BLOG

Blog

Budget-friendly Key Management

Posted on by clapointe

budget-friendly key management systemsFor organizations both large and small, the ongoing expense of lost keys can be glaring. In addition to incurring unnecessary replacement costs, missing keys leave properties exposed to various security threats that can result in costly premises liability settlements. As the low-cost leader in key management, HandyTrac offers a number of budget-friendly key management systems and features that keep costs to a minimum while drastically improving property security.

Automated Management

Our electronic key management systems help to eliminate the problem of lost or misplaced keys through automated management. Keys are stored in tamper-proof cabinets that can only be accessed by authorized users with pre-programmed PIN codes, access cards or biometrics. All access activity is automatically logged including time, date and identity of the individual accessing the cabinet. Additional information such as when a key is scheduled to be returned or the location of a stored key (i.e. which key cabinet in the system) is also available.

Physical Keys

The use of physical keys is exceptionally cost effective; therefore, the ability to store and track said keys provides an immediate and affordable improvement to a property’s security policy, while reigning in management costs – an important factor when preparing or reviewing budget costs.

Does your property use RFID key cards? No need to worry, HandyTrac can accommodate keys of all types.

Integration

Our key management systems can also be integrated into an overall security system for additional savings and protection. With HandyTrac, administrators can access, program and monitor the system from any internet-enabled device. This convenience allows managers to access reports, change users, establish permission levels, and more from virtually any location. Additionally, upon request, Yardi users with a HandyTrac Premium Touch system have the ability to customize their experience through the use of a unique and secure work order system. Features like service order and staff data importation allow managers to quickly review staff data and execute assigned work orders directly via the Premium Touch datalog.

With a budget-friendly key management system like HandyTrac in place, operational expenses can be better controlled and budget planning can be made easier. Contact us today to learn more.

HandyTrac Promotes Multifamily Veteran, Larry Kratz, to President

Posted on by clapointe

larry kratzHandyTrac Systems is pleased to announce the promotion of Larry Kratz to President. Larry joined the company twenty years ago as a Sales Executive and in that time, has advanced to Sales Manager and Executive Vice President. He has also qualified for the HandyTrac Million Dollar Sales Club.

“Larry’s drive to succeed, leadership and commitment have played a vital role in our growth and success over the past twenty years. We are absolutely thrilled to see him fill this integral position,” said John Lie-Nielsen, CEO at HandyTrac Systems.

Prior to joining HandyTrac, Larry worked in technology sales for both Nextel Communications and AT&T. Larry also worked for Dean Witter Reynolds in New York City for 5 years and has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Syracuse University.

About HandyTrac:
For over 20 years HandyTrac has been the low-cost leader in multifamily and military housing key control; managing keys for more than 3 million apartment homes throughout the country. Our cloud based systems offer instant access to archived reporting and provide the ability to manage your communities with a single login through your computer or smartphone.

For more information, visit www.handytrac.com or call 800-665-9994.

Crime Prevention Tips for Multifamily Property Managers

Posted on by clapointe

crime preventionAnnual events such as National Crime Prevention Month and National Night Out have long served as valuable reminders that crime is ever-present, and apartment communities are certainly not immune. With the main drivers of crime in multifamily being drugs, firearms and gangs, property managers must be aware of the problem signs and put a sustainable crime prevention plan into action.

Here are 5 crime prevention tips for multifamily property managers that can help boost retention and promote resident safety.

Make community staff easily identifiable

Property staff including leasing agents and maintenance personnel should carry a picture ID badge at all times to ensure that they are easily identifiable by residents. Additionally, all maintenance personnel should wear the same uniform. In many cases, criminals who use tools and equipment to enter residences are mistaken for maintenance staff if attire isn’t standardized.

Improve security systems

Without an effective community security policy in place, resident retention and resulting damages can become costly. Security tools such as CCTV monitoring, restricted entry systems, and electronic key control systems can make a world of difference. If you already have security systems in place, make sure they are in working order and provide community-wide coverage. Additionally, give perpetrators nowhere to hide by ensuring public walkways and parking areas are well lit.

Screen potential residents and employees

If individuals with an extensive criminal record are denied access to your community from the get-go, the likelihood of criminal activity occurring in the future is significantly reduced. Screening residents and employees can also provide current and future residents with peace of mind knowing they live in a community that values safety.

Educate your residents

Your community can be a powerful ally against crime if enabled. Remind residents to keep doors and windows locked and to report any suspicious activity. Establishing a designated email address or telephone number for community crime tips can help in streamlining the process.

Partner with local law enforcement

A partnership with your local police department can be mutually beneficial. As a property manager, you know where the crime is and what problems exist in your community. Using a your insider knowledge, local law enforcement officers can quickly establish a presence and remove wanted individuals from the community. To maintain a crime-free community, multifamily crime prevention programs and local training seminars are also available.

What is Electronic Key Control?

Posted on by clapointe

electronic key control systemsBefore the advent and widespread use of electronic key control systems, key management was often a haphazard process. Many multifamily communities used an honor system to store and control building keys, while institutions such as correctional facilities or medical campuses used a more formal system requiring access activity to be hand-written in a log book. The procedures were often ineffective and laborious, leaving the organization exposed to unnecessary premises security liability.

Electronic key control systems resolved these challenges with the implementation of authorized user codes and automatic tracking of key access activity. The automated systems made it easy for users to access or return keys with designated key slots and online monitoring for tracking key usage.

Today, the most advanced key management solutions have even more of a convenience factor while maintaining simplicity of use. The HandyTrac Premium Touch system, for example, features a user-friendly interface with large buttons, a touch screen display and integration features for Yardi users. Compared to the old, dog-eared logbooks, today’s electronic key control solutions have made the task easier and more reliable.

Electronic key control systems that you can trust

All of our systems come with a stout 18-gauge steel cabinet, electronic key locking mechanism, and computerized datalog. Additionally, property managers can run activity reports, view work orders, and more from any internet-enabled device.

Our Standard Touch system offers several features to customize your experience and help protect your investment at an affordable cost. The Premium Touch system combines biometric technology and a large touchscreen display in a single unit to offer the highest level of security, reporting, and flexibility.

For more information about our electronic key control systems, contact us today.

HandyTrac is Coming to a City Near You

Posted on by clapointe

multifamily trade showsWith spring nearly upon us, we’re looking forward to another fantastic season of multifamily trade shows! Visit our booth at one of the shows below for a demo, and see firsthand how our systems uniquely manage keys and prevent premises liability. We hope to see you there!

Select an upcoming trade show below for more information:

Apartment Association of Greater Dallas – 3/20/2019

Texas Apartment Association – 4/10 – 4/12/2019

Washington Multifamily Housing Association – 4/17/2019

Apartment Association of Greater Orlando – 4/24/2019

Utah Apartment Association – 4/24/2019

Indiana Apartment Association Reverse Show – 5/9/2019

Bay Area Apartment Association – 5/9/2019

Arizona Multihousing Association – 5/9/2019

Atlanta Apartment Association – 5/15/2019

Houston Apartment Association – 5/16/2019

Austin Apartment Association – 5/23/2019

Apartment Association of Metro Denver – 5/23/2019

For over 20 years HandyTrac has been the low-cost leader in multifamily, student and military housing key security; managing keys for more than 3,000,000 apartment homes throughout the country. Our cloud based systems offer instant access to archived reports and provide the ability to manage community keys with a single login through a computer or smart phone.

To learn more about our key security systems, contact us today.

HandyTrac User Tip: Using HandyTrac’s Key Binder to Improve Property Security and Efficiency

Posted on by clapointe

When you pull a key from your key management system, it’s important to carry a similar security policy with you into the field. Here are three ways our key binder helps HandyTrac users improve property security and efficiency:

improve property securityKey Security, Outside the Box

When employees store keys in their pocket or vehicle, the likelihood of those keys landing in the wrong hands increases exponentially. Our simple yet sturdy key binder prevents key loss through the use of specially designed metal key clips. For added security and peace of mind, HandyTrac users can instead opt for our multi-key distribution pouch, offering a zip enclosure and space for up to 25 keys.

Added Convenience

Using our key management binder or multi-key distribution pouch, property staff can pull and securely carry numerous keys at the same time. So, instead of returning to the HandyTrac system for each individual key, property staff can conveniently accomplish a full list of work orders in the same trip. Additionally, our key binder and multi-key distribution pouch are light and versatile, making them perfect for staff always on the go.

Affordable

When compared to the cost of loss and/or replacing keys on a regular basis, a key binder quickly pays for itself. We offer two budget-friendly options so you can purchase only what you need. For more information about our key binder and multi-key distribution pouch, visit our online shop or contact us today.

3 Key Management Features That Improve Property Security

Posted on by clapointe

Effective key management requires set processes, organization and dedication. Utilizing these innovative key management features, property owners can conveniently improve security, reduce liability and gain valuable peace of mind:

key management1. Audit trail maintenance and reporting

Protecting and monitoring the use of keys is one of the most important parts of keeping residents safe — and also one of the aspects most likely to be targeted for negligence. Not only do the keys need to be safeguarded, their use needs to be tracked and documented. HandyTrac’s computerized key management system maintains a real-time log of all key activity and provides property owners with customized reports, accessible from any internet-enabled device.

2. Multi-step authentication

Recently implemented by IoT (Internet of Things) technologies, multi-step authentication protects highly sensitive information and equipment through the use of layered identification processes. With HandyTrac, users are required to swipe a badge and type in a code — or better yet, provide biometric identification before keys are made accessible.

3. Anonymization and automated rotation

Taking property security one step further, electronic key management systems from HandyTrac anonymize property keys, and utilize a state of the art bar-coded system. HandyTrac systems also prevent users from memorizing where specific keys are hung using “random rotation”. This automated process hangs keys in random locations in the box, making it impossible for users to identify specific keys.

With two secure key management systems to choose from, HandyTrac is an affordable and sensible solution for any community or facility.

For more information about our systems, contact us today.

Premium Touch Integration for Yardi

Posted on by clapointe

YardiOver the past 20 years, we’ve discovered that property managers across the country are inheriting a variety of roles to satisfy their ever-growing list of property needs. With this in mind, we’ve teamed up with property management software company, Yardi to provide seamless work order delivery and simplified key management for property managers through consolidated processes.

Upon request, Yardi users with a HandyTrac Premium Touch system now have the ability to customize their experience through the use of a unique and secure work order system. Features like service order and staff data importation will allow managers to quickly review staff data and execute assigned work orders directly via the Premium Touch datalog.

For more information, contact us today.

About Yardi:

Since its founding in 1984, Yardi has set the standard for real estate software solutions with a combination of responsiveness and technical innovation. Understanding the unique needs of the industry’s various segments, Yardi uses technical expertise and vision to translate that understanding into powerful solutions that meet and exceed those needs.

 

About HandyTrac:

HandyTrac is the low-cost leader in multifamily and military housing key control; managing keys for more than 3 million apartment homes throughout the country. We offer three unique cloud-based systems that provide instant access to archived reporting and provide the ability to manage your communities with a single login through your computer or smartphone. For more information, visit www.handytrac.com or call 800-665-9994.

The Importance of Key Security in Multifamily Housing

Posted on by clapointe

key securityFound in nearly every municipality across the country, multifamily communities offer housing to millions of people from all walks of life. While every community is unique, each shares a need for effective key security.

The ability to track key activity is critical for maintaining a high level of security and reducing the chance of premises security liability. Designed as a replacement for manual tracking and storage of keys, electronic key control systems are virtually tamper-proof, monitor the access and return of keys through various online reporting features, and offer biometric integration options for improved security. With HandyTrac’s electronic key security systems, property managers can see who pulled a key, for what purpose, when it was pulled, for how long, and when it was returned from any interned-enabled device.

Key Security Options for Every Multifamily Housing Community

For over 20 years HandyTrac has been the low-cost leader in multifamily, student and military housing key security; managing keys for more than 3,000,000 apartment homes throughout the country. Our cloud based systems offer instant access to archived reports and provide the ability to manage community keys with a single login through a computer or smart phone.

To learn more about our key security systems, contact us today.

5 Essential Characteristics of a Secure Key Management System

Posted on by clapointe

key management systemA secure key management system is organized and formal, and addresses both access and control of a multifamily community’s keys. When deciding which key management system best suits your needs, keep these 5 essential characteristics in mind:

Secure

A truly secure key management system should do more than just restrict key access. With a secure key management system like HandyTrac, key transactions are instantly noted and reported in numerous insightful formats for review. For added protection, secure key management systems implement multi-step verification procedures, allowing key access only to authorized users with preset PIN codes, access cards, and biometrics, depending on the model.

Scalable

If your needs grow, your key management system should have the ability to accommodate more keys. At HandyTrac we offer both single and double cabinet options for all our key management systems.

Convenient

A secure key management system should be easy to use and accommodating. HandyTrac key management systems are capable of storing a variety of keys, and offer user-friendly features including: biometric fingerprint verification, touch screen display and lighted cabinets. Additionally, through the use of HandyTrac Online, property managers can review key activity reports from any internet-enabled device.

Reliable

No matter how secure the key management system is designed to be, it’s not actually secure if it breaks down, or if you don’t receive proper training and support in using it. HandyTrac provides customers with an ironclad warranty, as well as ongoing training and support.

Intuitive

Well designed key management systems make key control easy for all users. With two secure key management systems to choose from, HandyTrac systems offer a variety of features that streamline key management and provide maximum security.

To learn more about our systems, contact us today.