City Locksmiths has seen a significant change in the way New Zealanders think about locks and access to their homes and businesses. Traditional keys are still very much part of everyday life, but electronic locks and digital access systems are becoming increasingly common.
Electronic access control has been part of what we do for many years. More recently, we’ve seen it become a much larger part of our work, with more customers looking for the convenience, flexibility and control that comes with going keyless.
The Last 10 Years in Locksmithing and a Changing Industry
One of the biggest changes we’ve seen over the last 10 years is just how much technology has become part of everyday locksmithing. Electronic locking and access control are the obvious examples, but the change goes much further than that.
City Locksmiths, for example, uses specialised computer programs to design master-key systems, program vehicle keys and cut keys to code.
At the same time, electronic locks have become more capable, more affordable and much more familiar to customers than they were even five years ago.
Why More Aucklanders Are Moving Away From Traditional Keys
Across Auckland, the way people use their homes and workplaces is changing, and so is the way they manage access to them. City Locksmiths worked with Dilworth School, where we manage more than 300 locks across the school. One of the key benefits of their access control system is being able to manage access for specific people and restrict it to particular times. It’s a level of flexibility that simply isn’t possible when everyone relies on physical keys.
The same principle can apply at home. If a tradesperson is coming to your Auckland property, for example, you could give them a PIN that only works between 9am and 3pm that day, then expires.
For businesses, features such as individual access and audit trails can provide much greater visibility over who is entering a property and when.
What Digital Access Looks Like in the Real World
Digital access can mean very different things depending on the property and what the customer is trying to achieve. One day we might replace the traditional front-door lock on an Auckland home with an electronic lock.
City Locksmiths has worked with large organisations such as Health New Zealand, including Auckland City Hospital, where different levels of access are required across a large and complex site.
For example, Auckland City Hospital needed digital access control to manage who can enter specific areas, including mental health and critical care areas, operating theatres and other restricted spaces. Digital locks can also be used to secure areas such as drug cabinets where access needs to be carefully controlled.
One of the key benefits of digital access control is that access permissions can be changed or removed when required, without having to recover physical keys or replace locks. This gives large organisations greater control over access while making it easier to manage changes when staff roles or responsibilities change.
There is no single digital access solution that suits every property. The right system depends on who needs access, when they need it and the level of security and control required. City Locksmiths can help businesses choose and install a digital access solution suited to their specific requirements.
What Can Go Wrong With the Wrong Digital Lock
From our experience, not all digital locks are created equal. We’ve seen customers purchase cheap, unfamiliar brands online, only for the lock to fail and leave them locked out of their own home. Price is always going to be a consideration, but with something responsible for securing your property, reliability and quality matter too.
Before buying a digital lock, we recommend looking beyond the list of features. Check the reputation of the manufacturer, read reviews and make sure the lock is suitable for your particular door and how you intend to use it.
If you’re unsure, talk to one of City Locksmiths’ team before making the purchase.
Choosing the Right Digital Access System
Picking the correct digital access system starts with understanding your property, the door and how people actually need to use it. A digital lock that works well on one door may not necessarily be the right choice for another.
That’s why we recommend having the property assessed before deciding on a system. We can look at the existing door and locking hardware, talk through who needs access and when, and recommend an option that suits both the property and your requirements.
To help, City Locksmiths provide a free survey and quote so customers can understand their options before making a decision.
Are Physical Keys on the Way Out?
We don’t suggest physical keys are going to disappear anytime soon. There will always be situations where a traditional key remains the practical choice. What is changing is the number of alternatives now available.
Digital access gives property owners a level of flexibility, convenience and control that a traditional key simply can’t provide.
As the technology continues to improve and becomes more widely adopted, we expect electronic access to become an even bigger part of how New Zealand homes and businesses manage security and access.
If you’re considering digital access for your Auckland home or business, talk to our team at City Locksmiths. We can assess your property, explain the options available and provide a free survey and quote to help you choose the right system.
Common Questions Customers Ask About Digital Locks
When we talk to customers about digital locks, the same practical questions tend to come up.
Are digital locks easy to programme?
Yes. Modern digital locks are generally much easier to manage than people expect, with many controlled through an app on your phone.
What happens if the batteries go flat on a digital lock?
Battery-powered locks provide warnings when batteries are getting low and many have an external backup option if power is lost.
Can I unlock my door when I’m not at home?
Yes. Many systems can also be connected to the internet through a gateway, allowing you to unlock the door remotely when you’re away from the property.
About the Author
Max is a trade-qualified locksmith technician and has been with City Locksmiths since 2016, starting as a Workshop Assistant before completing his Level 4 Certificate in Locksmithing.
Today, his work covers residential and commercial locksmithing, including lock repairs and installation, master-key systems, electronic access control and advising customers on their security requirements.
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