Those working in the world of car dealerships know that reputation is everything. Competition for customers is fierce, so demonstrating you take safety and security, efficiency and professionalism seriously, will help you capture market share. Despite the important role key and asset management plays in this, it can often be low on the priority list. In fact, many car dealerships in the UK still rely on outdated or unsecured key storage solutions. That could be key hooks, unlocked cabinets, or even placing keys in a drawer.

Here, we’ve outlined the three key reasons why you should take key and asset management seriously, and the steps you can take to reduce key-related losses and increase customer trust.

Why is key management important in a car dealership?

1. It improves your security and accountability: Using very basic solutions to protect your keys and assets makes them vulnerable to loss or misuse. Should the keys come into the wrong hands, it can lead to unauthorised vehicle access, risking vehicles becoming stolen or damaged and, in worst case scenarios, endangering colleagues, customers and other road users.

2. It can save you valuable time and improve operational efficiency: Manually managing keys, and keeping track of who’s using them, wastes time. Instead, employees should be able to quickly locate and check out the keys they need, while managers can be kept updated on when a key was last used. This streamlines operations and reduces delays, especially in fast-paced environments.

3. It builds professionalism and increases compliance: An outdated key and asset system can come across as unprofessional, but even riskier is that it could prevent the business from meeting industry standards and regulations, which could lead to sanctions.

How to reduce key-related loss in a car dealership

Dealerships wanting to improve their operations should consider updating their key and asset management systems today. The advanced electronic systems here at KeyTracker are the perfect solution, with features and benefits that are designed to minimise key loss.

• You can set specific permissions: Our electronic key management systems allow managers to set rules that only allow certain employees access to keys, based on factors such as their job role and responsibility, or possession of certain qualifications and licences. Only those who are certified to do so can get access to the relevant keys, whether that’s to drive it themselves or to hand the keys over to a customer for a test drive.

• You can review all key-related activity: By using an electronic key management system, you’ll always know that keys are secure in their correct position, and if they’re not, you’ll know who last accessed keys that are in use. This eliminates wasted time spent searching for them, and keeps key use organised and traceable.

• You can increase accountability: With the ability to track the exact time a key was used, and by whom, you can add transparency to your dealership, ensuring that the right people are held accountable should an incident occur or a key go missing.

Speak to KeyTracker Today

Having an electronic key and asset management system in place demonstrates a high level of stringency and professionalism. This helps to build customer confidence that you take the latest safety and security standards seriously, setting you apart in the market.

Explore our electronic solutions today to learn more, contact us via telephone on 0121 559 9000, or email us via sales@keytracker.co.uk to get advice from our expert team on the products best suited to your dealership.