Key security and control. Key Sentinel addresses the security challenges that key-operated remote assets present. It provides managerial control at all times by electronically maintaining data about key usage. Every time a technician removes a ring of keys from a fob in the key safe, the fob automatically transmits a time/date stamp and fob serial number to a data collection device in the separate electronics enclosure (EE). This information is always available to managers. If, for example, an unauthorized asset entry occurs and questions arise as to who had possession of keys to that asset at the time, the collected data will provide the answers.

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Uses dual power for reliable performance. When you’re depending on Key Sentinel for daily access to remote assets, you can’t afford to risk unavailability due to lack of power. That’s why the system was designed with a dual power electronics system. Key Sentinel is primarily powered by a rechargeable battery that connects to the vehicle battery system, and is continually recharged when the vehicle is running. Key Sentinel also includes intelligent logic to protect the vehicle electrical system and prevent vehicle battery drain. The key safe is powered by the EE via the communication cable that connects the two steel safes.

Delivers flexible data downloads. Using Bluetooth®-enabled handheld technology, managers can retrieve key-access information anytime from the electronics enclosure (EE), the steel case that contains the HIAD (handheld interrogation audit device), which is responsible for retrieving and storing data from the key fobs in the key safe. Once the data is downloaded from the HIAD, it’s available for immediate viewing on the handheld or can be saved for viewing and further analysis on a desktop or laptop computer.

Provides the ultimate audit trail. Whether downloaded to a handheld device, laptop or desktop, the key-access audit trail logs can be imported into Microsoft Excel for further review. This makes the data available for extensive spreadsheet-based manipulation and analysis. Managers can use this type of tool with the data to detect trends in key usage by service technicians and/or by geographic area, and identity areas where efficiencies could be improved.

Key Sentinel is patent-pending.