Keys and Room Access Options

BookingCenter can link to a ‘lock system’ (whether keyless, swipe, RFID, Wi-Fi, or Low Energy BlueTooth) and automate delivery.  For implementations using RFID keys (magnetic swipe), we require the Guest Services Module is purchased and installed (more detail here).  But for keyless door locks using codes, the solution is cheap and easy, 

The main keyless approaches we support are:

1. Door codes (4- or 6- digit PIN codes generated for access between arrival date/time and depart date/time) created from daily PMS operations, and sent via email and/or SMS texts to guests at rules you decide, such as morning of the arrival or day prior. Each 'room' or 'unit' comes with custom explanation for how to access the specific unit with the automatically-created 'code'.  Multiple rooms during the same stay? No problem, our interface provides a unique code for each room during the stay.  Most guests prefer these 'codes' to  traditional 'keys' and App/RFID 'keys'.  Read our documentation on how this interface works with RemoteLock (a direct interface not requiring the Guest Services Module) and our PMS system here.
2. RFID and 'app-based' lock systems by traditional hospitality vendors are also supported. Though usually a bit costlier than the 'codes' approach, we support 45 vendors detailed here.  BookingCenter connects to these key vendors via the Guest Service Module.  If you have a vendor who sells key systems not on this list, but you are interested in their product and support with BookingCenter, ask them if they support the same interface specification as one of the vendors on the list, and often times that works, as well.

If considering a solution for a traditional hospitality lock vendor to an RFID 'key', and not used for Self Check-in, there is less ‘return on investment’ due to the nature of this particular interface.  A PMS interfacing to a key system requiring staff to physically deliver keys, requires the front desk operator  to check-in the booking in MyPMS, then insert/swipe a key into the ‘console’, confirm the room and number of nights the Property Management System sent, then swipe/dip the card to embed that data on the key (or e-key) system. Thus, the benefit of the Property Management System is to send the Room number, Guest name (some systems), check in/check out date + times.  Without a Property Management System interface, a similar process is followed, but the user has to manually input the Room number and number of nights.  Thus, 2 extra clicks into the console are required (and no Guest name gets associated with the key) without an interface.  For this reason, if a customer wishes to only interface a key console, we recommend against the investment of the Guest Service Module, as the benefit is small. If, however, a customer also wishes to use Self Check-in (to automate guest access to the room), or connect to to a PBX, voice mail, restaurant/bar POS system, mini bar, movie system, etc., then the investment in the Guest Service Module makes sense, because that investment delivers much more value.