KeyPro / KeyWatcher

Environment

MiWorkspace, Windows, League, Union, Pierpont Commons, Palmer Commons


Issue

Explanation of KeyPro / KeyWatcher and how to set it up.


Resolution

Context

KeyPro / KeyWatcher is a commercial wall-mounted key system that allows you to manage building keys. It was purchased from the company Morse Watchman. The key boxes themselves maintain a copy of the database, which is then pushed out to the server. From there, reporting and user management are done. 


Server Client

The key boxes communicate with the server on TCP/UDP/3001 to make changes to the reporting and user databases on the server. These databases are built in Microsoft Access and are currently hosted on a Windows 2022 Server instance. When migrating to a new server, it is required to reinstall the Key-Pro III app on the server and redirect the key boxes to the server's network path. This allows the key boxes to push out the databases to the new server.  Please note that databases need to be recreated first, then pull down the key box copy of the database to the new server.


Desktop Client

Before beginning, please verify that the user belongs to the AD group sl_Keywatcher_Users. This is required to access the share as well as use the program.

  1. ​​Map \\sl-league.adsroot.itcs.umich.edu\KeyWatcher\ as the Z: drive, and check "Reconnect at login" if it isn't already.
  2. Navigate to the drive and copy/paste the "client" folder onto the user's computer.
  3. Once ready, navigate to the "client" folder on the user's machine and run the "setup" file as an administrator.
  4. While the installer is running, it may ask about where the database is. In these cases, point it to the Z drive and select the desired database.
    • You may also be prompted about setting up a location for backups/archives, but these are not necessary and can be dismissed.
  5. Once finished, have the user confirm they can log in to the program.


Additional Information

For any changes involving Transaction History, databases must be re-synced after said changes are saved/pushed.

While it is installed on a few people’s machines, Donna Maples (dmaples) has historically done the majority of the collections. Donna also serves as the user expert for the program, while Mathew Pauhl currently serves as the technical expert.

Windows is the only OS supported at this time for both the server and desktop environments.

The current version supported is 1.9.9, which was pushed in July 2022 as part of the Windows Server 2022 migration for Student Life servers.

As of February 2024, four (4) KeyWatcher instances are being actively maintained:

  • Michigan League
    • Unit contact is Donna Maples (dmaples)
    • Referred to as "KeyWatcher" in software
    • First installed instance
  • Michigan Union
    • Unit contact is Donna Maples (dmaples)
    • Referred to as "MiUnion" in software
    • Installed after Union's renovation
  • Pierpont Commons
    • Unit contact is Kevin McMahan (mcmahan)
    • Referred to as "Pierpont" in software
    • Installed May 2020
  • Palmer Commons
    • Unknown unit contact
    • Unknown software ID
    • Unknown status
    • Uses its own server - uuis-palmer.adsroot.itcs.umich.edu
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