The key is the most basic way to gain access in business: however, it can also pose serious security risks in the case of being lost, duplicated or not retrieved from former employees. Commercial key duplication and rekeying services are the ways to ensure easy access while maintaining control over the visitors of the premises.

Such services will be useful in offices, stores, warehouses, apartments, restaurants, hospitals, schools and other commercial property.

With the help of a locksmith, one can get properly cut keys, reconfigure locks and set up the more organized system of keys management.

Professional Commercial Key Duplication

Commercial keys should be duplicated professionally. A badly cut copy may turn stiffly, work not smoothly or eventually damage the lock.

Professional locksmiths make sure that the process of duplicating the key is done using a proper key blank and cutting equipment. The locksmith also checks the condition of the original key. If the key is too worn out, duplicating it might make a copy of the flaws.

Sometimes a brand new key can be cut following the specifications of the lock, instead of duplicating a worn out key.

There should be few spare keys kept at one place, because excess number of keys makes it difficult to determine who has the key.

Standard and Restricted Keys

Commercial keys are usually easy to duplicate. It is convenient, but it means that there is a high risk of creating illegal copies by employees or contractors.

Restricted keys offer improved duplication control as the key copies can be produced only by authorized locksmiths and with the permission of the registered system owner.

If a business owner has valuable inventory, confidential files or many employees on hand, a restricted key system would be beneficial.

The locksmith technician will inform you about the available choices whether it is possible to upgrade your existing locks.

What Is Commercial Lock Rekey?

The rekeying procedure involves changing the configuration of the internal elements of the lock so that it works with a new key. The existing lock hardware stays in place and all previous keys become unusable.

It is faster and cheaper than replacing multiple locks. Rekeying might be appropriate when the lock hardware is in good shape and the business needs no substantial security upgrade.

The locksmith takes apart the cylinder, modifies the internal pins or components and makes new keys for the authorized personnel.

When Does Your Business Need Locks to Be Rekeyed?

Your business should consider rekeying the locks when moving to a new commercial space. Old tenants, employees, suppliers or property managers may possess copies of the old keys.

You might also want to rekey your locks after losing or having the key stolen, after departing an employee fails to return the key, after the change of ownership or if an unauthorized access occurs.

After a burglary incident, the locksmith should check the lock hardware. Rekeying is enough if the lock is undamaged, yet replacing the door or the cylinder might be necessary in case of forced entry.

Periodical rekeying of the locks might be a part of your company’s security policy in case of high turnover of personnel.

One Key Convenience

Sometimes, compatible locks can be rekeyed to work with the same key. This gives an opportunity to open several doors with one key only.

For bigger buildings, it is better to install a master key system. Every employee gets a key allowing him or her to open a particular number of doors and management has more accessible keys.

The locksmith should create the system considering the access level for every employee.

Key Controlled Record Keeping

All commercial properties should have a record of the issued keys. The record should contain information like the key number, employee name, access level and the dates of issuance and returning of the key.

The keys must not be marked with the name of the business or the address, if the labeled key is lost, it might give a wrongdoer an idea where to go.

Regularly check the list of key holders and retrieve keys from employees leaving the job, spare and master keys should be stored in a safe place.

Improve the Security With Professional Service

Professional commercial key duplication and rekeying services are capable of lowering risks of lockouts, protecting from old keys and simplifying key management.

A professional commercial locksmith will be able to evaluate your locks, cut accurate key duplicates, rekey the locks and suggest solutions with restricted or master key system when additional control is required.