Hotel & Motel Management - October 15, 2007 - (Page 30)

30 Technology SAFE AND SOUND H&MM October 15, 2007 | HotelMotel.com BY JASON Q. FREED, ASSOCIATE EDITOR Handhelds help track safe activity When it comes to keeping guests’ valuables safe, the theory is pretty simple: Put the items in a sturdy, ﬁreproof box that burglars can’t open and bolt the box to an immovable object. Even with the advent of electronic keypads to open the box, the concept behind how a safe operates hasn’t evolved much. But it’s tracking who entered the safe, and when, that has been a target of development for electronic safe suppliers. Hoteliers can beneﬁt by being able to view in real-time when a safe is accessed, similar to a minibar. “From a technology standpoint, eventually you’ll be able to put safes on a network,” said Bill Oliver, v. p. of sales and operations for Onity. “You’ll see it once a common standard is reached.” Hospitality Safes Corp. offers an electronic safe that will communicate to the front desk through a wireless network, said Jeff Goldstein, president. “They’re able to selectively or voluntarily charge for use,” Goldstein said. “It also keeps track of openings and closings.” Name the market and we’ve got it surrounded. Similar options are available for hoteliers. Loc International has integrated a handheld device (above) and new management software that allows operators to download an electronic audit to a personal computer. “Hotels often want a report on what happened with the safe,” said JoAnne Tanguay, national sales manager for Loc International. “With the SLU (Safe Logger Unit), they can track that.” Handheld units plug into a safe through a USB port or communicate through an infrared sensor and download auditing information, such as which staff member used the unit and what operations have been performed. Operators can print a paper audit by connecting the device to a printer or plug it into a PC and download the information to a hard drive. “The SLU is made for security purposes, so guests feel safe.” Tanguay said. What’s the safest place? Hoteliers have different options in determining where an in-room safe should be installed. Some options: In an armoire In a closet, bolted to the wall and a shelf Bolted to a pedestal in a closet In a desk drawer Installed directly in the wall Source: Jeff Goldstein, president, Hospitality Safes Corp. International Hospitality Week presents four dynamic shows that will serve your every need. Interested? We have the perfect ﬁt for your essential lodging, food and beverage desires in one location. It’s never been done like this before. Mark your calendars now for February 24th-27th, 2008. For more information visit us at www.internationalhospitalityweek.com. LOC INTERNATIONAL http://HotelMotel.com http://www.internationalhospitalityweek.com http://www.internationalhospitalityweek.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Hotel & Motel Management - October 15, 2007

Hotel & Motel Management - October 15, 2007 Contents Concord Sets Goal to Double Portfolio Leaders: Budgetel Brand Off and Running Pension Funds Put More Capital Into Hotels Perspective Letter to the Editor At Your Risk Consultant's Corner Sales Clinic On Finance Guest Column Trends & Stats Industry Leaders Say Healthy Times Will Continue Eco-Concious Hotels Looks for Certification Events Removing Chemicals, Suds from Housekeeping Products Handhelds Help Track Safe Activity People on The Move Awards Transactions Supplier News Ad/Editorial Index Bath Trends Marketplace Classifieds Checking Out

Hotel & Motel Management - October 15, 2007

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