ACCESS CONTROL EXTRA
Engineering New Opportunities
» HERE, DAVID FRAMPTON
Industrial Locking Solutions -
Account Manager at dormakaba
looks at the added value that
locksmiths can provide for their
clients by working with a specialist
manufacturer to provide bespoke
and engineered industrial locking
solutions, whilst opening up new
revenue streams and services.
Security has never been
more important and is a crucial
consideration in a wide range of
applications from schools, offices
and public buildings to high-end
retail, hotels and airports. When
selecting and designing a lock
system there are a number of
factors that should be considered,
to ensure it not only provides
security but also aligns with, and
supports, the specific requirements
of each of these environments. This
might be achieving the desired
aesthetic in a retail location,
delivering additional functionality
to security monitoring in sensitive
applications or achieving a
complex hierarchy of access. In
this landscape, locksmiths should
consider options which enhance
the services they provide to their
clients. This is where engineered
and bespoke solutions can be
utilised to meet client needs.
Lock engineering services
In a world of increased security
breaches and sophisticated
measures used by perpetrators,
locksmiths should look beyond the
standard offering to consider how
current access control technology
can be used to provide additional
locking options and gain more
traction with clients. Using the
Expert System, dormakaba is
able to offer unique engineering
capabilities on its range of
cylinder systems, in order for
locksmiths to service customers
with specific needs and add value
to their offering. This modular
core principle format enables
38
its interchangeable core system
to grow and shrink to client
requirements.
One of the main areas where
this can be applied is the creation
of a bespoke housing for the lock
cylinder. This allows almost any
shape or design to be produced
based on the needs of the
application, in a variety of finishes,
and presents a much wider offering
for locksmiths to apply to their
client base, beyond what is ‘off-
the-shelf’. For example, in high-
end retail environments luxury
merchandise in glass cabinets
should not have any distractions
that divert from the purchase
experience and as such, the locking
mechanism must be as minimal
and discreet as possible while still
providing the required levels of
security. By partnering with the
right supplier, locksmiths can gain
access to specialist services to
help deliver a system that matches
the clients needs and meets all
security objectives. dormakaba
uses computer aided design (CAD)
packages to create bespoke, tailored
options and conceptual ideas and
even protypes for locksmiths to use
with their client to review, refine
and develop their system.
Many suppliers can also offer
technical help and collaboration
on presenting the benefits and
solution to the client. At dormakaba
our technical team often assist
and accompany the locksmith
to undertake site visits to help
establish the exact requirements
prior to the design stage, working
collaboratively with the locksmith
to engineer and build the perfect
locking system for the client. For
locksmiths, the ability to offer this
type of tailored service to customers
can be a source of competitive
advantage and the opportunity to
secure repeat business.
Modular cylinder lock systems,
such as dormakaba’s Expert
system, for example, offer extensive
flexibility with the option of an
interchangeable core and so the
same cylinder can be built into
a wide range of lock types. These
include traditional door locks,
cam locks, furniture and cabinet
mechanisms, padlocks and the
key switches that control the use
of machinery. This delivers greater
convenience for the user as a single
key can be used for a number of
different locks. For example, the
standard architectural profile
locks supplied with the doors can
be extended to include cabinets,
lockers, desks and display units due
to the versatile modular system and
included in a single key system.
The flexibility of this
interchangeable core also supports
the creation of more complex
but easier to manage master
key systems. This is particularly
valuable for large sites where
many different groups may require
specific levels of access. This allows
a key system to be established
where the master key
opens any lock
on the
NOV/DEC 2019
locksmithjournal.co.uk
Issue Takeover
Proud sponsor of Access Control Extra