Modern Master Key System Design

Traditional master key systems were designed primarily by architects or door personnel without necessarily much experience in locksmithing.

Many existing master key systems found today have been created by the Original Equipment Manufacturer and often do not or cannot be serviced by them, requiring assistance from suitably qualified and trained locksmiths.

The benefits of a locksmithing background are immense when designing, creating and building a master key system.

Traditional systems usually included one central grand master key designed to work every door/lock in a building or group of buildings. These buildings could be in the same location or multiple locations. Then there would be sub-master keys, held by individuals requiring access to only a designated area and not all areas. Next there were servant keys (a.k.a. Change Keys) designed to work the individual lock.

While traditional systems are still requested today, there are better methods available thanks to products like Abloy Protec and our signature product Bilock.

The modern approach to master keying is akin to the purpose of card access or fob access systems, whereby each lock in the system can be programmed to accept individual keys.

Unlike card access or fob access systems, Bilock and Abloy Protec cylinders work with traditional locksets, reducing the cost associated with new especially designed hardware and electrical connections, computer software programming, training of staff to implement and carry out changes etc.

With Bilock, we can tailor any system to as many as 16 million different keys per keyway. That means that virtually any lock in any building, campus or group of buildings, whether in the same location or multiple locations can be mechanically programmed to accept many different keys.

With Bilock, you can enjoy painless rekeying, thanks to the Quick Change Core function. Missing or lost keys can be removed from the system without affecting other key holders. The locks (mostly) never have to be removed from the applications (doors).

With Bilock, you can color code your keys to make them individual and original. Each key is only produced as an original and cannot be duplicated easily.

Cost is significantly cheaper than an electronic access control system, because electronics are not used, there is no wiring to overheat, short out, suffer from power outages. No circuit boards are used requiring foreign made parts to repair.
Your locksmith can usually repair or replace a faulty part instantly. Your maintenance person can often take the lock to your locksmith for instant quick repairs as opposed to waiting for a licensed, qualified electronic technician, especially trained in your electronic product category.