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Benefits of Electronic Key Management
Comparing proxSafeŽ RFID key tag vs. Dallas Chip, iFOB key tags, or hard key systems:
a. Preventative Maintenance: proxSafe RFID key tags DO NOT require any preventative maintenance to ensure the Automated Key Control System properly recognizes the key tag being returned. There are no ?contact chips? to maintain on the key tag and no ?contacts? to maintain inside the key control system itself.
i. Dallas Chips: Automated Key Control systems that use Dallas Chip Technology require preventative maintenance. The ?Dallas Chips? must be cleaned periodically to ensure the automated key control system properly recognizes the key tag being returned. There are also electrical contacts inside each key tag location that also need to be maintained. Preventative maintenance on both the Dallas Chips and the contacts are recommended by systems providers to ensure proper key log transactions and to avoid unwanted false alarms.
ii. Deister RFID: RFID Tags have no metal contacts to maintain. Because the design is ?contactless? no cleaning or other maintenance is needed. As the reading range is over a distance, RFID key tags are infinitely more tolerant of normal system use.
b. Round Key Tag Design: proxSafe uses a unique, user friendly round key tag design (round key in a round hole). This allows for a simple one step process when returning keys. The key tags can not be mistakenly placed in the system up-side-down; therefore the key tag is completely locked down and logged in on every key return. Also, the round key tag design can spin freely inside its locked housing, greatly reducing the possibility of the key ring being broken off the key tag.
i. Dallas Chips: Automated Key Control systems that use Dallas chip technology often use a rectangular key tag. This type of key tag may incorrectly be placed in the system up-side-down. If this is done, the Dallas Chip will not make contact with the electrical contacts, and the key tag will not be recorded properly on the return. Furthermore, the key tag WILL NOT be locked down in the system, leaving the keys unsecured in the system for another user to potentially remove undetected.
ii. Hard Keys: Automated key control systems that may use a key and core design require the user to insert a key into a proper position AND return that key at either 90 or 180 degrees (depending on the system). If the key is not returned to the proper position or returned to the proper position and not turned, the key transaction is not recorded. Furthermore, the key WILL NOT be locked down into the system, leaving the keys unsecured for another user to potentially remove undetected.
iii. Deister RFID: The ?contactless? design lends itself to the reliable ?return and forget? design discussed above.
c. Durability: The Deister Electronics RFID key tags are extremely durable and are not affected by dirt, temperature or moisture.
i. Dallas Chips or iFOB: Dallas Chip technology, with its requirement for metal-to-metal contact is vulnerable to dirt and moisture. If the chip has any residue, moisture or condensation on the surface, the system will not properly recognize the key return. The rectangular design also creates a point of resistance which may eventually break the locking key ring out of its plastic housing.
ii. Hard Keys: A system with a key and core design is dependent upon the strength of the key. The key can be forced and broken off inside the core.
iii. Deister RFID: The communication circuitry is embedded inside the one piece high-impact, environmentally resistant housing which has been designed to take on the real world.
d. User Friendly: proxSafe is the first and only key management system utilizing deister RFID in the key tag. This allows for a simple, one-step process when returning keys. The user also has the option to utilize the RFID for ?contactless? key tag identification to quickly and easily return the keys back to the cabinet in a single step.
