Access control systems and locksmith technologies are maturing and becoming more advanced, strengthening physical security in an unprecedented way. A new solution by hospitality security provider VingCard Elsafe, for example, now allows hotel door locking mechanisms to be virtually invisible to guests.

Essence by VingCard is a contactless solution that can be integrated with practically any innovative ID technologies, including radio-frequency ID and near-field communications.

“Essence by VingCard represents another giant leap forward in hotel design and technology,” ASSA ABLOY hospitality president Tim Shea said. “It not only makes the lock disappear from the hotel door, resolving design challenges for savvy, design-conscious hoteliers but it also minimizes a variety of other operational issues, such as integration, installation and maintenance.”

Hotel door lock systems have become a challenge for many hospitality professionals, as the design must be chic enough to match the rest of the hotel’s decor, while remaining convenient for the user and secure enough to keep out unauthorized individuals. As a result of these demands, many hotel locks have moved toward electronic systems, allowing individuals to access them via contactless smart cards, NFC-enabled mobile devices and RFID-based products.

According to a report by Global Industry Analysts, electronic access control systems are growing in demand, as the market is forecast to generate more than $6 billion in revenue by 2015. Unlike many other security solutions, the need for access control and lock systems make the market recession proof, allowing it to grow despite unpredictable economic conditions.

However, visible door locks can sometimes look out of place and throw off the aesthetics of a hotel. By utilizing technologies that blend well into the door they are virtually invisible, decision-makers can ensure hotel design remains intact while physical security capabilities are maintained.