Security procedures in many retail stores are often a balancing act between convenience and security. Customers want to browse and purchase without restrictions and staff and management want to serve customers quickly and efficiently. In order to achieve these goals, you will often see sales staff wearing a coiled wrist band with keys attached to allow them to easily access secured display cases for jewelry, cameras and other small, valuable items, depending on the store.

The wrist bands however are only a partial solution to the issue of convenience and security. Without a key control system in place, management has no way of knowing who has which keys, when they were last taken or returned or even how many keys are in circulation. Worse, the wristbands with keys attached are often just hung on pegs in the office or locked in a desk drawer when not in use, making them an easy target for theft or duplication.

An easy and affordable solution is the use of an automated key control system. The systems are an orderly and secure way to address controlled usage and safekeeping of keys. The tamper-proof systems are designed so that only authorized users, using pre-programmed PIN codes, access cards or biometrics, can access keys and on-board advanced technology automatically records all access activity.

Key cabinets can be configured to hold as few as six or eight keys and can be expanded to fit just about any requirement. They can even easily accommodate the coil wristbands with keys attached. Illuminated key slots, random return capability and messages/user prompt screens are added features that help make the system easier and more efficient for everyone to use.

Further, by implementing a key control system, retailers can reduce the costs that are associated with lost keys or unmanaged access because they will always know who removed any key and when it was taken – enhancing customer convenience and store security.