Lost or mislaid keys are expensive in downtime, inconvenient, embarrassing, costly to replace and present a very real security risk, whilst paper based audit trails are infrequently implemented and are often very difficult to enforce. Keys are a necessary part of everyday life, and when one considers the cost of losing a master/sub-master key or perhaps stock or lift motor room key, the liabilities of ownership can be considerable.
It goes without saying that poor key control reflects on the management who always need to ensure that they are always taking every effort to minimise every risk in their business.
Traka, the UK's first electronic key control manufacturer, represented in South Africa by Cirtech Communications, boasts a range of electronic key management cabinets which help to control who may take a key, which keys they may take and then automatically records (by date and time) when the key was taken, so that an infinite log of key usage is produced.
How does Traka work?
Traka comprises a steel cabinet protected by a strong polycarbonate or metal door. Access is gained only after swiping a card, using touch memory and or typing a PIN number. Only authorised users may open the door.
Once the door is open one can then restrict users to take only the keys they are allowed. Wherever possible, Traka offers its customers the ability to use their existing access card technology, allowing staff to conveniently use just one access card.
All share the same technology of intelligent key fobs, to which the keys are attached using secure metal seals. As the key is removed, so to is the fob which the electronics constantly monitor.
On return, the key is simply replaced into the location it was taken from. The system shows the correct location if the key is incorrectly replaced. The clear door allows instant visual verification of keys in or out and the design of the unit ensures that the keys are always returned to their correct location, allowing the units to be labelled showing where the keys should go.
One particularly useful feature allows any person to enquire who has a particular key now or who used it last. This information is displayed on the LCD display just above the keypad.
Audit trail
Although Traka operates standalone, an existing Windows-based PC is used to prepare the user and key details. Simply define the user details and associate the keys with the fobs, and the system is ready to use.
A list of transactions is regularly communicated back to this PC which provides a visual representation of the Traka status as well as the database of users, keys and transactions.
The software provides a graphical representation of the Traka unit showing keys in, keys out and keys not used.
A client/server version is also available, which allows multiple users to gain access to multiple cabinets. The control software and database records are all held by the server software which can be running anywhere on the network. The networking can be either RS485 or Ethernet-based, whichever is the more cost-effective solution.
Standard Traka cabinets
The standard range holds up to 60 keys in each cabinet, it is a simple task to extend the number of keys supported using 'extension cabinets' also of 60 keys each. The Traka system's electronics will support up to 2560 keys and the units can be networked together to provide an integrated key control system for the whole organisation.
The rows of keys may be designated 'non locking', where the key is freely available subject to software control or 'locked' where the user must first press an adjacent button to access the key, which will only be released if authorised.
Mini Traka is the 'baby' unit designed to hold just 16 keys and priced accordingly. Designed for smaller installations where only limited numbers of keys need to be controlled, the system may have PIN or card reader access and is available with a clear or painted metal door, as well as with locking or non locking or mixed locking/non locking options.
For really large systems Traka can be repackaged in standard 19" rack-mount enclosures.
For details contact Cirtech Communications on tel: (011) 873 1204, fax: (011) 873 4517 or e-mail: circom@global.co.za
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