Security without the keys

HIGH-TECH DOOR LOCKS – Making TRADITIONAL keys obsolete

High-tech door locks – which are typically controlled by keypads, phone apps or even a swipe of the finger -- could be transitioning traditional house keys making then obsolete after centuries of trusty service.

Several lock companies across the country are stocking up on their electronic-lock supplies in response to the demand driven by consumer interest.

"People are expecting connectivity and 24/7 accessibility," says Keith Brandon, Kwikset's director of residential access solutions. "Smart locks of whatever variety are becoming more what people are expecting and are interested in."

Michael Tierney, the standards coordinator for the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association, which certifies home products, says keyless locks are very safe. "Keyless locks have been in the marketplace for some time now -- stand-alone units for decades, and the connected products for more than 10 years -- and have been proven to be safe and reliable," he says.

Tierney also recommends buying only from manufacturers that follow industry standards for security protection. Protect any passwords used to connect to these devices, and change batteries as needed.

Smart locks can be categorized into three basic categories:

1. Basic high-tech door locks are opened by pushing a button or keypads. More sophisticated models allow homeowners to change codes or assign them to specific users of choice. Entry-level locks average cost is $70 -- about twice the cost of a traditional deadbolt lock.

2. There are also keyless locks that are operated by phones, either using push-button pads, an app or simply holding a connected phone near the lock. Kwikset's Kevo is a high-tech lock that looks traditional but is opened with a swipe of the finger.

3. There are then high-tech locks that operate as part of larger "smart home" system, from home-security systems to thermostats.

Note that going keyless doesn't totally eliminate the possibility of getting locked out. DeSchamp says his company offers call-in technical assistance to those who have "lost" their digital keys. Kwikset customers can manage them through the company's website. And electronic high-tech locks are becoming common enough that many traditional locksmiths now know how to service them. And if all else fails, there's still an old standby. You guessed it, Kwikset's Kevo can still be opened with a key.

This door hardware post provided by Hardware Direct

Tradeshow for Door Hardware

CoNEXTions 2015 – Door Hardware Tradeshow

CoNEXTions and Baltimore, MD in April, 2015 will be the place for networking in the openings industry. This is your one and only time this year where the industries top suppliers showcase their latest technologies, products, and services all in one location. Running for a total of nine hours over two days, this is your ONLY opportunity to meet with more than 100 door hardware manufacturers in one place and hold face-to-face meetings with your industry’s leading suppliers and manufacturers.  The Exposition will provide you with the chance to build and strengthen relationships with your current suppliers and investigate prospective new ones. Understand the future direction of your strategic trading partners and how it impacts you and your business. Learn about new developments that directly impact the openings industry, your company and your career.

Expo Hours

Wednesday, April 29, 2015
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm	Exclusive Exhibit Hours
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm	Opening Reception
Thursday, April 30, 2015
12:30 pm – 6:30 pm	Exclusive Exhibit Hours
1:00 pm – 6:00 pm	Solution Sessions

Solution Sessions

More education.  More reasons to stay on the show floor.  Find the solutions to your application issues in these quick sessions presented by your channel partners.

Get more education and more from your time at the Exposition by combining the two. DHI exhibitors will present quick 15-minute Solution Sessions on the tradeshow floor Thursday during expo hours. By participating in these sessions, you will learn from presenters the available solutions to application issues you face with new products, technologies or potential new suppliers.

Showcase of New Products

Make time to visit the Showcase of New Products to preview the hottest new industry innovations! Conveniently located on the tradeshow floor, the showcase is open throughout the exhibit hours.

ChannelExChange – Pre-scheduled private meetings

Formalize and improve the efficiency of your convention meetings.  Schedule these one-on-one meetings away from the show floor or during exhibit hours to have the productive discussions your business needs.

For more information visit DHI http://www.dhiconextions.org/tradeshow.html

This blog presented by  http://www.hardwaredirect2u.com/

BHMA considering new hardware standards

BHMA to Approve New Hardware Standards

The Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) announced in a press release that the group held its Annual Fall Meeting October 14-16, 2014 in Scottsdale, AZ. BHMA is the only organization accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop and maintain performance standards for door hardware, cabinet hardware, electronic locks, door knobs, and other builders’ hardware. 

At the meeting, BHMA marketing and standards committees voted to move forward on several key programs, including updates on the following hardware standards:

• ANSI/BHMA A156.8 Overhead Stops & Holders
• ANSI/BHMA A156.15 Release Devices
• ANSI/BHMA A156.10 Power Operated Pedestrian Doors
• ANSI/BHMA A156.23 Electromagnetic Locks
• ANSI/BHMA A156.36 Auxiliary Locks

Ralph Vasami, BHMA’s executive director said, “BHMA’s standards evolve with changing technologies and industry demands.  When there is a need, our organization is triggered to develop an entirely new standard for a new or existing category of products.”

BHMA sponsors third-party certification of hardware products. Manufacturers voluntarily submit a hardware product to independent laboratory testing to confirm that the product fully meets the criteria of its ANSI/BHMA standard.  In-factory audits of the product are conducted periodically to assure that product complies with the standard.

Companies that are interested in BHMA certification of home hardware can download the BHMA Certified Presentation, Application for Certification and Program Manual which provide more information about home hardware product testing, standards and to get a better understanding of the standards and the requirements for certification.

Some of the home hardware that is eligible for consideration includes:

• A-Butts & Hinges (A156.1), Hinge Templates (A156.7), Self Closing Hinges (A156.17),
• Strap & Tee Hinges (156.20), Continuous Hinges (A156.26)
• B-Cabinet Hardware (A156.9), Auxiliary Hardware (A156.16)
• D-Sliding & Folding (A156.14)
• C-Closers (A156.4), Stops & Holders (A156.8), Release Devices (A156.15)
• E-Auxiliary Locks (A156.5), Cabinet Locks (A156.11), Electromagnetic (A156.23), Exit Locks, Hi Security Cylinders (A156.30)

The full list is available here. 

American Hardware Manufacturers Association Press Release: Home Hardware Sales Continue to Grow

American Hardware Manufacturers Association (AHMA) is a globally focused trade association of manufacturers or providers of hardware, home improvement, lawn and garden, paint and decorating, building and construction and related products, as well as manufacturers’ representative’s agencies and trade publications. The association, headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois, posted a press release in November 2014 that reported the AHMA Home Improvement Industry Confidence Index, which is a monthly indicator of the economic health and mood of the home hardware manufacturing and distribution industry based on a survey of AHMA members.

The American Hardware Manufacturers Association’s AHMA Home Improvement Industry Confidence Index’s improved in October to 345.8, and the Future Expectations Index improved to 239.7.

Eighty-three percent of respondents said sales were higher in October versus year-ago levels, up from 78 percent in September. Seventeen percent said sales were below year-ago levels. 61 percent of October respondents said they expect sales to be above current levels.  Thirty-33 percent of respondents said they expect sales to be even in six months and six percent expect sales to be below current levels.

Question: Will the outcome of the midterm elections have an effect on your business?

44 percent responded “Yes,” 28 percent responded “Not Sure,” and 28 percent responded “No.”

Question: How important is it to your business that rising healthcare costs be brought under control?

94 percent responded “Very important,” 6 percent responded “Somewhat important,” and zero percent responded “Not important.”

                                                                                                                      

The data collected from the survey produces two indexes indicating current situation and future expectations. Both indexes use survey data from October 2008 as the base reference point.

The AHMA Home Improvement Industry Confidence Index results are released on the first Wednesday of every month. Results of the index survey are viewable online here: http://www.ahma.org/ConfidenceIndex/CurrentResults