What Is Hotel Lock Systems and How Does It Work?
Electronic Hotel Door Locks – Long ago, there was a time when people were given keys to their rooms when they stayed in hotels. But with the coming technological advances, the idea of ‘keys’ is now obsolete. The electronic era has taken over and electronic key cards have replaced the lock keys system. The lock and key system of hotel locks have proved to be inefficient and unsafe. There are chances where your keys can be misplaced. Chances of theft were also high during key lock systems in hotels.
Now, a much more efficient and safe approach has been introduced in the electronic hotel door locks system. The key card hotel lock system is now widely used in hotels. The key card looks similar to a credit card. It has a digital security code or a physical pattern engraved which opens up the lock to your room. The door mechanism is made such that the lock would only be disengaged by the key card in your possession. With technological advancements, hotel key cards have also been upgraded, and more and more modern approach has been introduced in key card lock systems. There are many types of key cards magnetic stripe key cards, smart cards, mechanical key cards, and RFID key cards.
Types of hotel lock key cards and how to do their work :
Mechanical Key Card
A Mechanical key card is a plastic card that has lock patterns engraved on it. These patterns are arranged in such a way that the lock moves when comes in contact with it. Each new guest is given a new key. The key template of the lock is changed and matched to the new key. Therefore, there is no possibility of the lock being opened by any other key or by a previous key. However, this mechanical key card system of hotel lock was used in the early 80s.
Smart Cards
In the modernized era, hotels also have smart card hotel lock systems. The card has a chip installed in it, which works when it is placed in front of the card reader. These cards are computer controlled. The chip is more like a barcode, which the door lock reads. It can only be opened by the room guest, which has zeroed down the chances of theft in the hotel industry.
Magnetic Stripe
A magnetic stripe key card hotel lock system works when it is swapped over a sensor in the door lock which reads the card strip and its contents. The card contents or lock codes are installed in the lock system manually or through a central system of the hotel. In many hotels, there is also a traditional keyhole invade the power runs out.
RFID Key Cards
The RFID cards hotel lock system is now being widely used in hotels. It consists of an induction coil and a chip and which the key card reader is able to access. The induction coil or loop helps the card to be read from inside a wallet even if it is away a few inches. It doesn’t need to be removed and physically touched or swiped on the key card reader.
The key card hotel lock system is the most convenient and safe way. The cards are light to carry and give fast access to the rooms. While the keys have a chance to get misplaced. The key cards provide higher security than compared to the old lock systems.