Aikin says that the electromechanical key systems now enable facility members to send a text message and gain temporary access to buildings via their employee badges.
“If they are connected to the CBORD system, the system sees this message, sends a text message to the occupants of a room, and tells them why facilities were there,” he says. “Then facilities can go to the next building and request the next access with their badge without having to drive all over campus.
“There’s been an incredible boost in moral in facilities. They don’t want to go back and forth [on campus], and don’t want to worry about losing [traditional] keys on their lunch breaks.”
The Keys to Your Electromechanical Key System
1) Think about the installation
Ledwith says that colleges should consider their preferred timeline for installation, if they want the system to be installed in all the doors on campus at once, if they want it installed in increments, or if they prefer a wireless versus wired design.
“Miami University of Ohio installed thousands of locks all at once for maximum security,” she says. “But most colleges want to gradually add the lock system to one building at a time.”
2) Keep an eye on the ROI
Even though traditional metal key lock systems may appear cheaper, Ledwith says colleges will end up spending more money on them in the long run.
“If you look over five years, you’ll be spending more in metal keys,” she says. “You have to think about how many lock outs you have a year, the cost of labor, the cost of master keys, and how often you have to recode the [ID] cards. It is initially a lower investment, but on an upward curve.
“The original investment of an electromechanical key system stays the same over five years.”
3) Aim to improve productivity and efficiency
Aikin says that he thinks electromechanical key systems have a greater function than replacing mechanical key systems. Rather, they will help the ebb and flow of productivity on campus.
“I think many times communities look at electronic access control as a security-driven value alone,” he says. “I think it’s missing a lot of key opportunities. To help improve an environment in the decision-making process is to not only look at security, but as productivity and efficiency improvement.”
4) Tap your resources
Aikin says that colleges should take advantage of the knowledge and experiences other colleges have with electromechanical key systems. He says once campuses get talking, the decision on whether or not to install an electromechanical key system becomes easier.
“There is a breadth of resources out there,” he says. “What I see the challenge in is …that the community [should] appreciate there’s a breadth of great resources out there to help the decision-making process.”
