Supplies of key cards are the items required to program the cards, unlock doors and protect the actual key cards. Key card manufacturers design the magnetic strips on the cards to be used in many different systems. This allows each company to choose the most cost effective key cards for their business. All companies using key cards need supplies for their key cards to work properly.

Supplies for key cards include locks, encoders and key card sleeves. Key card locks are often mounted on the side of a door or on the door handle itself. The type of lock needed depends on the type of door used. Key card encoders are systems that code the cards for use. Sleeves are commonly used in hotels to write down the customer's room number. Sleeves can also be used to protect the card from scratches or wear and tear.

1. Locate key card locks.

2. Purchase key card encoder systems.

3. Find custom and stock key card sleeves.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy door locks designed for key cards

Key card door locks are set with a specific code that can be used with a key card programming system to unlock the door. These locks are durable and reliable.

I recommend: Buy door locks for key card systems at Resort Data Processing. BUYaSafe.com carries a variety of door locks for key cards. CorKey Control Systems provides a wide selection of magnetic key cards locks for all key card access needs.

Locate magnetic key card encoders

Encoders for hotel key cards program the doors so the key cards can unlock them. They also specify how long the keys need to work for the specific door. Encoders are a vital supply for any key card system.

I recommend: Contact the ZIH Corp. for quotes on an encoder key card system. SecureTech carries complete key card encoder systems. Hotelkeycards Limited creates entire systems for electronic key cards along with custom key cards.

Purchase key card sleeves

Sleeves are used to store the key card and to write the room number or other information on. Many key card manufacturers sell key card sleeves for the key cards separately.

I recommend: Visit NetBankStore.com to find hotel key card sleeves. Create custom key card sleeves at Sheppard Envelope. National Envelope supplies a variety of custom and stock key card sleeves.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Most key card encoders require a computer to program the encoder, however some do not. Read all the information about the key card encoder to ensure you receive all the equipment or software needed to use the equipment effectively.

Hotel keys have gone the way of rotary telephones, luggage stickers and luggage trunks—vintage collectibles. Taking their place are magnetic key cards, which let visitors gain entry into hotel rooms. Key cards have become commonplace in the lodging industry. Many other businesses and industries use security key cards to limit access to company buildings or to certain areas within company buildings. Key cards provide several benefits over traditional keys including:

1. Cost effectiveness: Key card systems eliminate the need for re-keying locks when a guest or an employee has taken off with or lost a key.
2. Security: In the hotel industry, security key cards are not marked with room numbers.
3. Limiting Access: Security key cards can be used by companies that want to prevent non-employees from entering the premises or that want to restrict admittance to specific areas.
4. Marketing opportunities: Advertising key cards enable you to print information on your key cards to promote your brand or advertise services.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Hotel key cards

Hotel key cards have a magnetic strip on the back that is programmed each time a guest checks in. Magnetic key cards work only on the guest's room lock and only for the duration of their stay.

I recommend: Allegheny Printed Plastics offer customized hotel key cards that support most standard magnetic stripe based lock system including Saflok, Ving, Miwa, Inhova, Gibraltar, Kaba and Tesa. Key Mart offers generic “welcome guests” key cards and custom imprinted hotel key cards along with key card sleeves and envelopes. Short Run Plastic Cards offers short run quantities from 500-10,000 on printed key cards with magnetic stripe encoding.

Key card systems go green

Some manufacturers are offering key cards made using green manufacturing practices or key cards made from recycled or biodegradable materials.

I recommend: Signature Cards offers key cards made from corn or from recycled plastic. CPI Card Group makes an effort to recycle materials in the manufacturing process of key cards and offers biodegradable PVC magnetic key cards.

Special event key cards

Hotels often partner with special events and conventions to offer custom printed key cards that commemorate the event. Sporting events and conventions can also use custom printed magnetic key cards in place of paper tickets.

I recommend: Plasticard Locktech International makes magnetic key cards for special events such as meetings, shows, conventions, sporting events, weddings and festivals. Newline Enterprises produces low volume custom key cards for special occasions.

Advertising key cards

Restaurants and businesses can partner with nearby hotels to offer co-op advertising on key cards.

I recommend: Global Media Group offers key card advertising programs in which advertisers pay for the cost of the key cards. KeyAd helps advertisers find hotels that will place pre-printed advertising key cards in the hands of hotel guests.

Locks that work with key cards

Before you invest in key cards, figure out which key card locks to purchase. Most key card locks come with their own controllers, programmers and software that enable you to program the magnetic key cards.

I recommend: Maglocks.com offers swipe card locks for hotels, hospitals and dorm rooms and front desk swipe card controllers and programmers. VingCard Elsafe has a variety of locks and and software that work with magnetic key cards.

Security key cards keep your business secure

Key card systems limit access to your establishment and eliminate the need to change the locks if an employee loses a key, resigns or is terminated. Security key cards come in magnetic stripe or proximity varieties. Magnetic stripe key cards are swiped through a card reader. Proximity key cards are waved in front of a key card reader.

I recommend: Zebra Card Printer Solutions offer smart key cards that incorporate a photo ID with a proximity card. Keri Systems Incorporated offers proximity key cards, magnetic stripe key cards and proximity key tags. See the Business.com directory for more access control products and services,

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure you get the right thickness for your key cards to fit in your key card locks. Most key cards come in 20 mil, 24 mil, 29 mil and 30 mil thickness.
• •  Before you choose a provider for magnetic key cards, you'll need to make sure that they make magnetic key cards that can be programmed for your key card locks.
• •  Hotels can offer customized key cards as an additional benefit to groups and events that use their space.

Hotels are the most common users of key cards. However, more and more businesses that use multiple supply keys are choosing key cards to help their company run more effectively. Purchasing and cutting metal keys quickly becomes a large expense. Key cards are inexpensive and can be programmed to fit multiple doors, if needed. They can also be programmed to work only for a specific time frame. Buying key cards is beneficial for most large businesses and hotels.

Recycled key cards are produced from recycled or renewable resources and can be recycled themselves when they've served their purpose. Custom cards are designed with the company's name or logo and may provide information about the company on the card. Stock cards are normally generic cards that provide basic usage information on the front.

1. Buy recycled key cards.

2. Locate manufactures of custom key cards.

3. Find stock and generic key cards.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use recycled or recyclable key cards

To help reduce, reuse and recycle, a 'green' option for those who use a large number of key cards is to choose a recycled product. Recycled key cards are not only made of recycled materials but they can also be recycled when you no longer need the card.

I recommend: Ice Green is a key card manufacturer that specializes in recycled key cards. Buy key cards online that are made from recycled materials at USFI Greenworks. Cadmus Whitehall Group creates custom and stock key cards made from renewable material. Their key cards are also recyclable.

Create custom electronic key cards

Custom key cards are created to work with all major key card systems. These cards can display your company logo or vital information the user may need. Custom designed key cards work just like stock cards for key card access.

I recommend: Create custom hotel key cards at U.S. Hospitality Publishers. Short Run Plastic Cards carries custom key cards for all key card systems. At Duracard you can turn any key card design into reality.

Purchase stock plastic key cards

Stock key cards are the generic, or plain, plastic cards. These are generally the most inexpensive option when buying key cards. Stock key cards are popular with smaller hotels or businesses and those just switching to a key card system.

I recommend: Visit Keycard.com for a wide selection of stock key cards to match the needs of any business. Locate stock hotel key cards at Hotel Equipment. PLI is one of the leading key card manufacturers with custom and stock key cards available.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Key cards are available in a variety of sizes. Check with your key card system for the required dimensions of your key cards.