Maintaining much-needed access with must-have security remains a delicate balance for franchise owners. Whether for one location or many, key control systems allow franchise owners to customize access from top-level managers to department heads to employees without sacrificing security. But this is just the beginning of how key control systems can benefit franchise owners.
The Challenges of Managing Keys in Franchises
Key management is pivotal to keeping your franchise employees and operations safe. But it also entails many challenges of its own.
Key duplication
Most keys can be duplicated without authorization at a local locksmith, retail home improvement store, or a KeyMe machine. If your keys can be duplicated, do you know how many keys have been copied that can access your location?
Key loss
Losing keys compromises the security of your franchise locations and can be costly. Paying to have locks rekeyed and new keys made for all concerned can be expensive. Waiting for a locksmith after hours can double the cost and more than triple the cost on a holiday or a weekend to have a location rekeyed.
Unauthorized access
If a key is lost or stolen, and your franchise location does not rekey you can be putting your employees at risk if someone with unauthorized access returns with a key after hours at closing.
Key Benefits of Key Control Systems for Franchise Owners
Implementing a key control system can help offset key management challenges in several ways.
Enhanced Security
Key control systems elevate security by preventing unauthorized key duplication so keys don’t fall into the wrong hands. Adding technologies like rekeyable locks means you can quickly rekey a lock to keep access limited to those who need it.
Cost Efficiency
Having a key control system not only limits the expense of replacing locks and locksmith services at a moment's notice, but also reduces key duplication costs because you can have one key that serves multiple doors and locations. Those savings can add up over the long term. Plus, a key control system saves time waiting to have locks rekeyed because you can do it yourself.
Simplified Key Management
With a key control system, the days of carrying around a heavy key ring are gone. Instead, you can have one key that accesses the office, supply room, and other limited access areas–not only at one location but also across all locations. In addition, with key tracking software, you will know where every key is and what each key can access–in real-time.
Scalability
Thanks to rekeyable locks and key tracking software, securing new franchise locations takes a fraction of the time it would if you had to install all new locks with new keys. Also, through a key control system, you will seamlessly integrate a new location into the mix, including instant access for you, your top management, and overnight vendors.
Every franchise owner faces the challenge of keeping their franchise locations secure while ensuring their managers and employees have the access they need. A key control system can help mitigate that challenge while reducing costs and improving efficiency. To learn more, contact Instakey today to see how we can improve your security with a key control system.
