Smart locks eliminate the physical management of keys: no copies, no guests locked out at 3 a.m., and no locksmith expenses. For a campsite with dozens of bungalows or mobile homes, the operational savings are tangible from the first year.
The three main technologies
- NFC (Near Field Communication): the phone or wristband is brought close to the lock (< 5 cm). Secure, instant, and does not require a battery on the guest side. Limitation: it only works with NFC-enabled devices.
- RFID (125 kHz or 13.56 MHz): inexpensive cards or wristbands (€ 0.50–2 each), with readers that are robust and tested in outdoor environments. Mature technology, easy to manage at scale.
- Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE): opening via a smartphone app from up to 10 meters away. Enables automatic proximity-based opening (hands-free). Uses little power, but requires an installed app and initial pairing.
Technical comparison
| Criterion | NFC | RFID | Bluetooth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Card/tag cost | € 0.80–2 | € 0.50–1.50 | App (free) |
| Operating range | < 5 cm | < 10 cm | up to 10 m |
| Outdoor installation | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Hands-free | No | No | Yes |
| Requires a smartphone | Yes/No | No | Yes |
| Management software integration | API | API/Wiegand | API/BLE SDK |
What Ovvo Camping integrates
Ovvo Camping integrates with the main smart lock brands (Dormakaba, Allegion, TTLock, Salto) via REST API or the OSDP protocol. At check-in, a temporary code valid for the duration of the stay is generated automatically. At check-out, the code expires without manual intervention.
For properties with more than 30 accommodations, consider 13.56 MHz RFID (MIFARE): low card cost, infrastructure already present at many campsites, compatible with pool wristbands.