"Once we load this in Overtur, your homework is done. If a closer or lock needs to be replaced, you go to the door number and reorder. It becomes a Rolodex or handbook of what you have and how to get corrections done quickly." — Todd Carroll, Aftermarket Sales Representative, Montgomery Hardware

Managing key systems across K-12 school districts presents unique operational challenges. Many districts still rely on paper records and three-ring binders dating back to the 1960s. Over time, pages may go missing, information becomes outdated or handwritten notes obscure critical data, potentially keeping schools from knowing who has access and to which areas.

As experienced carpenters and locksmiths retire, districts are sometimes filling these roles with personnel from other divisions, such as paint, landscaping or janitorial services. While this helps with immediate short staffing, it introduces a potential knowledge gap in maintaining complex door hardware and key systems. To maintain security, school districts may benefit from a centralized way to track keys, manage hardware and order replacements.

Montgomery Hardware, a commercial door and hardware distributor, recognized this gap. To help their customers regain control of their facilities, the distributor began utilizing Allegion’s Overtur™ suite of services, specifically Overtur Key System Management.

Overtur Key System Management is part of the Overtur cloud‑based suite, giving teams a secure, accurate source of truth for every key, cylinder and opening across their facilities. Facility managers can start with powerful no‑cost tools to design key systems, document field conditions and collaborate with Allegion experts. From there, they can expand the capabilities with subscription tiers that strengthen control, accuracy and operational confidence.

For Montgomery Hardware, the primary goal is educating customers on how to modernize their access control records.

“K-12 is the target for us. At the ground level, they’re struggling,” states Todd Carroll, an aftermarket sales representative at Montgomery Hardware. "You’ve got a large percentage of carpenters and locksmiths that are all in the retirement phase. The district superintendents are pulling from other divisions... They need our assistance as a distributor from an educational standpoint."

Many districts struggle to find a solution when their physical key systems become compromised or disorganized. Montgomery Hardware uses Overtur Key System Management to digitize site plans, establish anchor points and map door locations. Instead of searching through outdated binders, facility managers can access the information in Overtur to see exactly how a door is keyed and what hardware is installed.

The information accessible in the Overtur suite assists facility managers to efficiently address needs beyond just key system management. “Once we load this in Overtur, your homework is done,” Carroll explains. “If a closer or lock needs to be replaced, you go to the door number and reorder. It becomes a Rolodex or handbook of what you have and how to get corrections done quickly.”

For large-scale projects, Overtur provides visibility for all stakeholders. During a recent rekey project at a stadium in Los Angeles, Montgomery Hardware used the platform to load facility plans and provide visibility to every door and anchor point. Project managers, facility staff and installers can access the platform, assign keys to specific employees and leave notes.

Montgomery Hardware also advises districts to adopt factory keying alongside Overtur. This combination removes the burden of pinning and building key structures from less experienced staff, placing responsibility on a controlled system. Upper management gains immediate visibility into who holds specific keys and what steps to take if a security issue arises 

Implementing a new digital tool requires hands-on education. Montgomery Hardware partners directly with Allegion end-user consultants to guide customers through the transition. This collaborative approach shifts the conversation from a traditional sales pitch to an educational consultation.

“[Allegion] is one of the only manufacturers with what I call ‘boots on the ground,’ and as a distributor, it’s our job to support that,” says Carroll. “Going in there with the factory is a huge opportunity. It takes it from a hard sell to an educational sell, which customers respect more.”

The end-user consultant can dive into specific technical details, while the distributor manages the project scope and implementation. Together, they give the customer a clear sense of the program.

By starting with small pilot projects—often just five to 10 doors—Montgomery Hardware demonstrates the immediate value of Overtur to school districts. Once a site is loaded into the platform, subsequent projects become much easier to manage. Site plans, door numbers and anchor points carry over, allowing the distributor to isolate specific doors for future upgrades.

“Organization, visibility and ease of use. Everybody’s on the same page,” Carroll notes regarding the platform's primary benefits. “Although it can take time to implement initially, the tools support projects and make them more efficient and profitable, and they make doing business with customers easier.”

As districts continue to face staffing changes and budget constraints, Overtur provides the documentation required to maintain secure facilities. Through education and strategic implementation, Montgomery Hardware helps K-12 schools replace outdated binders with a clear, digital path forward.