matthews said, “VingCard offers affordable, reliable, attractive and maintenance-free locking
systems with the flexibility to accommodate almost any situation.”
“We are pleased to have these two excellent properties install Signature,” said Marc Freundlich, president
and c.e.o. of VingCard Elsafe North America. “Whether it’s a luxury boutique-style hotel, like the Hotel
Arts, or a condo-resort property like the Playa del Sol, high-end hotels want every interior-design
element—including door-lock hardware—to be visually appealing to each and every user. The global
acceptance of Signature by VingCard confirms the results of our extensive industry research—
Signature truly blends with any hotel environment and appeals to a wide audience, from properties known
for their sophisticated, discerning tastes to smaller independent hotels who want to maintain the highest
security standards.
“Signature by VingCard represents yet another industry first for VingCard in terms of meeting the needs
of today’s designers, architects, hoteliers and security professionals—it is unobtrusive, easy to use,
extremely secure and affordable,” Freundlich added. “Signature’s universally attractive bezel card-reader
styles and finishes, and our Designers’ Collection door handles, are a winning combination. Signature by
VingCard is a great success story and we are honored to be the No. 1 choice for electronic locks in North
America.”
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About VingCard Elsafe
The world leader in hotel security technology, ASSA ABLOY Hospitality has products installed in more than 35,000
properties worldwide, securing in excess of 6 million hotel rooms. The ASSA ABLOY Group, a publicly listed company, is a
world leader in security and hospitality systems. VingCard provides numerous electronic-locking system solutions, including
traditional magnetic-stripe and smartcard systems, fully integrated PMS interface software solutions and worldwide service
and support. Elsafe provides the first UL-listed (1037) hotel safe series on the market today in keypad and card-based
models. Safes that include an internal power outlet to support recharging of laptops and camcorders also are available with
a UL listing. Elsafe customers also enjoy the same worldwide service and support. The ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Group is
dedicated to the hospitality industry. For more information on VingCard Elsafe, visit www.vingcard.com or www.elsafe.com.
For more information contact:
Barbara Worcester
President
PRPRO
Tel: (440) 930-5770
[email protected]
An ASSA ABLOY Group company
Riise Walker
Marketing Supervisor
VingCard Elsafe
Tel: (972) 692-3167
[email protected]
ASSA ABLOY