Streamlining an Empire

Streamlining an Empire

How electronic key management can assist companies one at a time

EmpireCLS, a world leader in chauffeured transportation services for nearly 40 years, pledges to "provide exceptional chauffeured hospitality every day, which reflects their core values of personalized service, safety, security, innovation and dedication," according to their website.

Indeed, EmpireCLS has demonstrated the importance of operational efficiency in managing and monitoring multiple locations and assets remotely in helping to drive the mission home. Adopting a key management system has revolutionized their internal operations and enhanced the customer experience.

In the past, EmpireCLS relied on a pegboard system for issuing their vehicles. This manual process led to inefficiencies in vehicle usage, difficulties in tracking vehicles, and caused frustration for dispatchers and the fleet department. Moreover, the over-use of certain vehicles resulted in faster wear and tear.
Recognizing the need for a more streamlined and equitable approach, EmpireCLS CEO, David Seelinger, became one of the early U.S. adopters of the Traka key management system in 2009. That's no surprise, though. Seelinger is regarded as a pioneer for committing to delivering exceptional customer service and integrating innovations in an otherwise unregulated industry.

"It was decided we needed to streamline the process and eliminate a physical body to hand out keys for all of our vehicles,” said Jamie Major, Empire’s IT director. “We desperately needed the ability to streamline the requests for vehicle assignments, while maintaining accurate records. Consequently, Joey Phelps, our chief operating officer, started looking into different solutions in the market and found Traka. It was a perfect fit, and the installation was easy. We eventually started using the TrakaWEB software in addition to the key cabinets. One of the key features we love about TrakaWEB is the web bookings.

"With the Traka system, dispatchers can remotely assign access to specific vehicles, ensuring a fair distribution of usage and minimizing wear and tear on the fleet. Chauffeurs are issued key fobs that grant them access to a key cabinet where the vehicle keys are stored. This streamlined process allows for the seamless scheduling of chauffeurs to specific vehicles, which is essential in an industry that operates 24/7.

The system also reduces labor costs as dispatchers no longer need to be physically present to issue keys. Additionally, features such as a curfew notification and fault logging enable prompt action and cost reduction by identifying vehicle issues sooner."

Impressed by the efficiency of the Traka system, EmpireCLS extended its use beyond internal operations to enhance the customer experience. Working with their Traka engineers, EmpireCLS integrated their reservation platform with the Traka API. Now, when dispatchers assign a chauffeur to a vehicle through Traka, the information is transmitted in real-time directly into EmpireCLS's system.

The information includes the chauffeur's contact details and the vehicle's make, model, color, and license plate number. Clients receive this information along with safety texts throughout their ride, providing transparency, compliance, and peace of mind.

Currently operating Traka in New York City and Los Angeles, with plans to add Traka to Chicago and Las Vegas this year, EmpireCLS manages a complex operational ecosystem across multiple locations. Traka's key management system has helped them efficiently monitor more than 500 vehicles nationwide and maintain comprehensive records. The success of EmpireCLS's integration of key management technology into its existing system serves as a compelling case study for organizations with multiple locations and assets that require effective management and monitoring.

"What it does for us internally is record-keeping for the vehicles so we can maintain accurate records of the assignment, determine how many trips a vehicle is doing per day, how many miles those trips are, if there are any maintenance requirements – all the efficiencies you can gain from how you're making assignments to the vehicles is made possible." Major said. "The information that lives in the Traka system is great, but we needed to integrate the intelligence of the Traka system with the API to ensure the safety and security of the vehicle were tied together accurately. Traka delivers de-centralized solutions that can be managed remotely from one location to another. I can be in New York and know what car someone was assigned in Chicago."

Implementing a similar approach can significantly improve workflow, increase security, enhance service delivery, and generate cost savings for organizations in various industries. Organizations can achieve operational excellence and exceed customer expectations by leveraging technology to manage fundamental assets and monitor operations effectively.

EmpireCLS's adoption of the Traka key management system and Seelinger's vision have driven their operations and enhanced customer experience. Their journey highlights the importance of proactively embracing efficient systems for managing and monitoring multiple locations and assets.

This article originally appeared in the September / October 2023 issue of Security Today.

Featured

  • Allegion, Comfort Technologies Implement Mobile Credentials at the Artisan Apartment Homes in Florida

    Artisan Apartment Homes, a luxury apartment complex in Dunedin, Florida, recently transitioned from mechanical keys to electronic locks and centralized system software with support from Allegion US, a leading provider of security solutions, technology and services, and Florida-based Comfort Technologies, which specializes in deploying multifamily access control, IoT devices and software management solutions. Read Now

  • Mall of America Deploys AI-Powered Analytics to Enhance Parking Intelligence

    Mall of America®, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Axis Communications to deploy cutting-edge car-counting video analytics across more than a dozen locations. With this expansion, Mall of America (MOA) has boosted operational efficiency, improved safety and security, and enabled more informed decision-making around employee scheduling and streamlining transportation for large events. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Launches New “askSIA” AI Tool

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has unveiled a brand-new SIA member benefit – askSIA, a conversational AI agent designed to help users get the most out of their SIA membership, easily access SIA resources and find the latest information on SIA’s training and courses, reports and publications, events, certification offerings and more. SIA members can easily find askSIA by visiting the SIA homepage or looking for the askSIA icon in the top left of webpages. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Industry Embraces Mobile Access, Biometrics and AI

    A combination of evolving workplace dynamics, technology innovation and new user expectations is changing how people enter and interact with physical spaces. Access control is at the heart of these changes. Combined with biometrics and AI, mobile access control has become increasingly crucial for deploying entry solutions that are seamless, secure and adaptive to user needs. Read Now

  • Sustainable Video Solution Delivered for Landmark City of London Office Development

    An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives. Read Now

New Products

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.