Control Your Keys; Make More Money
As we began to work for a living, we heard that “we need to spend money to make money”. As we have matured as business people, we have discovered this to be true - spending dollars wisely can indeed make money for our operations.
In Parking Operations, some of the wisest expenditures we can make are those that help us create Key Control. All locks and keys are not created equal. The term “high security” does not always mean High Security. You can, however, create a secure locking and key control system that is an investment rather than an expense. Please allow me to relate a true story to you.
In early 2002, a large Southwestern city made a change in the leadership of their Parking and Enforcement operations. The gentleman came into the position with some security experience during his time in the Armed Forces. He soon recognized that the access to collection keys was very open; and that collection dollars were amazingly stable.
At about this time, Worldwide Locking Systems, the Abloy Security Factory Authorized Service Center for the Southwestern United States, made another Sales call on the city’s Parking Operation office. The new Manager discussed his concerns with Worldwide; and they talked about the security, performance and accountability characteristics of the Abloy System. Working together, they drew up a keying plan for the meter routes; key control procedures; and implementation.
Parking Management felt very confident that Abloy’s Patented Key Control System would give them excellent security and internal accountability. Unauthorized key duplication is eliminated because no locksmith has the Exec key blanks or key machines. The Abloy System, with over 300 million usable key code combinations, never duplicates key codes outside the original user’s operation. Each key code used is assigned to that user; and excellent key records are maintained by the Service Center.
Key Ring padlocks were an important part of the plan. These locking key rings, keyed alike with very few keys for management, created “out-of-sight” key control and internal accountability. Only management can unlock the key rings and move and/or assign keys. Any tampering with the key rings is immediately evident and can be addressed very quickly with the one, appropriate individual.
Worldwide built the vault door locks and key ring padlocks; and cut and color-coded the keys according to the plan. In mid-June, the Parking Operations Manager; 2 of his managers; and Worldwide installed the Abloy meter locks and key ring padlocks over a weekend. When the Parking Operation employees returned on Monday morning, new key checkout and control procedures and a new system of collecting were introduced and implemented. .
What has this investment returned to the city? Nearly all employees felt good about the key ring padlocks; and have made them a part of their daily routine. The introduction of signing key rings in and out each day was well accepted.
Perhaps most importantly, A $6,000 TO $8,000 PER MONTH INCREASE IN COLLECTIONS OCCURRED – and has continued at or above those levels. Nearly a year later, no locks have failed and no keys have broken. The key control system remains intact and in place. Thus, the city’s investment in their Abloy System and key control procedures paid for itself in less than 100 days – including the management labor dollars to install the locks in the vault meter doors.
Are Route Losses a Controllable Expense? Absolutely. Managing your keys and your accountability is a very smart, and profitable, investment. In today’s world, we can all use more cash flow. Plus, creating those additional revenue dollars just might make you and your Parking Department heroes.
Bob Snoddy is a Regional Sales Manager with Abloy Security, Irving, TX; an Assa Abloy company. They may be contacted at 800-367-4598.
In early 2002, a large Southwestern city made a change in the leadership of their Parking and Enforcement operations. The gentleman came into the position with some security experience during his time in the Armed Forces. He soon recognized that the access to collection keys was very open; and that collection dollars were amazingly stable.
At about this time, Worldwide Locking Systems, the Abloy Security Factory Authorized Service Center for the Southwestern United States, made another Sales call on the city’s Parking Operation office. The new Manager discussed his concerns with Worldwide; and they talked about the security, performance and accountability characteristics of the Abloy System. Working together, they drew up a keying plan for the meter routes; key control procedures; and implementation.
Parking Management felt very confident that Abloy’s Patented Key Control System would give them excellent security and internal accountability. Unauthorized key duplication is eliminated because no locksmith has the Exec key blanks or key machines. The Abloy System, with over 300 million usable key code combinations, never duplicates key codes outside the original user’s operation. Each key code used is assigned to that user; and excellent key records are maintained by the Service Center.
Key Ring padlocks were an important part of the plan. These locking key rings, keyed alike with very few keys for management, created “out-of-sight” key control and internal accountability. Only management can unlock the key rings and move and/or assign keys. Any tampering with the key rings is immediately evident and can be addressed very quickly with the one, appropriate individual.
Worldwide built the vault door locks and key ring padlocks; and cut and color-coded the keys according to the plan. In mid-June, the Parking Operations Manager; 2 of his managers; and Worldwide installed the Abloy meter locks and key ring padlocks over a weekend. When the Parking Operation employees returned on Monday morning, new key checkout and control procedures and a new system of collecting were introduced and implemented. .
What has this investment returned to the city? Nearly all employees felt good about the key ring padlocks; and have made them a part of their daily routine. The introduction of signing key rings in and out each day was well accepted.
Perhaps most importantly, A $6,000 TO $8,000 PER MONTH INCREASE IN COLLECTIONS OCCURRED – and has continued at or above those levels. Nearly a year later, no locks have failed and no keys have broken. The key control system remains intact and in place. Thus, the city’s investment in their Abloy System and key control procedures paid for itself in less than 100 days – including the management labor dollars to install the locks in the vault meter doors.
Are Route Losses a Controllable Expense? Absolutely. Managing your keys and your accountability is a very smart, and profitable, investment. In today’s world, we can all use more cash flow. Plus, creating those additional revenue dollars just might make you and your Parking Department heroes.
Bob Snoddy is a Regional Sales Manager with Abloy Security, Irving, TX; an Assa Abloy company. They may be contacted at 800-367-4598.
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