Pure Jake!© Newsletter

	Jake Jakubuwski
			THE PURE JAKE NEWSLETTER Volume 1, Number 3 - April, 2011 PURE JAKE Home THIS MONTH'S PURE JAKE TOPICS: Jake's Thought For Today April's Featured Manufacturer: KEEDEX Jake's Jabber April's Book Preview Surveillance Cameras I Like These Links Web Site Design The Tax Man Cometh Thought For Today My only living aunt is 84. Recently she sent me an email to inform me that The Wizard of OZ was 70. Aunt Helen went on to say that if Dorothy were alive and looking for men without hearts, brains or courage; she wouldn't be in OZ - she'd be in Congress! Ya just gotta watch out for seniors. They didn't get to be seniors by being stupid. --Jake Jakubuwski April's Featured Manufacturer: KEEDEX I've never mad any secret of my admiration for KEEDEX and their products and have, over the years used many of those products. So, it's not like I am just writing about something that I never used. As with most products that I write about, when it comes to KEEDEX I can say that I've been there and done that - a lot! Recently, KEEDEX came out with a new product that really caught my attention so I called up an ordered one. Just so I could look it over, put it through it's paces and then let my readers know that I think KEEDEX has another winner in their lineup. This new addition to the KEEDEX line is called The Bottle Lock. The bottle lock is a really "kewel" (My granddaughter says I spelled it right) locking device that fits most wine, liquor or beverage bottles that you, or your customer might not want some one sampling their goodies uninvited. Each bottle lock has a settable combination and when properly installed on a bottle firmly seats the lock so that it will take a serious liquid lapper to get into the bottle and draw down the contents. The photograph shows The Bottle Lock and if you go to keedex.com you can view a video of The Bottle Lock and how it works. While you're in their site you can also preview their other great products. KEEDEX products are available through your favorite distributor. If you need help locating a distributor, call KEEDEX at 714-993-4300. Tell 'em "Jake, told me to call!" Jake's Jabber Last month (March) I introduced my new eBook program and the subsequent lower prices on all my books and videos. The response from my readers and locksmiths, in general, was fantastic! For those of you who might have missed it, here's the deal: ALL of my books are being offered as instantly downloadable ("Instant" being the speed of your computer and the Internet) files. In addition to that bit of excitement, the new price structure (Only for the downloadable files) is a mere $9.99 per book! There are no tricks, gimmicks or gotchas. These books are all full version, unabridged books that I have written over the years - including some of my non-locksmith and non-technical books. The only locksmith book that is not currently in the mix is "The Fifteen Minute Safe Opening Technique" which deals with fast, valid and neat ways to get round head, in-floor, safes out of the floor in a hurry. But, it is coming and I'll let you know as soon as it's available. It will also be $9.99! Let me put these new prices in perspective for you. The Fifteen Minute Safe Opening Technique in a bound, printed format sold for $99.00. The Aluminum Stile Door Service and Repair book sold for $199.00. Other books ranged in price from $29. to $89. My Interchangeable Core service manual and mini-course was $129. Now, they are all available as downloadable files for $9.99. Want to take a look at what's available for download, right now? Go to: Pure Jake E-Books. You can see my videos that are available (Also for $9.99) at: Pure Jake Videos. Go browsing, or go shopping. Even if you don't buy a book (and at these prices, there's no reason no to) you will find some FREEBIES in both categories! Yep! At least one free book and one free video and several free articles. And just to keep your interest from flagging: There are more on the way! I am in the process (Works in Progress) of "finishing" up several other books. Some of them will be ready later this year and others will be coming next year. April's Book Preview Over the last twenty years, I've written numerous articles about Electronic Access Control and the importance it would play in our industry in the coming years. Well, guys and gals; the future is here! Today, EAC is, or should be, an important part of every locksmiths repertoire of tricks and service. The amazing thing is that so many locksmiths do not realize that they are already in the Access Control business and many of them that generate keys for the newer cars are already in the Electronic Access Control Business. The important thing that so many locksmiths forget and allow to be a stumbling block to their doing EAC work is that today's electronic access control hardware is user-friendly and if a locksmith can "wire-up" a lighting system in his/her van, they can certainly install today's EAC systems. At any rate, my book, "Basic Electronic Access Control: A Beginner's Handbook" is the easiest introduction to EAC work that, If I say so myself, I have ever seen. Steve Bright, of Carolina Access Control and past president of The North Carolina Locksmiths Association said that this book should be on every locksmiths book shelf. Originally, this book sold for $39.00. As an instantly downloadable eBook, the price is $9.99. Other of my eBooks have similarly deep discounts as opposed to their printed counterparts. Here's the introduction to the book. If you even thinking about entering the very profitable field of electronic access control, you want to start with this book. Introduction In an earlier book "Basic Electronic Traffic Control" (No longer available), I illustrated how simple EAC Installation and servicing can be. But, all too often, when you mention Electronic Access Control to many locksmiths, their response is less than enthusiastic. Yet, Access Control, whether mechanical or electronic (or a combination thereof) is what locksmithing is all about! Look in your van, or shop. It's bound to be full of locks, keys, and other security devices designed to keep the bad guys and gals out - and the good guys, and gals, safe. In Basic Electronic Traffic Control, I covered a single means of traffic control on a single door. That book outlined the installation of a magnetic lock, a power supply and a couple of switches to control the lock. That book was written to help demystify EAC installation for the locksmith that believes they need heavy-duty credentials to fulfill the requirements of an EAC project. Not true! In this book, I'm going to show you how to install magnetic locks, electric strikes and electric deadbolts. I promise to keep it simple. What's the difference between the two books? Well, the short of it is that one deals with granting controlled entry on a selected basis. The other is utilizing special hardware (keypads, prox readers, keys and bio-metrics) to grant access to restricted areas for specific employees who have access to the codes or equipment necessary to gain entry to the premises. Yet, in its most elementary form, Electronic Access Control is simply carrying what we already do everyday of the week, one step further and adding a substantial amount of profit to our bottom line. Besides, EAC is a relatively new product profit center within our industry and if you're unwilling to explore that venue and offer those services to your customers, you're going to find yourself getting further and further behind the curve. I'm not suggesting that if you don't jump into EAC work you're going to be out of business in a month, or a year. What I am suggesting is if you don't explore the idea of selling and installing, at least basic EAC systems for your customers, you are going to be left with a smaller and smaller piece of the profit pie. Why? Because there are more and more people who are taking a bigger and bigger slice of the business that locksmith's traditionally look upon as their own. Traditional services such as deadbolt installations, rekeying, key duplication and more. That means we have to look to other markets and other methods to continue to support ourselves realistically and comfortably. Stop to think about it. If car openings, key generation, deadbolt sales and rekeying services are not what they were a year or two ago, where has that business gone? EAC can be your "shtick" for making your phone ring more often and make your cash register ring more often, as well. Here's the real secret to modern day EAC - it does not take an electrical engineer, or even an electrician to sell, service and install today's systems! They're almost "plug-and-play". And, because they are low-voltage (Under 50 volts) they are, in many jurisdictions exempt from the mandates of many local electrical codes. Certainly, you want to check with your local Authority Having Jurisdiction regarding the local codes. I think chances are better than fair that you are permitted to install these low-voltage systems. My thanks to Dan Floeke for his interest and desire to "spread the word" about how simple EAC really can be. Purchase your copy of this book at: Pure Jake E-Books Surveillance Cameras I'm reading more and more about the exponential increases in the use of surveillance cameras. In fact, last year I wrote an article about CCTs and nearly every time I pick up a trade journal, I find more and updated articles about cameras and their use by individuals, businesses, churches, schools, cities, law enforcement, universities and industry. As the need for security surveillance increases the use of cameras are being used to help keep watch on banks, hospitals, daycare centers, parking lots and retail outlets. I am also reading more and more about some thug that breaks into a store and a surveillance camera in a store across the street records the deed! In the last several issues of ALOAs Weekly Update they have devoted space to cameras being used in major metro centers and cities around the world. The demand is increasing and within my own sphere of acquaintances I know several who have entered that market and seem to be doing very well with camera sales and installations. In most jurisdictions that I am familiar with security camera sales, installation and service come under alarm installers license mandates. That means that within some very narrow guidelines there may be very few opportunities for you to take advantage of this burgeoning market without acquiring an alarm installer's license. The good news is that this is an excellent opportunity for locksmiths to network with alarm installers and work out some quid-pro-quo when it comes to surveillance camera sales and installation. If you cannot legitimately install cameras, or other electronic security equipment because you are not licensed to; it makes good sense to network with someone who can. Besides, if we represent ourselves as security professionals and turn down a customer that wants a camera system it's bound to make them wonder how professional and competent we really are. If a customer asks you for a bid on a camera system, what would you think would sound better to them? "I don't do cameras!" or "I'd really like to help you with that but I'm stretched as far as I can go right now. However, I can give you the name and phone number of a guy that can help you out. In fact, I can call him for you!" Sometimes we can't slay all the dragons ourselves but there's nothing to stop us from bringing in another dragon slayer… Here is a list of recent articles about surveillance cameras. These are all hyperlinks so you should be able to click on any of the articles that you think you'll find interesting. Trinidad and Tobago to invest in traffic monitoring systems Council wins award for CCTV parking enforcement Spending cuts threaten CCTV system in South Devon West Midlands council invests in CCTV Basler enjoys is best ever performance Jordanian shopping mall installs sophisticated CCTV system Texan city invests in video surveillance equipment Manchester security event 'should not be missed' CCTV systems 'essential' in data centre environments CCTV 'a very valuable tool' in the fight against internal theft You can also search "Surveillance Cameras" on Google for more information. I Like These Links: ClearStar Security Network Elite CEU PURE JAKE PURE JAKE Free Articles Hinge Doctor The National Locksmith Lab Pins THE IMPRESSIONATOR Select Hinges Doodlemeister Tarheel Web Design If you find any broken links, please let me know Web Site Design In the February issue of this newsletter I reprinted a column I had written to The National Locksmith Magazine titled: "Why Shouldn't You Have a Website?" In that article I discussed the reasons you should have your own website. Also, in that article, I mentioned that there are programs on the Internet that you can use to create your own web site. If a DIY thing is your preference then go to it. However, if you're more interested in a web site that will help you get some recognition on the Internet, I seriously think you should engage the help of a professional web site designer. Now, before you get overly excited and begin to give yourself all the reasons why you can't afford a web site or, you are just not computer savvy enough to design and maintain a web site - even if you spend the money to do so - hear me out. A decent web site, professionally done, does not have to cost you an arm and a leg. It does not require large amounts of time to maintain; and best of all, with a good web site you have 24/7 technical support. As you may have guessed there is a method to my madness here. I have a good reason for bringing this subject up this month. My son, Kelly, who designed the PURE JAKE web site has finally decided to offer his services outside of the select few that he has provided web design and site construction over the last eight, or nine years. His list of clients, besides PURE JAKE include businesses, churches, friends and others. In fact, Kelly has won a couple of awards for his designs and has been steadily honing his skills. He is now ready to provide his services to any one who is interested in having someone take the aggravation out of the design and mechanics of the process. Costs? Well, like everything else, it depends on what you want and how long it takes to build it. He has several packages available to you with the "Basic Brochure Package" starting at $99. per year. That price includes the web page, domain name, hosting and one (1) email address. If you've really been thinking about taking your business to the 'Net, this could be a truly economical way to do it. Check out Tarheel Web Design The Taxman Cometh Okay, you already know that this month is tax month and the dreaded day (April 15th) is just a few days away. If you're like millions of Americans, you're probably not ready for it and don't relish the idea of sitting down and trying to get all the receipts, Post-it notes and other "records" together in order to do your taxes. It's not too late to seek professional help. Most small business owners are NOT equipped to deal with tax forms, depreciation schedules, profit and loss concepts and all the other mind-numbing detritus involved in preparing a tax return. From my personal standpoint; I'd rather leave the nuts and bolts to someone else - like an accountant. I mean, if I broke my ankle, I certainly wouldn't want to go to a dentist for treatment, right? And, I certainly don't try to cut my own hair or make my own Polish sausage. I leave it all to the experts - including the preparation and filing of my income tax. Maybe you rely on Quick Books, Turbo-Tax, or one of the tax preparation services that offer the harried taxpayer relief at this stressful time of the tax year. I can't fault any them other then to say that I have found that a Certified Public Accountant gives me the most bang for my tax-preparer buck. Regardless, it really is that time of year again and if you're not ready yet and don't think you can get it done by the fifteenth of the month, you might want to consider filing for an extension. That's not legal tax advice, it's just a thought. An individual can find out about the type filing by going to: Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return THE PURE JAKE NEWSLETTER is a FREE newsletter for professional locksmiths, professional door installers, architectural specifiers, hardware purchasing agents, facilities management personnel, security professionals, door and door hardware distributors and other interested parties. The newsletter will be offered (FREE BY - SUBSCRIPTION ONLY) on a monthly basis to an "opt-in" subscriber list. It will be offered in electronic format only. If you have received this newsletter and do not wish to have future newsletters sent to you please click the "Unsubscribe" button at the bottom of this newsletter. If you received this copy of THE PURE JAKE NEWSLETTER from a friend and would like to have your own copy delivered to your desktop, or laptop, or Blackberry every month, you can subscribe by clicking here. Your information will never be sold, traded, given away, rented, leased, bartered, or swapped for ransom. Copyright 2011, Jake Jakubuwski - All rights reserved.