Journey Of Electronic Security

In the early 2000’s, Mark Johnson returned from a trip to America and shared the news that locksmiths in the USA were getting into “Electronic Security”.

While LSC had sold electric strikes since the 1980’s, there wasn’t really a focus within the suppliers or the industry – that would soon change.

Locksmiths might have been exposed to a form of electronic security in the early 1990’s by programming of car keys to Commodore vehicles, but there was an end-user ahead of the time and it was hotels. Locksmiths had often been asked to install Unican or Vingcard hotel locks that utilised a magnetic stripe. These were popular from the late 1980’s and through until recent times.

Dabbling in Electronic Security was pretty specialised, but local producers like CS-Technologies which was formed in 1987 helped interested customers get into the business. CS-Technologies were innovative, made quality products and were ahead of the pack. They featured on ABC’s Beyond 2000 show in 1996 with a segment showing their i-button.

LSC seriously started looking for products our customers could offer from the early to mid 2000’s. In 2004 things started to ramp up, and we were offering IEI locks and keypads. The “LS” series of locks were quite popular and reliable. Keypads less so. We offered the Keri Systems “Intelliprox 2000” single door controller with 500 users.

We were offering the CS-Technologies stand-alone ‘plug-and-play’ single and dual door controllers with the Dallas “i-button” credentials. Locksmiths liked them because they incorporated an installer code, allowing them to offer a similar level of security around replacement credentials to what they were used to with mechanical key systems.

Early training focused less on security concepts, and much more around wiring – how to make good connections, paying attention to colours and connector types, and which kind of wire to use for what job.

We started selling the Presco PAC1 controllers from local company NIDAC. Founded in 1966, they’d become famous for door beepers (the “Nichols Electronic Eye doorway alarm” to give it the proper name). Locally designed and made, it was innovative and ahead of it’s time.

An early driver within LSC who could see the future was our own Ian Ross, and we appointed him as Product Manager for “Access Control” systems in August 2005.

Many customers will remember Ian’s passion for “Electronic Access Control” as we soon renamed it to, and this aligned well with the locksmith’s traditional business – historically they gave access via mechanical means. With EAC, the door opened to adding time zones, audit trails and upgraded security with electronics.

By 2010 we were offering CCTV from ABUS. The quality was very good, and it opened the door for locksmiths. Prior to ABUS, lots of locksmiths didn’t know where to start, their retail ready offerings, and simple startup packs helped many customers dip that first toe into the water. In 2012 we launched the Microlatch product, and this became very popular, with locksmiths in all states embracing the ease of install. CS Technologies continued to sell well and continued integration development kept the product relevant.

In this same year we started selling SALTO, only 10 years after the company was founded close to San Sebastian in Spain. For many customers, SALTO turbocharged their entry and adoption of Electronic Security products, as doors didn’t need wiring back to a controller – everything was contained on the door. Sophistication of use, and ease of programming made the brand a favourite. The first customers were all locksmiths.

In 2013 we launched the “Electronic Security” Showbus, featuring ICT, SALTO, ABUS and STI amongst others. Travelling to all states, we showed locksmiths how upskilling could boost their businesses, and gave them new levels of security and convenience to sell to their customers.

More recently, we’ve launched the Neptune brand of security products, featuring quality accessories and basic controllers. These, added to our vast range of strikes, mag locks, electric mortice locks, along with cable and power products mean LSC is a true one-stop-shop for your electronic security projects.

We’re bringing locksmiths a better alarm brand than ever before, with market leading RISCO now available from LSC in easy-to-use kits, or in separate components.

Customers can now upskill themselves online, with our dedicated TechEd training portal now hosting sophisticated online learning content covering CCTV, Intrusion, Access and deterrence topics.

The future for electronic locking and electronic security products is bright. With consumers now looking for Smart Home products, and with locking high on the wish list, no other segment is poised to benefit from the next big ‘thing’ in Security than locksmiths.

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Journey Of Electronic Security

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