Have you ever had an emergency while staying in a hotel? Maybe not, but surely you must have had one in your apartment block. Leaks, fires, accidents and even just small mistakes can happen to us all. In such a case, it would be great to have a magic key to allow access to wherever is needed; I’m sure you’d agree. Well, this very effective solution – or a very similar one – exists: we are talking, of course, about a master key.
We are not only going to talk about traditional master keys, but also about modern electronic master keys that are revolutionizing the world of security and setting a trend towards electronic locks.
Using a master key to open doors can be very useful in certain locations, such as hotels and residential buildings. There are numerous applications and advantages of these types of keys. In this article, we are going to look at the most important ones.
What is a master key?
A master key is a tool for opening a number of different doors or locks, thus simplifying access management in a building or set of premises.
Unlike individual keys, master keys are very valuable when needing to access several different areas or rooms without having to carry a bulky set of keys.
Uses of master keys
As mentioned, a key that opens any door in the same building has a wide variety of applications. From Omnitec Systems, we are going to focus on 5 of the most important:
1. Access management
Master keys allow authorised hotel staff, such as managers, maintenance workers or security staff, to access specific areas without having to carry a lot of keys.
Thus, this type of key not only simplifies access management, but also guarantees an efficient flow of people within the building.
2. Security systems
Of course, if you run a hotel, you already know that security in the hospitality sector is a priority; and the same goes for any building, whether corporate or residential.
In an emergency, security personnel can use a master key to open doors and quickly access the specific room where the risk exists. This could be for a possible theft or an alert call about a fire or flooding, for example.
In fact, a master key could be considered part of the security system itself, as it allows the security level of the entire building to be effectively verified.
3. Maintenance and repairs
Appliances, furniture, taps and everything used in a hotel or building wear out with use. Repairs are inevitable and regular maintenance is essential.
To be able to access all the rooms and areas needed to carry out the corresponding repair tasks, maintenance staff of a company or a hotel can make good use of a master key; thus ensuring minimum interruptions at all times, without disturbing guests or tenants.
4. Common areas
In apartment buildings, hotels or resorts, master keys are also used to allow guests to access common areas; such as hallways, laundry rooms, gyms and swimming pools.
Therefore, a key that opens shared facilities ensures that tenants have convenient access to them, and improves their experience with your services.
5. Room cleaning
Last but not least, master keys are essential in hotels for housekeeping and room service staff.
Our Rent&Pass service was awarded in 2020 for this reason, as it allowed us to generate digital master keys, facilitating access control and compliance with the measures necessary at that time.
These types of keys guarantee quick, secure access to all guest rooms to carry out cleaning and service tasks, maintaining the comfort and privacy of guests.
Types of master keys
Having found out the advantages of a master key over individual keys, did you know that these master keys can vary in design and functionality to suit the specific needs of a hotel or building?
These are the most popular types of master keys:
- Mechanical Master Keys: These are traditional physical keys that can open a number of locks. Usually made of metal, they are used primarily in security emergencies.
- Electronic Master Keys: There are also master keys that work via electronic systems; thus facilitating access management and control. This is the case with electronic locks, as manufactured at Omnitec, with proximity card, Bluetooth or keypad opening.
- Biometric Master Keys: These use biometric data, such as fingerprint or facial recognition technology.
Are there non-physical master keys?
As you already know: yes, of course there are. In addition to traditional, mechanical format master keys, there are non-physical master keys, such as electronic ones, which are a great option if you are looking for an additional level of flexibility and security.
Taking this into account, the most common choice today is to change traditional keys for electronic keys with opening methods by code, RFID cards or by mobile phone.
Some examples are:
- Single-use numerical codes: Codes that change after each use can also be used as an effective master key for opening doors. They also provide an extra layer of security, making them ideal for situations where a high level of access control is needed.
- Fixed master code: These have a single code that grants access to many different locks. This is also a very simple, convenient and useful alternative for access management.
- Administrator eKey: This type of master key is managed through software or mobile applications and offers accurate control to access all the different room required.
Do you want to improve the comfort and security of your hotel? Remember that we at Omnitec design electronic locks, safes, access controls and all the devices you need to complete the technological equipment you offer to your guests. We have 15 years of experience and are present in over 70 countries.
Contact our team now and we will offer you the most effective solutions to leave your guests and workers satisfied.