Global Mobile Key Leader OpenWays Creates Partner Certification Program

As interest in Mobile Key by OpenWays continues to grow quickly across the globe,

hospitality's mobile key access leader is resolving concerns over claims of compatibility to give hoteliers reassurance; Companies that properly integrate Mobile Key can now display the 'OpenWays Certified' logo

Visit OpenWays in Booth 1209 at HITEC

Los Angeles —June 24, 2014 —
Hoteliers have the need, and

the right, to know that the technology they deploy will work, and work well to develop and deliver the experiences they are trying to create. Mobile Key by OpenWays, while perfectly functional as a stand- alone industry game-changer, can be so much more seamless and robust when properly integrated with other hotel systems. Systems providers are recognizing this too, and many are working with OpenWays to embed what is becoming the industry standard for Mobile Key software technology into their solution offerings.

To deliver more transparency and assure hoteliers that disparate services and

systems work as promised, OpenWays is launching a "Certified Partner Program." Certified Partners offerings will be verified to ensure security and functionality of the integration and a seamless guest experience.

"It is very important that we can assure our clients that they are receiving the highest

degree of quality, security and service when dealing with anything associated with our name; this program is an important step forward in providing that confidence," said Pascal Metivier, OpenWays founder and CEO. "We live in a world of fast-changing and evolving technology, and specialization often leads to a higher quality deliverable. Lock manufacturers make great door lock hardware; we make great mobile key software, mobile' key modules and related business process solutions; and, our chosen partners are expert in their related fields. Though this certification program, our partners' services are better for having mobile key enabled, and our service is better for being available through their offering. Either way, the hotel wins."

The OpenWays Certified Partner program is designed for companies that have:

• Mobile Key Enabled:
  The company's system or service — principally a mobile app or a non-integrated/embedded lock — is enabled to deliver, or receive the mobile key signal to a compatible door locking system.
• Mobile Key Embedded: The company offers advanced, forward- thinking technologies — primarily guestroom door locks — that have fully embedded the Mobile Key by OpenWays decryption and communications technologies into their devices to offer a more technologically, mechanically and aesthetically robust and uniform offering, often at a more economical price point.
• Mobile Key Inside: The company's software solutions feature sufficiently robust interfaces that have been developed to pass information between systems making for a more comprehensive offering and minimizing human intervention. Systems such as PMS, CRS, loyalty.com, brand.com, housekeeping systems, and maintenance systems would be candidates for this certification.
• Mobile Key Implementation: The company sells, installs and/or services Mobile Key by OpenWays solution offerings usually in conjunction with their other related services in order to provide a more robust and seamless experience for the hotel property and their staff and guests.

"As the mobile key solution quickly becomes what Starwood CEO Frits van Paasschen

calls 'table stakes,' we think that having a reliable certification program will aid hoteliers in the evaluation and adoption process," said Peter Klebanoff, OpenWays senior vice president of business development. "The industry is going to want a standard keying technology that can be implemented as an upgrade to keep their brand applications 'clean' and minimize owner's out-of-pocket expenses; having a solution that cleanly integrates and functions with a host of industry standard services and the brand's mobile apps, and that works with most common hotel locks should prove invaluable to them.

"Keeping guests secure and creating a compelling experience are mission critical, and

the number of companies that will claim to have the ability to deliver this experience will likely burgeon in the near future (as often happens with new, popular technology innovations)," he added. "It's up to the vendor community to provide the tools necessary for the industry to make adequate judgments as they move forward. It's also important that the supplier — and its business partners — be able to offer coherent and relevant advice, as people engage with the solutions and that is an important part of the certification process. OpenWays has more than a quarter-century of experience with guestroom locks, access management software and security systems, as well as mobile and mobile applications expertise and guest-experience development, customer service and commercial security. Our selected partners will enhance the offering with additional lock experience and specialized mobile applications experience consistent with their core offerings to help ensure the right solution is being specified for each property circumstance.

"We don't profess to be experts in housekeeping, maintenance or in-room

entertainment apps, and these partners are not experts in mobile key security and implementation.," Klebanoff added. "With the OpenWays Certified Partner Program, we are facilitating experts in various areas working together to give hotels well built, well-functioning guest experiences"

OpenWays works with numerous existing service providers, and it is in the evaluation

process with several more providers who Klebanoff expects will elect to undergo this certification process. Existing solutions OpenWays has worked with include (Applications) FCS, Fingi, IJWS, Intelity, VeGo; (Locks) Adel, Ilco, KABA, MIWA, Onity, Saflok, TimeLox, VingCard; (PMS) Micros OPERA and OPERA9 (in development); and (Resellers) Docomo interTouch, , RoamingAround, Swisscom and VeGo.

For information on installing the leading mobile key solution in a property or across a

brand, contact Peter Klebanoff at [email protected]. To become an OpenWays Certified Partner e-mail Peter Klebanoff at [email protected].

OpenWays: We ARE Mobile Key

About OpenWays

OpenWays is a global solutions provider of mobile-based access-management and security solutions. With offices in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Seoul and in Europe, OpenWays provides technology solutions allowing for the secure issuance and delivery of access rights and keys processed via any cell phone operating on any network. The OpenWays solution is truly unique as it is built on the concept of credential dematerialization. The OpenWays mobile room key solution works on ALL the 7 billion cell phones in service in the world today. For more information, please contact Barb Worcester at +1 440 930-5770 or email [email protected]. More information can be found by visiting www.OpenWays.com.

Barb Worcester (for OpenWays)
(440) 930-5770