Ten Ways To Enter A New Era

A major difference between what locksmithing once was and what it is today concerns customer requests. For many years locksmith jobs consisted of meeting customer needs. They needed a duplicate key, a lock changed or repair and replacement of malfunctioning hardware and came to us for assistance.  Customer needs do not conform to a time schedule. A locksmith may be busy one day and have no work the next day.

In addition to normal customer needs, modern customers also have 'wants.' This is good news for the future of our business. Instead of waiting until a hardware product fails, customers are now more willing to replace or upgrade their existing hardware to the standards of today.  As a new year approaches we have listed 10 sure-fire ways to help you expand your business during 2015. Topics may not be listed in order of importance for your specific business.

SCHOOL LOCKDOWN HARDWARE:  Increased cases of violence in schools have prompted many lock manufacturers to develop specialty hardware expressly for locking classroom doors during an emergency.  This same type of hardware could also be used to make safe areas in commercial buildings. Every commercial account can be a potential customer.

CELL PHONE LOCKING:  Many lock companies are now offering auxiliary deadbolts which can be operated by a smart phone.  A majority of adults and children carry cell phones today. Lost revenue from future change combinations can be replaced by profitable volume sales of this high ticket item. 

TRANSPONDERS AND REMOTES:  Car manufacturers are moving quickly towards an era of remotes for unlocking and keyless push-button starting.  Keys for a majority of newer cars are only used for emergency entrance into the vehicle.  Locksmith suppliers now offer remotes and transponder keys at competitive prices as compared to car dealer pricing. This is another profitable possibility of selling a high-ticket item.

STANDALONE LOCKS: Another alternative to key-operated locks is the battery-operated standalone lock equipped with a keypad. Advantages include audit trail, multiple individual codes plus date & time settings, features which a pin tumbler lock cannot offer. Standalone locks can be used for either commercial applications or residential applications to allow children to enter home without carrying a key.  

HIGH SECURITY CYLINDERS: High Security cylinders have been available for over 40 years but they still fit on this list if you are not already selling this product.  Important feature of High Security cylinders are pick resistance and key control. Your customer has the assurance that duplicates cannot be made by anyone but you and you are assured of a return customer.

ELECTRIFIED HARDWARE: At one time the only electrified hardware sold by locksmiths was electric strikes.  Items such as electrified mortise locks, exit devices and mag locks allow locksmiths to offer automated features such as delayed egress, latch indicators and remote unlocking.  Locks for safes have changed from dialing numbers to pressing buttons on a keypad. Every existing safe cabinet is a potential customer for a mechanical to electronic replacement.

WIRELESS REVOLUTION: A drawback for locksmiths to enter the access control market has been having to pull wires. It is a time-consuming job.  Wireless security products simplify the installation process.  Wireless lock control even between buildings is now available.  Wireless security system applications are only limited by your imagination.

CCTV: Police officers wearing cameras and cameras on city light posts are becoming commonplace.  Recent news stories show the importance of recording an event and the problems of not recording an event when legal questions later occur. Customers contact you because of some security issue so suggesting a CCTV installation can add revenue to many jobs.

SUB CONTRACTING: Locksmiths are the lock installation experts. Almost every access control job requires product installation.  If you can't beat them, join them. Sub contracting is an excellent way of learning about access control systems so you can eventually service and sell entire access control systems.

FIRE CODES:  Codes concerning fire regulations in commercial buildings often require periodic door inspections.  Not all municipalities presently use the same regulations but the trend is towards inspections for all commercial buildings.  Classes for learning how to become a fire door inspector and for being qualified to drill doors for raceways are available and can provide a new source of revenue for your business.