iB Management Solutions provides support to CIT companies using legacy Kaba Mas Cencon Platforms

March 21, 2011 - PRLog -- iB Management Solutions, a security technology specialist which delivers lock code distribution systems to cash-in-transit (CIT) providers, has highlighted numerous issues for organisations using the outgoing Kaba Mas platforms (version 1.0 to 3.0), as Kaba Mas migrates customers to their latest Cencon 4 platform.  

Following extensive communication by Kaba Mas over the last 18 months, most customers have begun to plan their approach to dealing with this problem and iB, with their CIAS IVR solution, are able to assist with this in a number of ways. Two main issues are set to hasten the withdrawal of Cencon 3 locks.  

Due to factors entirely out of its control, Kaba Mas are advising that current  ‘smart keys’; small button ‘Dallas’ keys used by security or maintenance personal on key readers mounted on the lock; are being phased out  within the next two years.  With regards to Kaba Mas software to manage lock estates, Cencon 4 locks can be managed using existing legacy Cencon software in compatability mode, but only while the lock serial numbers on Cencon 4 locks remain under the one million mark.  

Any locks with seven digit serial numbers must be managed under Cencon 4.0 software which requires CIT companies to formalise an upgrade path to their Cencon platform. It is not clear when the one million mark will be reached, but industry experts say ‘M-Day’ (Millionth lock-Day) will come sometime within the next 12 months.

iB Management Solutions provides CIAS (Cencon IVR Automation System) which is already used by leading CIT providers to automatically distribute unique Cencon ATM lock open and close codes via an interactive voice recognition (IVR) to staff involved in cash replenishment and ATM maintenance.

iB is providing customers which use CIAS with a range of options for managing their legacy Cencon 3 lock estates as well as Cencon 4 migration advice. Cencon 4 has backward compatibility with its predecessor but uses new ‘iButton’ smart keys and features a new USB key box to replace PCIO cards.  Eventually, old ‘iButton’ smart keys will run out so customers have to develop a strategy to upgrade to Cencon 4.0. To help customers avoid a ‘big bang’ approach, CIAS offers a middle way by managing both Cencon 3 and Cencon 4 software and lock estates alongside one another.

Paul Smith, managing director, iB Management Solutions, commented:
“Migrating and establishing operation of a new product never comes without its challenges. But organisations that use legacy versions of Cencon have real issues to contemplate as they look to upgrade to Cencon 4.0. To help customers avoid a ‘big bang’ approach, CIAS from iB offers a ‘middle way’ - managing both Cencon 3.0 (and earlier versions) and Cencon 4 software and lock estates alongside one another.

“iB has extensive experience in managing these systems and can recommend the best route for cash-in-transit operators.  We would advise all organisations with legacy Cencon platforms to ensure they have an effective plan which minimises these vulnerabilities – and iB is happy to help explain the options.”

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About iB Management Solutions
iB Management Solutions is an expert provider of end-to-end key management solutions and other systems for automotive dealerships.  iB Management Solutions’ eTag Key Management System offers networked key management solutions to 40 per cent of the Mercedes-Benz network and 30 per cent of the BMW network in the UK. Customers include Porsche Retail Group, Mercedes-Benz Retail, BMW Park Lane, Essex Auto Group and Sytner Group. iB is also an expert provider of CIAS (Cencon Automation IVR Solution) to security companies such as Sunwin Cash Processing. CIAS provides an automated telephone interactive voice response (IVR) service to security companies who need to distribute ATM lock codes to their crews in order to replenish and service ATMs.  For more information, visit www.ibmanagementsolutions.co.uk

For more information about iB Management Solutions, please contact:
Paul Smith, Managing Director, iB Management Solutions Limited
Tel: 0845 2255183.  Email: psmith@contactib.com
www.contactib.com

For all iB Management Solutions media enquiries, please contact:
Miles Clayton / Simon Bennett, Agility PR Limited
Tel: 01992 586 190.  Email: miles@agilitypr.co.uk/simon@agilitypr.co.uk

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About iB Management Solutions
iB Management Solutions is an expert provider of end-to-end key management solutions and other systems for automotive dealerships. iB Management Solutions’ eTag Key Management System offers networked key management solutions to 40 per cent of the Mercedes-Benz network and 30 per cent of the BMW network in the UK. Customers include Porsche Retail Group, Mercedes-Benz Retail, BMW Park Lane, Essex Auto Group and Sytner Group. iB is also an expert provider of CIAS (Cencon Automation IVR Solution) to security companies such as Sunwin Cash Processing. CIAS provides an automated telephone interactive voice response (IVR) service to security companies who need to distribute ATM lock codes to their crews in order to replenish and service ATMs. For more information, visit www.ibmanagementsolutions.co.uk