Press Release

Independent Living Inc. Chooses Kaba RezShield™ to Secure Its Residents

Madison, WI—December 16, 2009–Kaba Multihousing & Institutional, a leading electronic lock supplier for the multi-family residential market, has successfully completed the pilot installation of its new RezShield system at The Gardens, a retirement community in Madison, WI. Debuting in early November 2009, the RezShield access control system featuring the 79 series contactless RFID electronic lock secures a combination of residential units, offices, and common areas on the property.

According to Bill Sterud, facilities director at Independent Living Inc., both residents and staff are all very satisfied with the new locking system. ”I am very impressed with the RezShield system and contactless RFID technology. It has truly addressed some of our unique security concerns and exceeds our expectations of electronic locks,” said Sterud.

A feature Sterud found especially compelling was the system’s ability to program custom access for the staff. For example, staff will now have the ability to override the deadbolt in a resident unit, should an emergency situation occur. Alternatively, staff credentials can be programmed with access to the property only during their shifts after which the credentials will not work.

Dale Mathias, vice president of sales, for Kaba Multihousing & Institutional comments, “Not only does RezShield afford upgraded protection and life safety, but its selective programming features provide a more controlled approach to security for residents and staff.”

The 79 lock series will give other assisted living facilities like The Gardens greater control over risk management issues. An audit trail records the lock’s history and the system can provide different reports. In the event of a lost key, a new one can be made almost immediately to cancel-out the previous key. RezShield also addresses the aspect of improved staff management as the credentials can be programmed to store a record of which doors they have been used in. All these features are significant deterrents to theft and will improve operational accountability.

Sterud notes that the residents are adjusting well to the system and experiencing a very positive learning curve. “It’s not just the resident but also their family members who are very grateful to us for upgrading to such an easy-to-use lock,” he says. Residents with limited mobility and dexterity no longer have to struggle with inserting a hard key into a mechanical keyhole. Instead they merely wave their keyfob, card, or wristband in front of the fully-sealed tamper-resistant RFID reader to lock and unlock their door. An LED light flashes green when the door is unlocked and red when the door is locked.

Introduced at the American Association for Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) 2009 conference and exposition, the RezShield system is designed for all types of multi-family residential communities, including student housing, with particular application in the senior-living and assisted-living market segments.

The system includes the RezShield Windows-based operating system, an RFID key encoder, and the 79 series locks. A variety of credential options such as keycards, fobs, and wristbands are available in different memory capacities. The locks are offered as mortise, cylindrical, and exit device options and run on 3 AA batteries stored in the front housing to allow for convenient maintenance without disturbing the residents. The software itself is easy-to-use and scalable to accommodate up to 16,000 rooms. It will run on a standard computer and features a graphic-user interface (GUI), making it easy to learn and train staff. 
                                                                                                             
RezShield is not Kaba Multihousing & Institutional’s first foray into RFID electronic locks. The division also supplies the SAFLOK Security Access Management (SAM RF) and InSync RFID lock series launched in 2006 and widely used in the multifamily residential communities across the nation.

“We’re happy to see our expertise and field-experience acquired from years of being a market leader translate into products that truly enrich lives,” ends Mathias. The Gardens joins the ranks of several other properties that already benefit from Kaba electronic access control products.

About SAFLOK

SAFLOK is member of the Kaba Lodging Systems. As a market innovator it has nearly 30 years of experience designing, manufacturing, and distributing electronic locks. Its solutions are delivered globally to the hospitality, lodging, and commercial markets. SAFLOK is committed to delivering best-in-class locking solutions that help properties achieve improved operations and reduced costs.

About Kaba Lodging Systems

Kaba Lodging Systems (KLS) is a worldwide leader in electronic access control solutions for the lodging industry. KLS has a security system for virtually every access control application or security need. Its many successes derive from its mission to deliver customer satisfaction and its commitment to offering state-of-the-art electronic locks.

About Kaba Holding AG

Kaba is a globally active, publicly traded security corporation. With its “Total Access” strategy, the Kaba Group is specialized in integrated solutions for security, organization, and convenience at building and information access points. Kaba is also the world market’s number-one provider of key blanks, key-cutting and coding machines, transponder keys, and high-security locks. It is a leading provider of electronic access systems, locks, master key systems, hotel locking systems, security doors, and automatic doors.