For decades, the traditional locksmith business model has centered on one-time service calls: rekey a cylinder, replace a lock, program a key, or repair a door hardware issue. These services remain essential, but they can make revenue heavily dependent on how many jobs a shop completes each month.
Commercial access control creates another opportunity.
By adding electronic locks and managed access services to their offerings, locksmiths can move beyond one-time hardware and labor charges and create opportunities for Recurring Monthly Revenue (RMR). Instead of only being paid when a customer needs a repair or installation, a locksmith can continue providing value through access management, credential administration, reporting, maintenance, and support.
Wire-free electronic locks can make this transition particularly practical because many installations require less cabling and infrastructure than traditional wired access control systems.
What Is Recurring Monthly Revenue (RMR) for Locksmiths?
Recurring Monthly Revenue, or RMR, is income a business receives on an ongoing basis from a recurring service or subscription.
For a locksmith, RMR could come from services such as:
- User and credential management
- Access schedule administration
- Access activity reporting
- Remote system management
- Software or platform management
- Preventive maintenance
- Technical support
The important distinction is that the customer is not simply paying for the lock. They are paying for an ongoing service that helps them manage and maintain their access system.
This gives locksmith businesses a potential way to supplement traditional installation and service revenue with longer-term customer relationships.
How Can Electronic Locks Create Recurring Revenue?
The initial electronic lock installation is typically a one-time project. The recurring opportunity comes from the services provided after installation.
For example, a locksmith could install electronic locks throughout a small commercial property and then offer ongoing management of users, credentials, schedules, and system maintenance.
A typical customer relationship could look like this:
Initial installation → System setup → User management → Ongoing support → Maintenance and expansion
This model changes the conversation from, "How much does this lock cost?" to, "How can we help you manage access to your property?"
The exact services and pricing will depend on the access platform, hardware, customer requirements, and the locksmith's business model.
Why Are Wire-Free Electronic Locks a Good Fit for Locksmiths?
Traditional wired access control can require power supplies, network cabling, access panels, controllers, and other infrastructure. Depending on the building, installing that equipment can add labor and may require coordination with electricians or low-voltage contractors.
Wire-free electronic locks can simplify certain installations by reducing the amount of physical cabling required at the door.
For locksmiths, this can create several advantages.
Familiar Installation Concepts
Many electronic locks are designed around familiar commercial door hardware and installation practices. Locksmiths already understand door preparation, lock fitting, alignment, latching, and hardware compatibility.
That existing expertise can make electronic access control a natural extension of a locksmith's current services.
Reduced Cabling Requirements
Battery-powered and wireless solutions can reduce or eliminate the need to run traditional access-control wiring to individual openings.
However, "wire-free" does not necessarily mean infrastructure-free. Depending on the system, wireless connectivity, gateways, batteries, software configuration, and network access may still be required.
Easier Retrofit Projects
Wire-free solutions can be particularly useful when upgrading existing commercial openings where running new cable would be disruptive or expensive.
Instead of replacing an entire access-control infrastructure, a locksmith may be able to upgrade selected doors with compatible electronic hardware.
What Can Locksmiths Offer as a Managed Access Service?
Installing the hardware is only the beginning of an ongoing customer relationship.
The exact services available will depend on the electronic lock and access-control platform, but locksmiths can potentially package services around several recurring needs.
User and Credential Management
Businesses regularly hire employees, change responsibilities, and terminate access.
A managed service can help customers keep their access permissions current by handling tasks such as:
- Adding new users
- Removing former employees
- Updating access permissions
- Managing mobile credentials
- Adjusting access schedules
This creates an ongoing service need rather than a single installation transaction.
Access Activity and Reporting
Some electronic access platforms provide activity logs that allow authorized users to review access events.
For businesses that need greater visibility into who is accessing a property and when, a locksmith can potentially include reporting and system administration as part of a managed access package.
Availability depends on the specific hardware and software platform.
Maintenance and Support
Electronic access systems still require maintenance.
Batteries need to be monitored and replaced, hardware may require adjustment, and users may need assistance with credentials or access issues.
A maintenance and support agreement can give commercial customers a predictable way to receive assistance while creating another potential source of recurring revenue for the locksmith.
Where Can Wire-Free Electronic Locks Be Used?
RMR opportunities are not limited to a company's primary entrance.
Depending on the hardware and access platform, electronic locks can be used across different areas of a commercial property.
Potential applications include:
- Office entrances
- Interior offices and restricted rooms
- Storage rooms
- Utility areas
- Gates and exterior access points
- Commercial yards
- Equipment storage
- Trailers and other mobile assets
Expanding from one door to multiple access points can increase the value of the overall project and create additional opportunities for ongoing management and support.
For example, a business might initially request electronic access for its main office. Once the system is established, the locksmith can identify additional openings where controlled access could improve security or simplify employee management.
How to Package Access Control as a Service
A recurring service does not have to be complicated.
A locksmith can create simple service tiers based on the number of doors, users, locations, and support requirements.
Basic Managed Access
Designed for small businesses with a limited number of controlled openings.
Possible services include:
- Basic user administration
- Credential management
- Access schedule configuration
- Remote technical support
Pro Site Management
Designed for businesses with multiple controlled doors or a larger number of users.
Possible services include:
- User onboarding and offboarding
- Credential administration
- Access schedule management
- Access activity reporting where supported
- Routine system support
Multi-Site Management
Designed for businesses managing multiple locations or a larger number of access points.
Services could include centralized user administration, system monitoring where supported, scheduled maintenance, reporting, and priority field service.
The goal is not to create unnecessarily complicated subscription plans. Instead, the service should clearly communicate what the customer receives each month.
What Should Locksmiths Consider Before Offering RMR?
Recurring revenue can be valuable, but it also creates an ongoing service obligation.
Before launching a managed access program, locksmiths should consider:
- Platform capabilities: Confirm that the electronic lock system supports the management features you intend to offer.
- Battery management: Establish a process for monitoring and replacing batteries where required.
- Customer support: Define how customers will request assistance and what is included in their plan.
- Service boundaries: Clearly distinguish included remote management from billable onsite service.
- Scalability: Choose hardware and software that can support customers as they add doors or locations.
- Pricing: Make sure recurring fees account for the time and resources required to provide the service.
The best RMR offering is one where the recurring service provides genuine value to the customer while remaining profitable and manageable for the locksmith.
Key Takeaways for Locksmiths
Wire-free electronic locks can provide more than an alternative to mechanical hardware. They can help locksmith businesses expand into managed access control and develop longer-term commercial customer relationships.
The basic opportunity is straightforward:
- Install electronic access hardware as the initial project.
- Configure the customer's access system.
- Offer ongoing credential and user management.
- Provide maintenance, reporting, and technical support where appropriate.
- Expand the system as the customer's access-control needs grow.
This approach does not guarantee recurring revenue, but it gives locksmiths a practical framework for turning access control from a one-time installation into an ongoing service relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wire-Free Electronic Locks and RMR
Can locksmiths make recurring revenue from electronic locks?
Yes. Locksmiths can potentially create recurring revenue by offering ongoing services such as credential management, access administration, maintenance, reporting, and technical support alongside electronic lock installations. The available services depend on the access-control platform.
What is RMR in the locksmith industry?
RMR stands for Recurring Monthly Revenue. In the locksmith industry, it refers to ongoing income generated from services such as managed access control, system maintenance, credential administration, and technical support.
Are wire-free electronic locks easier to install than wired access control?
Wire-free electronic locks can reduce the need for access-control cabling at the door, which may simplify certain retrofit installations. However, installation complexity still depends on the door, hardware, wireless infrastructure, power requirements, and access-control platform.
Can electronic locks replace traditional mechanical locks?
Electronic locks can replace or supplement mechanical locking hardware in many commercial applications, but the appropriate solution depends on the door, security requirements, access method, and building configuration.
What services can locksmiths include in an access-control subscription?
Depending on the system, services can include user onboarding and removal, credential management, access schedules, activity reporting, software administration, maintenance, and technical support.
Expand Your Commercial Access Control Services
Electronic access control gives locksmiths an opportunity to build on the skills they already use every day. By combining familiar door hardware expertise with electronic locks and ongoing management services, a locksmith business can pursue larger commercial projects and develop longer-term customer relationships.
Ready to expand your commercial access control offering?
Explore the Locksmith Keyless Electronic Locks catalog to find electronic access solutions for commercial doors, gates, storage areas, and other applications.
