The Townsend Hotel in the Birmingham Michigan & Detroit MI Area

SAFLOKT Completes Installation at The Townsend Hotel
Four Diamond Property Upgrades to the QuantumT Electronic Lock and MessengerT Wireless Communication System

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MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich.-April 26, 2010-Global electronic hotel lock provider, SAFLOK, has completed its installation at The Townsend Hotel.

This Forbe's Four Star and AAA Four Diamond 150-room luxury hotel in Birmingham, a Detroit suburb, replaced a hard-wired locking system to an innovative wireless solution from SAFLOK. These new stand-alone SAFLOK locks are powered by a single AA battery pack, with no wires running to the locks. The system's most significant advantages are customer convenience and the latest real-time, two-way communication to and from the locks.

Approximately 200 SAFLOK QuantumT ädeseT radio-frequency identification (RFID) locks have been installed on the property. The Quantum ädese (pronounced "odyssey") RFID locks are contactless, smart card readers. The locks are operated by SAFLOK's System 6000T Windows-based front desk operating system and SAFLOK's MessengerT bi-directional wireless system. The Messenger system works on the internationally accepted ZigBee-compliant platform and includes the Messenger LENST (Lock Event Notification System) component.

Messenger LENS conveys events to and from the lock in real-time as they occur. LENS offers a complete schedule of notifications that can be used to the benefit of the property and its guests. Properties can select the type the information and reports that they want to receive from the locks and determine the group of subscribers receiving the notifications and messages. Different notifications types can be sent to a specified group of users.

"Our focus has always been to make the guest experience a wonderful experience," says Peter Wilde, managing director of the Townsend Hotel. "We are proud to partner with SAFLOK to offer our guests the most advanced security technology - while maintaining the heritage and elegant appeal of our hotel."

The Townsend plans to activate a number of notifications to enhance the guest's experience, security, and convenience. For example, a notification can be sent to the hotel's concierge when a frequently returning VIP guest has entered their room, prompting the concierge to deliver an expected package, letter or fax. To provide upgraded security, LENS can also be programmed to alert when a door is left ajar or to detect patterns such as wandering intruder. Additionally, the Messenger system also eliminates the need for a guest to visit the front desk to extend their stay.

"The Townsend Hotel is the first in Michigan to use the Messenger LENS," says Kerry Hirschy, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Kaba Lodging Systems. "With this installation, the hotel will improve efficiencies across all operations and offer upgraded security and service."

Intended to be seamless and not apparent to the guest, this RFID system is contactless. The Townsend's guests no longer need to insert a key into the lock reader to unlock the door. They merely place the fob about an inch from the reader to unlock the door. Each fob is programmed with timed access and will only work for the duration of the guest's stay.

If a guest loses a fob, the front desk can program a new fob that automatically cancels out the previous one. Additionally, RFID credentials do no demagnetize, which may sometimes be a concern with magstripe systems.

"The Townsend Hotel has partnered with Michigan-based SAFLOK to provide our guests with a state-of-the-art, online locking system for enhanced hotel security and added guest convenience," says Wilde. "The Townsend has a history of partnering with other Michigan-based companies, and we're proud to work with SAFLOK."

About the Townsend Hotel
Since the Townsend opened in 1988, it has received numerous awards and accolades, including Forbe's Four Star and AAA Four Diamond designations, as well as a perennial position on Conde Nast's "Top 100 Gold List" and Travel + Leisure's "World's Best Hotels." The Townsend Hotel, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, is located at 100 Townsend Street in downtown Birmingham, Michigan.
www.townsendhotel.com
248.642.7900
1.800.548.4172

About SAFLOK
SAFLOK has been a member of the Kaba Group since its acquisition in 2006. As a market innovator, SAFLOK has nearly 30 years of experience designing, manufacturing, and distributing electronic locks and systems. Its solutions are installed globally in the hospitality, lodging, multihousing, and commercial markets. SAFLOK is committed to delivering best-in-class solutions that help properties achieve improved operations and reduced costs.
www.saflok.com
1.877.272.3565

About Kaba Holding AG
Kaba is a globally active, publicly traded security corporation. With its "Total Access" strategy, the Kaba Group is specialized in integrated solutions for security, organization, and convenience at building and information access points. Kaba is also the world market's number-one provider of key blanks, key-cutting and coding machines, transponder keys, and high-security locks. It is a leading provider of electronic access systems, locks, master key systems, hotel locking systems, security doors, and automatic doors.
www.kaba.com

SAFLOK
31750 Sherman Ave, Madison Heights, MI 48071
Phone 248.837.3700 Fax 248.583.3228
www.saflok.com

Press Contact: Yvette Felix
Marketing Communications Manager
Tel: 248.837.3631
E-mail: yfelix@saf.kaba.com

Since The Townsend opened in 1988, it has received numerous awards and accolades including Forbes Four Star and AAA Four Diamond designations as well as a perennial position on Conde Nast's "Top 100 Gold List," and Travel + Leisure's "World's Best Hotels." The Townsend's Rugby Grille has been recognized by Zagat's Restaurant Guide as one of the top 10 restaurants in the United States. In 2009, Hour Media - Magazine recognized the Townsend as the "Best Special Event Venue" and the "Best Hotel". THE TOWNSEND HOTEL, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, is located at 100 Townsend Street in downtown Birmingham, Mich. For more information, contact the hotel at 248-642-7900 or 800-548-4172. Additional information is also available at www.townsendhotel.com.

 

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The Townsend Hotel  ·  One Hundred Townsend Street  ·  Birmingham, Michigan 48009
Telephone: (248) 642-7900  ·  Fax: (248) 645-9061
E-Mail Concierge