Have you ever forgotten or lost a key and spent hours dealing with the consequences? It makes you scramble for alternative solutions.

Luckily, your local locksmith service has a few ideas for you.

At most commercial properties, people come and go all hours of the day, seven days of the week. And while you might have regular business hours where the doors are left unlocked, there can still be some employees or tenants that need access after normal business hours are over.

That means multiple people need a way of accessing the building without having to come directly to you.

That makes keyless door entry systems one of the best upgrades you can make. This technology isn’t new. In fact, as a local locksmith service who’s been in business for many years, we’ll tell you we’ve been installing this technology for years.

Sure, it’s changed a little over the years. With smart technology, you can upgrade your locks in many ways. But even with the most straightforward pushbutton lock system, there are many advantages that’ll leave you wanting this installed in your commercial property today.

Convenience
Living in today’s world, our lives are busier than ever. If we can find ways of shaving off a few minutes here and there, it gives us time to do the things we really want to do. Keyless entry systems can do that in a number of ways.

Ever wandered around your home in the morning wondering where you left your keys? You check pockets, fish around on your counter, even retrace your steps from the night before. With a pushbutton lock, you’ll never have to worry about finding that key again.

And it’s not just you. The more people that enter your commercial property, the more people impacted by this technology. Have you ever had a tenant or employee call you at odd hours because they can’t find their keys? A push-button entry system eliminates that forever. They’ll always have access to their code.

Of course, there are many styles. Many are battery-powered, which eliminates the hassle of hard wiring the door. Some offer smart technology, which means you can access codes from anywhere in the world. Whatever you choose, convenience will be the fundamental characteristic you love the most.

Control
What most property owners and managers love most about pushbutton locks is the ability to have total control over the system.

If you have a high rate of employee turnover, have you ever stopped to think how many people have access to your building who shouldn’t be there? The number might be staggering. And a little scary.

Mechanical keys can’t be misplaced, stolen, or copied. And because every person that enters can have a different access code, you can change the numbers the moment an employee walks out the door for the last time.

This also gives you more built-in control features, such as the ability to follow the trail to when and where people enter. It also gives you the ability to shut out access when you don’t want entrance granted. Want to go on lockdown during critical upgrades or security checks? Not a problem.

Savings
Keeping track of how many keys have been produced and who has a key is difficult at best. Then there’s always the chance an employee copied a key on his own.

Every time you have a new key made it costs you money. Need to have a building rekeyed? More money. While installing a keyed entry system may seem like the least expensive way to secure your property, it can add up very quickly. Add in the time it takes to meet with a locksmith and wait throughout the process, and you’ll find the expense can grow astronomically, especially if you have a high turnover rate.

Durability
Have you ever had a key get so worn down it no longer works? Or maybe a lock system that malfunctions due to frequent or heavy use? We’ve even been called out to work sites because a key accidentally breaks off in the lock. It can be aggravating at best.

Pushbutton entry systems are resilient because they don’t sustain the repetitive behavior associated with turning a key. The pushbuttons will last far longer than their key counterparts.

Increased Security
Traditional locks have been around long enough for most would-be criminals to know how to break through. Traditional locks can be picked and lock bumped, which often leaves no visible signs of forced entry. That makes it more difficult to collect from your insurance company if theft should occur.

Push-button and keyless entry lock systems offer a variety of different locking mechanisms. Every building needs a different level of protection, so it’s important to work with your local locksmith to make sure your needs are met.

Outside of the benefits we’ve mentioned above, you can also find keyless entry systems that include:

• Adjustable code length
• Restricted access that will lock after a certain number of failed attempts
• Instant lockout for security breaches
• Quick deletion with a master code
• Multiple access modes, including PIN and card access for heightened security

What’s more, push-button technology also is available in many different looks and styles. They are made from durable materials that protect not only against criminal behavior, but also against weather, too.

Of course, with every system, there are always disadvantages no matter how many advantages it offers. Keyless entry systems are no different. Here are the biggest we encounter from day to day:

Sharing
With traditional key systems, you run the risk of someone copying the key. WIth keyless entry, a person can share their entry code with anyone at any time. They can do it willingly by sharing it with a friend, or unknowingly by leaving the code on their desk. This makes it more difficult to monitor who is coming and going.

Malfunction
Like all technology, there is always a risk of a system or hardware malfunction or failure. Battery-powered locks are only as good as the battery supply. Ensure you change the batteries regularly. Wired technology can cease to exist with a major power failure. Make sure your system is connected to a backup power solution so as to maintain a secure building even when the main power supply fails.

Expense
Push-button entry systems are more expensive to install. Because the technology is more sophisticated than traditional locks, you pay for the advancement upfront. It might also require more maintenance over time, as technology continues to advance.

What’s your preference in locking up your commercial location? Are you doing all you can to keep employees, tenants, and property safe and secure? If not, give us a call. As a local locksmith service, we’re happy to help.