The Best Policy

Let's change things up a bit today: Instead of providing consumers with information about the latest high-quality locksmithing products and services, I want to put on my hat as the president of the Michigan Master Lock Association (MMLA) for this post and address the industry's many dependable, legitimate locksmiths.

Now, it's no secret that there are plenty of phony companies around, intent on scamming customers and taking away our livelihoods. But there also plenty of things that we, as honest businesspeople, can do to help.

First off, get involved with industry groups like the Associated Locksmiths of America (www.aloa.org) and MMLA (www.mmlalocksmiths.com). These organizations can provide assistance ranging from brochures for your customers to professional advice on protecting your business against the shady practices of others. I can also recommend locksmithwiki.com and legallocksmiths.com as great resources.

Second, pay attention to your "bedside manner." Unfortunately, the bad guys are already making their influence felt, so many potential customers—especially those who call you for emergency lockout service—expect the worst. That means you should always do your best.

Answer their questions honestly and in language they understand, and don't be offended if they ask for ID or question you about how long your company has been in business. Remember, they have the same goal you do: Finding a high-value, high-quality locksmith solution to their current needs.

That's the way we do business at Bill's Mobile Lock, and I urge all other locksmiths to take the same approach. After all, a better locksmith industry is good for everyone—except the scammers.

For more information on Bill's Mobile Lock, call us at 734-421-1230 or visit us at www.billsmobilelock.net.

Bill's Mobile Lock: A Name You Can Trust

One of the main reasons for calling a locksmith is to help protect yourself against theft. A high-quality security solution from a high-quality locksmith can be just the thing to convince criminals to look elsewhere.

Unfortunately, in many cities today, it's the locksmiths themselves who are the problem. More and more, out-of-state con artists and scammers are using misleading ads and Web sites—along with outright lies—to trick people into paying big money for shoddy locksmith services.

One of their most common scams is to claim a customer's broken lock is a "high security" piece of hardware that has to be drilled out and replaced, often for hundreds of dollars, when a less-expensive fix is readily available.

But that's something you don't have to worry about with Bill's Mobile Lock. We're a family-run business that has been serving the Metro Detroit Area for more than 45 years. Mark, who took over Bill's Mobile Lock from his parents and now runs it with his wife, is fully insured and bonded, and he's also been certified as a registered locksmith by the Associated Locksmiths of America.

When you need to feel secure about your security provider, call Bill's Mobile Lock at 734-421-1230 or visit us online at www.billsmobilelock.net.

You won't be disappointed—or ripped off.

Upgrade Your Locksmith to Upgrade to Mortise Locks

Replacing a standard cylindrical door lock with a mortise lock can seem like a simple decision. For some people, a mortise lock just looks better; others may like the fact that, with a mortise lock, they can use one turn of one key to get the security of both a latch and a bolt. But unless you turn to an expert locksmith to get the job done, that "simple" decision can quickly get complicated and expensive.

If you're a homeowner, you don't want to have to pay to meet all the restrictions and local ordinances that a business owner has to deal with. And likewise, the last thing an entrepreneur wants to find out is that a brand-new mortise lock has to be pulled out and replaced because the first one wasn't up to code.

Switching from a cylindrical to a mortise door lock also requires a locksmith who knows a thing or two about carpentry or metal-working. Multiple cuts to door hardware are needed when changing locks like this, and customers rightly expect the results to show a professional, high-quality appearance.

And when you choose Bill's Mobile Lock, that's exactly what you get. Call us today 734-421-1230 or visit us at www.billsmobilelock.net to find out how we can help with all your security needs.

A Healthy Approach to Hospital Security

Many people know that hospitals take special care to keep patient records confidential and safe, but that's really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the security of healthcare facilities. The buildings themselves can require a wide range of different types of hardware in different departments to keep everyone and everything adequately protected. Further, national and local rules and regulations also must be taken into account.

The expert team at Bill's Mobile Lock knows what it takes to provide up-to-date hospital security and can work with clients to make it happen. As just one example, hospitals often use drugs that need to be both refrigerated and secure. Our team can achieve this with hardware like the CompX eLock, which provides audit trails, a temperature monitor/alarm and keypad/prox/magstripe access.

To help with your hospital security headaches, take two aspirin and call us in the morning at 734-421-1230—or visit us online at www.billsmobilelock.net.www.billsmobilelock.net.

Want Wireless? Try Trilogy.

For high-performance, low-cost door security, Bill's Mobile Lock is proud to recommend two new Trilogy Networx systems (DL6100 and PL6100) from the electronic-access experts at Alarm Lock.

Trilogy brings all the benefits of wireless-lock technology to the company's proven line of door-security products. That means you get lower installation costs and easy retrofits along with Grade 1 BHMA certification, the ability to support up to 5,000 users and the power to handle a 35,000-event audit trail. In addition, The systems are easy to run on a PC, thanks to Alarm Lock's DL Windows software.

Each Trilogy lock takes about an hour to install and runs on four "C" batteries, which the company claims is enough for five years of functionality.

Focusing on "stile" as well as substance, Alarm Lock has also introduced a new line of simple-to-use Narrow Stile Exit Trim pushbutton locks. Designed to resist vandalism while being compatible with many major brands of panic-exit devices, the Narrow Stile locks can support up to 2,000 users and a 40,000-event audit trail.

For more information on Alarm Lock products like the Trilogy Networx, or assistance with any of your residential or business security needs, contact us at 734-421-1230 or visit www.billsmobilelock.net.

Exit Security in a Snapshot

For many business owners, there's a certain time of day when even the strongest exit locks just can't provide all the security you need. That's during working hours, when you need to open your front doors to the customers that keep you in business in the first place.

The solution: Camden Door Controls' new CV-EX36 doorframe camera. This high-resolution CCTV camera is designed to snap images of people right as they leave your store or business.

The actual CV-EX36 camera is hidden within the kind of "height strip" often found at store exits, so it's very unobtrusive. Yet it's also highly effective, even in low-light situations. The system is flexible as well, so it can be used with either a stand-alone monitor/DVR combination or as part of a more comprehensive CCTV system.

Either way, the CV-EX36 doorframe camera a great addition to any business' security strategy and can be expertly installed by the team at Bill's Mobile Lock. Just call us at 734-421-1230 or visit www.billsmobilelock.net for more information.

Exit alarms standards raised

Exit security, including exit locks, exit alarms and alarms for exit devices, is an important part of many business owners' toolkit. The proper hardware can protect both valuable property and, when used with fire doors, people's lives. That makes it crucial that your exit hardware is up to industry standards, which have recently changed for the first time since 2002.

In fact, the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association, the organization accredited by ANSI to oversee product standards for architectural hardware, made a number of enhancements to exit security standards, including adding new tests for preload, key cylinder operation and outside pull.

That means that as good as your current exit safety was when you bought it, it still might not be up to today's more rigorous benchmarks. And that means it might be time to call Bill's Mobile Lock for a consultation. Our security professionals can help you determine if you need an upgrade and, if so, what security products best meets both your needs and your budget. Bill's Mobile Lock is also your source for new construction security needs, with the ability to sell, install and service the latest in exit security hardware.

For more information, contact us today at 734-421-1230 or visit online at www.billsmobilelock.net