Skip to content 
HMS Locksmith is an Allston-based locksmith that installs and maintains keypad locks, buzzer entry and electronic access control for shops, offices and clinics across Boston, Watertown, Cambridge, Brookline and the wider metro area. Small business owners usually call us after the same moment: an employee leaves, a key does not come back, and they realize they are about to pay to rekey the front door again.
Keyless entry can end that cycle, but it is not the right answer for every door or every budget. This guide covers the main options, the honest pros and cons, and the cost questions to ask before you sign off on anything.
What counts as keyless entry
Keyless entry covers a wide range of hardware. For a small business, the main options are:
- Standalone keypad locks. A lock with a number pad on the door. Codes are set at the lock itself. Simple and self-contained.
- Key card and fob readers. Staff tap a card or fob on a reader. Proximity cards and magnetic stripe cards are the most common types.
- Biometric readers. Fingerprint readers that tie access to a person rather than a card.
- Networked or hosted access control. Readers on several doors connect to a controller or to software, so you can change access from one place.
- Buzzer and intercom entry. Visitors buzz in and someone inside releases the door.
As our access control systems page explains, these systems let you control the who, what and where of physical access, and today’s electronic systems scale down to small businesses, not just large offices.
The pros
No more rekeying when people leave
This is the big one. With a card, fob or code system, you can remove or reassign access instantly, without the delay or expense of a lock change. When someone leaves, you delete their credential and you are done.
Different access for different people
A cleaner can get in on Tuesday evenings, a manager can open the stockroom and a part-timer can only use the front door during shift hours. Many systems handle shift access and holiday schedules.
A record of who came and went
Networked systems can log entry and exit times. That helps with questions like who opened up this morning, or who was last out before the alarm went off.
No keys to lose
Codes cannot be dropped in the snow, and a lost card or fob can be switched off from the software.
The cons
Whatever you choose, OSHA exit route rules still require exit doors to open from the inside without keys, tools or special knowledge, so plan the egress side before the reader side.
Codes get shared
A keypad code tends to travel. Employees tell friends, delivery drivers learn it, and a former employee may still know it. Change codes on a schedule and every time someone leaves.
Power and connectivity
Electronic locks need power. Battery-powered keypads need batteries changed before they die, and networked systems depend on wiring, power supplies and sometimes an internet connection. Ask what happens during a power outage and whether there is a mechanical key override.
Exit rules still apply
Whatever you put on the outside, the inside of an exit door still has to let people out quickly. Federal workplace rules require exit route doors to open from the inside without keys, tools or special knowledge. Your installer should plan the egress side of each door, not just the entry side.
Not every door suits every product
Glass storefront doors, narrow aluminum frames and older wooden doors each limit what can be mounted. Some products need a standard bored hole and will not fit a mortise lock door without extra work.
Costs to ask about
We are not going to quote numbers here, because the right price depends on your doors and the system you choose. What we can do is give you the questions that separate a fair quote from a surprise:
- Hardware per door. What exactly is being installed on each door, and why that model?
- Installation and wiring. Is low-voltage wiring needed? Who runs it and how long will it take?
- What do extra cards or fobs cost, and can you buy them from anyone or only from one supplier?
- Software or subscription fees. Is there a monthly or annual fee for a hosted system? What happens to your doors if you stop paying?
- Power backup. Is a battery backup included, and how long does it last?
- Maintenance and service. Who adjusts the door closer when the door stops latching, and who answers when a reader fails?
- Can it work with your existing alarm, intercom or cameras later?
- Mechanical override. Is there still a keyed cylinder, and who controls those keys?
Write the answers down and compare them across quotes. A reputable installer will answer every one of these before work begins.
Think about the whole building
Access control does not live in isolation. The doors it protects also affect heating and cooling, especially on busy front entrances that open all day. If you are planning a renovation, coordinate the door hardware with the other trades, because an entrance that never fully closes works against whatever system is heating or cooling the space. In a Boston winter, a well-adjusted door closer matters as much as the reader on the wall.
Keyless entry in Watertown and around Boston
HMS installs and maintains buzzer entry systems as well as electronic access control, and also offers master key systems, restricted key systems and alarms. Recent work includes keypad installation in Brookline. If your business is west of Boston, our Watertown locksmith page lists the services we provide in that area.
Frequently asked questions
Is keyless entry more secure than a regular lock?
It can be, mainly because you can remove access instantly and see who came and went. But a keypad code that gets shared, or a system with no backup power, can be weaker than a good high-security key lock. Security depends on the product, the installation and how you manage codes and credentials.
What happens to an electronic lock if the power goes out?
It depends on the system. Battery-operated locks keep working until the batteries die, and many networked systems have battery backup. Ask your installer how each door behaves without power and whether there is a mechanical key override.
Can I add keyless entry to my existing door?
Often, yes. Many keypad and card reader products fit standard doors, but glass storefronts, narrow frames and mortise lock doors may need specific hardware. A technician should look at the door before recommending a product.
Trusted Local Network
We like to point readers toward businesses that do careful work in their own trades and markets. Two worth a look:
- An air conditioning contractor in Doral, Florida, provides commercial HVAC service across Miami-Dade and Broward counties, a reminder that entrance doors and climate systems work together.
- A one-person handyman service in the Coachella Valley takes on small plumbing swaps such as faucets, toilets and shower heads, the kind of quick fix that is easy to schedule alongside other seasonal home upkeep.
Your Greater Boston Keyless Entry Specialists
If you are weighing keyless entry for your shop, office or clinic, reach our team through the contact page and tell us how many doors and people you need to manage. Call (617) 249-4949 to set up a walk-through and get an estimate.
HMS Locksmith is based in Allston and serves Boston and nearby communities across Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk and Essex counties, including Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, Newton and Quincy. Learn more about our access control systems for businesses, or see what neighbors say in the HMS Locksmith Google reviews before you book.
