Characteristics and Advantages of Electronic Locks

One of the most important aspects in running a hotel business is security. Although most hospitality establishments announce that they are not liable for any losses that their patrons incur, they still make sure that their guests' possessions are safe. After all, theft is truly a nightmarish experience and such an incident would tarnish the establishment's reputation. That is why hotels take measures to increase safety and security.

One of the measures that modern hospitality establishment employ is the electric lock. Built to a hotel room's main door, this is usually a stand-alone unit that is connected to an access control system. Applying or removing power activates the solenoids, motors, and magnates that move the locking mechanism.

Activating the mechanism can be done in several ways. For example, many hotels issue a radio-frequency identification (RFID) cards rather than traditional metal keys to guests so that they can access or lock their rooms. More high-tech hotels employ biometrics rather than RFID cards. The technology allows hotels to register their patrons' fingerprints or retinal patterns into the rooms' electronic lock system. Thus, the unique physiological feature of the guest acts as the key to the room. There are also hotels that use password-activated electronic locks. A guest needs to key in the correct password to unlock the door.

The absence of a key or a keyhole makes it very difficult for burglars to pick the lock and break into a hotel room. In addition to increased security, electric locks also record the exact time when a guest entered and left the room. In many hotels, their rooms' locks are connected to a central computer where security staff can monitor the guest's activities.