Armstrong Lock & Security Inc

Why You Should Consider Electronic Access Control for Your Business

The biggest problem many business owners face with security is a lack of flexibility. You want restricted access to certain areas, but not at the expense of efficiency. With an electronic access control system, you can control who can access which areas of your business and when. Read on to learn about benefits of this highly flexible security technology.

No Need to Change Locks
Most businesses have a regular employee turnover rate. With key-operated locks, there’s always the risk of former employees compromising security. Electronic access control eliminates this risk. When an employee leaves your company, you only need to deactivate his or her keycard or change a lock code on a computer. That saves you the cost and hassle of rekeying yet still preserves the security of your business.

Different Access for Different Employees
With electronic access control, you can control who has access to each individual part of your facility. If you rely on shift employees, you can encode cards that function only during working hours. You can even encode special emergency cards for the use of security and maintenance personnel. The possibilities area many, and are entirely flexible to the exact needs of your business.

Ability to Track Who Has Accessed Your Facility
Electronic access control allows you to monitor who has accessed your facility and when. Most systems have the ability to memorize the last 20 cards that were used to gain access. If an incident such as a maintenance failure or a theft should occur at your business, you will be able to track exactly who had access to your facility at that time. This can also be a useful resource for police in building a case.

If you’d like to implement electronic access control at your business, contact Armstrong Lock & Security, Inc. of Orlando. We carry a full range of electronic security products, from push-button locks to electronic key entries. Call us at (321) 800-4982 to learn more about how we can help your business.

Retracing the History of Locksmithing in the 20th Century

Whether you're looking for a secure place to keep a family heirloom or a new gun, one of the best storage options for you to  invest in is a home safe. For hundreds of years, people have used locks and safes to protect their most precious keepsakes from theft or loss. Here is a brief look at the history of locksmithing in the 20th century:

Family Apprenticeship in the early 20th Century
When locksmithing began to take off as a valued trade in the 1920's and 1930's, it was still resigned to families with a history in the craft. Fathers taught their apprentice sons secret family methods for creating skeleton keys and flat mailbox keys that could be used in both commercial and residential property locks.

Cylindrical Locks in the 1950's
During the 1950's, locks evolved from the standard pin, bit, and skeleton mortise locks into more advanced padlocks and eventually, a cylindrical design lock. This type of lock was introduced by Schlage decades earlier, however it evolved during the 50's and became the new in-demand lock style for homeowners and shop owners.

Key Code Cutting Machines of the 1970's
After the Associated Locksmiths of America was founded in the mid-1950's, locksmiths became more united and influential. For the next two decades, locksmith companies advanced their products to meet demands such as the public desire to add auxiliary cylindrical deadbolt latches to standard locks. Key code cutting machines also appeared on the scene in the 70's, which made it easier to produce keys. 

American Desire for Increased Security
From the 1980's onwards, locksmithing companies began to cater their services towards a more secure-minded crowd. Americans desired safer locks on their homes, cars, and safes. This led to the development of devices like the Passive Anti-Theft System created by Ford and electronic locks for commercial and industrial establishments.

Armstrong Lock & Security, Inc. has evolved with the craft of locksmithing since opening our doors in 1929. From gun safes to access control systems, we sell the latest and most technologically advanced equipment available to protect your home or business. To learn about our high-security products, visit us online or call (321) 800-4982. 

Why You Should Bolt Your Safe to the Floor

The best safes are incredibly difficult to access, so many thieves will simply haul them away and attempt to break into them in a more secure setting. That’s why the security of your safe is not complete until you properly secure it to the floor.  A safe bolted to the floor will be highly difficult to remove unless extreme actions are taken. If you ever want to move your safe, you can open it up and remove the securing nuts. Armstrong Lock & Security Products highly recommends bolting down any safe under 1000lbs.

At Armstrong Lock & Security, Inc., we supply a range of safes at our convenient Orlando location. Whether you are seeking a safe for a gun collection, treasured valuables, or other items, we can supply the model that meets your exact needs. Call us at (321) 800-4982 to learn more about our current inventory. 

Is It Time to Call a Locksmith?

If you’re like most people, you’ve probably experienced the frustrating situation of being locked outside of your house. While this situation can be frustrating, it is an easy one to solve. Here are three common situations in which it would beneficial to contact an experienced, trusted locksmith.

You have lost the keys to your house
Sometimes you can be preoccupied with work, family, or errands and accidentally misplace your keys. When your mind is somewhere else throughout the day it can be easy for your keys to fall out of your bag or hands and into an unknown corner of the parking lot. You may even set them down on a strange surface and leave without remembering to pick them up. In any of these situations, lost keys are a clear sign that you need to call an experienced locksmith who can help you get back into your home.

You locked yourself out of your house
Perhaps you haven’t lost your keys completely, but you have accidentally gotten locked outside of your house. This can be a frustrating situation because you know exactly where your keys are inside of your home, but are just unable to get to them. Instead of being stressed or upset that you would make such a mistake, it’s helpful to have the number of an experienced locksmith you can come by and help alleviate this stress.

You don’t have an extra set of keys
If you lock your keys inside of your house, then you could always call a spouse or family member to stop by and open up your front door. However depending on the time of day, it can be difficult for these individuals to leave their obligations and come let you back inside. Unless you have a hide stowed away at a neighbor’s home, calling a locksmith is probably the best solution to calmly getting back inside.

Since 1929, Armstrong Lock & Security Inc. has been serving the security industry. We offer high quality security products and unbeatable customer service. To learn more, give us a call at (321) 800-4982.

Common Features Burglars Look for in a Home

The United States Office of Justice Programs defines burglary as unwelcome, and sometimes forceful entry inside of a residence. The ultimate purpose of this crime is typically to obtain valuable possessions in another person’s house. One way that you can keep your house from becoming a burglary target is to learn the common features that these criminals look for in a home.

Expensively designed houses
If your property is the most lavishly decorated in the neighborhood, then it will stand out to burglars. Instead of making sure that your house is the best looking property on the block, you should be keeping a conforming, low profile appearance that blends into the overall neighborhood style.

Lack of deterrents
Fences and automatic porch lights are both great measures to keep away determined thieves, but you should also take some security measures that aren’t so explicitly visible. For example, using a personal safe in your home to keep your important possessions and documents is a great way to deter potential thieves. You should also make sure that there are adequate lock and alarm systems on both your front and back doors.

Lavish interior items
A common tactic of home burglars is to pose as a salesman or someone in need of a glass of water just to get a glimpse of the items you have throughout your house. The best way to ensure that a potential thief doesn’t get a look at your interior items is to not let any strangers inside. A home safe hidden somewhere in your house can also be extremely useful in this situation because it ensures that whatever valuables you place inside of the safe remain out of view.

To learn how locks and safes can help you safeguard your valuable assets, contact Armstrong Lock & Security Inc. at (321) 800-4982. Since 1929, we have provided the Orlando area with a range of security products. You can also learn more about our range of services by taking a look at our website.