Keyless entry system benefits
It begs the question; how can you have locks with no keys? After all, locks and keys go together like peanut butter and jelly. In actuality, there are keys but not the traditional kind. Keyless entry systems use other forms of access like combination dials, number sequences and keypad devices to open locks. Are there benefits to having and using keyless entry? You bet there are! We’ll go over them a little later on but just know that keyless entry is here to stay and you’ll soon see more and more of it as time goes on.
Keyless entry is everywhere
Look around you; keyless entry is not only here to stay; it’s present almost everywhere you look! We repair, install and maintain keyless entry systems on a regular basis so we know a thing or two about its uses and applications. But you don’t have to live in Martinez, GA to appreciate keyless entry; you can find it being used more and more in every country in the world and in many new forms and uses. Keyless entry is used in the automotive field and has been for a while. It’s also being installed and used quite effectively in both residential and commercial applications in many different forms.
So, no keys are used?
Yes and no. The traditional key gives the mental image of a rounded handle attached to a metal blade that is cut with grooves and notches that correspond with the interior pins and springs of the lock. In keyless entry systems, that traditional key is no longer present. It is replaced by something else like we mentioned above. It can be a dial, a keypad, a thumbprint button, a retina scanner, a swipe card reader, a remote and more. As a backup, some keyless entry systems offer a traditional key that can be used if the main access system is not working or if the battery has run down.
No keys to haul around
This benefit is huge. We like to give the example of the primary school janitor; remember him from way back? This hard working guy could be heard coming down the hall from 4 classrooms away. Why? Because of the huge number of jangling keys he hauled to and fro. He had no choice; he needed keys to every part of the school including numerous classrooms, offices, lounges, gym, bathrooms, closets, cabinets, desks, work rooms, etc. Each room or piece of locking furniture had a key to access it and poor Mr. Janitor was responsible for each one of them. Not only did he have a key to these items, but he had backups, as well; usually in a key cabinet where you could find at least one copy of each key and sometimes multiples of them. With keyless entry, that huge assortment of keys is not necessary. Okay, so you are not a janitor; how can keyless entry cut down on your stress and daily load of things to keep track of? Think about it; going for a jog or to walk the dog no longer requires lugging around a key ring with its added weight and cumbrance. Just lock the door and leave! No need for pockets or fear of key loss at all! How many times have you lost your keys in the past? It’s easy to do. Just set them down somewhere and get distracted and in this day and age, that’s not a stretch!
Added convenience
Not having to fumble around for keys offers added convenience to our lives; much like garage door openers did when they were introduced “back in the day.” We can unlock and even start our cars using a simple remote. This can be done across the street and even from inside the house. Are you carrying a child or an armful of groceries and can’t reach for your pocket or fumble around in your purse for your keys? Just click a button and your trunk unlocks and opens for you!
No keys to lose or break!
With keyless entry, there are no more lost keys or broken off ones. There are no more frantic calls for key extraction or key duplication as there just aren’t any keys to break or lose. The hotel industry loves this part of keyless entry as most luxury hotels now use card keys, keypads and even their own smart phones to gain access to their luxury hotel rooms. Swipe cards can be used in call centers, banks, luxury condos, government offices, museums, hotels, sports facilities and many other places where people need regular and specialized access. If a “key” needs to be revoked, the swipe card or number sequence can be re-assigned or invalidated to that effect.
So versatile
You’ll find that keyless entry is quite versatile; you can use it at home, at your workplace, at your local business; just about everywhere! Apple’s iPhones use thumbprint technology to unlock their devices, and keypads and remotes have been used for many years in the auto industry with great success. You can find keyless entry systems in wide use in restaurants, credit unions, auto repair shops, convenience stores, nursing homes, doctor’s offices, movie theaters and hundreds of other applications. In many cases, adding keyless entry systems to your business operations is even a tax deduction as the installation is often viewed as an improvement to the business location. Be sure to check with your tax professional for more details.
Are there any drawbacks to keyless entry?
Like anything else, there can be drawbacks to keyless entry. All I all, the benefits do outweigh these but the most common ones are forgotten key codes and power failures. Combinations and number sequences can be wrongfully given out, forgotten or written down and seen by others. Lack of power can cause a keyless entry system to lock up; either in the locked or unlocked position until the power returns. A battery backup is the best remedy for this and much like the key backup, is nice to have an extra option.