DirectKey is Onity’s cost-effective, secure and easy-to-use solution which allows guests to use their smartphone as their room key. Combining Bluetooth® and cloud technologies, DirectKey can enhance guest experience for hotels of any size and it enables integration with hotel loyalty apps.
Onity’s DirectKey technology stands out as a pioneering platform in mobile credentialing. Onity released its DirectKey system for major hotel brands in 2015, and now the technology is deployed in more than 5,000 hotels and 800,000 rooms worldwide. Since the launch of DirectKey in 2015, guests have used Onity’s mobile key credentials to open doors more than 100 million times! The platform is deployed across an installed base of 4 million Bluetooth locking devices across industries such as hospitality, real estate and utilities.
Through integration with a hotel property management systems (PMS) and OnPortal™, properties can implement DirectKey to enable contactless check-in and property access; this allows guests to securely download their assigned key on their phone and bypass the front desk to access their room. It is a great option for properties that are preserving social distancing guidelines and seeking to enhance contactless access.
Onity believes the need for contactless mobile key adoption is accelerating and will continue to rise throughout the industry. Mobile check-in and access are becoming prevalent among hotel brands and flowing down to independent hotels. While independent properties may have more challenges adopting mobile key technology compared to hotel brands, a large IT infrastructure is not always required. Onity provides a mobile app that can be easily customized with a unique hotel logo, property photos and contact information. This minimizes costs and reduces the development time and implementation of a mobile key system.
Key considerations for contactless self-check-in and mobile key access
For new properties, owners should consider initial capital costs and functionality, as well as long-term operating costs. In general, hoteliers can overcome many implementation challenges by ensuring locking systems are an integral part of their mobile access strategy and customer loyalty programs. Selecting future-proof locks for their projects will help them avoid the disruption of upgrading to contactless-key capability down the road.
For existing properties, contactless access can be achieved through an upgrade instead of a full lock replacement. Hotels can pick an efficient path to install updated locks or retrofit existing if they already have Onity locks. Other properties have an upgrade option with various trim solutions. Hoteliers should consider the best solution for their needs including guest experience, installation requirements, security and project support.
