Multi-building campuses such as universities, business parks, research centers, medical facilities, hotels and resorts often require several different types of physical security technologies as part of a comprehensive, overall security strategy. As a critical element of the plan, many organizations rely on an automated key management system to provide a higher level of control in securing, accessing and tracking keys.

The fall school season, which is now fully underway, has been made a little easier for those college campuses that implemented a key control system over the previous summer months. The systems allow the staff to maintain better control of master keys and any keys used for high value areas such as research labs, athletic facilities or IT environments. There is even more value for the school in the form of enhanced security and safety when key control solutions are applied to residential life, maintenance and other applications across the campus.

If you’ve ever had your airline text or email you with notice of a change in your flight status, then you know the value of electronic messaging as a service. A similar email and text messaging function for key control systems provides management with timely alerts for any action that has been pre-programmed into the system.

When developing a technology solution, one important step in the process is designing features that make the item easier to use, scalable or compatible with and easily integrated into other components in a system. Imagine a smart phone with no smart features or a card access system that can’t be integrated with a video surveillance system — or a key control and management system that offers only a locking metal cabinet.

When considering the implementation of an automated key control system, there are several points that need to be identified and addressed before that important final decision is made. Ultimately it comes down to four basic areas that can provide the foundation for a long-term successful key control and asset management plan. Those key parameters relate to key security, key access, key tracking and scalability.