The historic Plaza Hotel in New York City, established in 1907, is renowned as a cultural landmark and has hosted many distinguished figures. Following a significant renovation from 2005 to 2008, the hotel re-emerged with its classic elegance now complemented by advanced technology solutions, including enhanced key management systems. Managed by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, the Plaza features 282 hotel rooms and 167 private condominium units.
The hotel's renovation included an updated key control system designed to manage both traditional hard keys and new plastic key cards. This system needed to cater to various staff roles, providing them controlled access to specific keys as per their job requirements. It also required a streamlined audit trail to swiftly address any potential misconduct.
Advanced Fingerprint Identification Access
Previously, the Plaza utilized hard keys for room access; however, the integration of plastic key card technology necessitated a modern solution. Despite advances in door lock technology that record access history, it remains crucial for staff to securely manage keys for guest room access.
The solution had to ensure immediate alerts to management if a key was not returned promptly
The demand for a flexible key management system arose, one that could handle the operational needs of different staff groups — up to eight — including housekeeping, dining services, and more, with varied access protocols such as fingerprint identification and numerical codes. The solution had to ensure immediate alerts to management if a key was not returned promptly, including details on any damaged key returns.
Customized Security Solutions
The Plaza Hotel implemented the KeyWatcher® Key Control System, a tailored security solution enabling efficient key control and tracking. This system automatically logs each key's usage including user details, date, and time of access. Only authorized personnel, verified via fingerprints or codes, can access the keys. Designed to prevent manipulation or tampering, it features illuminated slots for ease of use and accommodates both key card and hard key systems.
The KeyPro® Performance Software complements this system by offering real-time transaction monitoring, alarm notifications, and comprehensive reporting. These reports can be customized and provide critical data on key access details. Additionally, remote programming via IP connectivity enables secure and efficient key management, enhanced by priority alerts to monitor high-security key usage and overdue returns.
Streamlined Hotel Security Management
Currently, the Plaza Hotel employs the KeyWatcher system to oversee approximately 100 keys
Currently, the Plaza Hotel employs the KeyWatcher system to oversee approximately 100 keys, predominantly used for guest room access.
With The KeyPro Performance Software, security managers can configure key access for different staff groups, accommodating overtime and unexpected tasks. The software's reports deliver precise insights into key activities, including access times and user information, and promptly notify management if keys remain unreturned beyond designated durations.
Efficient Key Transaction Audits
Implementing the KeyWatcher system has empowered the Plaza Hotel’s security team to maintain rigorous control over key cards and hard keys used in guest rooms.
Regular transaction reports, typically generated two to three times weekly, allow for immediate queries regarding key status and user information. The ability to quickly access this data accelerates the auditing process, enabling swift action to resolve any issues of impropriety.
Built in 1907, the Plaza Hotel is a treasured New York City landmark. It is the setting for the famous “Eloise” books, several films and has, over the decades, hosted eminent guests from the worlds of entertainment, politics and culture.
The Plaza was closed in 2005 in order to undergo a multi-million-dollar renovation and re-opened in March, 2008 with its old-world luxury and elegance complemented by state-of-the-art technology. The property offers 282 hotel rooms and 167 private condo hotel units and is managed by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts.
Implement a key control system that could accommodate the new plastic key cards as well as hard keys and allow the staff to have controlled access to the keys as required by their job functions. The system programming for accessing and returning keys needed to be flexible so that several different groups could be accommodated. In addition, a quick and easy audit trail was required so that any allegations of impropriety could be immediately addressed.
Fingerprint identification access
The Challenge - Prior to the renovations, the Plaza Hotel utilised hard keys for guest room access. Plastic key card technology was implemented as part of the renovation. While the individual guest room door locks can now be “interrogated” for their access history, it is still necessary to secure and control the security keys used by the staff to access the guest rooms and also for management to be able to interrogate the key control system for its access history.
Because so many of the hotel staff may be required to enter a guest room (i.e. housekeeping, in-room dining, butler service, amenity waiters, etc.), programming of the system needs to accommodate up to eight different groups, working around the clock. Certain groups only have access to certain keys; some require fingerprint identification access and others require numerical code access. Additionally, management needs to be notified immediately if a key is not returned within the programmed parameters as well as who may have returned a damaged key.
Proper authorization code
Solution - KeyWatcher® Key Control System — The KeyWatcher is a custom-configured solution that allows the Plaza to maintain key integrity and key control. It automatically records the access history of each key, including user, date and time of key access/ return. The system releases assigned keys only to users with the proper authorization code (either fingerprint identification or numerical code), and cannot be manipulated or easily tampered with. The illuminated key slots make accessing and returning keys easier and the system as configured readily accommodates both hard keys and plastic key cards.
KeyPro® Performance Software – The user-friendly PC application software delivers real-time transaction polling, key status, alarm and reporting capabilities for the KeyWatcher system. Activity reports can be customized to trace key movements by time, date and user code or biometric access data. And because the software allows the KeyWatcher Key Control System to be conveniently accessed and programmed remotely via an IP connection, control of the keys can be more efficiently and safely managed remotely as well. Priority email alerts can be sent to management to keep them informed of the whereabouts of high security keys or if they have been logged out for too long.
Hotel security management
The KeyWatcher system installed at the Plaza Hotel is used for controlling approximately 100 keys, the majority of which are key cards used by staff for guest room entrance.
Using the The KeyPro Performance Software, hotel security management is able to program access to the keys for each of the eight different groups, allowing for overtime and for unscheduled work hours. The software also generates reports which provide accurate and detailed information, such as which employees accessed the keys, when they accessed them and when they were returned and notifies management if keys are not returned after a certain amount of time.
Auditing key transactions
The Results - The KeyWatcher system has allowed the Plaza Hotel security management team to maintain control and integrity of plastic key cards used for guest room access in addition to their hard keys.
Transaction reports are generated two-three times a week, but at any time the system can be queried as to which keys are out and who has them. This capability speeds up the process of monitoring and auditing key transactions and, in the event of an allegation of impropriety, the quickly produced information helps to resolve situations in a more timely manner.
