Garage Door Beacon

The Garage Door Beacon is a novel product that effectively brings your automatic garage door into the 21st century.

Using Bluetooth as it's communication protocol, the Garage Door Beacon has successfully integrated this modern disruptive technology into the everyday use for all the family.

Many homeowners across America enjoy automatic garage door openers for ease in entering premises or simply garaging your vehicles.

Using a small product like the Garage Door Beacon, enables a simple connection to your existing automatic door opener and can be set using the Bluetooth technology to authorise individual operators via individual PIN codes.

Now, it is quite well known that garage doors are not the most secure points of entry to any dwelling, however the incidence of failing remotes, non-functional external keypads and other operability problems continue to be a source of business for repairers and is likely to not stop anytime soon.

But with the multitude of products becoming available in increased numbers today, thanks to the current technology age we are in, consumers need to be vigilant and investigative to keep up on the latest products and the quality they offer.

This is why simple to install products like the Garage Door Beacon, that are hardwired to your existing power supply, offer a quality access control solution that is long lasting, sheltered from the elements, easy to setup and install and best of all intrinsically native to operate.

With smartphone apps in both Apple and Google app stores, this is almost a no-brainer for anyone who owns a home with an automatic garage door and/or a modern smartphone.

(source...)

Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Lock - Price Reduction

Sales of this product are off the charts. Thanks to a more favorable exchange rate and lower fuel costs, we have reduced the cost of this sought after product to only $95.00 plus shipping.

We are only stocking the Satin Nickel (pearl) color option at this special price.

Our modification kit for use on 1-3/4" doors is nearly ready for commercial release. (estimated May 1st, 2015)

This modification will allow for Schlage SC1 keyed cylinders to be used as an option and consequently many other brands of similar keyways. This will allow for keying alike with many existing key systems in the marketplace and also 6 pin cylinders (enabling the product to operate on high-security and design protected master key system key profiles).

Click on the picture to the left to purchase.

EDIT (December 2015): this product now sells for $125.00 plus shipping

(source...)

Meroni Premiapri-Nova Assembly and Installation demo

The above video was made for the Spanish market, I think but it illustrates the flagship model handle of the Serrature Meroni range of nouveau handlesets. (the one used here is the Nova style)

We will be displaying these locks at the upcoming SOPL Expo in Indiana in May. We will also encourage attendees to learn to disassemble and reassemble a similar lock.

Pretty much all of the unique Meroni handlesets are assembled similarly.

The installation will show the handle fitted to a standard 1-3/4" (40mm) crossbore hole. The standard crossbore hole dimensions found across North America is 2-1/8" (52mm). To compensate, we recommend including your choice of metal or nylon rose escutcheons.

The white nylon guide that the technician screws into the body of the hardware, prior to installation, is there to assist the installer to hold the product to the door (without requiring 3 hands).

Meroni handles also come in Combina

Forma

And the extra fabulous Pigio range

Pigio 2

Pigio 3

Pigio 1

The color ranges are fabulous in all 4 styles. These make the perfect addition to an interior designers repertoire.

Combine the modern style handlesets with their simplistic approach to use, being especially useful for arthritis or other physically challenged users, make these fine Italian designed and produced handles a much sought after commodity.

Meroni are currently seeing a large comeback to the North American market, with discerning customers from British Columbia to Florida, from California to Michigan, from New York City to Pasadena selecting the range for their upmarket homes and residences.

Meroni's range of furniture locks, hinges, door closers and unique security products are almost unrivalled in the cabinet making industry and are held as the standard by which many "other" manufacturers choose to model their product offering on.

(source...)

Skybell - New Alternative To The Classic Doorbell

I have written about other versions of doorbells over the last few years, but as yet have not found the simple yet intuitive device that might solve the demands of many. Until now, that is.

The product featured in the video above, is a new product designed and built in the USA. Of simple construction and occupying a small footprint, the Skybell is designed to replace many of the common doorbells found on most of our homes.

Intercom systems have been around for about 50 years now and intercoms that include a video feed have been around for about 15 years. The technology required to build a long lasting video intercom product, has been evolving and improving frequently.

Skybell allows for connection to a home wifi system and can be viewed wirelessly on almost any wifi connected device. Your iPhone, your Android, your Mac, your Windows PC all can connect to this smart device, enabling your ability to see and hear the person at your door.

App controlled by your smart device, you can greet the person at your door, from the comfort of your current location, without physically answering the door.

What separates this from other "wireless" devices is that it actually connects to your mains. That means you never need to replace batteries.

Currently in crowdfunding mode, I expect this device to take off and finally we may have the appropriate product, so many inquirers are searching for.

(source...)

Serrature Meroni Retailer Display Boards Arrived

 Our new Meroni product display boards have arrived.
They come in a white laminated board with each version of the handle style displayed.

First picture is of the key lockable side.

The second picture shows the inner side of each lock

 The third picture shows the Meroni Combina version Anti-Bacterial handle with a "Schlage" C keyway.

The fourth picture shows a Meroni Forma handle with a "Schlage" C keyway








\







.

These displays will be available for purchase at our booth in the upcoming SOPL Expo in May 2015 in Indianapolis Indiana.

Many inquiries have come in from budding dealers wishing to include the product line in their inventories. Now you have the opportunity to purchase a display for your store, offering the benefit of a hands-on display that will make the sales process much simpler.

New dealers interested in this high quality product line should contact us to reserve your display.

These displays show just some of the standard colors available. there are significantly more color options that we will talk about later.

(I must say, the interest from aged care facilities, hospitals, laboratories and medical clinics has been interesting)

We have installed and sold a large number of these fabulous products to customers across the USA and Canada. The quality of the product is exemplary and the instinctive ease of use is brilliant. This is the perfect handle for anyone who may suffer from arthritis and related issues.

SOPL Expo May 1-3, 2015 - Indianapolis

The Society Of Professional Locksmiths proudly introduce the inaugural SOPL Expo, to be held in Indianapolis Indiana, May 1-3 2015.

Daring to be different, the SOPL is a modern era locksmith association that believes in training as one of the core influences in the future of the locksmith industry.

The increasing technical challenges and shifts in business accumen, affect all our decisions regarding the locksmith business. 

Now, the opportunity to participate in a new breed of association, presents us with the challenge to learn about new and alternative products, learn new business practises, marketing skills and business opportunities..

Some of the classes on offer include...

Internet SEO & The Scammer Killer Kit

Stop With The Deadbolts Already!

Emerging Access Control & Integration

Wireless Automation Controls

Commercial Door Installation, Service and Exit Hardware

Servicing Meroni Decorative Hardware

Door Jamb Mortising for Reinforcement

Advanced Master Keying

Advanced Automotive Transponder Programming

Safe Manipulation Boot Camp

Whereas the courses will be open to bonafide locksmiths, the exhibits and trade show will be open to the public.

Interact with locksmiths, teachers, industry players, facilities managers and more.

Check out all the details in the source below.

(source...)

2014 MLAA Conference And Trade Exhibit

The annual Conference and Trade Exhibit for the Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia (MLAA) was recently held at a hotel and conference facility in Twin Waters Queensland.

The weekend event was held about 2 weeks ago.

Here is a short time-lapse video taken by one of my colleagues as he walked the exhibit floor.




This annual trade show and conference is the pinnacle event for the locksmith industry in Australasia, where products, classes and new releases are displayed to attendees.

Special thanks to Trevor Miliken from Albany Lock Service in Western Australia for the video.


(source...)

August Smart Lock - Not So Smart

End of May last year we wrote an article about the August Smartlock that has seen a great many pageviews.

I just came across an article in The New York Times written by an author who has been using their August lock for a little while and found some difficulties.

In the article the author suggests that people dont really need to invest sometimes hundreds of dollars for a battery powered door lock that has obvious shortcomings like battery life, proximity issues and no wifi connectivity. Without explaining the pro's of keyless entry systems, he has more or less tossed many of the current crop of similar gadgets on to the waste pile as not as secure or convenient as one might have expected.

He did explain the obvious benefits of the product, easy to install, giving temporary key access to friends or strangers etc.

And the product, similar to the Lockitron in it's intended use, does look good.

Reading through many of the comments to the article, shows that many people are looking for another kind or style of product instead.

Coming Soon - Auto-Magnetic Latching Lock with wireless release option!

View the New York Times article in the source below.

(source...)