VingCard Elsafe and Lutron Collaborate to Offer the Hotel Industry a Fully Integrated Light Control and Energy Management Solution

WINTER GARDEN, FL, June 27, 2012 (Press-News.org) VingCard Elsafe, the global leader in hospitality security and part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, today announces an integrated product solution, with Lutron Electronics, the world's leading designer and manufacturer of light and shade control solutions for commercial and residential applications. Through this collaboration, VingCard Elsafe and Lutron have developed a total guestroom control solution package for luxury hotels, which integrates Lutron's premier lighting, drapery and shade control modules with VingCard Elsafe's award-winning Orion energy management system, as well as guestroom door locks, electronic safes and minibars.

Using this solution, hotels can provide their guests with total in-room comfort and increase energy efficiency with the option to:

• automatically turn lights on, adjust shades, and adjust the temperature when the room becomes occupied
• automatically turn lights off, adjust shades, and setback the temperature when the room is vacant

Through advanced occupancy-sensing technology, the comprehensive solution is designed to address the industry's growing need to implement energy saving strategies. In addition to maximizing guest comfort and providing an unparalleled guest experience, hotels can expect to experience a 20-30% reduction in energy expenditures through the combined savings produced by light and temperature controls in unoccupied rooms.

"More and more, the global hotel industry is demanding an integrated in-room light and temperature control solution that can help manage energy more efficiency, while ensuring guest comfort and enhancing their guests´ in-room experience," said Rune Venas, Vice President Global Business Development, ASSA ABLOY Hospitality. "The VingCard Elsafe-Lutron collaboration has produced a unique new 'total solution' that combines the most advanced technologies with the power, reliability and global capabilities of two proven industry leaders."

The integrated, best-in-class solution is backed by two of the most recognizable brands in the world that are at the forefront of their respective areas of energy-saving technology. The combined worldwide network will support all international standards, and provide a local presence to manage projects, commission and maintain service agreements.

Olivier Perrigueur, Vice President of Global Corporate Accounts of Lutron Electronics, stated" collaborating with VingCard Elsafe will bring a unique, value-added solution to the global hotel market and provide our mutual clients around the globe with an unprecedented ability to generate operational savings, while creating a unique environment for their guests that sets them apart from the competition."

An integral component of the combined room control solution is VingCard Elsafe's Orion system, which is comprised of wireless digital thermostats, occupancy sensors, door position interfaces, remote server software and a comprehensive dashboard reporting interface. The room control dashboard provides an overview of guestroom electronic systems, including occupancy status, locks, safes, lighting and total energy consumption. Orion automatically assumes control of ambient temperature when guestrooms are unoccupied, never allowing them to become either too warm or too cold. Upon guests' return, the system automatically resumes the preset temperature settings. Likewise, Orion interfaces with the hotel's property management system to pre-condition the room upon guest check-in and automatically engage enhanced energy savings mode upon checkout. According to initial data gathered from existing installations of the Orion system, cumulative energy cost savings provide a quick ROI and increased year-after-year savings for hoteliers.

Lutron's in-room light and shade controls provide additional energy savings, as well as enhance guest comfort and provide total control of the hotel room environment. A user-friendly wireless Lutron Pico remote offers convenient bedside control, allowing guests to manually control multiple functions, such as adjusting lighting scenes to time of day and mood, and opening and closing motorized draperies and shades. A wall-mounted Lutron seeTouch keypad, will also be available.

The Lutron in-room control solution, called EnergiSavr, is a simple, programmable module for controlling light and saving energy. Ideal for hotel guest rooms, EnergiSavr Node modules can connect to wired or wireless occupancy/vacancy sensors, daylight sensors and wall controls. This phase-adaptive solution offers the flexibility of controlling all load types, making it an ideal solution for guest rooms, in which multiple light sources are often used. Guests will be able to enjoy the benefits of creating a rich, home-like environment in the comfort of their hotel room.

With its wireless communication protocol, EnergiSavr Node is completely scalable and can be expanded at any time, allowing guest room modifications to be easily accommodated within the system.

Together the Orion and EnergiSavr Node systems will provide a complete guest experience. The VingCard Elsafe-Lutron solution can be installed as a standalone system, through a property's existing wireless network or connected via VISIONLINE by VingCard, a revolutionary wireless communication platform that encompasses energy management, guestroom locking systems, and all other in-room devices onto a single platform. Through seamless integration with the property management systems (PMS), hotel staff can determine room status, manage all connected devices within the room, create comprehensive reports and schedule preventative maintenance, thereby maximizing operational efficiency.

"The combined VingCard Elsafe-Lutron room control solution is an idea whose time has come," Shea concluded. We are proud to collaborate with Lutron in this game-changing venture that provides a next-generation solution for the hotel industry today."

For more information, please visit http://www.vingcardelsafe.com or http://www.lutron.com

About VingCard Elsafe
The world leader in hotel security technology, ASSA ABLOY Hospitality has products installed in more than 42,000 properties worldwide, securing in excess of 7 million hotel rooms and is part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, a publicly listed company. VingCard provides numerous electronic locking system solutions, including traditional magnetic-stripe, smartcard systems and the latest RFID electronic locks compatible with the main ISO standards: ISO 14.443A (MIFARE), ISO 14.443B, ISO15.693 and NFC-compatible (Near Field Communication), fully integrated PMS interface software solutions, as well as the world leader in wireless online locking solutions for hotels based on ZigBee secured open platform. VingCard has worldwide service and support in more than 166 countries. Elsafe provides the only UL-listed (1037) hotel safe series on the market today in keypad and card-based models. Elsafe Safes include a UL-listed internal power outlet to support recharging of laptops and camcorders, full wireless online capabilities and RFID versions compatible with VingCard system. Elsafe customers also enjoy the same worldwide service and support. Orion by VingCard Elsafe is the new Energy Management Solution that reduces energy consumption, ensures guest comfort and contributes to improve hotels green initiatives. The ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Group is dedicated to the hospitality industry. For more information on VingCard Elsafe, visit http://www.vingcardelsafe.com

About Lutron Electronics
Lutron Electronics, headquartered in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, designs and manufactures energy-saving lighting controls, automated window treatments and appliance modules for both residential and commercial applications. Its innovative, intuitive products can be used to control everything from a single light, to every light, shade and even stand-by power in a home or commercial building. Lutron products make any space more versatile, while enhancing ambiance, comfort and productivity. They also save energy and make light bulbs last longer, making them an eco-friendly addition to the home and workplace. Founded in 1961, Lutron estimates that the installed base of its products saves the nation nearly 10 billion kWh of electricity, or approximately $1 billion in utility costs per year. Lutron manufactures more than 16,000 energy-saving products, sold in more than 100 countries around the world. For more information, visit http://www.lutron.com.