Depreciation of SentriCards
A message from SentriLock:
Dear Valued SentriLock Customer:
As always, we sincerely appreciate your business and the privilege to serve your members’ lockbox and access management needs.
You may recall that in January 2020, we announced that, due to various technology reasons, SentriLock will be retiring the SentriCard® in 2022 as a means of access, and the card will no longer function to open lockbox key compartments. In response to the announcement, we have seen the vast majority of customers continue a steady migration from the SentriCard to the SentriKey® Real Estate app to access lockboxes for showings. As of December 1, 2020:
- Over 75% of accesses were via the app during the last 12 months
- 84% of users have exclusively used the app since September 2020
- 76% of lockbox accesses were via Bluetooth® since September 2020
Deprecation of the SentriCard
This message serves as a reminder that effective January 1, 2022, agents will no longer have the ability to use the SentriCard for lockbox access. However, those who own a lockbox will be able to use the card, if necessary, for certain basic ownership functions until 1/1/24. Those functions include:
- Taking or transferring ownership
- Releasing the shackle
- Assigning the lockbox to a listing
- Borrowing the lockbox from a broker
We recommend that associations and MLSs accelerate the transition of their members from using the card to using the app in 2021. We have numerous strategies to help facilitate your members’ transition. One such strategy is our focus to make sure that NEW users are created as app-only users. Therefore, as of April 1, 2021, all new users will be created as app-only users and no new cards will be created.
Looking Ahead to 2024
As a natural next step in the deprecation process, the SentriCard will be fully disabled on January 1, 2024. At that time the card will not be usable for any lockbox functions.
Keep in mind that early generation, non-Bluetooth® enabled lockboxes will remain functional beyond Jan. 1, 2024. However, any settings will be locked in and remain static for its remaining life cycle.
Why Are SentriCards Being Deprecated?
The smart card, while innovative at the time of introduction, is a technology that is reaching the end of its life cycle. We have experienced numerous challenges as smart cards approach the end of their utility, such as:
- Industry-wide difficulty in acquiring key components that go into the use of smart cards.
- An inability to develop new, highly desirable features that will work with smart cards.
- The natural migration of customers to the superior Bluetooth® connectivity and app-only environment.
As a technology company, we take pride in always keeping a keen eye toward the future, while staying firmly committed to providing the best overall customer experience. The result of this approach means that some technologies must be retired as newer, more efficient solutions become available.
What Does This Mean to My Organization?
The impact these changes will have on your organization and its members will vary depending on the type of lockbox your members use and the number of smart card users and accesses you have. By the end of January, your SentriLock Customer Success Manager will reach out to review how your organization is specifically impacted by this change and will work with you to identify and develop a success plan specifically for your organization. We have developed several tools and resources to help your organization with this transition and will share these with you during the planning phase.
We are excited about the transition of all our customers and their members to an app-only environment by 2022. It enables us to design even more robust features and to bring them to market more rapidly. We appreciate your support as we make this important transition for you.
If you have any questions or need assistance transitioning your members to the app, please contact your Customer Success Manager.
Sincerely,
Scott Fisher Founder and CEO SentriLock, LLC
