We're getting new Keypads

After two years of discussion and negotiation, the leadership has now officially approved entering into an agreement with Supra to upgrade to a new KEYpad.  Unlike our last conversion six years ago, this will only entail exchanging your SuperKEY for a new KEYpad.  We will not be exchanging Keyboxes as we can continue to use our current AEII Lockboxes.  As this news is likely to draw numerous questions, I thought I’d try to hit most of the critical points. 

The conversion itself won’t happen until the week of January 19, 2004.  Rest assured that we’ll provide a boatload of information about the conversion and new Keypads in this magazine, on the web site and various other communication vehicles between now and then.  So, if I fail to answer all questions below, be patient, chances are the info you require will be forthcoming in the near future.

When?  Conversion will take place January 19 – 23, 2004 (You’ll receive detailed instructions closer to that time.)

Why are we converting?  We don’t have a choice.  Our 6-year contract with Supra expires at the end of this year.  Supra introduced their latest Keypads a couple years ago.  They are no longer selling or supporting the old SuperKEYs except for Boards through the completion of their existing contracts.

Are we exchanging Keypads and Lockboxes?  NO.  Just Keypads.  You will need to bring in your current SuperKEY and exchange it for either a DisplayKEY or an eKEY.

What’s a DisplayKEY?   A DisplayKEY (sometimes called a D-KEY) is really just what it says – a display keypad as it has a small screen which displays messages and eliminates remembering the meaning of our current combination of buzzes and beeps.  For example, with the new DisplayKEY, if you enter the wrong pin code, it will display ‘Wrong pincode’ instead of giving you one long buzz.  No more remembering that two short buzzes means your battery is low, you can view this on the display screen.  Other features are listed on the opposite page so I’ll move on to additional questions…

What will the new DisplayKEY cost?  $106/year ($21 more than the annual charge for your current SuperKEY.)  This is the first annual fee increase in six years and we’ve budgeted not to increase this annual fee for the next six years.  (Ask your other service providers to beat that!)

What is an eKEY?  This is a palm-based KEYpad which you will have the option of purchasing if you wish.  Cost for an eKEY is $25/month.  As this is only an option and there are quite a few features of an eKEY, we’ll save this for later.

Will our current AEII Lockbox still work?  YES.  We will not have to stop using or exchange any of our current AEII Lockboxes.  At this point, we expect that we’ll be able to use our current lockboxes for several more years.  However, only Supra’s new iBOX will be available for sale after the conversion.  (see next question)

Will I be able to buy an AEII Lockbox after the conversion?  NO.  Only the new iBOX will be available for sale after the conversion.  Remember – I just told you that your current box will last for some time.  But if you need to purchase another box and for new members entering the business purchasing boxes for the first time, only the new iBOX will be available for sale. 

How much will the new iBOX cost?  $84.  Our current AEII Keyboxes sell for $75.  We do have a number of the current lockbox available for purchase if you’d like to save $9/box.  However, the new iBOX is pretty cool so you might want to just wait and upgrade when needed.

What’s so special about the new iBOX?  The iBOX uses infrared technology.  Just “point and beam” your KEYpad at the iBOX to release the key container, release the shackle or program the Keybox.  The iBOX can also store electronic fliers, messages and business cards for important information and home tour descriptions.  It holds up to four listing keys.  It stores up to 100 accesses (current AEII box holds 50).  The iBOX has an internal lithium battery with a battery life tested to exceed six years! And you can program up to three different access hours.  For instance, you can program the box to open from 9a-10p on weekdays and 8a-11p on weekends.

So, is there a down side?  Well...Maybe...Your new Keypad will need to be updated daily.  We had the choice of updating weekly or daily.  We made the decision to require daily updates for a couple reasons:

• Security – With a daily update, a lost or stolen Key can be turned off overnight thereby rendering it useless.
• Simplicity – Remembering to update your Key daily will be easier than trying to remember which day of the week the Key needed to be updated.
• Showing information – Requiring a daily update will enable you to track showings much more quickly.

What if you forget to update your Key?  There’s an 800 number you’ll be able to call to obtain a temporary update code.

That’s the news in a nutshell.  Hopefully these two pages will answer most of your initial questions.  But if not, keep in mind, we’ll be issuing more information in the coming months.