Search Results

I love new beginnings. New books. New electronics. And of course, the start of the New Year. There is so much hope, possibility, and anticipation counting in the New Year. Everything is fresh! A Clean Slate! New Year. New Me. Right? How many times have you heard that mantra? Ever vowed to change something or made a New Year’s Resolution only to give up after a few days? We all have. So why do we fail at Resolutions and Goals? Is it a Fear of Failure? How do we change and break that cycle? I will let you in on a secret. It’s about having SMART goals! What is a SMART goal? Well, it’s changing the way you set goals. Instead of saying, “I want to exercise more in 2018” you would approach it in a different mindset. This is where you Get Specific. I’m talking Granular. Find a way to measure the goal to make it achievable and realistic in a set time frame. So, replace “I want to exercise in 2018″ with ” I want to run a mile without taking a break” or I want to run a mile in 10 minutes.” Set a specific goal that can be measured and achieved and you will succeed! We put SMART goals into practice last year and have found great success in 2017. Get SMART with your Goals and you will crush it!  What’s a goal you want to achieve in 2018? #Goals #SMART

Have you ever locked yourself out of your house? Do you know someone that has called you in a panic after losing their keys? Folks, I’ll admit, it has happened to me! It’s pretty embarrassing to lose your keys but the worst part, at least for me, was not the stress of having to back track to try to find them, but having to make that call of shame to my spouse! Talk about embarrassing! Let me let you in on a little secret and save you some trouble. Now is the time to get a Touchscreen Combination Lock! Smart home technology has made incredible strides in the past 5 years and it is really affordable!  A small investment in a Touchscreen Combination Lock will definitely improve your quality of life and you don’t have to be married to a Security Professional to have access to great products! We offer several models of Touchscreen Locks in a variety of finishes (Silver, Brass, and Oil Rubbed Bronze) to match your decor and provide you with functionality. I personally recommend the Yale Assure Deadbolt. Why? Here’s 5 reasons you should install a Touchscreen Combination Lock: You will never have to worry again about being locked out or losing your keys! Why? Because. it is 100% key free so there is no key to lose! All it takes is remembering your code or a twist of your smart phone! How easy is that? It’s easy to install. Literally installs in minutes with 1 screwdriver! If I can do it, so can you! It was Voted the #1 smart lock and here’s why… You completely control your locks! You can unlock the door by twisting your phone! You can give access to a pet sitter without giving them a key! With just a touch of a button on your smart phone, you can make sure everything is locked while lying in bed! Technology today is so cool! What a time to be alive! It’s much easier and less expensive to change the code on an electronic lock than to have a new lock made for your door. Plus you don’t have to make copies of your keys to distribute to neighbors or family members who you may need to get into your home at some point. It’s inexpensive – If you broke it down over 12 months, it would be less than $20 a month. Less than $5 a week. You probably spend that much or more on coffee a week (You had me at Venti Macchiato!) but this lock will provide so much more than a cup of coffee. It provides convenience for you, your family members, and even guests. These are just a few of the benefits of installing electronic locks. It’ something that all homeowners should consider because it can simply your life while providing your family with the safety and security you need. Once you have electronic locks you’ll wonder how you ever survived without them. #locks #residentialsecurity #CodeChange #homesecurity #LocksmithServices #Combination #doorlocks

We were recently contacted by a manufacturing company that had a unique Commercial Security issue involving extreme vandalism and damage to personal property in their facility. A former disgruntled employee was causing damage to cars on the property. It had escalated to the point that police were being dispatched to monitor the location 24 hours a day. This was obviously a costly and temporary cure to their security problems, so they were very eager for our assessment of the situation. They needed a fast solution to secure the building,  provide protection, and accountability for their employees. A  serious upgrade to security was needed, including controlling access to the property, as well as automatic gates. We were ready to step in and provide Commercial Security Service to meet their needs.  Account Manager Kevan Starr said this about our solution to the project: “They were already utilizing a card reader system for their time card management, and we were able to use their existing badge system to tie into the access control system.  By adding access control ( a.k.a. commercial door buzzer) to the exterior doors, management was now able to keep the facility secure from the outside, while also having the ability to track who entered the building and at what time. Utilizing this security system they also gained the ability to restrict access during non-working hours to prevent un-authorized access. In addition, we are currently designing a camera system to supplement the access control to add an additional layer of security and accountability to their facility.” At the end of the project we not only provide a solution to their problem, but we were able to establish a full scale integrated upgrade of their security system. For both customer and vendor alike, this is a perfect example of the benefits of providing complete Commercial Security Service solutions on the job sites. So often solutions are split up and parsed out to different companies and contractors. We are dedicated to not only eliminating the hassle and stress that comes with security solutions, but by consolidating our resources we are ensuring that the job is done well, and it is done right the first time. Products Used: Arrow MLX Series Brivo Access Control System Eagle Eye Camera Management & Cloud Storage Hikvision 3MP Vandal Dome Cameras

Following the question, there was an outburst of opinions and response across the room. Statements like, “Yes, it’s the law” and “Of course you do.” One person replied, “You have to let other people know which way you’re turning.” After several minutes of discussion, I ended the meeting with this statement. “So, if you’re in the turning lane, there is an assumption that you’re turning. However, without using your turn signal to alert on coming traffic and setting an expectation, there could potentially be chaos.” This crazy exercise was born from my early morning commute. I was sitting in the left turning lane and did not have my turn signal on. While sitting and staring at oncoming traffic, it hit me. How do they know I’m actually turning? They may assume that I am turning, but there’s no level of expectation set. One thing that we strive to do as an organization is to set expectations. Something small in our daily lives, like using a turn single, can be an example of how to set and execute expectations. We can take the example of using a turn signal and apply it to anything in our life. Set expectations. Exceed them. Assume nothing. How are you setting expectations?

“DO NOT DUPLICATE.” In the locksmith business, we are asked to stamp this phrase on countless keys for homes and businesses and it always brings up the question: Why do people request this? This is a tactic known to many as a “visual deterrent.” In other words, it is something that gives the appearance of security to ward off potential wrongdoers. The most common example of this is a scarecrow on a field of crops, which derives its name from the fact that it is a visual deterrent in order to scare the crows from eating or damaging the crops. Unfortunately, in the case of securing our homes with locks and keys, the perpetrators are not birds, and it takes a bit more than a few words to scare them away. We all have certain things we want to keep safe; things we don’t want to get into the hands of other people. Our driver’s license, credit cards, and especially the keys to our business or home! If those things got in the wrong hands, it would be a disaster! The more copies you make of the key, the risk of compromising the key multiplies. Someone who obtained a copy of your key could go to the local hardware store, put it in the key duplicator, and Voila! They have free access to your home/business and everything in it. Your money, your possessions, your private information, and most importantly, the lives and health of yourself, and your family or coworkers would all be at risk. But wait! There is a solution! Simply have “Do Not Duplicate” stamped on the key, and you can prevent the keys from being copied! Right? Our account manager, Kevan Starr, set out to test this theory himself. He went to a local hardware store with a key duplication kiosk in order to duplicate 2 keys. Both were the same key, except one was blank, and the other had “Do Not Duplicate” stamped on it. Can you guess what happened when Kevan inserted that “secure” key into the machine? Well, the same thing that happened with the other key. There was no difference, and stamping “Do Not Duplicate” has no effect on the duplication of your key.  As Kevan said in his video, “What does this do? Absolutely jack!” Perhaps it is time to begin thinking of a better solution that can best tackle the problems and risks we are facing. In their Technical Standards Policy Document, The Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) says, “Do Not Duplicate Keys: Orders for keys stamped “Do Not Duplicate” or similar wording will be handled in the same manner as any unrestricted key. ALOA members should inform the consumer that the use of keys stamped “Do Not Duplicate” or similar wording, is not effective security, and further that the use of such words is deceptive because it provides a false sense of security. Consumers who desire effective security should purchase a patented key control system rather than rely on a “Do Not Duplicate” marking. This does not apply to keys protected by law.” What is this “patented key control” system? Companies like ASSA ABLOY have been working develop solutions to this problem through products like Medeco or Mul-T-Lock. With these key systems in place, you will have a patented key system that is protected by law from unauthorized duplication. What does this mean? It means that the vendor who installs your patented key control system is the only vendor who has access to the keys and key records for your home, and access to those keys is restricted only to you, and those you authorize to request duplicate keys on your behalf. Ultimately we must ask ourselves, what is our home or business worth to us? When we look at our key system, does it reflect that worth? Perhaps it’s time to rethink our methods. As we say here at Loc Doc Security, We Believe There’s a Better Way! Schedule a FREE Evaluation Here! #CommercialDoorLocks #keycontrol #security #residentialsecurity #homesecurity #DoNotDuplicate #doorlocks

Lasting relationships don’t just happen overnight. This is true in your personal life, but especially in business. It takes time to develop trust, rapport, and that goes hand in hand with consistent work. We’ve picked up a few tips along the journey and are always happy to share our success and even some of our failures. Secret 5: Fun We’ve all heard the old Proverb “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” We like to work hard, but we also like to play hard! Taking time to have fun together outside of work allows you to get to know people intimately.  There is a different side to everyone when they step out of the office. In a relaxed, casual environment, you get to have some great conversations and laughs! If you’re struggling with ideas, here’s a few things that we’ve done that has been fun and memorable! We’ve played a few rounds at Top Golf, had a Paintball war, gone to the gun range to shoot a few rounds, had picnics and a tailgating party, participated in community walks, gone to NBA games, and sometimes on road trips we like to have a little carpool karaoke! Be willing to step out of your comfort zone and meet up with people at community events, art shows, concerts, or even to grab a cup of coffee. It’s okay to get personal and talk one on one with people. Dig deep and be willing to share your own experiences, ideas, and just enjoy learning more about each other’s story! Getting personal and having fun is the winning combination and the last of our secret series to build lasting relationships! We hope you enjoyed this series and look forward to sharing a lot more of our insights on  business and relationships!

Lasting relationships don’t just happen overnight. This is true in your personal life, but especially in business. It takes time to develop trust, rapport, and that goes hand in hand with consistent work. We’ve picked up a few tips along the journey and are always happy to share our success and even some of our failures. Secret 4: Expectations We have a motto posted around our office – “Set expectations. Assume nothing.” Communicating clear expectations is one of the most important secrets to building a lasting relationship. It is vital for relationships at home, at work, or just with friends. In order to have good communication you need to set expectations right from the beginning, especially in business relationships in order to maximize success and eliminate disappointment. When you set expectations early on you minimize confusion, take accountability, and have a clear picture of what is expected for both parties. You are establishing your role, capabilities, and even your limitations. We’ve learned the hard way through past experience and financial consequences to never assume someone else is handling or is responsible for something on a project. That’s a sure way to have something blow up in your face. That’s why it is especially important to be straight forward about what services you do or do not provide. When you clearly communicate, you are setting the expectation for what is to come. We try very hard to set expectations for our customers at the get go. Overall, we try to exceed our customers expectations. When people want to work with you, they expect results and you need to deliver. We recently sat down with one of our industry partners, Brivo, and had clear expectations laid out for future partnership. Having open communication and dialog in business relationships is the key to ensuring they are of lasting duration. Cultivating trust in a relationship is very important for us and we are happy to partner with someone that understands and communicates clear expectations. So the takeaway – do what you say you are going to do. When you can establish trust in business and personal relationships, people trust you, and they will do business with you!

The Lasting relationships don’t just happen overnight. This is true in your personal life, but especially in business. It takes time to develop trust, rapport, and that goes hand in hand with consistent work. We’ve picked up a few tips along the journey and are always happy to share our success and even some of our failures. Have you heard of the Navy SEALs? Chances are you have. When someone mentions a Navy SEAL, the first thought that comes to mind is unity. The Navy SEALs are strong, but it is because of selfless leadership where the team is always put first. They don’t ask what will be done for them, but are ready to jump in and help. Even President John F. Kennedy understood serving others when he stated in his inaugural address “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” You might not be a Navy SEAL or a former U.S. President, but you can get in on the secret to their success and ours. Servant Leadership is not just a trendy catchphrase but something that we try to be intentional about in our day to day operation. What does it mean to serve? It’s simple, just putting someone else’s needs before your own. We live in a self centered society. What will benefit me? What can I get out of this? Hello selfies! How can we serve? Great question! You can serve in many different ways! You could help in your local church, participate in a community event like a 5K, or even sign up to deliver meals to the elderly! Another way you can serve is by sharing your story! We inspire others with our own story! When we share our experiences or expertise in an area, we begin to build trust which is the foundation of every relationship! Whether you blog, participate in a workshop, speak at a conference, attend a webinar, or just go to an event, you are serving and helping! When we get more serious and engaged on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and other social media where community gathers and exchanges ideas, we are serving and helping . Serving and helping builds trust like nothing else.

Secret 2: Values & Morals What do you value? What do you believe in? We seek out people in life that share similar values as us. It’s easy to connect with someone when they value the same things. Are they honest in all their dealings? How do they treat other people in business? Are they kind? How do they treat the people serving them? Are they ready to step in and help? Do they share knowledge or horde information? How are they at serving others? Do they steal an idea or do they give credit where it is due? Values go hard in hand with Morals and Character. When you have a good character, people will find you trustworthy. We are drawn to those that are honest and who exhibit traits that we want to model. Think about the last time you needed to have a car repair. You search for someone that is Honest and discard those that have a defect in their character. The same applies in business. Do we respect them and their values? You don’t have to have the same point of view, but similar values are non negotiable. #SmallBusiness #SmallBusinessSecret

Lasting relationships don’t just happen overnight. This is true in your personal life, but especially in business. It takes time to develop trust, rapport, and that goes hand in hand with consistent work. We’ve picked up a few tips along the journey and are always happy to share our success and even some of our failures. For the next 5 Thursdays, we will share 1 Secret we use to Build Lasting Business Relationships. Think of it as a little insider advantage to help you on the path to success. We love to give back and if you can learn from our experiences, you’ll be one step ahead of the game! Here’s the first secret. Secret 1: Authenticity. Have you ever met someone in real life that was completed different from the online persona that they created? It’s weird, isn’t it? Especially when your expectation doesn’t line up with the reality of who the person actually is. Its also the worst way to start a relationship! That’s where authenticity comes into play. What is Authenticity? It’s being your self and owning it. Being authentic is being genuine. People can pick up really quickly if you are being fake. So just be you! You can find people and even companies that you have a natural connection with when you have things in common. So don’t be shy about that low key obsession you have with Fixer Upper, or whatever your favorite past time might be. Being You and being real will help you connect with others. Remember Authenticity goes a long way. #SmallBusiness #SmallBusinessSecret

We recently undertook a massive project from a school system of 3 schools with 677 openings. They had a restricted key setup and were looking to keep the same system with newer hardware. We quoted installation of Corbin Russwin cylinders and keys for every opening, while keeping the existing hardware. This was a great learning experience for our team. We were provided a site survey that was supposed to include all the information needed for the job, but soon found out that much of the information was incomplete or inaccurate. We decided it would be best to have our own team on site to collect data and ensure we gathered all the necessary information to better serve our customer. We sent several technicians to do the onsite assessment using our Opening Management System. Using barcoded stickers, the technician would verify and label each opening, including a picture of each opening. Doing this prep work would make Installation quick and trackable. On Installation Day  our team would simply scan the door, pull up all the necessary details, and begin work. On top of this, our project manager and service manager were able to check the progress of the project in real time. This system allows us to be meticulous, efficient, and most of all satisfy the customer. PROBLEM: Old and Outdate Locks. SOLUTION: New cylinders and keys system added to the existing hardware. PARTS/SERVICES: Corbin Russwin Cylinders and Key (Existing Restricted Key System). WHAT WE LEARNED: Site Survey provided didn’t have all the information we needed. We sent some of our team for a site visit and collected the information we needed to provide the right products. HOW WE STOOD OUT: Our Opening Management System with Onsite Stickers and  ease of viewing doors. Products Used: Corbin Russwin Cylinders Opening Management System

As a business owner, you have a lot on your plate. Finances, employment, and productivity are only a few features that need constant attention. Unfortunately, security sometimes takes the back seat. While locking doors and closing windows should always occur at the end of the business day, it may not be the best way to safeguard against intruders. With so many security companies out there offering their services, how do you know which one to choose? More importantly, are their services the best for your company or a waste of funds? At Loc-Doc, Inc., we’ve been offering our services for over 50 years. Our systems are guaranteed to foil even the most stubborn of burglars. For any business owner, we recommend installing a commercial access control system. Here’s why: Secure specific areas and the whole building in general Key cards can’t be duplicated Easily configured to allow or deny access Every employee has the same key to allow access to several and/or all areas of the company Commercial access control systems are a great defense against theft and trespassing. They are also a way of protecting your employees from intruders and preventing employees from entering restricted areas. Installing a commercial access control system has benefited several of our clients in the past and present. Products and items don’t get stolen and your company’s security is never compromised. Operating this type of system is easy, and we’ll make sure you understand its full functionality once installed. #CommercialAccessControl

As a business owner, have you ever worried about your company’s security? Is your office or facility in a sketchy area? Are you concerned that a few of your employees are not doing their jobs? It’s important that your company is always secure, no matter your location. It’s also important that you have employees who work hard at their jobs instead of playing around or abusing the company’s property. At Loc-Doc, Inc., we recommend installing a commercial video surveillance system to help with these issues. With a commercial video surveillance system put into place, you’ll be able to help authorities identify burglars and vandalizers. In addition, you’ll have the added security of knowing when an employee is not doing their job while on the clock. Commercial video surveillance systems may seem like a paranoid person’s solution, but we believe that there is more to security cameras than knowing where everyone is at. This type of system can offer additional security to your employees as they arrive and leave the parking lot. It can also protect against intruders, inside and outside your company. Video surveillance isn’t there to spy on employees to get them fired – they’re put in place to ensure that safety protocols are being taken by all employees as well as discerning if there are a few employees constantly goofing off. Finally, records of previous video surveillance can be used as evidence if a client or employee is giving false statements. This form of security is a great way to protect your employees and to protect your company from theft, vandalism, and extortion. You’ve worked hard to build up your business – don’t let one person tear it all down. Call us today to learn more! #Commercialvideosurveillance

In the world of Commercial Property Management, every day can mean looking at dozens of doors, each with it’s own myriad of problems that need to be addressed. Each of these problems require a vendor to come onsite to assess and resolve the issues with the door. At Loc Doc Security we recognize the importance of identifying, recording, and maintain your doors with efficiency. This is why we developed our Opening Management System, a cloud based Door Inventory application. There are three major benefits  for having a door inventory for a Commercial Property Management company, which are outlined below. 1. Door Identification. One of the biggest challenges to reporting issues with doors is knowing and communicating which door you are having a problem with. This can be even more difficult in buildings with multiple floors and offices. At Loc Doc Security, our team places a sticker on every door we work with, that contains a unique identifying number and barcode. Any time an issue comes up, we can either search via the sticker number or scan the sticker with our app and can immediately find the door with all the applicable facility information we need. 2. Recording. Another obstacle for property management is keeping track of what work has been done on the doors. Who has been onsite? What is the status of the repairs from vendors? Once a door has an identification, the next step of improvement is keeping a record of everything related to a door. When our technician does work on a door, they will attach all tasks, including parts and services, to the door record, which can be easily searched and communicated to the appropriate parties. 3. Maintenance. The third and final benefit for having a Door Inventory system is maintaining the doors and reporting any issues quickly and efficiently. Our Opening Management system gives facility managers the ability to enter a service request simply by scanning the sticker on the door and entering the relevant information. This helps bridge the gap between a property manager and it’s vendors by giving both a fast and easy way to communicate on issues and solutions for each door. In a system which identifies and keeps record of every door in a facility, requesting service with a click is icing on the cake. To find out more about the benefits of a Door Inventory system and Loc Doc Security’s Opening Management Software, visit our OMS page by clicking HERE Watch the video below to see a Complete Security Upgrade using our Opening Management System. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The time of year has come to start thinking about next years budget. It is a common struggle when budgeting to consider which percentage of the budget should go towards maintaining and securing the business’ property. Here are 3 things to consider when building your security budget for 2020. 1) How much is your stuff worth? When creating a security budget, you must always first consider the value of what you are securing. This can vary for each company; it could be the computers in your office, the expensive equipment you keep in your workshop, or it could be proprietary information you store in a file room. Ask yourself about the immediate and residual losses you would face. How much would it cost to replace? How much time is lost while it is being replaced? If someone else were to gain access to your information, what could your potential losses be? Increasing your budget by a small percentage in 2020 could protect your assets for several years to come. 2) What is the traffic in and out of your property? Another important concern when budgeting is how many people are entering and exiting your building, and how often. Some businesses have a few staff entering and exiting per day, while others have dozens of staff and customers in and out at all times. Door and lock hardware is rated for usage, so the heavier use doors will need a higher quality of hardware or risk replacing the hardware more often. This also affects the keys tend to wear down with use, whereas a keypad lock or a badge reader will reduce the need to continually replace keys or repair cylinders. 3) How do you control access to different areas of your building? This is a crucial question for many businesses, as there are some areas that only certain staff members should have access to, such as confidential records and information. There are also some areas restricted to employees or staff, and others open for customers during business hours. It is important to look at each door and ask, who should have access to to this door and when? Then you must consider how you want to control access. A key system can help, but keys can be lost or stolen which requires the door to be rekeyed and new keys made. A keypad would be much more beneficial to controlling who goes into certain areas. A Brivo access control system with a badge reader can also be set up which allows for schedules to be set up, as well as a custom access profile for each door. Once you have these questions answered, it’s time to get quotes! Contact us and get an estimate for providing the solutions and services you need. Sometimes an onsite visit will be needed to get a better idea of the cost. A professional security technician will also be able to let you know if the solution you want is the best fit for your needs or if there is a better option available. When you have your estimates you should have a much better idea of what your budget should be for security. Should you need any assistance with assessing your property and providing estimates for your budget, Loc Doc Security will be glad to help.For more information on these solutions, or for a custom crafted solution for your facility, request a consultation with our Professional Security Experts! Watch the video below for more information about Cloud Access and benefits of API’s!

At Loc Doc Security, we have done quite a few large scale projects for various schools and school systems. One thing we have learned is that there is one peak time to get these projects done: Summer. Summertime is when most of our school systems projects are being executed, while the students are out and staff is at a minimum. This is crucial, especially when there a huge changes to be made, such as door or lock replacements, or camera installs, where foot traffic can greatly impede progress. Here are 4 things to consider when planning and budgeting for projects next summer in 2020. 1) Consistent Door/Door Hardware Setup In a school system, consistency is a huge factor in considering projects for security maintenance. The last thing you want is for each school in your system to have different doors, or even for a single school to have different doors for each classroom. It may seem simple, but keeping consistency in the form and function of a door can have tremendous impact. It allows for predictable and easy plan of maintenance for all the doors in your system (which can be in the hundreds or thousands for some systems) as well as a streamlined process for parts replacements. Make sure to plan for replacement of doors and door hardware to provide consistency at your facility. 2) Key Schedules We have all seen the caricature of the janitor or maintenance man walking around the school with a key ring loaded with hundreds of keys. While it is a laughable image, this happens often and can prove disastrous for a school. In these situations, the keys are hard to identify and are very easily lost, sometimes taking months before realizing that a key went missing. The ideal visible and documented listing of which keys work which doors, and who has access to those keys, with as few keys as possible. Having an organized key schedule allows for accountability and for quick resolution to replacing missing keys. This is also an area where consistency pays off: when your locks are on the same keyway, this allows for a unified key schedule that provides security as well. 3) Cameras As security concerns at school campuses increase, so does the need for awareness and alertness on the premises. Since a person can only be in one place at one time, it is very important to have a way to see as well as record what is going on in case of an emergency situation. This can literally save lives in helping to assess dangerous situations before they develop, and also in assisting the authorities with resolving a situation after it develops. When budgeting for the next year, consider the cost and benefit of adding camera system next summer to give your school system better peace of mind. 4) Access Control Another added security option is an access control system for your schools. With an access control system, you can completely eliminate the need for keys, while seamlessly monitoring and controlling who comes in and out of your building and rooms. Our Brivo systems are cloud based and can be tied in with a compatible camera system to protect students, assets, and confidential information from intruders and unauthorized entries. As opposed to a key, which when lost will lead to a replacement of key and a rekey of all the cylinders it works with, an access credential (a fob or a card) could simply be deactivated remotely when lost and replaced with a new one. This is certainly a great project to consider budgeting for. When you are budgeting for the next year you must assess your current situation. Do I have a consistent door and hardware set up that allows for quick and easy maintenance and replacement? Do I have a properly managed key schedule to keep track of keys? Do I have a proper plan for improving the visibility and security of the school campuses? What assets and areas of the school need to be protected and secured via an access control system? Once you have the answers to these questions, contact your locksmith/security provider to gather quotes for your budget. If you have any questions about the benefits and features of these security improvements, or if you need a quote for upgrading your facility in 2020, email sales@locdeoc.net or call 704-554-6121 and ask for a quote! Learn More About Camera Systems in the video below!

In a recent survey from leading access control supplier Brivo, 4 of 5 security leaders use mobile apps to manage facilities and employees, but only 25% of these reported offering mobile credentials to their team members, as opposed to fobs, keycards or codes. The reasons vary from outdated hardware to security and privacy concerns, but in spite of that, mobile credentials is projected to experience rapid growth in 2020, making it an important consideration for your 2020 budget. Here a few of those reasons: 1) Mobile-Centric Culture: We’ve already seen a massive increase in the dependence of the average person on their mobile devices for almost every area of their lives, both personal and professional. This has naturally begun to affect the area of maintaining security. More and more people are already trading in their keys and garage door openers for mobile access in their homes, and there is a reported increase in this technology in university and coworking spaces as well. It is only a matter of time before every business is expected to offer this kind of access in their building. 2) Versatility: Many companies are moving away from subcontracting tasks and functions and are incorporating those functions into their business models. They often do this through integrations and API which gives companies a smarter and quicker way to streamline their workflows. As the demand for these integrations increases, so does the benefit they can provide to a company by saving them time and money that is invested into these tasks. A mobile credential system can communicate with other apps and systems and users will immediately benefit when these integrations come into play. 3) Sustainability: In the increasingly digital world, our solutions are constantly updating themselves. Physical solutions such as keys or key cards will need to be replaced and cannot update themselves. Digital solutions such as a mobile credential can be automatically kept up to date with the latest software innovations, and do not require physical replacement. This effectively reduces waste and overspending, thereby creating a sustainable method of managing security for employees. Ready to use your phone to open doors? Request a FREE consultation with our Professional Security Experts for a custom crafted solution for your facility. Watch the video below to see how to use the Brivo Mobile Pass Smartphone App and open doors with an iPhone or Android.

The number of Active shooter events have been increasing and its very easy for School Administration officials to want to invest in smart technology solutions like gunshot detection. Although these advanced systems are improving every day, they may not be the right fit or a good starting point for Educational Institutions trying to increase their security with a limited budget. With us as your guide, we can help by addressing the basics and ensuring the fundamentals of security are in place before relying on sophisticated and often costly technology. In this Case Study, we discuss the problem a K-12 School System was experiencing on multiple campuses, the components to the customized solution, and how to prepare and budget for security upgrades in 2020. Kevan, one of our Account Managers, shared some helpful information on what makes this a special project and why it is a great example of the innovative solutions that are available to school systems and other similar facilities. Q: What was the Problem the customer was experiencing? A: The problem they were having was they needed a way to funnel visitors to the school through the receptionist desk, instead of just walking into the school unattended. Q: What solution was customized and presented to them? A: After discussing and understanding the issue, the solution that worked best for the customer was adding electronic components to security vestibules in 5 separate facilities. We accomplished this by installing new locks to keep the doors secure, as well as adding a wireless release and electronic strike to the doors. The reason for the release and strike was so that when a person was verified, the receptionist could allow them into the vestibule with the push of a button from her desk. This provided an easy to use and secure option for controlling access to these facilities. Q: What are some of the advantages of this solution to standard locking hardware? A: The biggest advantage is to keep the door locked at all times. Another advantage is that due to the wireless release by button, there is minimal disruption to the receptionist. Also by not needing to issue keys for this solution, you are maintaining a more secure and sustainable application for the facility. Q: What aspect of this solution was the customer most excited about? A: The customer was most excited about increasing their security without sacrificing accessibility or time spent controlling who comes in the front door. Q: Why should a school consider this solution for their 2020 budget? A: Safety is a number one priority these days, and with the amount of students and faculty coming in and out, you want to maximize the security while maintaining a steady traffic flow through the door. This solution provides that balance between the two. In conclusion, by addressing security basics, like ensuring a single point of entry, visitor sign-in system, and all entry point doors are locked at appropriate times throughout the day, we were able to increase the security at these school systems. Having these fundamentals in place as a backbone makes it easier and less expensive to implement additional technology year by year without blowing budgets. Although smart technology like gunshot detection seems appealing, it can often be expensive and exceed most budgets. Our recommendation to all facilities is to start with the basics of security and build from there with scalable solutions. For more information on these solutions, or for a custom crafted solution for your facility, request a consultation with our Professional Security Experts!

One of the unique identifiers for Loc Doc Security has been the Protected Key Systems we offer through Medeco. Many times in a business, the value of the facility is not reflected in the quality and security of the locks meant to keep them safe.  Find out the 3 reasons a Protected Key System can benefit your business. 1) Security of Key Blanks: The first benefit of a Protected Key System is that your keys are patented and restricted. This means that your key provider is the only vendor with access to your key blanks. These are made specifically for your locks and no one else’s, and no other locksmiths can get the information or blanks to your locks. There are some locks that are so common that it is incredibly easy to get a key blank to fit it, as well as make a key that will work it. Not so with a Protected System, to even get a key blank you must go through the vendor. 2) Duplication Control: The second benefit of a Protected Key System is Duplication Control. This is an important point for many reasons; with a standard blank, anyone can walk into a Lowe’s or Home Depot, place the key into a machine, and Voila! a copy of the key to your commercial facility (Yes, even if it says Do Not Duplicate!) is produced. However, with a Protected Key System like Medeco M3, we would only cut keys for you or any one you personally authorize to request keys. 3) Audit Trail: Another benefit of controlling your keys is keeping track of key requests and how many keys have been copied. In your business you may have several people within your organization who needs certain keys. Because we are the only vendor who has access to your key blank, we can also keep track of who requested which key, and how many keys are currently in circulation. When a key is lost or unaccounted for, you can come to us and quickly get an audit trail of who is responsible for the loss or which keys are missing. When you have a security breach, these are 3 areas in which you suffer. We have a team of professionals available to diagnose problems and provide the best custom solution for you. We can help guide you so you make the right choice that fits your needs! If you have any further questions about Protected Key Systems and how to get one set up in your business, schedule a Free Evaluation here.

When you’re passionate about something, you can’t hide it. You wake up thinking about it. You can’t stop talking about it. Hours feel like minutes, and minutes like seconds when you’re doing it! It sounds extreme, but it’s true. Here’s what we’re Passionate about: Helping People. Yes, we are in the Security Business, but when you get down to the root of what we do, it’s this: We are real people that are passionate about helping people solve their security problems! We were so excited to attend the NC Community Association Institute Conference & Expo in Wilmington, NC! But, what exactly is CAI you ask? They are an international organization dedicated to building better communities by giving board members, property managers, and even homeowners the legal and practical knowledge they need to help them lead and enhance responsible community living. CAI has Chapters across the US and around the globe that help provide information, education, and resources to the people who govern communities and the professionals who support them. Being able to meet with our customers in person is always a thrill. We truly love attending and supporting events like the Conference & Expo, however, it’s being engaged and involved in our local chapter throughout the last several years that has really made an impact. Participating consistently, being a part of the regional council in our chapter that coordinates local events, and discussing ways to help our customers have been steps we’ve taken because we see the value in personal connection and helping people. We love partnering with groups like CAI that bridge the gap and help connect people together! Being a part of the CAI in our local chapter has really transformed our relationships with our customers! It was great to help support, educate, and guide community association board members, professionals, and property managers in the security decision making process at the Conference & Expo. If you weren’t there, you can still connect with us at your convenience! Schedule a free consultation HERE to have one of our Security Professionals diagnose problems and provide the best custom solution for your property. Check out the video below for a recap of the conference! CAI | 2019 NC Community Association Institute Annual Conference & Expo