How Smart Electronic Locks Improve Glass Display Case Management

Display cases enhance product presentation while providing security, making them a popular choice among retailers. However, complicated and inefficient access management has long been a common pain point for retail businesses.

How can display case management become simpler, more convenient, and more efficient? Let's take a look at how Company S addressed this challenge.

Company S is a manufacturer of display equipment for electronic products, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and watches. Its product portfolio includes display cases, drawers, and other solutions designed primarily for brick-and-mortar consumer electronics retailers.

Capitalizing on the rapid growth of smart devices, Company S has developed into a global leader in retail security display solutions since its establishment in 2010, securing a strong market presence across Europe and North America.

Staying true to its original mission, Company S combines innovation with extensive industry experience to provide retailers with premium display equipment that balances product presentation, security, and operational efficiency.

In response to customer feedback, Company S decided to proactively upgrade its locking systems and move toward smarter access management.

The main challenges included:

1. Complicated key management. Traditional mechanical locks used on display equipment required numerous physical keys, making daily management cumbersome and inefficient.

2. Security risks associated with lost or unreturned keys. Lost keys or keys that employees failed to return after leaving the company created security vulnerabilities, increasing the risk of electronic products being stolen.

Company S wanted to replace traditional mechanical locks with electronic locks that offered greater control over access management. It also expected the locking system to provide flexible, user-configurable functions, such as the ability to revoke access immediately when a key was lost.

After gaining an in-depth understanding of Company S's requirements, we recommended the next-generation MAKE M5-F passive electronic cam lock, featuring multiple operating modes to help display equipment manufacturers enhance their product competitiveness.

The M5-F offers the following key management capabilities:

Access permissions can be configured to determine whether an electronic key is authorized to unlock a particular lock. Administrators can assign authorized keys to different employees, helping prevent unauthorized access and improper operation.

If a key is lost or an employee leaves without returning their key, the administrator can revoke its authorization. Once deauthorized, the key can no longer unlock the assigned locks, helping minimize potential security risks.

The system supports authorization for a single lock or multiple locks, making it easier for retailers to implement flexible access management across different display units.

For example:

• Key A can be authorized to unlock Locks 1–5.
• Key B can be authorized to unlock Locks 4–8.
• Key C can be authorized to unlock Locks 3 through N.

With a single electronic key, each employee can manage multiple display units according to their assigned permissions. This flexible configuration supports shared responsibilities between staff members while maintaining clear access boundaries.

Administrators can set validity periods for electronic keys to strengthen access control and reduce the risks associated with unauthorized or outdated permissions.

Permanent employees can be assigned keys with long-term authorization, while temporary staff can receive keys with limited validity periods. This differentiated access management helps retailers control who can access valuable electronic products and for how long, reducing the risk of theft.

Every unlocking event is uploaded to the management platform, creating a digital log that records key details, including the unlocking time, the lock accessed, and the electronic key used.

These records can be retrieved for review, giving administrators greater visibility into access activity and helping them establish a more data-driven approach to lock management.

By linking each electronic key to a responsible employee and the corresponding display equipment, retailers can eliminate much of the hassle associated with physical key handovers, reduce administrative costs, and simplify routine maintenance. At the same time, digital access records make it easier to investigate incidents, trace access activity, and identify potential security breaches, helping prevent internal theft and reducing the risk of product losses caused by misplaced keys.

After the MAKE M5-F was integrated into glass display cases, it received strong recognition and positive feedback from Company S.

"M5-F is a product that we have been searching for several years. This lock gives our customers an easier way to manage their equipment and reduce losses. Our customers are satisfied!"

According to feedback from Company S's customers, the lock has significantly improved the convenience of managing glass display cases while helping reduce financial losses in retail stores.

The satisfaction of both Company S and its end users reflects the quality and practical value of MAKE's locking solutions.

Looking ahead, MAKE will continue to challenge traditional boundaries and advance electronic locking technology toward smarter, more versatile solutions. We look forward to working with you to make safer, more efficient display equipment management accessible to more businesses worldwide.