In an age where technology touches every aspect of our lives, it’s no wonder even the humble lock and key have transformed. If you’re currently using manual locks with multiple keys to secure your business – a move to a security system powered by InVue OneKEY will be a game changer for you, and for your team.
Smart Locks – A Secure Investment
Retailers are facing a complex security environment as customers increasingly expect seamless engagement with products. Toeing the line between security and high-end customer experience frequently feels like a pipe dream. But there is a solution – new smart lock technologies are future-proofing retail stores with locks that can do it all and strike that “just right” balance for your store team and your customers. With InVue’s OneKEY solutions retailers have recorded up to a 33% decline in theft.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into how retail businesses can implement smart locks to simultaneously prioritize security and frictionless accessibility, delivering a superior customer experience.
What are Smart Locks?
Locks have evolved significantly from their ancient origins in Egypt and Mesopotamia. From simple wooden mechanisms to complex mechanical systems, they’ve always been central to safeguarding our spaces. Today, we’re witnessing a digital transformation, ushering in the next era of locks.
“Smart Locks” range from locking systems with an integrated keypad and code to digital keys, through to those operated via Bluetooth using a mobile device. At Vitag, we focus on InVue solutions – OneKEY, Padlocks, and mLocks. Why? Because after testing a wide range of different solutions, we’re confident that with their simplicity, access speed, and ability to be quickly recorded daily, InVue delivers the best combination of security and efficiency available in the digital lock sector.
Elevating Security with Smart Locks
Smart locks are revolutionizing the way we approach security, merging the reliability of traditional locks with the power of cutting-edge technology. These sleek devices not only enhance your business security but also redefine access control with a blend of high-tech features and intuitive design.
With InVue’s OneKEY solutions, retailers who use the technology have recorded up to a 33% decline in theft.
Why Smart Locks Are a Game-Changer:
Smart locks such as InVue ONEKey Locks and LIVELocks feature a host of compelling advantages:
● Unmatched Convenience: Forget the hassle of searching for keys. With smart locks, you can manage your doors directly from your smartphone or OneKEY. Lock and unlock remotely or give your staff their own key with access you can tailor to their role and authority level.
● Keyless Freedom: Bid farewell to key-related worries. Smart locks offer app-based security control for keyless convenience.
● Activity Tracking: Stay informed with activity logs that track who accessed your property and when audit and report by location, department, and user.
● Advanced Security: While no system is completely foolproof, smart locks incorporate robust security measures like encryption and two-factor authentication to safeguard against unauthorized entry.
● Superior Customer Experience: Fast access helps to make your store team more efficient, creating frictionless customer experiences. Shorter waits, easier access to products, and associates who can focus on the customer – not the bundle of keys they have to sort through.
Smart locks come in a variety of types to suit different needs:
● Wi-Fi-Enabled Locks: Connect to your Wi-Fi for remote control via a smartphone app, giving you access from anywhere.
● Single Key Access Control: Battery-less access ensures your associates are never locked out, even during power outages. Perfect for securing drawers, display cases, shipping containers, cages, cabinets, and more. Never worry about re-keying when you lose a key again.
● Bluetooth Locks: Operate within close range, often paired with a smartphone or key fob, offering a straightforward access solution.
● Biometric Locks: Grant access based on a unique body trait of the person trying to open it. This can mean either your retina, face, or your fingerprint.
Exploring the OneKEY ecosystem – the only key you need, storewide:
OneKEY gives retailers an all-in-one solution to reduce theft, increase sales, and provide quick customer service. 75% of store associates say they provide better customer service with the ease of OneKEY.
With OneKEY locks you can:
● Quickly program your keys each morning and allocate a key to each member of your team, with their own tailored access.
● Use just one unique electronic key to provide storewide security across multiple locks.
● Increase sales by allowing your customers to freely interact with valuable display stock while protecting high-risk merchandise, by combining OneKEY with InVue merchandise security solutions.
● Never have to re-key a lock again – if a key gets lost or stolen, it will automatically time out after 12 hours.
75% of store associates say they provide better customer service with the ease of OneKEY.
Exploring LIVE Locks technology with mobile access:
Forget keys altogether with seamless app-based security control. mKEY smart locks deliver keyless convenience for your team.
InVUE LIVE Locks offer a range of benefits, including:
● Low power operation with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
● No local wiring
● Remote unlock capability
● Compatible with mKEY and OneKEY
● Available for both iOS and Android
Are Smart Locks Right for Your Business? Here’s Some Other Considerations:
Smart Locks certainly bring numerous benefits, but here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re making decisions about the right lock upgrade for you:
● Security Needs: Evaluate the level of security your business requires. Smart locks offer features like remote access, audit trails, and customizable permissions, enhancing security for high-risk areas or sensitive data. If you have a range of different people needing to access common locks, Smart Locks will be a great solution.
● Power Requirements: Smart locks typically need to be charged or rely on devices that require a charge, so you’ll need to consider updating your training and workflow protocols to help your team adapt to the technology upgrade and build charging into their daily processes.
● Security Risks: As with all technology, potential hacking risks exist. Keep your software updated and use strong, unique passwords to mitigate these concerns.
The Future is Smart:
Now is the time to change. As technology progresses, smart locks will continue to evolve, becoming an even more integral part of our daily lives and redefining how we secure and access our stores.
Smart locks represent a new frontier in security and convenience, blending time-tested access control with modern innovation. They offer a suite of benefits that make them a compelling choice for businesses of all shapes and sizes.
As technology advances, smart locks are set to become an essential element of our security landscape, ensuring that our spaces remain safe and accessible in the digital age.
Curious to explore more? Give our Vitag NZ team a call today.