I went to the grocery store last weekend, and guess what I got to buy?
SPONGES!
(That was my attempt at being excited.)
If you’re like me, you never go to the grocery store excited to spend money on sponges. You are only buying them because you need them, and you just want a sponge that will clean your counters without falling apart.
My guess is you feel the same way about your key system. You want it to work, but the thought of spending a lot of money on it doesn’t give you the warm fuzzies.
Regardless of whether or not you are starting your key system from scratch, or if you have one currently in place, here are three steps you can take to reduce your expenses.
Interchangeable Cores
If you are creating a new system, interchangeable cores are an excellent option. They cost a bit more than standard cores at the onset, but are much less expensive to rekey. To rekey an interchangeable core, you simply insert a “core key” into the lock, turn it, and pull out the cylinder. You then use the new control key to insert the new core, and bam! You’re done. You don’t even need to call a technician.
Standard cores, on the other hand, require a technician to disassemble each lock, dump the pins, repin each cylinder, and reassemble the lock.
Check out this video to see the difference.
Rekeyable Cylinders
Another great product is a rekeyable cylinder. The two most popular rekeyable cylinders on the market are U-Change and InstaKey. They both use proprietary technology which allows users to immediately rekey locks at the door without the need to remove the cylinder or call a technician.
Just as interchangeable cores are a bit more expensive at the onset, rekeyable cylinders are more expensive to install. However, if your location experiences even a moderate amount of rekeys, you will quickly see a return on your investment.
Key System Policies and Procedures
If you have a key system currently in place, take a look at your policies and procedures. You need to have clear guidelines that surround the following points:
- How many keys should be issued per store;
- Who is authorized to carry keys;
- How are key orders placed;
- When is the key system installed on new store openings;
- How are lost/stolen keys reported; and
- How are key orders executed?
- What situations constitute a rekey;
- When should rekeys be classified as emergencies versus standard work orders; and
- Who is authorized to initiate rekeys?
These policies and procedures will help you make sure you only spend money when you truly need to. Be sure you communicate these policies and procedures across your organization, and that your key system vendor actively enforces them.
If you need more information on key systems, check out our compilation of information or our white paper.