Finding affordable key management systems for independent car dealerships
Where do you start with finding the right key management system for your car dealership?
You may wonder: what is a car dealership key management system? Simply, it is a way to track and control how keys are used in your dealership. A good one will help create an efficient and calm working environment, where car sales and demos run smoothly. It will also give you visibility and control over who signs out which keys and when, while encouraging sales staff to return them promptly after taking customers out for a spin. There are added costs when you switch from a manual to an electronic system, and it of course needs to be affordable for your business.
What you should bear in mind are your current key/asset replacement costs. Also consider whether employees require quicker access to your vehicles and dealer plates to make sales more successful. Finally, think about what your business’ current security capabilities are, and how much money is spent on manpower that could be automated. Here we will walk you through some common scenarios where you might benefit from an electronic key management system, and how to pick the right one for you.
4 ways to approach finding the best, most affordable key management system for your car dealership
- Reserving keys for test drives
Smaller dealerships with fewer vehicles may find staff members fighting over keys when they want to book out test drives at the same time. If this sounds like your business, an automotive key storage system that allows employees to reserve keys might be the best option for you, encouraging them to plan ahead. - Transferring key ownership in the field
Smaller dealerships, having fewer vehicles to offer customers, may find that they cannot afford to waste time when it comes to sales. And so what could save you money is system software that allows employees to transfer key ownership in the field, with your permission, in order to conduct last-minute test drives, thus fitting more in. - Automated bookings
Larger dealerships with hundreds of cars might find they are spending a lot of money employing people specifically to sign cars in and out for test drives, while keeping a manual log of who took which key and when, and if they were late returning it. A more affordable and efficient option would be a system that automates this process, immediately storing a detailed audit trail of every key's use and movement. - Automate security
Management at large dealerships may also find they are investing huge sums in security guards to keep a watchful eye over their sizable parking lot. Human workers are vulnerable to being tricked or distracted, creating substantial repair and replacement bills when vehicles are damaged or stolen by intruders. You might find it more affordable to automate your security by investing in smart cameras to man the workplace during unsociable hours, deter intruders and automatically alert the authorities.
What should be the deciding factor on the key management systems you choose?
Security, and employee and customer safety, should always be your top priority when choosing a key management system. Don't buy any old system to save on security costs: if it doesn't serve your business properly, it could end up drumming up higher bills in replacement and repair costs. It is, therefore, vitally important that you understand your business’ exact requirements. You should assess what your current key management is capable of, and what you still need it to do. Invest your money in eradicating those blindspots.
Perhaps you spend a lot of time and money on locating or replacing lost keys. Or maybe the frequency of stolen or damaged vehicles is threatening to put you out of business. What about your labor costs – are they currently too high? Would it save you time and money to automate some roles so that these costs could be spent on growing the business instead? If your current system is causing delayed sales and slowing down tasks, it could be losing you money in the long-run. Investing in the right solutions could turn your fortunes around.
Speak to the key management experts
If overhauling your key management system still feels a little overwhelming and confusing, then don't worry. Our dedicated team can help you make the switch from manual to electronic in no time at all. We have a variety of intelligent products that offer multiple uses, from reserving and controlling access to keys, to offering 24-hour security and collection. You can reap the rewards of more efficiency, accountability and visibility in the workplace, putting smiles on the faces of employees and customers, and ultimately driving sales.
We will start by helping you understand your current key management abilities, gaps and requirements, and then plan your new system around the answers. In addition, we can provide a personalized system demo, and show you how to optimize your new tools, as well as installing them and conducting staff training. Contact us today to find out more.