Making sense of Key Control Levels

[darksim905]

Does anyone have links or more information on understanding key control?

There is a business locally I do IT Support for & they find that they are constantly drilling their own locks due to broken keys. They've also been told by ''local locksmiths'' (probably in fly by night vans) that the locks they use/keys can't be sourced e.g. "I can't get that for you". I know their locks are from Dorma & the keys they have are MBS keys. How does this work in terms of key control?

My understanding of the typical key control tiers:

Level I - Authorized Local Locksmith may be able to make a key/acquire hardware/copy keys?
Level II - A local dealer or reseller
Level III - Factory direct

If the owner of this place wants to get his cylinders/keys from somewhere else, can he? Does it depends on the keyway or a code stamped on the key? Will he have a contact at Dorma that only he can order this stuff through? I'm just trying to understand more of these types of setups.

[Riyame]

MBS (Marshal Best Security) should all be SFIC. He can use any SFIC in there. Most likely the local locksmith/scammers refuse to get the equipment to work on them so they say they cant get them.

[mdc5150]

As Riyame said they should be able to use any SFIC keyway.

As for levels of key control. The highest level is to buy a unique patented keyway. That is by far the most expensive option as you are buying an entire patent keyway.

The next level is to get an end user keyway that is still patented, but it is restricted by location. No one else within usually 100 miles will have that keyway.

Then there are locksmith restricted keyways, keyways that the locksmith can use anywhere where they want to sell it.

[darksim905]

If this guy has to get his products from the factory that makes the handlesets, is it typically safe to assume that it's restricted to that specific geographic area?

[jeffmoss26]

Pictures of the locks and cylinder would be helpful.