Our Most Popular Products Include...

 The Bilock Deadbolt Lock. Our signature product, from when we first opened our business here in the USA, a little over 10 years ago is still Bilock. The Bilock Deadbolt is the most popular of the Bilock products repeatedly requested.
Concerned consumers request Bilock due to it's superior resistance to picking and bumping. The color coded keys help in easily identifying correct operating keys. Our signature authority system prevents unauthorised key production. Often, we can provide just the Bilock cylinder and keys that can be installed in many existing leading brands of hardware too, minimizing the cost to the homeowner and maintaining the existing ambience of the trim on the door.

The Pigio 1 by Serrature Meroni, is quickly rising as one of our popularly requested products because it allows the user to easily operate the push pull mechanism without the need to grip and turn the knob

The Pigio 2 by Serrature Meroni is also seeing increased popularity for similar reasons the the Pigio 1.  

The Combina by Serrature Meroni is the modern version of the unique Premiapri mechanism and is available in so many color options to suit varying tastes of consumers. 

The Cowdroy P697 Keyed Pocket Door Lock (now discontinued by us) was the first of our popular lock systems for pocket or cavity doors. It was pulled from our inventory for not meeting ADA/Building codes. (Key operated both sides)

The enormously popular best seller, The Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Lock exceeds the requirement of the many pocket door owners across the USA and Canada. The unique design, combined with a 5 pin tumbler that is identical to a Kwikset Keyway, complements this product. The Lockwood range of picket and cavity door locks, also includes privacy (bathroom/bedroom), passage and passage latching versions. 

 The Serrature Meroni range of furniture and cabinet lock systems, mechanisms, electronic control desk lock systems, drawer hinges, door closers, electric strikes, door handles, mailbox locks, etc are second to none worldwide for their quality and vast product range. This fine Italian company is on the cutting edge of design, that many other brands look to, for improving their offerings too. Still the best and still the worldwide leader in intelligent and ambient locking systems.

The Meroni Nova is the flagship of the Serrature Meroni line of door handle hardware. Easily our second most poular selling product.

The Combina Anti-Bacterial handle system prevents the spread of unwanted pathogens or diseases by dissipating germs on contact. Perfect solution for child care centers, hospitals, aged care facilities.

 The Bilock Grade 2 Light Duty Commercial/Heavy Duty Residential entrance set comes with a 15 year warranty on the hardware. Unique keying system and bump proof/pick resistant mechanism makes this product complement the Bilock Deadbolt written about above.

 Hooply, a Chinese range of specialty handles and locking systems aimed at residential markets that are prone to hurricanes or brash weather systems are a popular product found most often in New York City or Florida. We were once the dealer for this product line, but found demand too small to continue. We still have contacts with the manufacturer and their catalog. We are happy to prvide the company contact to enquirers.

 Sliding Patio Doors are one of our most common service requests by customers. We service and lubricate a great many of these doors across the greater St Louis Region, often without requiring to replace wheels or rollers.

A Simple repair usually takes about an hour (average) and costs about $99, including attendance and lube.

The Lockwood 002L is a rim mounted lever deadlatch that is one of, if not the strongest in it's class of secure locking hardware products. Not cheap. Expertly designed and demanded by those who demand the ultimate security.

Lockwood's flagship product for over 50 years is still the best.

Sting Operation In Australia Reveals Simple Hack That Renders Electronic Security Swipe Key Systems Ineffective

Electronic security devices are quite the rage today in the security field with many companies offering variations of key fob and card key systems aimed at supposedly increasing the security access control of residential buildings and where we live, work and play.

Notorious current affairs program on the Nine Network in Australia, A Current Affair, recently produced a video segment where they caught up with a perpetrator, operating a scam to copy and reproduce the electronic key fobs and swipe cards that are supposed to be restricted and giving them to customers all across the Sydney and other metropolitan centers for a fee.

The issue presents a moral and ethical quandary because, as residents or dwellers of abodes, people often want to share access to their residences where many management companies often refuse to provide additional copies of electronic access control fobs and cards or,if they do, charge outrageous prices for even legal tenants of these dwellings to obtain working duplicates.

Tenants are often coerced to find more nefarious means to bypass the legal owner/operator of these security products and gain access to desired locations.

The legitimate locksmith industry across the world has been repeating similar messages for many years, that the perception of these "electronic access control products" providing better security and access control, is nothing but a fallacy. Yet the legions of building contractors and management companies simply turn a blind eye because they want their cake and to eat it too.

Legitimate locksmith companies have been offering restricted mechanical key control systems for decades. Systems like Abloy, Bilock, Evva, Primus, Multlock, Medeco etc, that produce operating mechanical keys that are virtually impossible for non-authorized people to obtain duplicate keys.

In the source below find a link to the video of this particular video segment where a reporter is hot on the tail (literally) of a scam operator who is selling inappropriately obtained duplicate tags for operating access control systems. The same systems where many people think they are in a secure building but unfortunately, as this video proves, they are not.

how safe do you feel?


(source...)

C.Q.R.I.T. - Key Control On Steroids

I happened to stop into my local supplier IDN Hoffman in Creve Coeur the other day when in walks Scott with Ian Cooke in from Canberra, Australia with CIC Technology.

Now, two Aussies in St Louis is a rare treat in the same room. We got to chin-wagging and he introduced me to this fabulous Australian designed and manufactured C.Q.R.iT range of electronic key cabinets and lockers. He opened the door and there was a Bilock key inside. We are the leading Bilock Extreme Security dealer in the Midwest. We have continually dealt in Bilock products for 25+ years worldwide.

The first version is the key cabinet above.

The locker here is state of the art.

Especially tailored to hospitals, schools, colleges, car dealerships, institutions, corporate security is now enhanced to it's finest.

Watch the video to understand the benefits of key control and how it helps you.




The options are endless with this multi-authentication product.

(source...http://www.cictechnology.com/)

How Do You Prevent Being Locked Out Of Your Home?

As a practising locksmith for almost 35 years across the planet, I have attended a great many "lock outs", rescuing stranded customers who are locked out of their homes or office buildings.

The skills that a professional locksmith brings to bear, include the special training in learning the art of picking locks.

These days, with the advent of online video sources, more and more videos are appearing daily showing people, including locksmiths and hobbiests displaying their prowess at picking locks.

There are few brands of locks available that are particularly difficult to pick/manipulate, presenting increased challenges to would be lock pickers. Some of these brands include (but are not limited to) Abloy Protec, Assa Twin, Multilock, Bilock, Medeco, Primus and others. Few are bump proof and virtually pick proof like Protec or Bilock and the industry is constantly evolving to produce better mechanical "mousetraps" aimed at increasing the security of our homes or offices.

But, the pain felt when you accidentally lock yourself out and the sometimes long wait for the professional locksmith to attend and rescue you, can be mitigated using a hidden key safe.

There are a number of versions available in todays market and one worth considering is pictured above. A simple water sprinkler with a cavity and screw on cap, that can hold a couple of spare keys is a painless and inexpensive method that would be so helpful to some people.

Locksmiths would probably prefer i didnt mention products like these, because these types of products could reduce the calls for professional locksmith services.

I dont really care all that much as i am in the business of "Securing America - One Door At A Time" and the interests of my clientelle and their families are more important that a few quibbling locksmiths.

And if i can save you a couple of bucks and some extra time and inconvenience, then why the heck not?

These dummy sprinkler heads can be purchased just about anywhere but Amazon have them fairly cheap.

(source...) 

Bilock Exclusive - New Updated Bilock High Security, Bump Proof And Virtually Pick Proof Key System.

These are the color ranges of the new Bilock Exclusive key system. We previously mentioned that Bilock would be releasing their new product that offers increased patent protection right through to 2035, in a December article.

The new product dramatically increases the security of the system, while doing away with the trigger system in the New Generation system.

The New Generation system used a single side-bar blocking pin and 13th pin to increase the pick resistance of their previous offering. The patented Quick Change core removal system has been completely overhauled and is now way more effective than the previous iteration.

There is a video in the source below that explains all about this new and improved system.

Essentially, Bilock have replaced the trigger system with a more effective double-action trigger system that does not require a separate trigger. The new system uses specifically coded side pins that engage the side-bar in a unique fashion and directly increases the pick protection.

Previously, any key could have been converted into a core removal key. The new style makes a purposely designed control key to remove and replace cores.

Master keying is still available with up to 17 million potential key changes in a system.

The older New Generation system is still available for purchase and still being produced and we continue to build these systems for our discerning customers.

The other updated component of Bilock Exclusive is the addition of MiFare chips that can be embedded into the key-heads to operate effortlessly with many modern electronic access control and alarm systems.

For an in-depth explanation of the new Bilock Exclusive product, click on the source below and watch the video at the bottom.

(source...) 

St Louis Home And Garden Show - March 3 - 6, 2015 Booth #3511

We are very pleased to invite our many customers and friends to come and visit with us at the St Louis Home And Garden Show, to be held at the America Center in downtown St Louis from March 3 - 6, 2015.

This 4 day event provides local and interstate homeowners, residents, architects, home builders, interior designers and renovators with the opportunity to view, in person, many of the time tested and latest products and services available to improve your home, garden and office environments and buildings. The ability to chat with experts about their offerings can help to learn first hand, the benefits of many modern products and services available in the greater St Louis region.

We will be very pleased  to greet you at our Booth #3511, located to the right of the main entrance as you walk in.

We will be particularly showcasing our range of modern contemporary Meroni Door Hardware displaying many color options and styles including...

Nova

Combina

Forma

Pigio 1

Pigio 2

Pigio 3

many of the above products can also be embossed with personalized logos or artwork, further increasing the unique and personalized look of your chosen hardware.

The Nova, Combina and Forma models can also be ordered in SC1 keyway, making them compatible with standard Schlage products. That means you can use them with some of your existing house keys.

Meroni, Lockwood, Bilock And Invisible Door Stop - On Show At The St Louis Home And Garden Show, March 3-6, 2015

We are pleased to announce that we will attend our first trade show March 3 -6, 2015 at America Center in downtown St Louis Missouri. (Booth #3511)

There we will be displaying some of the fabulous products that we sell across North America.

Products like

 Meroni Luccotto Padlocks





 Meroni Combina Door Hardware

 Meroni Combina Anti-Bacterial Door Hardware

 Meroni Forma Door Hardware

 Meroni Nova Door Hardware

 Meroni Pigio 1 Door Hardware

 Meroni Pigio 2 Door Hardware

Meroni Pigio 3 Door Hardware

 Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Locks

 Bilock Extreme Security Key And Lock Systems



The St Louis Builders Home And Garden Show is an annual exhibition of products and services aimed at educating discerning home owners about the new and traditional products that help to make your home better.

This 4 day show, now in it's 39th year continues to improve and display modern and traditional approaches to buying, building or renovating your home.

Our newest addition to our line of Unique Products is the fabulous Invisible Door Stop. This ingenious product is created and manufactured in America (Oregon)

This simple DIY product is an answer that solves all our door stop issues, including (as displayed in the video below) unsightly spring stops that often fall off or get kicked, the plastic wall mounted bumper plates that are supposed to prevent the knob from hitting the wall behind and prevent the damages that can occur from handles hitting the wall or traditional hinge mounted door stops that leave ugly marks or holes in door and frames.



They come in different sizes and construction including for 3-1/2" hinges, 4" hinges and 4-1/2" industrial/commercial hinges. Made from high quality poly-carbonate  and modern carbon-fiber and soon to be released in different finishes, the invisible door hinge is the most affordable and intelligent DIY product of it's kind to surface in a great many years.

We plan to have a limited quantity on sale at the show.

We look forward to greeting many of our customers at the St Louis Builders Home And Garden Show March 3-6 2015. See you at Booth #3511

Bilock Single Cylinder Deadbolt - Bump Proof, Virtually Pick Proof With Copy Proof Keys

The Bilock Single Cylinder Deadbolt we are offering here is a Grade 2 (ANSI) deadbolt with 3 keys.

Available in Polished Brass, Florentine Bronze, Antique Brass and Satin Nickel (Stainless Steel).

We proudly supply the first 3 keys FREE with any new system.

This popular product is sought after by many discerning customers desiring to prevent hobby pickers or even professional locksmiths from non-destructive entry.

• The First 100% Guaranteed Bump Proof Deadbolt Available
• Brass, Silver, Brown, Antique Brass Finishes
• 3 Keys Standard Supplied with 1st Lock Ordered
• Adjustable Backset Mechanism (2-3/8" - 2-3/4")
• Virtually Unlimited Master Keying
• Designed to fit in place of existing installations
• ADA Compliant for Primary Entry Doors
• $185.00 each
• ​Additional keys are $10.00 each on initial supply

We can provide the keyheads in varying colors. There are 20 colors to choose from. There are 3 parts to the keyhead which means, potentially 8000 different color combinations.

We have built systems for customers that allow for each different key holder to use a different key. That means, if a key is lost or stolen, just that key can be removed from the system without affecting the other key holders.

You could rekey the locks without the need to hand out new keys to all key holders, saving time, money and the inconvenience. A similar function to a swipe card access control system but totally mechanical and non electronic.

To purchase this product, click the source below.

(source...)

Bump Keys Made With 3D Printer - Criminals Going High Tech

Happy New Year and welcome to 2016.

Bump keys have been in the news for a few years now and the increasing sales of our Bilock Extreme Security products attests to this.

As pictured here, the Bilock New Generation core is truly the first 100% bump proof pin tumbler product of it's kind.

Australian Lock Co PTY LTD are the manufacturer of this high security range of cylinders, expertly designed and produced to be able to fit in many leading brands of hardware.

That means, if you currently have or own a Schlage, Marks, Corbin, Lockwood, Yale, Sargent and many other quality brands of hardware products, you can purchase Bilock cylinders that will fit into these brands.

We offer a range of high quality LSDA brand deadbolts, knob sets, lever sets in ANSI/BHMA Grade 1, 2 and some 3 level quality. We choose LSDA because they are produced by an American lock and hardware distributor who offers up to 10 year warranties on many of their products and because the products are very well made. We install our own hand built Bilock cylinders within the hardware. We build all our Bilock systems in-house using state-of-the-art computerised master keying technology.
All cores are keyed up by hand, for quality assurance. All products are tested completely prior to leaving our workshop.

We recently came across a video on Youtube that shows a fellow, presumably in Europe, who proceeds to bump open a typical high-security pin tumbler cylinder found there. He shows the actual working keys first, then shows the bump key he created on a 3D printer and bumps the cylinder in his hand multiple times. View the video after the break.

Bilock Exclusive™ - New Improved Bilock Releases To The Market

Bilock Extreme Security products just release the newest addition to their product line.

A completely new rendition of the fabulous extreme security mechanical key system.

This new update to the well-known Bilock high security restricted key systems, answers many of the criteria discussed industry wide by customers, hobbiest forums, locksmith industry forums, engineers and government and military experts.

The new line is called Bilock Exclusive™.

This new design, actually increases the security of each new cylinder while removing the trigger interactive element.

Colors for the key heads are still pretty much the same, with 21 color choices comprising 3 parts, effectively offering about 9250 color combinations.

A new style of head with the three interlocking parts is still used.

The product still uses the innovative Quick-Change-Core technology that Bilock is famous for.

Dealers will probably need a little retraining in the construction of the new cylinders, but key creation is identical and used with existing machinery, so no new tool equipment to purchase other than the new keying kit and cores/cylinder bodies.

We believe that existing cores (from older systems - New Generation) can be used in the newer cylinder bodies, but the new cores cannot fit into the older cylinder bodies.

This new product increases the patent protection for the Bilock product for another 15 years while increasing the security of each core by doubling the side-bar blocking pins, directly making the ability to pick, impression or bump the lock virtually impossible.

The introduction of Mifare™ chips into keyheads is also now possible for connecting with electronic access control products that might exist in different customers networks.

Release date to the USA and North America markets are unclear at this time, but we expect to offer the newer system by next summer.


(source...)

Heritage Locksmiths - Buffalo NY

Heritage Locksmiths, owned by a colleague and fellow member of The Society of Professional Locksmiths is a family owned and operated professional locksmith company servicing the greater Buffalo, New York region.

Heritage are also fellow Bilock distributors and are our recommended NY service center for all Bilock Extreme Security bump proof and virtually pick proof restricted key systems.

Many years experience and a penchant for continual learning, Hillel and his team are practised in the art and craft of locksmithing.

Specialising in Automotive, Commercial and Residential locksmith and security services, they are more than just another mobile service. they have a professional workshop and showroom and hold some inventory to meet the needs of their discerning clientelle.

If you reside in the greater Buffalo NY region, I highly recommend Heritage locksmiths as your first choice for reputable, knowledgeable and prompt service and expertise.

(source...)

Bilock Deadbolt And Strikemaster II Prevent Break In Attempt

Even us locksmiths are sometimes preyed upon by nefarious people.

I arrived home just now, from running a service call, to find this picture of my lockbox smashed open.

Luckily there was no key inside.

I also saw a boot mark on the door, where they might have attempted to kick-in the door. About 3 years ago, I installed one of my Strikemaster II door frame protectors to this door frame and apparently it has performed it's task perfectly.

The Bilock deadbolt prevented picking or bumping and the Strikemaster II prevented the frame from being destroyed.

No losses occurred except for the one elcheapo lockbox.


So.....this is one of the reasons we continue to sing the virtues of the products we sell and recommend.
We choose to practise what we preach. If it's good enough for our select customers, it is also good enough for us too.

We have been designing, constructing and installing Bilock products for over 25 years and across 4  continents. It is one of the best products aimed at maximizing your security, while minimizing potential threats from picking, bumping or even unauthorized key duplication.

We became a distributor for the fabulous Strikemaster II Pro, about 5 years ago and have installed a great number, usually to customers who have already suffered a door frame failure resulting from their door being kicked in. The Strikemaster II Pro is one of the best methods for repairing a failed door frame, without the need to replace your entire door and frame. (Average cost in the greater St Louis region to replace a standard entrance door and frame is about ~$1200.00 - ~$1500.00)

I must say, I am very pleased that these products have lived up to their hype.

3D Printed Bump Key Made To Bump Open Locks

3D printing is all the rage in this age of rapidly advancing technology. So much so, that home made items are showing up quite regularly nowadays. The above video shows a European person bumping open a typical cylinder found in many residential and commercial settings in Europe. But significantly, he uses a bump key made on a 3D printer.

This is especially worrying, I suggest because the bump key furore was hyped significantly through the media in the last few years. There are hundreds of videos online across the web, showing kids and adults of all ages making and bumping many brands of locks including some brands that were once though to be pick resistant/high security.

The market can rest easy, knowing that our Bilock Extreme Security cylinders are well known worldwide as the original 100% bump proof and virtually pick proof lock and key pin tumbler system.

Anyone can purchase a 3D printer today, since models are made that are more easily affordable than the industrial printers that surfaced 10 years ago.

For further information on our Bilock Extreme Security products, contact us for your demonstration.

(source...)

Keyed Pocket Door Lock Will Soon Work With Thicker Doors Using Easy To Install Modification Kit - Exclusive Supplier

Our fabulous keyed pocket door lock is especially designed for 1-3/8" thick doors.

Until now, that is.

We are in the final stage of production of an expansion kit that will allow you to use this fabulous lock on 1-3/4" thick doors.

You can now even get cylinders that will allow you to re-key to Schlage (or almost any key-way) 6 pin tumbler key-ways.
We were the only dealer in the USA until recently, but we are the only dealer with the modification package allowing installation up to 1-7/8" thick doors without the difficult modifications offered by other dealers.

The modification kit will be able to be purchased in almost any brand key-way, so you will be able to use Schlage, Yale, Kwikset, Sargent or just about any restricted key or high-security key control systems like Bilock, Primus, Abloy etc.

We are the exclusive manufacturer of this modification kit. It is not quite ready for public release but we expect to make it available in about 2 months.

To maintain our exclusivity on this modification kit, we will not be tabling our technique for using this fabulous product on thicker doors, much to the angst of our wannabe competitors.

EDIT 2/22/14: Lockwood just informed us of a price rise of 15% for the product, effective immediately. This may have to be carried over to our next inventory orders. If you want this product, now is the time to order it prior to the expected price increase.

Salto - Inspired Electronic Access Control - Interview With Respected Industry Analyst Marc Tobias

We have talked about the fabulous SALTO electronic access control products here before.

Salto are a very modern company specializing in high-end access control systems for hotels, institutions, Universities, Schools, hospitals and almost anyone seeking better quality from their entry hardware and systems.

Bilock are an integral partner with Salto, to the point of integrating Mifare chips into Bilock key heads, so that electronic, trackable extreme security keys can be used in structures that also require mechanical access control where wired or wireless power is inappropriate.

Recently, Salto sat down with respected industry watchdog and product quality analyst Marc Tobias in a brief interview abut his opinion about the quality and security of Salto products. See the interview after the jump.

More On Bilock

More and more demand for simpler control of key systems is increasingly leading people to the intelligent purchase of our Bilock product line.
The Australian designed Bilock Extreme Security locking system.
Now manufactured under license in the United States, this competitively priced product CANNOT be picked or bumped.
The unique key design is available in your choice of almost 9000 color combinations.
The key system can be used in almost all existing lock hardware products in the market.

New Generation BiLock offers the security concious an innovative new look, twin bladed key which operates a 12-pin program of tumbler pins, six on either side. These pins, in turn, activate two side-bars to provide the end user with up to 16.7 million possible lock combinations. In addition to a space age moving element within the key an extraordinarily shaped, horizontally positioned security rod has been built into the cylinder core to activate the 13th locking dimension. Without the moving element, this 13th dimension cannot be activated, this adds yet another feature to BiLock's already exceptional level of security.




BiLock is the only one that is bump and virtually pick proof.

Rekey your own locks when you lose a key.
Rekey your own locks when you fire an employee.
Rekey your own locks on the spot.
Send the old cores back for rekeying and use again

Front Door, Back Door, Cabinets, Cages, Drawers, Showcases

Masterkey all of your stores with BiLock
     Employee Key - front door only
     Manager Key - entire store
     District Manager - territory stores
     Regional Manager - all stores in the state
     Corporate -  every lock in the chain


Bilock also provides a unique construction keying option, enabling construction facilitators 
and project managers to easily manage and secure properties during the different and separate stages of a construction project.

Clearly identifiable keyway inserts matching to respective colored key heads, can allow for secure access to particular trades at particular times. This means that a project requiring electricians access only could, say, be colored RED. Only RED keys will work the required access doors to the project. When the electricians part of the project is completed, the project manager can simply swap out cores themselves to, say, BLUE cores allowing access by plumbers. All others besides the plumbers and project manager are locked out until completion of their works. When the plumbers work is completed, the project manager can then use their core removal keys to swap cores to GREEN cores, say, for allowing access to finish carpenters.

All the while maintaining complete and total access control to the project, using conventional mechanical locking products. This directly reduces costs during the construction phase of your project and protects all parties from potential losses arising from unauthorised access.

Project managers can then re-use the color coded cores and keys on other projects and if they continue to use the same sources of tradespeople, can easily manage their other projects by knowing which stage each project is at, by the color of the keyhole and reducing costs by not constantly requiring to hand out new keys for future projects. 

Bilock Pinner App Now Available On Google Play Store

Tony Steward is a very talented colleague from Australia. A master locksmith in his own right, Tony is well respected among his peers as an innovator and technical wizard in the locksmith field.

I recently downloaded his newest application for my Android device that helps to design and create simple Bilock key systems. The app is simply designed, easy to use and explains the loadings for each core.

Any Bilock dealer in the world will instantly recognize the value in this simple to use application available in the source below.

(source...)

More and More Satisfied Bilock customers

More and more demand for simpler control of key systems is increasingly leading people to the intelligent purchase of our Bilock product line.
The Australian designed Bilock Extreme Security locking system.
Manufactured under license in the United States, this competitively priced product is virtually pick proof and completely or bump proof.
Using 21 different colored key heads, consisting of 3 parts, the unique key design is available in your choice of almost 9000 colored key head combinations.
The key system can be used in many existing lock hardware brands in the market, by retro-fitting the cylinders in place. This generally means that no new hardware need be purchased, a cost saving.

New Generation BiLock offers the security concious an innovative new look, twin bladed key which operates a 12-pin program of tumbler pins, six on either side. These pins, in turn, activate two side-bars to provide the end user with up to 16.7 million possible lock combinations. In addition to a space age moving element within the key an extraordinarily shaped, horizontally positioned security rod has been built into the cylinder core to activate the 13th locking dimension. Without the moving element, this 13th dimension cannot be activated, this adds yet another feature to BiLock's already exceptional level of security.




Bilock's OEM range, includes cam locks, cupboard locks and specialty hardware in many lengths and varieties.

Schlage Primus and Similar High Security Key Profiles Beaten By 3D Printing

Schlage, one of this countries most well known hardware and lock manufacturers and creator of the High Security Primus key systems must be reeling from news released yesterday that a team of MIT researchers have written a simple program to decipher a Primus (and similar types) key from a photograph and send the information to a 3D printer to enable duplication of these once-thought of restricted key systems. (see the source below)

The Schlage Primus key system, once thought by locksmiths across the country to be non-duplicatable, and also identified a couple of years ago as NOT Bump Resistant, faces one of the biggest threats to it's platform with the public release of this breaking news story.

In many states across the country, Schlage convinced locksmith companies to take on their own outright keyways and dealer codes, to corner their own market preventing duplication of keys by hardware stores, cookie key cutters, shoe repairers and gas stations. Little did we know that Schlage were simply sharing key profiles across state, sometimes county lines and in some cicumstances sharing side pin codes (dealer codes) across state lines. The whole agreement appeared very shady, indeed.

3D printing technology has grown from it's infancy and is now being seen and used by small to medium sized manufacturing businesses.

UPS are rolling out a trial 3D printer in some stores in San Diego, hoping to cash in on the opportunity for customers to 3D print a sample or spare part of their choice.

With access to many print stores across the country, the potential loss to current Schlage Primus dealers could be huge. It means that virtually any Primus key holder could get a copy made for less than $5 at their local print store. Dont think for a minute, that the large players in stationery and printing like Staples, Office Depot and the like, with super large budgets wont get in on the action of on demand 3D printing. Hardware big box stores like Lowes and Home Depot will jump in too and offer 3D printing in their one-stop franchises.

Other brands that use a similar system to Primus, include Medeco, Scorpion, Twin and some other brands.

This realization that your key system is not actually secure as you expected will mean that you will need to find systems that do as intended. Our Bilock Extreme Security Key Systems are carefully designed to prevent unauthorised duplication and with the introduction of the 13th element, a trigger mechanism that is interactive, 3D printing of a useable key is just not possible (at this time).

Bilock is well known worldwide for being a premium quality high-security restricted key system that outperforms virtually all other systems. It's unique keyway and pinning system, combined with state of the art side-bar technology and interchangeable core functionality and color coded key heads, makes it a formidable partner in the security of your home and business.

We are the largest provider of Bilock Systems in the Mid-West, using state of the art master key software to create, design and build our own systems. We have nearly 25 years international experience in the product line and have installed many of the most complex systems to universities, hospitals, private schools, casino's and hotels across the world.

(source...)

Yale Digital Door Locks - Integrated Into SEOS By Assa-Abloy

In September last year, we wrote an article about SEOS, the new access control solution from Assa-Abloy that incorporates NFC (near field communications) into modern access control systems for hotels, institutions, hospitals, dorms, high-rise office buildings and large department companies.

This brilliant system (SEOS) now includes their NFC chips in Yale Digital Door Locks.

We recently learned that this exciting new development will enable more keyless entry solutions for even the average homeowner.

The ability to send a temporary access code to anyone, will avoid the homeowner from requiring to be present for that specialty tradesperson. No more 4 hour windows for arrival by the cable technician.

The Yale deadbolt presented in the video below shows the connectibility to a rim mounted lock system, like the ones used on push bar, panic exit devices that many Authorities Having Jurisdiction require for public dwellings (kindergartens, aged care homes, medical surgeries etc)