DoorKing Inc.

Todays self-storage consumers expect more from the facilities they patronizemore amenities, web-based services and security. DKS DoorKing Inc. is there to help, providing complete turnkey solutions owners can use to secure and manage their properties, from gate operators to management software.

Established in 1948, DKS is a U.S. manufacturer of telephone entry systems, vehicular gate operators, parking-control products and access-control systems. It was the first company to use microprocessors and electronic magnetic limits in its vehicular-gate and parking-control operator designs. This strategy has helped make us a leader in the access-control industry, says Richard Sedivy, director of marketing.

The company offers a full line of gate operators to meet any requirements, all accessories for the gate system, loop detectors, photo eyes, keypads, card readers, wireless transmitters and controllers. Products are complete with system design, technical support and training, and a software package, Symbio, to manage it all.

Simplify With Symbio

Symbio is a full management and accounting software package designed specifically for the self-storage industry. It features a graphical site map, tenant management, billing management, reporting management, daily task manager and more. With the continued growth in this market segment, it was just a natural to take it to the next step and offer a full package, including the software, says Sedivy.

The Symbio Professional and Symbio Professional N versions have gate-access and access-control integration built into the program. The program is written in VB.net, making it is easy for the storage operator to use, says Sid Smith, Symbio program manager. DKS 1838 controllers work with DIVIS DVRs to provide tenant tracking on the video DVR system.

Symbio generates more than 35 management reports. Users can create customizable reports based on their own requirements. Most programs print out black-and-white reports, whereas Symbio puts many of the standard reports in a graphical representation, Smith says.

Symbio is customer-driven. It takes only five minutes from when a tenant selects a unit to record the tenants info, create the lease agreement, design a site map identifying the rented unit, provide an access code, and print the invoice and receipt for payment. At the DKS software department, we have a team of programmers developing the product based on our users requests, Smith says.

Superior Support

DKS has more than 2,000 authorized dealers throughout the country that are factory-trained in the installation and maintenance of all its products. By working with one company, owners are assured that system components work seamlessly and there are no compatibility issues, Sedivy says.

Many people dont understand that the vehicular gate system to enter their property can be dangerous if not installed properly, he continues. The gate operator has to be installed in accordance with the UL 325 safety standard, and the gate itself has to be constructed in accordance with the ASTM F2200 construction standard. These standards are in place for the safety of everyone who uses the entry gate.

Since most lay persons are unfamiliar with the provisions of these standards, or are completely unaware of them, DKS markets its products only to licensed and trained dealers in the installation of vehicular gate operator systems, Sedivy says. And by using a DKS trained installer, the storage owner has a single source for installation and maintenance, he adds.

Developing Solutions for the Future

DKS corporate offices and manufacturing facilities are in Inglewood, Calif., with nine sales offices across the United States. In addition, the company has international distribution in Australia, Canada, Central and South America, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. The company has approximately 200 employees, and many of the core staff and managers have more than 30 years of experience in the access-control industry.

As customers expect more Internet-enabled services and equipment, users will begin to see a release of additional products and services from DKS that address these issues of connecting devices and software together, Smith says.

The interfaces are becoming so user-friendly, you dont have to be a computer person to use these devices, he continues. Self-storage customers are also expecting the same level of ease of use and service. DKS will continue to build its relationships in the self-storage industry, offer products that the industry demands, develop new products and continue to improve on its existing product lines, Sedivy says.

For more information, call 800.826.7493; visit www.doorking.com.