Take a look at some of the useful apps and websites for locksmiths. By Joshua Sands, RL L ocksmithing is the one of the oldest trades in human history. For centuries, humans have had a need to secure their world. From the Babylonians using different-size boards behind their gates to create what we know now as a tumbler design to the almighty cloud giving access to our entry points, there has been constant innovation. With technology sprinting ahead of the mechanical world, the only logical thought is that digital is the way of our future. Just about all of us have a cellphone with in- ternet connection, and thanks to developers, we can access information right in our hands at the job site. In this article, we will look at what I think are some very helpful apps, websites and even my favorite support group on Facebook, Locksmith Nation. A simple search of the keyword “locksmith” in the Google Play Store on Android systems or the App Store on iOS systems brings up hundreds of search results. Which ones are right for us, and which apps are most helpful in the field? Apple Apps Those who know me know I am not a fan of Apple products. However, I will admit, I do own an iPad just for some of the apps that are only on iOS. Let’s begin with iOS apps that I have found to be of great assistance. One of my favorite developers of iOS apps, Philip Domenici, has 16 apps in the App Store. I tip my hat to you, good sir! Your apps are amazing and very helpful. Philip’s apps range from free to $5.99 (at the time this article was written), and they are worth every penny, in my opinion. Let’s look at my personal favorite, A2Calc (see Figure 1). As the name suggests, and as seen in the image, A2Calc allows the user to input the bittings of an A2 IC to find the control, master and change keys. You can calculate bittings to find the current set up or randomize the bittings to make your own system. This app is especially help- ful to those who have not taken IC courses such as ALOA Southeast Director Tyler J. Thomas’s IC webinar, found on www.wayneslockshop.com run by Wayne Winton. ALOA has also offered courses in this area over the years. My next favorite app from Philip is the PadPal. PadPal is a great app to use when working with keypads of many varieties. From intercom keypads to access control keypads and even safe keypads, PadPal is designed to show you default master codes, master change codes and manuals for every keypad listed in the app. For example, we are all familiar with Kaba’s Simplex L1000 mechanical keypad locks. Let’s say you remember the simple factory combination (which many clients never change, 42 KEYNOTES JULY/AUGUST 2020 but you should be changing them as a secu- rity professional) 2+4 and then 3, but you cannot remember the lengthy process to change the code. Simply pull up the Pad- Pal app, scroll to Kaba Simplex L1000 and see the combination change instructions without having to open the manual. Another cool app I like from Philip is the Kaliper app, which shows what the key bittings should look like if you input the bitting into the program. For example, select the screen size of your iDevice (the Apple product you are using), and then se- lect the manufacturer (in this case, I chose Schlage). Using the up and down arrows, you are then able to input the bitting and see what the cut key should look like. In Figure 2, you can see I chose an SC1 with a bitting of 83848. The free version comes with Arrow and Schlage, but for $1.99 (at the time this article was writ- ten), you can upgrade to the full version that contains Kwikset (Standard and Ti- tan), Sargent, Yale, BEST A2, A3 and A4 as well as other customizations and ex- tended key lengths. There are plenty more apps available for iOS (some of which are also avail- able on Android systems). Just head over to the App Store and search for “Philip Domenici” or “locksmith.” Android Apps The next apps I like are on my Android. For these examples, I am using a Sam- sung Note 8. WWW.ALOA.ORG
