#Japan #Tokyo #ACS #Conol #Wallet technology

Strategic Technology Partnership between Conol and ACS

Conol, based in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, has taken a significant step forward by signing a strategic technology partnership agreement with Advanced Card Systems Ltd. (ACS), a Hong Kong-based leader in smart card and NFC technology. Starting July 1, 2026, this collaboration aims to leverage the strengths of both companies to create innovative access management solutions.

This partnership will integrate ACS’s advanced hardware development capabilities, including Wallet-compatible NFC readers and passport readers, with Conol’s expertise in Wallet integration, hotel access management, firmware, and cloud infrastructure. The main focus will be on joint proposals and use case development for access management in hotels and facilities, emphasizing the utility of Wallet technology for membership cards, tickets, digital keys, and identity verification.

Background of the Partnership

Smartphone wallets have become indispensable tools in our daily lives. They serve multiple functions, such as storing membership cards, tickets, hotel room keys, and access keys for various locations. To provide users with a seamless and secure experience, it is essential to develop an integrated solution that encompasses digital information on the wallet, the NFC devices that read this information, firmware, cloud infrastructure, access rights management, and compatibility with existing systems.

ACS is renowned for its wide range of hardware products utilized in identity verification, authentication, and access management, including the WalletMate II, passport readers, and NFC readers. On the other hand, Conol specializes in issuing and managing digital passes for smartphones through its service, Wallethod, and offers a cloud-based key management system for hotels called Clue for Hotel. Together, they have already established a working relationship, demonstrated joint capabilities at international exhibitions, and have integrated each other’s technologies in various projects.

With this new agreement, the companies aim to formalize their collaborative efforts into a strategic technology partnership, providing a structured framework for continuous synergy between their technical and market foundations.

Key Initiatives of the Partnership

1. Strengthening Joint Proposals for the Japanese Market

Conol and ACS will collaborate to create joint proposal materials, sales documentation, and standard implementation models tailored for the Japanese market. Leveraging Conol’s established customer network in the hotel and facility segment and ACS’s product support, the companies will address specific customer needs through customized proposals.

2. Building Use Cases Combining Products and Technologies

The partnership will focus on co-developing concrete use cases that incorporate ACS’s hardware, such as the WalletMate II and NFC readers, with Conol’s offerings like Wallethod and Clue for Hotel. Key areas of application include:

• - Integrating identity verification with digital room key issuance in hotels.
• - Managing access in offices, commercial facilities, and membership-based venues with Wallet technology.
• - Combining services with passport and ID document verification.
• - Transitioning to NFC and Wallet-enabled access management using existing infrastructure incrementally.
• - Coordinating authentication and authorization management through cloud-based solutions and NFC devices.

3. Expanding Wallet-Related Technologies

The partners will prioritize expanding the use of Wallet technology for membership cards, tickets, and digital keys. The emphasis will be on creating a sustainable and user-friendly Wallet environment that combines both companies’ strengths in cloud-based access management and secure NFC reading capabilities.

4. Developing Collaborative Products and Solutions

Conol and ACS will collectively design new hardware products, embedded modules, firmware, cloud services, and integrated solutions. They will work collaboratively to determine target customers, use cases, system requirements, prototyping, verification, mass production, localization, and sales support.

5. Expanding from Japan to Global Markets

The partnership will initially target the Japanese market, focusing on hotel, accommodation, office, and commercial facility access management. With the expertise and operational experience Conol has accumulated in Japan, along with ACS’s global supply chain strength, they will explore joint expansions into Asian and other international markets.

Executive Insights

Takahiro Mizoda, CEO of Conol

The partnership marks the formalization of our past collaborative efforts with ACS, which included technical validations and joint demonstrations at prominent trade shows. By combining ACS’s industry-leading NFC technology with Conol’s expertise in cloud-based Wallet integration, we aim to create secure, efficient, and sustainable infrastructure for access management that fosters new user experiences and products.

Laiyung Yu, COO of ACS

This partnership with Conol represents a significant step in ACS's commitment to deepening our market presence in Japan and Asia. By integrating Conol’s robust payment solutions with our hardware capabilities, we are poised to offer customers seamless experiences from identity verification to digital key issuance in both hotels and commercial facilities.

Key Products and Services in the Partnership

This collaboration will mainly focus on ACS’s WalletMate II, passport readers, and Conol’s Wallethod and Clue for Hotel, driving joint proposals, use case development, and product innovation.

About Wallethod

Wallethod supports digital passes issued for Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, allowing for the management of membership cards, tickets, hotel keys, and access keys.

About Clue for Hotel

This cloud-based system manages access rights for hotel rooms and common areas, supporting both card keys and digital keys via smartphones.

About WalletMate II

This NFC reader scans membership cards, tickets, and digital keys stored in Wallets, facilitating identity verification and access management in facilities.

About ACS Passport Reader

This device reads information from the MRZ and IC chip of passports, aiming to facilitate hotel check-ins and streamline guest registration and key issuance.

Conclusion

The partnership between Conol and Advanced Card Systems Ltd. is set to open up new avenues for access management solutions that will not only enhance the user experience but also pave the way for future innovations in the market.