Sunday 27 November 2016

Lost Transponder Key




When you have a newer model car, undoubtedly, you have a transponder key. The transponder key is convenient because it allows you to start your car without placing a key in the ignition. You can open your car without sticking a key in the keyhole. There is just another level of convenience that is afforded to owners of newer vehicles that those with older vehicles may not be familiar with. Another advantage to having and using a transponder key is that it makes stealing your car much more difficult. Without the proper transmission the car will not start.  Like any key, it is possible to lose your transponder key. You don’t ever have to worry, if you lose your transponder key, a professional service, such as, Atlanta Fast Locksmith in Atlanta, Georgia could quickly come and reprogram another one for you, on the spot.

However, when you have lost your transponder key, you likely want some practical solutions to the problem. Well, you’re in luck because we are here to offer you some.

Lost Transponder Chip

If you lose your chip, the key simply will not work. Whenever your key has been dropped too often, it can loosen up the chip until the chip eventually falls out. The chip is often mistaken for the battery. When you try to use your transponder key only to realize that the chip has fallen out, you can depend on the services of a reputable locksmith services in Atlanta, GA to come to your location to handle the problem. Most mobile locksmith services are equipped to handle this for you. They can bring you another chip and program it for you. Don’t be fooled into thinking that only a dealership can handle this for you because most professional lock and key services have the same equipment the dealerships have to accomplish the same thing.

Stay Prepared


At the end of the day, it really is a matter of convenience. Losing your transponder key isn’t the worst thing that could happen, not having a backup key until you can tend to your transponder key issue, is the worst thing that could happen. Be smart about it. ALWAYS have a spare key! This simply minimizes the level of frustration that you experience and give you time to calm down so that you can think. If you have a spare key, you don’t risk spending money on abrand new transponder key (which isn’t cheap) and later finding it. If you don’t already have a spare key, get yourself one TODAY! Most dealerships will actually give you another one as an incentive to buy a car. If you are offered certain features that do not come standard with the car you are considering purchasing, why not ask them for a spare transponder key instead of one of the features they are trying to sell to you. Give the spare key to someone who will be responsible and available to assist you whenever you might need it.

Insurance for Lost or Stolen Keys

If someone tries to sell you lost key insurance, reject it. You don’t need it if you are plan for the worst by having a spare key made. You are required to make an annual or monthly payment toward insurance that could be a headache to even get them to pay. Save that money and invest in a spar key, it is a lot less expensive. You don’t have a to have a spare transponder key, you can simply invest in a standard car key, which is far less expensive than the insurance.

Buy Online

You might be reluctant to buy a key online but if you are keen on saving money, it isn’t a bad option. There are some reliable online options for purchasing a new transponder key, one of them is eBay. The key to purchasing a transponder key online is to buy from a reputable resource. There are various manufacturers of transponder keys but not all are reliable sources. You can contact a locksmith who will surely know which manufacturer would offer you the best value for your money. The other thing to consider when purchasing a transponder key online is to only buy it online if they offer a return policy. If you buy it and get it home and the key doesn’t work, you want the reassurance that you will be able to return it and perhaps have them send you another one. Sometimes these things simply happen.

Another great gadget to invest in, especially if you are always losing your keys, is a key locater. This handy little gadget can save you time, money and frustration. It is well worth trying to find one online, where the prices will be significantly less expensive than buying it from retail store. The key locator is programmed to direct you to your key. You can often find them offered on Amazon or eBay and most sellers offer a return policy, which is always a good sign in my opinion. There is no reason you should throw money away when you shopping online to save money.

Lets face it; we all have a lot on our minds these days. The last thing you probably imagine is losing your key. If you are going to be able to minimize your level of stress, do yourself a favor by thinking before hand, what you’ll do if you should happen to lose or have your transponder key stolen. A great resource is always a local locksmith. Locksmith technicians can offer you a reliable resolution to your problem. Don’t panic, and just think back to this article should you happen to lose your transponder key. The steps mentioned above are practical and affordable. You don’t always have to be quick to spending more money than is necessary when you’re prepared for the possibility of losing your transponder car key. Again, while it is convenient to have them, they can also be misplaced or stolen, so be prepared.

Thursday 10 November 2016

ACCESS CONTROL – what is it?




Nowadays you often hear the term access control used. All it really means is just who is allowed through an entryway or into a certain part of a building. If you think about it, access control is everywhere in Atlanta, GA and in every other part of the world. We actually experience it often in our daily lives.Every time you see a security guard or a bouncer you are seeing access control at work. The security guard usually decides who gains access, who stays, and who must leave. Another example is a metal turnstile or even a metal detector at an airport.Any person or thing that restricts or controls access to a certain area is a form of access control. Try going on a tour of a museum or of the White House for that matter and you will see a access control at work! You can also see access control at universities, hospitals, movie theaters, shopping centers and in both residential and business locations all over town. Even something as simple as a sign that says Authorized Personnel Only or Valet Parking is a form of access control.

Is Access Control Really Needed?

Access control IS needed and has been used for thousands of years to keep order and better security. Here in Atlanta, GA we have restaurants, shopping locations and educational institutions where ticket holders, security personnel, VIP guests, and other special customers are allowed certain access and others are not. Every town in the country has similar situations. Try going to any sporting event and you can always spot where the high ticket seats and boxes are located. They are making use of access control! Other applications include public school lock downs and workplace violence where certain sections of a building are closed off.

Some Benefits

Here are some benefits of access control. An established access control system allows only authorized people access to certain parts of a building or location. At the same time, it blocks access to unauthorized individuals or staff members. It also increases security in residential, educational, institutional, and commercial locations. This provides additional protection, peace of mind, and safety for residents, employees and customers, as well. Sure, you can always lock a door, and that has its benefits, but for more advanced access control an electronic system allows for more advanced controlled access as well as visual and audio surveillance of an area. Take for example the remote monitoring and even visitor identification at your local courthouse, hospital,high end restaurant or casino and watch how they control the flow of the public and paying guests. Here at Atlanta Fast Locksmith we offer dozens of forms of access control. We have services and products to fit every budget and for every need.Our service is perfect for both residential and commercial applications. We invite you to call and speak to any of our helpful locksmith professionals and see how access control can benefit you and make your life safer and better protected.

Different Kinds of Access Control

One of the most simple and economical ways to utilize access control is to make use of a keypad. Simply punch in a number or combination sequence and you can gain access to a designated area. It’s fast, it’s easy, and it’s practical. The keypad can even identify which persons are entering which parts of the building and at what time. One problem though, user codes and combinations can be given to unauthorized persons so it’s always a good idea to match a keypad with video surveillance for more accurate identification and control. Keypads are most often used in hotels, high-rise condo units, and automotive vehicles. Additionally, keypads can be programmed so that if the wrong combination is used an alarm will sound. By using these alarms unauthorized users are discouraged from trying one code after another in the hopes that they will discover the right combination and be able to gain access.

Bar Code Cards

These are also call stripe cards and are often used in call centers, credit card companies and banks. They are very economical to make and to use. One drawback though; they should be avoided whenever high security access control is required as these cards can be easily and cheaply duplicated with the right equipment.


FOB Keys

FOB keys are used quite often. They are most often made in to a plastic card that can be attached to a key ring. The chip or electronic device is on the inside of the card itself. The user simply holds the card to a reader device which gives access th the user when it is recognized. These are often used as employee badges.

Biometric Readers

Biometric readers are one of the most reliable and advanced methods of access control. Here at Atlanta Fast Locksmith our biometric entry systems offer this method of access control and a great many others. These biometric readers are very convenient for users as they don’t have to carry badges, keys or any form of credentials. They simply use their fingerprints to gain access! These are also known as fingerprint locks and are now used in applications like smart phones and laptops. Other, more advanced biometric access control includes retina scanners, voice recognition, signature recognition, and hand identification. As you can see access control in all of its many forms is very common and its use is widespread not only here in Atlanta, GA but in other places, too. Other access control systems include electronic keys,residential keypads, remote controls, proximity readers, and other similar types.

You Should Consider Using Access Control

Anytime you wish to have better control over your building, property, or inventory you should consider using access control. Humans have used keys for thousands of years and still do today, however their use is limited as they can be lent out to others or easily copied. One of the problems with keys is that you cannot track their usage. For additional control and security you should consider using access control methods. Here at Atlanta Fast Locksmith we make access control available to any customer that needs or wants it. We work with small to practically unlimited budgets. If you wish to familiarize yourself with more of its applications and how it can help your residential or commercial security we invite you to call our Atlanta, GA locksmiths and get free details along with helpful, no-cost price quotes.