Owners of automotive dealerships are making difficult choices to survive the economic downturn. In addition to being more creative in their sales approach, dealership administrators are strengthening customer service and inventory security.

To improve security, many dealerships have upgraded their manual or outdated car key cabinets with automated key management systems with tracking software. The new systems offer these high-volume dealerships increased security by preventing unauthorized key access and reducing lost or misplaced keys.

With these electronic, automotive key cabinets, keys are attached to locking key rings that are virtually tamper proof and all usage is electronically monitored. This locking system helps thwart thieves who would attempt to keep the key after test driving a demo car and replace it with a counterfeit key, the purpose being to return later and drive off with the demo car. In other cases, electronic monitoring will prevent an employee from inadvertently taking a key home at the end of the day.

Automated car key cabinets add more value to the dealership operations because the systems provide management with vehicle inventory data.  For example, vehicle history reports can be generated to help analyze sales force performance on demos, fast/slow movers and even track the source of mystery mileage. Having easy and reliable access to keys can also help with sales. When keys are stored in a secure, central location, there’s less chance of a customer changing their mind and walking out the door while the sales person quickly retrieves the demo car keys as compared to if that sales person had to run around and look for a set of keys.

In tough economic times, key control systems are proving to be money in the bank for automotive dealerships.