Keeping up with the latest market developments can be a time consuming business. In today’s environment where technology influences all walks of life, GRANT MACDONALD, Managing Director of Codelocks, looks at why it is important for all locksmiths to stay ahead of the game.
During the last couple of years, we have had more than 150 locksmiths attend the free training courses that we run at our HQ in Newbury. The majority leave with new skills and fresh ideas on how to improve the commercial success of their business.
As a product manufacturer, we have a lot to gain from the feedback we receive when the locksmiths are here, and during this time we have built up some great relationships. Locksmiths have day-to-day contact with end users and by tapping into this resource, manufacturers such as us can gain valuable insights into the types of applications for which digital locks are used.
The people who attend our courses range from locksmiths who are ‘one-man-bands’ or run small businesses, to those who work in larger organisations and who are responsible for maintaining the building’s access control. All of the attendees have one thing in common: they understand that in order to remain competitive, you have to keep up to date with new products and technology.
There is no doubt that technology is having a huge impact on the range and type of products that locksmiths can specify and it’s for this reason the access control market is such an exciting place to be at the moment. A few years ago if you wanted access control features such as audit trail or PC-based control, the only option was to install an RFID system or equivalent. Thanks to advances in technology, electronic digital locks are now equally as capable and this presents the locksmith with a host of new opportunities.
‘IN A FEW YEARS’ TIME PRODUCTS WITH ELECTRONIC TECHOLOGY WILL FAR OUTWEIGH MECHANICAL ONES’
Locksmith Darrel Walters, founder of LocksOnline.co.uk, agrees, “It is clear that in a few years’ time products incorporating electronic technology will far outweigh mechanical ones. As technology moves on, it is important to be on the look-out for new products that will enable you to drive your business forward. If you are proactive, it will give you a unique selling point against your competitors.”
This sentiment is also shared by Craig Myatt, of CM Locksmiths who says: “If you are a locksmith who keeps up to date with what is happening in the market, you can really reap the rewards. Technology is changing the profession fast, so it cannot be ignored, and we need the manufacturers to help us stay ahead of the game.”
So what more can Codelocks do to help? Our training courses have been designed to help locksmiths give their customers a better service. If a locksmith can specify products that save their customers time and money, while also giving them greater control and flexibility, then everyone is a winner. This year we are looking to extend our training course to include the more advanced capabilities of electronic digital locks with the features mentioned above.
FINDING THE TIME…
When you run your own business though, finding the time for training can be difficult. Today’s most common ‘go to’ training resource is, of course, the Internet. It provides a great source of both written and visual material and can be viewed at a convenient time.
‘ONLINE OR FACE TO FACE, LOCKSMITHS SEE TRAINING AS AN INVESTMENT FOR THEIR BUSINESSES’
In our industry, ‘how to’ videos such as the ones on our website are particularly useful and can help locksmiths learn how to install and program new products. Whether it is online or face-to-face, the feedback we have been getting suggests that locksmiths see training as an investment in the long term success of their business – and judging from the high numbers attending our courses, this is a view is shared by many.
Locksmith Jason Gould, of Doctor Locks, explains, “When the success of my business depends on me keeping abreast of the market, I will happily attend a training course or visit an exhibition for hands-on practical experience. If there is a good relationship between locksmith and manufacturer, it is easier to do business. If I get good service and support, I can pass the benefits onto my customers.”
Technology will continue to play a vital role in the development of the access control industry. Products will start to incorporate more and more features, such as technologies to enable control via smart phone or tablet applications. In order to reap the rewards, locksmiths and manufacturers need to continue to work closely together to drive these developments forward.
For more information on our free training sessions go to: https://www.codelocks.co.uk/training-for-locksmiths.html, email: marketing@codelocks.co.uk or call 01635 239645.
