Companies Shouldn’t Rely on Basic Lock and Key Services

Nov 22, 2018 | Commercial Locksmith

Companies Shouldn’t Rely on Basic Lock and Key Services

Our intrinsic need to feel secure and protected led to the origin of lock and key. However, with time and the evolution of technology, there has been a dramatic shift seen in lock and key services.

People can no longer rely on the basic, traditional locks to keep homes and companies secure. It’s the new-age, smart locks that are now more in demand due to the convenience factor and better safety standards they bring to the table.

More than homes, companies need to incorporate these advanced lock and key services into their properties because from employees to vendor deliveries – a commercial property sees a larger flow of people who go in and out in the course of the day. Moreover, there are many companies that have high-security areas too which need added protection.

So, ditch the basic lock and key services and consider these six new-age ones to better meet your company’s security needs.

Electric Strike Locks

An electric strike lock is similar to a traditional lock, but the only difference is in the strike plate which is electric. It is activated by pressing the panic bar or using an electronic key card. These locks are versatile and can be easily mounted on any kind of door frame.

Electric strike locks function in the absence of power as well with the help of the panic bar attached on the door. The two types of electric strike locks are fail-safe and fail-secure locks. The fail-safe lock needs electricity in order to go into the locked mode while the fail-secure lock requires electricity to get unlocked.

Such locks are preferred in commercial buildings due to their versatility, ease of installation, and relatively lower costs.

Magnetic Locks

Magnetic locks or maglocks are reliable locks that are mostly installed on aluminum doors. These locks are based on the theory of electromagnetism. Their functioning relies on the supply of electricity.

Maglocks have two major components – the armature plate and magnet. When electricity passes through the electromagnet, it creates a magnetic flux which attracts the armature plate, causing the door to lock. Similar to electric strike locks, even maglocks are of two types, fail-secure and fail-safe, and can be deployed based on the function of the door.

Maglocks are long-term investments and save costs incurred on the production of keys. It also lets you record swipe in/swipe out data, in case you need it for security reasons.

As they come in attractive brackets, maglocks are considered to be aesthetically appealing and promise enhanced levels of security due to the powerful holding force they come with.

Mortise Locks

Mortise locks are not new in the market – they have been in use for years. The durable mortise locks are generally used on doors that are subjected to a lot of traffic.

They consist of several components such as the lock body, spindle, lock cylinder, strike plate, and handle. Some mortise locks also include day/night switches, rose plates, and hard collars. Mortise locks require a mortise/pocket to be drilled into the edge of the door to aid installation and they come in various sizes to suit your needs.

Even though they are similar to the basic cylindrical locks, they are considered to be sturdier and often more secure because they have a deadbolt integrated into the body. They come equipped with a variety of trim designs and stainless steel components that make it a pleasant addition to any door.

Electronic Keypad Locks

These door locks have grown to become a favorite of commercial properties. All you need to get access through this door is a passcode. The best thing about these locks is that they can accept multiple passcodes, allowing companies to customize access by allotting unique passcodes to different employees.

The electronic keypads don’t require you to lug keys around and the accessibility can be changed with a click of a button. So, if an employee has been fired, you can immediately change their passcode and keep a check on unauthorized entries.

Biometric Deadbolt Door Locks

Biometric deadbolt door locks are similar to keypad locks. The only difference is that the former is based on fingerprint identification. Hence, instead of allotting unique passcodes, all your company has to do is register each employee’s fingerprint – which itself serves as a unique identification. Once you place your finger, the system reads your fingerprint within seconds and unlocks the door.

When opting for biometric door locks, make sure you choose one which has a keypad too, so you are not locked out in case the system refuses to read your fingerprint.

This reliable and affordable locking system is being increasingly used across corporate offices, schools, banks, hospitals, and other commercial buildings.

Restricted Key Systems

If you wish to restrict access to certain areas on your commercial property or take extra safety measures, you should consider using restricted key systems.

There is no chance of your key getting stolen or copied here because restricted key systems are designed in a manner that only allows access from a unique key. Each key has a unique identification number and cannot be duplicated by any other locksmith. Not just that, the owner also gets to keep a record of all the unique keys issued and their respective authorized personnel.

So, if security is of paramount importance on your commercial property, restricted key systems can prove to be a very effective solution.

Whether it is protecting assets, employees, or your property, it is imperative to enhance your company’s security standards by deploying the best lock and key services available on the market that suit your budget and requirements.

Locks are best installed by expert locksmiths. So, if you want any of these locks for your company, contact us today. At Harry’s Locksmith, we have been in the business for over 60 years and take your safety very seriously. We will be happy to assess your needs and suggest suitable locks for your commercial property.

Any Good Locksmith Will Share The Importance of Access Control

Nov 10, 2018 | Commercial Locksmith, Access Control

Any Good Locksmith Will Share The Importance of Access Control

There are so many reasons why more business owners are turning toward access control for their building needs. It seems like the word keeps spreading that access control is the best way to protect your commercial building from theft, security threats, vandalism, and crime, while also granting security access to large numbers of people — and it’s true!

In fact, a study conducted by Markets and Markets reported that by 2023 the access market will reach $10 billion in the U.S. It’s more than just a trend.

Access control is becoming the norm when it comes to security and if you’re thinking about upgrading your current security system or are starting a new business it might be time to ditch your clunky key set and upgrade to this instead.

When planning your next commercial property, any good locksmith will advise you on the differences between a mechanical lock and access control, but as more businesses are using access, let’s focus on the ways that access control will vastly improve the safety of your business.

First things first, what is access control?

TechTarget best explained access control as “a security technique that regulates who or what can view or use resources in a computing environment. It is a fundamental concept in security that minimizes risk to the business or organization.”

Often access control will use tools such as credential passes, access card readers, control panels, or auditing reports that will track who comes into your facility, even noting what time they enter and exit the building. This is valuable information.

Access control gives employers more control over who is allowed in their space and doors can easily be locked or opened from your access control mainframe. Many businesses who have a large number of employees use access control as a way to grant access to their buildings, and you can even control varying levels of security clearances.

But there are even more reasons why a good locksmith will recommend this dynamic and robust system. Take a look at five key reasons why a good locksmith will show you how access control can be a major asset.

1. Use access control to protect your employees

Unfortunately, we live in a time where security threats are real. Many employers feel a sense of duty toward their employees and want to protect them in times of real danger. An access control panel can automatically lock any or all entrances to a building, preventing intruders from making their way inside.

Don’t allow your staff to be vulnerable in the face of a threat. Keep them safe and use access control, which can be immediately deployed to protect the people who make your business run.

2. Use access control to track the flow of traffic in your building

Every access control system is able to audit the flow of traffic in your commercial building, which is a useful tool if you run a retail business or want to track visitors. Anyone who runs a retail store knows that the number of “converted” customers, or the percentage of people who walk into your store versus the number of people who actually purchase merchandise, is an insightful figure that can help make informed decisions about advertising, buying, and perhaps even sales abilities.

But even if you aren’t selling merchandise, auditing who comes into your building can be valuable information when trying to understand how often your commercial space is used and at what times there is the heaviest and lightest traffic flow.

Remember, when running a large shared space, knowledge can be king. A good locksmith will encourage you to use access control instead of traditional mechanical security, which will not provide you with the same kind of data.

3. Use access control to provide access to a large number of people

Let’s face it, handing out large numbers of keys and then trying to get people to return them in an orderly way is a burdensome task. Keys are bulky, can easily be copied, or even passed around, which is a security risk that no one should take.

Access control credentials, often in the form of key passes or key fobs, are relatively inexpensive, lightweight, and when you wish to discontinue access to a particular key fob you can easily shut the power off from your main access control panel. Similarly, access can easily be granted in a matter of minutes, which is excellent news for growing companies or companies where employees number into the hundreds.

4. Use access control to manage your energy bills and environmental impact

One of the best things your access control can do is monitor how often different parts of your building are being used and electronically work with your building management system to turn off lights or other energy-wasting utilities like heating or air conditioning. Reduce your waste and lower your bills by using your access control effectively.

5. Use access control to allow custom access for your employees

A unique feature of access control is that you can customize security access for a large number of people with the touch of a button. If you have employees who are at different levels of expertise, an access control system can grant varying levels of security clearance.

You can also minimize the risk of exposure to your employees by granting access based on your employees’ schedules. This is a beneficial feature to staff who might be in your building after normal working hours, like cleaning and janitorial staff. Your access control mainframe can take into account whatever specific needs your business has and a good locksmith will understand this innately.

If you’re still not sure if access control is for you, give us a call. We have experienced staff who will work with you to answer your questions and we specialize in many different types of commercial services including access control. We guarantee that our customers will leave happy.

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