Technology service provider AutoIMS says keys are a main reason for cost concerns and administrative burdens for its clients.

That is why AutoIMS and High Tech Locksmiths have launched a new service that they say streamlines the key-ordering process for recovered vehicles entering the auction marketplace. The companies say the service will provide transparency to auctions, consignors and dealers through their preferred information sharing platforms.

The service provides real-time access to workflow information that includes chain of custody notes and key requests between AutoIMS and High Tech Locksmiths, according to the companies. High Tech Locksmiths, a mobile automotive locksmith service provider that provides transponder, remote, smart key and proximity key services, is a business unit of KAR Auction Services.

AutoIMS and High Tech Locksmiths say that historically, the key ordering process has been a tedious, fragmented and manual “cut and paste” communications process. Now, it is automated and accessible in near real-time.  

“This new integration provides consignors and auctions with an accurate key status such as keys complete, keys found or redemptions more quickly, thus avoiding unnecessary key cuts,” AutoIMS vice president of client experience Joe Miller said in a news release. “Similarly, the order status will be easier to obtain, approvals streamlined and issues more quickly resolved, ultimately reducing days to sell.”

At no additional cost, consignors can opt-in to the integrated service, and once the service is configured, clients can access information, and respond and enter their own notes directly into the service. High Tech Locksmiths vice president of operations Ken Garbez said his company wants to create a “seamless experience” for customers, and the AutoIMS and High Tech Locksmiths say the service eliminates clients’ need for additional emails, phone calls or other communication.

“Our customers want convenient, easy to use tools and solutions that they can trust to help transition recovered vehicles to sold vehicles, and we are working to make that process faster and easier than ever before,” Garbez said.