IC Cores Comparison

Which Interchangeable Cores Fit Best For Your Business?

Key security is the foundation of your organization's security efforts. Which means that the interchangeable cores you use in your facilities can have a big impact on your day-to-day key management. Not every key provider will be a good fit for your business, and determining which providers support your business needs best can save you time, money, and key management headaches in the long run. Here are questions to consider as you decide:

• What key core or lock hardware are you using now?
• What is your key control budget? 
• Do you have enough resources to store and manage extra interchangeable cores? Are you using a locksmith to change your cores?
• Are you using key tracking software? What brand(s) of interchangeable cores and keys are compatible? 
• How many access points are you securing? How many employees have keyed access?
• How often do you rekey locations? Do you rekey each time a key is lost? Each time an employee transitions?
• Can your keys be duplicated? Are they stamped "Do Not Duplicate"?

InstaKey IC Cores

InstaKey is an innovative, customer-focused key provider who works with organizations to optimize and update key control programs. InstaKey offers a comprehensive line of locking products for more than just doors, equipped with the only user-rekeyable technology in the industry. 

Top Features: 

• Restricted, serialized keys that cannot be duplicated
• Master key system capabilities
• No additional hardware needed for rekeying
• Low recurring management costs
• Quick order turnaround time
• ROI opportunities with user-rekeyability and key restriction

Pain Points: 

• Rollout investment with InstaKey is initially higher than Arrow Pointe, but provides a rapid ROI after installation.

InstaKey Overview:

InstaKey's user-rekeyable interchangeable cores don't require removal from the locking hardware to rekey and they can be rekeyed with just the simple turn of a Step Change Key, up to nine times. Our key cores come with serialized, restricted keys that are supported, tracked, and audited with easy-to-use cloud-based key tracking software. We prioritize customer service and quick order turnaround time, so that your first line of defense is always secure. InstaKey is an ideal solution for organizations looking for streamlined key control with a single provider, quick order delivery, and money-saving key core options. 

dormakaba SKC Interchangeable Cores

dormakaba is a big name in the keyed security industry. They have a wide range of product offerings, from key cores to electronic security systems.

Top Features:

• Big name in security industry
• Patented, restricted, serialized keys that cannot be duplicated
• Wide variety of product offerings outside of key security

Pain Points:

• Additional hardware needed for rekeying
• Slow order turnaround time
• High rollout and recurring management costs

dormakaba Overview

dormakaba's Serialized Key Control (SKC) system offers small-format interchangeable cores in 13 industry standard keyways. SKC keys are restricted, serialized, and patent-protected to ensure that key duplicates can only be created with blanks from dormakaba or a contracted DORMA agent. dormakaba is a good solution for organizations with a variety of security needs outside of key control, or businesses looking to partner with a big-name provider.

Medeco Keymark X4

Medeco has been a provider in the keyed security industry for over 50 years and they are known for their High Security (HSEC) products. Their locks are used by the government and military, along with schools, hospitals, vending machines, and parking meters. 

Top Features:

• Offers patented key control and master key capabilities
• Uses existing hardware
• Huge variety of lock products 

Pain Points:

• High management costs
• Core must be removed for rekeying
• Long order turnaround time
• Keys are not serialized

Medeco provides locks for a huge variety of functionalities, including traffic cabinets, deadbolts, padlocks, and small format interchangeable cores. Their X4 interchangeable core can utilize your existing hardware and offers patented restricted keys. While their product offerings are more extensive than some of their competitors, their cores are not user-rekeyable. 

Schlage Everest

Schlage has been in the key industry since 1920, when Walter Schlage opened his first shop. At the time, Schlage was advancing the locking industry with the first push-button locking mechanisms. Today, Schlage offers a range of stylish in-door hardware options. 

Top Features:

• Key restriction 
• 7-pin cylinder design 
• Includes locking side bar mechanism to improve pick resistance

Pain Points:

• Keys are not serialized
• Long order turnaround time
• Limited product offerings and hardware compatibility
• High rollout and management costs

Schlage Overview:

Schlage is part of the larger Allegion family of brands, a big name in the security products industry. They have a variety of products alongside key cylinders, including biometric terminals and electronic locks. Schlage's Everest interchangeable core does not offer user-rekeyability or serialized keys, which can limit your key control options. 

Arrow Pointe

Arrow is another well-known name in the keyed security industry. Their products include mechanical security offerings from exit alarms to interchangeable cores. 

Top Features:

• Cheaper rollout costs
• Can be installed in new or existing key systems

Pain Points:

• Keys are not patented or serialized, offering no key restriction ability
• Does not offer user-rekeyability 
• Long order turnaround time

Arrow Overview: 

Arrow provides door hardware products with a focus on security and affordability. Their products are made in the United States and are used in commercial, industrial, and institutional organizations. While the rollout costs associated with the Arrow Pointe key cores are lower than competitors', it doesn't provide some of the key control features provided by other brands. Arrow Pointe key cores do not have restricted keys, are not user-rekeyable, and do not have associated key tracking software. 

Choosing the Right IC Cores For Your Business

The key providers listed here are only a handful of the big names dominating the keyed security industry. Determining which provider is best for your business depends on what you're looking for and which provider can best support a managed key control program. When locks and keys become a managed key control program, associated costs can be controlled.  If InstaKey is the best fit for your business, click the button below to get in touch! We want to help you optimize your key control.