Connecting your key encoders to Mews Operations is a great way to cut down on check-in time and simplify processes. After you set up the Kaba integration, you can cut keys directly in Mews Operations without ever needing to use the Kaba application.

Note: You need to specify whether Mews Connector should act as the Client end of the connection or the Server end. To do this:

1. Go to Settings > Property > DeviceHubs.
2. Select the device name.
3. Under Features, select Fias client.
4. Click Save.

In this article you can learn about:

• System requirements
  • Saflok 6000
  • Ambiance
• How to set up a Kaba Saflok 6000 integration
  • Step 1: Install and create the Kaba integration
  • Step 2: Set up the Kaba key cutters
  • Step 3: Map Kaba key cutters in Mews Operations
  • Step 4: Activate your key cutters
• How to set up a Kaba Ambiance integration
• Troubleshooting

Note on terminology: Dormakaba, Kaba, Saflok and Ambiance are related brands of the company Dormakaba. The products are mostly known under the name Kaba, so we use that name to refer to the entire family of solutions, however we use the specific brand name such as Saflok 6000 or Ambiance when describing a specific solution.
 

System requirements

Saflok 6000

Note! Saflok 6000 is an older solution from Dormakaba and is no longer supported by the manufacturer. You can still connect to it, but Mews is unable to give any assistance and therefore recommends you upgrade your door lock solution to a more recent version.

If you are using the Saflok 6000, you need to install the Saflok Messenger LENS application and Mews Connector on the same computer at your property. If you have not installed Mews Connector at your property yet, see our help article for instructions on how to install it here. 
 

Ambiance

If you are using Ambiance, you do not need the Messenger LENS application. However, you still need to install both Ambiance and the Mews Connector application on the same computer at your property. If you have not installed Mews Connector at your property yet, see our help article for instructions on how to install it here.
 

How to set up a Kaba Saflok 6000 integration

Step 1: Install and create the Kaba integration

Before you can set up the integration, you need to install the Saflok Messenger LENS application on a computer at your property. To run the Saflok application:  

1. Open the Saflok Messenger LENS application on your computer.
2. Go to your settings, and:

• Make a note of your Encoder number, in the first column in the Kaba CRS application
• Make sure to enable TCP/IP

3. In Saflok Interface Request Server (IRS), make sure to check the Expandable Key Information and Expanded Key Name options boxes. Note: If these options are not checked, Kaba throws an error every time you create a key from Mews.

To create the integration: 

1. Open Mews Operations.
2. Go to the main menu  > Marketplace.
3. In the Facility management category, under Key cutter integration click Explore.
4. Then click Connect integration.
5. In the Name field, enter “Kaba Saflok”.
6. In the API URL field, enter the IP address http://127.0.0.1:8265.
7. Leave the Username and Password fields blank.
8. Click Create. Then, click OK

Step 2: Set up the Kaba key cutters

After you create the Kaba Saflok integration in Mews Operations, you can set up your key cutters.

1. In the Kaba Saflok integration settings, click Key cutters.
2. Click the + button.
3. In the Name field, enter a name for the key cutter based on where it is located or a name that your staff can easily understand.
4. In the Identifier field, enter the Encoder Number found in the Kaba CRS application.
5. In the Data JSON field, enter the following: {"Type": "FiasProtocol", "KeyVendor": "DormaKaba"}.
6. Click Create.

Step 3: Map Kaba key cutters in Mews Operations

You must create key cutter mappings for all of your spaces, if your space numbers in Mews Operations and the Kaba Saflok application do not match exactly. For example, "004" and "4" is not an exact match.

To map the Kaba key cutters:

1. In the Kaba Saflok integration settings, click Key cutter mappings.
2. Click the + button.
3. Under Room, select a space number from the drop-down list.
4. In the Lock identifier field, enter the corresponding space number as listed in the Kaba Saflok application.
5. Click Create. 

Step 4: Activate your key cutters

1. Go to the main menu  > Marketplace > My subscriptions.
2. Locate the Key cutter integration, and click on Edit to go to the settings page. 
3. Select the Enabled checkbox.
4. Click Save.

How to set up a Kaba Ambiance integration

If you are using Ambiance, you do not need the Messenger LENS application. However, you still need to install both Ambiance and the Mews Connector application on the same computer at your property. If you have not installed Mews Connector at your property yet, see our help article for instructions on how to install it here.

Follow all the steps for setting up a Kaba Saflok 6000 integration, however when setting up the integration settings in Step 2 for each key cutter, instead of entering {"Type": "FiasProtocol", "KeyVendor": "DormaKaba"} in the Data JSON field, enter {"Type":"AmbianceClient"}.

Likewise, if you are operating in a hostel environment where you need to create duplicate keys for guests arriving at different times, in the Data JSON field, enter: { "Type": "AmbianceClient", "DuplicateKeyAllowed":"True" }.
 

Troubleshooting

If your encoder isn't creating keys,

• check the Device Commands Queue to find out the reason,
• copy the link in the Notes or search by the response message.

You can read here for general key cutter troubleshooting and here for key cutter response messages. 

You can read through the list of various other key cutter related articles here.