Well, I tried it. I went to Home Depot this morning and found a guy who worked in the key area. He said I was the Second one to ask about the system. He truly didn't know how to do the process, but we worked it out. Side-by-side, with each of us reading the screens, each step became clear and my key was made.
I had to try it out. I gave him one of my keys and then had to download the app. to my Android phone. It didn't take but a moment to download. I had to give it my phone number and set up an account. (Email address; password, etc.). It was nothing that I didn't expect to do.
He scanned the key into their system. I had to Name The Key. One of the options was Front door; and Back door, etc..
I didn't like the database being able to identify exactly what each key controlled, so I told the machine it was for an Apartment (which I don't own). When I got back home and opened the app., I found that I could change the name to anything that I wanted. So, I made up a code that told ME what the key was for, but not a casual looker or thief ( I hope).
Anyhow, after logging the key into the database, I had the guy come completely out of the setup and close down the connection.
I then said..."let's see if it works" and I had him make me a key totally from the record in the database. It cost me $2.00 and I now have an extra key. I took it home and it worked just fine.
The system sent me an email to let me know that Someone had just made a key using my identification. It appears that the app will keep you informed if, somehow, someone used your information to make a key.
If we can get over the idea that our key data is in the Cloud someplace, and try to protect the actual key names with our own home-made-up descriptions, I think this system is a winner.
Someday this week, I am going to take all of my boat keys up and have them log each one in. Between keys to get into the boat barn; a key that locks the spare tire on; Another key that locks the hitch coupler...there are plenty of potential problems if I lost that key ring.
If you have a Home Depot nearby, you might consider logging in some not-very-important-key, and see how the process works. For me, it was worth the $2.00 to try it out.
regards,
