Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long is the warranty on the KeyWatcher system?

A: The initial warranty covers parts for a period of two (2) years after that. An extended warranty can be purchased in one-year increments. Parts will be overnighted to you under RMA at our expense. We can then easily walk you through the replacement process.

Q: What is the history of Morse Watchman?

A: Read about them here!

Q: Does Morse Watchman tweet?

A: Follow them on Twitter here!

Q: What kind of backup does the system have if we loose power?

A: The KeyWatcher comes standard with a battery backup, which allows the KeyWatcher to operate without AC power for approximately 48-hours. The system also has a lithium battery backup that allows the KeyWatcher to hold its programming during a long term AC power loss. The KeyWatcher will function normally during power outages.

Q: In the event of a system malfunction, is there a manual override to remove key sets?

A: The KeyWatcher is one of the few systems that provides a method to manually override the system to release key sets if the system is not responding. Considering that everyone will agree all electronic systems experience a hickup once in a while, the KeyWatcher can be no different. However, you can have piece of mind in knowning that support is only a phone call way, and we can usually talk you through most issue within a few minutes.

Q: How long is the initial support period?

A: KeyWatcher users have access to FREE LIFETIME phone support during normal business hours.

Q: Is maintenance service needed?

A: No, simply use a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol to clean the Dallas Smart Chip on each Smartkey if they become excessively dirty.

Q: Are there any statewide uses of the KeyWatcher system in corrections facilities and how are the KeyWatcher systems typically setup in a correctional facility?

A: KeyWatchers are used extensively in correctional facilities throughout the world.
The State of Wisconsin correctional system has gone with the Morse KeyWatcher key management system statewide. As of June ‘97 some prisons already had KeyWatcher in place and the Wisconsin Legislature had approved funding for the Morse KeyWatchers throughout the state.

In some cases there are two cabinets in the control room. One cabinet is used for the very high security keys that are only accessed in emergencies and typically this cabinet has a Plexiglas window on the cabinet door.

The everyday keys that are accessed by officers throughout the prison can be set up in a few different configurations:

• The key cabinet can be placed in the control room with the keypad and the display placed remotely outside the control room. An officer would then enter his user code and password, the operator in the control room would then open the cabinet and pull the desired Smartkeys from it, and then give them to the officer on the outside of the control room through the pass-through drawer.
• Or, the cabinet, key pad and the display are mounted as one unit just outside the control room, in visual range of the control room officers, for officers to access totally on their own.

Q: Can you release keys from a remote computer?

A: Yes, you can perform all functions of the KeyWatcher, provided that the proper security codes are used.

Q: Can multiple KeyWatcher’s be accessed by a single PC?

A: Yes, up to 50 KeyWatchers can be controlled from the KeyPro software, which can be installed on an unlimited number of PC's.

Q: Can the software be configured to automatically download transactions to the computer at a designated time of day?

A: Yes, the transactions can be automatically downloaded. The Key-Pro software has been created for the unattended pooling of multiple KeyWatchers. An operator can configure each KeyWatcher to be queried by a user determined frequency as follows:

• Online, as transactions occur
• Periodic, number of minutes
• Daily, at a specified time
• Weekly, specified day of week and time of day
• Monthly, specified date each month and time of day

Q: Is it legal to load the Key-Pro software on multiple computers?

A: Yes, each KeyWatcher comes with an unlimted site license, therefore You are authorized to install and run as many copies of the Key-pro software as needed. The software is licensed to a KeyWatcher, not to a computer. Key-Pro is available in your choice of an MS-Access or SQL version.

Q: Is the software Microsoft Windows and NT compatible?

A: Yes, the Key-Pro software will run on Windows 9x, Windows 2000, NT, XP and Windows 7.

Q: What is the difference between the KeyWatcher and KeyBank systems?

A: The KeyBank system is available at a substantially reduced price. It operates exactly like the standard KeyWatcher system, except that it DOES NOT lock the Smartkeys in place. When the door opens nothing prevents a user from removing any and all key sets. Of course, there is always an audit trail of who removed what key sets and when. Each KeyBank cabinet can hold more key sets then the KeyWatcher. All audit tracking and reporting is exactly the same.

Q: What types of alarms are available?

A: The KeyWatcher provides an alarm for the following conditions:

• Overdue keys
• Illegal Entry
• Key Return Violation
• Illegal Access
• Invalid Key
• Door Left Open
• AC Power Loss
• Key Reservation Alarm

Q: When I return keys to the system, do they need to be placed in a specific location?

A: The random key return feature allows the user to return the key to any open locations within the cabinet. This makes it easier for the user who is returning the key and also protects sensitive keys from pattern location placement. In multiple cabinet configurations, the systems automatically determines which cabinet has adequate key locations open, and prompts the user accordingly where to return the key set(s). However, if you prefer to require each key set to be returned to a specific location you can order the optional "non-random" key return feature.