Traka’s intelligent key and asset management solutions are relevant to a variety of vertical markets and industries. Learn more about these solutions and their applicability across a range of end-users in this special industry influencer Q&A featuring several of the company’s product experts: Craig Newell, VP of Sales and Business Development; Raffaele Ceravolo and Collin Sharp, Regional Sales Managers; Hector Melendez, Technical Director; and Larry Green, Director of Traka Residential Solutions.
How does Traka streamline operations, monitor asset usage, and ensure compliance in highly regulated industries like healthcare and government?
Ceravolo: Intelligent key and asset management solutions provide healthcare and government organizations with clear and comprehensive auditing of who has which item, when they checked it out, and why. The solutions can restrict usage to only authorized personnel, which reduces the possibility of keys or assets ending up in the wrong person’s hands. The solutions can notify an administrator when an item hasn’t been returned by a certain time, which cuts down on time spent looking for it.An interesting example of compliance in healthcare involves firearms. Many facilities have regulations in place for when and where hospital police are allowed to possess a firearm and intelligent lockers can track that usage, including through RFID tags on each weapon. Additionally, if a patient is brought into the emergency room with a weapon on their person, that can be stored in a secure, temporary storage locker until the patient has been discharged, which further safeguards against a potentially violent incident.
How can Traka’s key and asset management solutions integrate with existing security systems, and why are they essential to a comprehensive security strategy?
Melendez: The ability to integrate into an existing ecosystem is perhaps the single most important factor to consider when evaluating a security solution. If that technology can’t communicate seamlessly with the access control framework, there will undoubtedly be disruptions that could expose the organization to threats. The most advanced key cabinets and asset management lockers, including Traka’s, can efficiently operate with established platforms like Gallagher, Genetic, Lenel, Software House, Siemens and others, which ultimately minimizes adoption time and streamlines functionality.
What common misconceptions about key and asset management prevent companies from adopting more secure and compliant solutions?
Sharp: One of the most common reasons we hear from potential customers about why they’re hesitant to move on from outdated technology is simply, ‘We’ve always done it that way.’ They feel their systems have worked long enough that it doesn’t justify investing in modern technology. Our response is to educate them on how key and asset management can not only pay for itself through improved operational efficiency and avoiding potential replacement costs, but also how they help secure an organization’s most essential assets, which helps avoid spending valuable downtime looking for them if they’re stolen or misplaced.
How can poor key and asset management affect regulatory compliance, and how does Traka help businesses avoid fines and reputational harm?
Green: There is a myriad of compliance regulations across numerous industry verticals, with many of them focusing on auditing access – who has clearance for what, where, and when. Intelligent key and asset management solutions that integrate with access control platforms can produce auditing reports instantly, which provide transparency into operations and support any legal obligations a company may have. An interesting example of this is in the multifamily sector, which typically has regulations regarding when and where staff and maintenance personnel have access to within the complex. Legislation like that which was passed recently in Florida helps ensure only authorized personnel who have cleared a background check can access critical residential keys.
Why should executives prioritize Traka’s key and asset management technology to address complex security challenges and enhance overall security?
Newell: Executives need to prioritize futureproof solutions that represent a clear return on investment. Because security threats are constantly evolving, finding such technology can sometimes be difficult, as the shelf life for superficial solutions can be quite limited. But access control has, and will remain, a central component to organizational security and workflow and as such, solutions that drive efficiency, reduce potential replacement costs, and promote accountability will hold their value. Moreover, when executives advocate for solutions that can ultimately benefit every sector of the company, it sends a clear message that they’re investing back in their employees. Because nearly all employees have some touchpoint with keys and/or assets, it behooves companies to prioritize management of them and to let that serve as a foundation for improved security.
What risks do organizations face without effective key and asset management, and how does Traka mitigate these vulnerabilities?
Newell: While it may sound dramatic, one of the scenarios we often ask organizations is, ‘What would have to happen for you to consider key and asset management?’ Unfortunately, that hypothetical can sometimes become a reality when an organization is the victim of a negative incident. From personnel gaining unauthorized access to a certain area, to stolen shared assets, to replacement costs, to re-keying a facility, or just valuable downtime spent looking for lost items, the risks are numerous for not effectively storing keys and assets. Our systems securely manage your most critical assets and can help provide clear transparency on who has which item and when. If it hasn’t been returned by a certain time, an administrator can be notified. If an asset or vehicle isn’t functioning properly, the corresponding device or key can be taken out of circulation until the fault has been corrected. Our modular solutions can provide remote monitoring capabilities, which helps streamline operations, particularly for multiple departments or facilities. Whatever sector and however big or small the organization is, Traka’s solutions can positively impact operations and security.
