Most business owners understand the risks associated with key access, no matter the size of the property or how many employees move about within it. If a key is lost or a staff member leaves the company without returning their key, it places the business at significant risk.
If you've had to change locks in your business for whatever reason, you know how frustrating that can be. You also know how costly it is to call out a locksmith to change the lock and then issue new keys to each staff member who had access to that specific part of the building.
The good news is that you can mitigate against this risk and the cost with a Master Key Rekeyable Lock.
What is a Master Key Rekeyable Lock?
A Master Key rekeyable lock is a lock that can be changed without having to remove the entire housing from the door. Each lock core can be rekeyed up to 12 times before needing to be replaced, making it an ideal solution for businesses that need to change their locks.
Not only does this mean you won't have to pay for a locksmith each time you need to change the locks, but it also means you can issue new keys to staff members as needed and when required, without having to replace the entire lock.
Rekeyable locks aren't new. In fact, they've been around since the 1900s in an effort to address the frustrations of having to call out a professional every time there was a need for a rekey.
How Do Rekeyable Locks Work?
Rekeyable locks are unique in that they can be changed with a single turn of a key. The locks don’t need to be removed, which is very convenient for any business owner when keys are lost.
Here’s how simple it is:
- First, a unique key called the ‘step change key’, is inserted into the lock.
- The key is then turned 180 degrees.
- Next, the key is returned to its original position and removed.
- When the key is removed, a brass pin will fall out. This alters the alignment of the pins, which are matched to the next set of keys cut in that rekeyable system.
The old key will no longer work once you've gone through this process. As you can see, this can be done relatively quickly. There is no waiting for a locksmith to come out, which can be costly and time-consuming.
What about additional keys for this new lock? You can order a step change key and the replacement keys in bulk when installing your keyable system. Or, simply order them when you need to.
The Benefits of Master Key Rekeyable Locks vs. Locksmith Call-outs
There are quite a few benefits to having a master key rekeyable lock system instead of calling out a locksmith every time you need to change your locks. Here are just a few of the advantages:
You can do it yourself! With a rekeyable lock system, there's no need to call out a locksmith every time you need to rekey a lock in your business. Simply insert the step change key into the lock as mentioned above, and you'll be completely protected within a few seconds. It's that easy!
It's more cost-effective. Master key rekeyable locks are much less expensive than hiring a locksmith every time you need to change your locks. If you've planned in advance with a rekeyable system, you can quickly change your locks and not have to pay the expensive call-out fees that locksmiths charge. Imagine having to change your locks after hours and how much that would cost!
You have more control. With a rekeyable lock system, you're in control of who has access to your business. You'll be able to set the access control across your company, allowing specific staff access to certain areas. If you need to change the lock, simply follow the steps above and issue the relevant staff members the replacement keys.
They're more secure. Rekeyable locks are more secure than traditional locks because they allow you to rekey your locks when necessary. You won't have to wait until a locksmith eventually comes out. As we mentioned above, you can literally rekey the lock in seconds.
If you're looking for a more secure, convenient, and cost-effective way to protect your business, rekeyable locks are worth considering.
What Happens if I Lose My Master Key?
If you do lose your master key, it’s not a problem. In just a few quick steps, you can have the issue resolved.
1. Rekey all the locks at the master level.
2. Issue new master keys to those who were holding them.
3. Dispose of the old master keys (they'll no longer work anyway).
The great news is that you won't need to change the lower-level keys in your business. They will be unaffected by the rekey so there won't be any costs or a need to call out the professionals.
Why Choose Instakey?
At Instakey, we have a team dedicated to offering the best service and the most attainable key management and mechanical lock solutions in the industry. Our customized solutions are perfect if you are looking to reduce risk within your business while keeping unexpected costs to a minimum.
We create rekeyable systems that best fit our customers' budgetary needs, regulations, and security policies.
Chat with an experienced member of our team at 1 (800) 316-5397, or send us a note here.
