Lights, Camera — Training!

Medeco recently unveiled its new online training studio, an idea that came directly from “feedback I heard when meeting with our resellers and partners,” says Jordan Burnsed, director, Business Development, Medeco. “One of the most consistent requests was for more training opportunities and closer engagement with Medeco.”

As Burnsed points out, traditional in-person training posed challenges. “Whether a locksmith operated two trucks or 15, taking staff off the road for a full day to attend a classroom session was costly and difficult. We wanted to remove those barriers by making training more accessible while still maintaining the value of a hands-on, in-person experience. The studio was created to deliver that same interactive feel, but in a way that doesn’t require constant travel or taking technicians away from their customers for long stretches.”

The new studio provides a new way for security professionals and end-users to access Medeco training and certifications, making the High Security Group’s technology and expertise from Salem, Va., available to them wherever they are.

“Looking longer term, we want the training studio to become a platform for nearly all of our programs — everything short of full factory certification — while also serving as a hub to create fresh content that can be shared through the ASSA ABLOY Academy,” Burnsed explains. “Ultimately, this initiative is about extending the knowledge within our Salem facility to customers without the need for constant travel.”

Programming Rollout

The first phase of the rollout plan focuses on creating training for Medeco’s current patented products, the X4 and M4, with classes beginning this month.

“Each product will have its own three- to four-hour session, giving participants the skills to pin, interact with, and troubleshoot those systems,” explains Burnsed. “Once the mechanical training sessions are available, we’ll expand the program to cover intelligent solutions such as key cabinets, intelligent keys, and our SimpleK software. The training is designed for customers who already have foundational knowledge, with the goal of keeping them current on Medeco’s latest technologies rather than replacing traditional locksmith education.”

Training for Medeco’s X4 and M4 products will be the first offerings through the new studio, with the plan to expand gradually, introducing new courses every three to four months until nearly all Medeco product lines are represented.

“By the end of next year, our goal is for locksmiths to have access to remote training classes on virtually every Medeco product, whether for familiarization or online certification,” says Burnsed. “While this won’t replace the value of our full week-long factory certification, it will give participants a convenient way to gain hands-on knowledge of our technologies.”

Over the next 12 to 18 months, the studio will also add training on intelligent key cabinets, intelligent keys, OEM products, and more. Importantly, all these training opportunities will be available at little or no cost, says Burnsed.

Hands-on Training Online

What is unique about this new training studio is that it is designed to be both remote and hands-on. When participants register, enrollment closes a week before class so Medeco ships them a complete training kit with the tools, cylinders, keys, and accessories they’ll need. “This allows them to follow along and practice in real time, rather than just watching a presentation,” says Burnsed.

During the live sessions, multiple high-quality camera views — ranging from wide overviews to 20X microscopic close-ups — ensure students can clearly see every step, from pinning techniques to key cutting details. “Because the classes are live, participants can ask questions, request different angles, and interact directly with the instructor, creating a true in-person feel without the travel,” he adds.

Initially, classes will be held monthly, supported by 100 kits each for X4 and M4. Depending on demand, Burnsed says Medeco is prepared to expand to biweekly or even weekly sessions. Online Certification is awarded based on attendees’ active participation with the instructor and training kit during class, demonstrating skills that meet the course requirements.

To reinforce learning, sessions are also recorded and later broken into short, focused modules for the ASSA ABLOY Academy. This way, security professionals can revisit specific topics, whether a refresher on pinning or a quick review of product value propositions, without rewatching the entire class.

“We’ve also added ‘office hours’ every other Wednesday, where participants can drop in virtually to ask questions or request demos, making the training program flexible, accessible, and supportive well beyond the initial certification session,” says Burnsed, noting that this initiative complements ASSA ABLOY Academy by adding a live, interactive training component to its primarily recorded offerings.

“The studio not only delivers real-time classes but also provides a professional space with high-quality audio and video to create new content,” he adds. “This allows us to record everything from short, focused lessons to longer training sessions, covering topics such as locksmith fundamentals, Medeco product overviews, or deeper dives into features like angle cuts. Instead of relying solely on slide decks or static presentations, the studio makes it possible to show products up close, convey nuance through live instruction, and produce engaging material that strengthens the Academy’s overall training library.”

Convenience for Locksmiths

One of the biggest advantages of this program is the “speed and convenience it brings to our customers and end-users,” says Burnsed. “A technician can walk into the shop in the morning, complete training with the kit that’s been shipped to them, and be trained on Medeco’s X4 by lunchtime, ready to head back out and immediately put that knowledge to work. This approach minimizes downtime, eliminates travel costs, and makes it much easier for shops of any size to adopt new technologies without sacrificing valuable billable hours.”

Because the program was shaped by feedback from the field, it helps meet the real-world needs of customers and users.

“Beyond efficiency, online training gives technicians a deeper understanding of how Medeco products are built and why their security features matter,” says Burnsed. “By seeing and working with components like the movable element in the M4 or the interaction of the sidebar and top pins, security professionals gain knowledge that not only makes them more confident installers but also stronger salespeople. They can clearly explain the value of high-security Medeco solutions compared to off-the-shelf alternatives.”

Ultimately, Burnsed says Medeco sees the benefit of the training studio going beyond just learning for their customers and end-users.

“Carrying Medeco’s endorsement signals expertise and trustworthiness, qualities that still carry significant weight, especially in commercial applications,” he points out. “In short, this training isn’t just about learning products; it’s about empowering our customers and users to work more effectively, sell more confidently, and strengthen their reputation through recognized certification.”

Visit https://www.medeco.com/en/support/training for upcoming training opportunities.