SALEM, Ore., Feb. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Onity, a leading
provider of electronic access solutions to the hospitality industry, today announced it is supplying its DirectKey™ mobile access
solution to Hilton Worldwide, enabling guests to use their smartphone as their room key. The Onity DirectKey system uses
cloud-based key credentialing and Bluetooth® technology to allow hotel guests to securely download their assigned key
to their smartphone through the hotel's loyalty app for easy access to their guest room and other access-controlled areas. Onity
is part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).
The DirectKey technology has been deployed at more than 100 Hilton properties in the U.S. after a successful 4-month trial
that received high guest satisfaction ratings. Hilton intends to expand the mobile key feature to its full-service hotels in
the United States by the end of the year.
"We team with companies that share our vision for enhancing the guest experience through constant innovation," said
Geraldine Calpin, senior vice president and global head of marketing and digital at Hilton
Worldwide. "We're excited to continue working with Onity to make our guests' stay experiences even easier through this
state-of-the-art technology."
Onity released its DirectKey system for major hotel brands in June 2015. The solution enables
hotel IT and brand leaders to integrate mobile key access into their loyalty applications.
Hilton is making the mobile key technology available through its HHonors app as a "Digital Key" feature. Onity provided Hilton
a mobile software toolkit for the app integration, as well as a comprehensive credentialing solution including a cloud-based
platform to manage guest access and Bluetooth hardware modules on hotel door locks and readers to enable access with mobile
devices.
"We're delighted to work with Hilton to design and roll out this industry-leading mobile key solution," said Ron Virden, managing director, Global Access Solutions, UTC Climate, Controls & Security. "Onity combined
its expertise in hotel locking systems with a proven key credentialing platform currently implemented by UTC Climate, Controls
& Security in the real estate industry over an installed base of more than 1 million Bluetooth locking devices."
Onity's DirectKey credentialing technology provides a secure virtual key for Hilton hotel guests. The system activates an
"unlock" button on Hilton HHonors members' app screen when they are within close range of their door. By pressing the button,
guests can gain access to their assigned room.
The Onity DirectKey technology has undergone rigorous testing and has been vetted by internal and external security experts.
The Bluetooth hardware modules provided by Onity employ advanced encryption technology to complement the security of existing
locks. Because implementation of the DirectKey system involved retrofitting Hilton's existing door locks with the modules, Onity
designed the system to be compatible with locks from other industry providers.
For more information about the DirectKey system, visit http://directkey.onity.com.
About Onity
Onity supports the hospitality, commercial, education and military segments with a
full spectrum of products that include electronic locks, electronic safes and energy-management solutions. Onity provides locking
systems to customers in more than 115 countries around the globe. Onity is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit
of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide. For more
information, visit www.onity.com.
Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG.
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SOURCE Onity