EINDHOVEN, Netherlands, Feb. 07, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ:NXPI) has identified top trends that are driving the global hospitality industry’s move from magnetic stripe (magstripe) and low-frequency (LF) cards to secure, high-frequency (HF) smart card technologies to create an exceptional guest experience in 2017. NXP’s view is based on the industry’s increasing demand for combining multiple applications onto a single credential and mobile integration, coupled with the need for higher security in access control, payment and an expanding range of applications. The shift to HF identification technologies supports the hospitality market’s focus on streamlining operational efficiencies and taking convenience to a new level for guests.
“NXP’s leadership in the access and secure identification market, along with our broad insights through partners and customers places us in a unique position to view developing solutions and technology trends in the hospitality space,” said Markus Staeblein Vice President and General Manager Secure Mobility & Retail at NXP. “We believe that 2017 will be an important year for leveraging the power of advanced contactless technologies in the hospitality market, where NFC and other high-frequency technologies are paving the way for the industry to do far more with a card, phone or wearable device in order to create highly differentiated experiences for guests.”
NXP’s 2017 trends in hospitality point to the increasingly smart environment, where mobile keys and a growing range of integrated guest applications, online hotel locks and equipment are being connected.
The trends include:
- Deeper mobile integration provides more options for guests and streamlines processes for hotel managers
The increasing popularity of Near Field Communication (NFC) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technologies is accelerating the integration of smartphones and other consumer devices into hotel property infrastructures. This enables guests to use their choice of smart cards, phones or wearables as credentials for secure access to guest rooms, eliminating the common frustration of using unreliable magstripe or LF cards. Additionally, guests will be able to use the same HF credential to access parking structures, elevators and many other common areas. Properties will also begin leveraging NFC to add more mobile capabilities that automate maintenance and access to equipment in order to increase operational efficiencies for hotel managers. Continued improvements in battery-powered, wireless locks significantly reduce installation efforts of contactless access control solutions, which will facilitate more rapid deployments and the co-existence of smart cards and mobile devices in a unified system for a wide range of applications.
- Advanced technologies enable hoteliers to extend their offering to become a local travel agent for guests who are traveling for both work and leisure
The hospitality industry will likely follow the corporate and education sector’s adoption of HF technologies in order to use a single-credential solution for exponentially more applications that create an exceptional experience while guests are staying at a property, or simply attending an event or sight-seeing. Guests will be able to use a single smart card, their smartphone or wearable device to access guest rooms, conferences and leisure events, as well as to make payments, earn loyalty points, rent bikes and access rental cars or local public transportation – all more conveniently than ever before. Creating a more complete and satisfying experience further addresses the need for hoteliers to garner a competitive advantage over online travel agencies and alternative travel accommodation platforms that are continually on the rise in today’s sharing economy.
- Evolving threat landscape is driving properties to proactively move to next-generation solutions for higher security and privacy protection
The hospitality industry will increase its focus on deploying higher security solutions that optimize the guest experience while helping to ensure all transactions are secure and privacy is protected for greater peace of mind. Employing higher security and privacy protection will become an imperative in hospitality as guests’ personal data will be connected to more applications across more devices in smart cities. Next generation security featuring state-of-the art cryptography and other security- and privacy-enhancing features will ensure guests and their valuables are protected with the same high level of security that banks use to protect financial transactions.
NXP anticipates the move to high-frequency technologies will set the foundation to enable these trends in 2017 and the development of new capabilities in years to come. Visit www.nxp.com for information on NXP’s product portfolio for the hospitality industry.
