What has changed from Key Manager 7 to Key Manager 8?
- KM8 was release 1 February 2021. It is a 100% rewrite of the KM7 product.
- It is available as the Basic edition with a single user and a partial feature set.
- It is available as the Premium edition with multi-user and the full feature set.
- The Basic and Premium editions are equivalent to those in previously offered in KM7.
- KM7 released in April 2011 and had 69 version updates in almost 10 years.
- KM5 released January 2004.
- KM4 released October 2001.
- KM8 has a new modern interface.
- Menu tabs are used for grouping of functionality.
- Most functions are available from a single button click with less common via drop down menu.
- Some functions repeated on multiple menu tabs for ease of access (e.g. Doors, Keys are on the Issues tab also).
- Search windows integrate with main window to reduce screen clutter.
- The UI is dynamically created so controls shown are determined by key systems present and that the user has access to.
- Much improved display of search results.
- Popup menus with hotkeys shown throughout the program.
- Checking for program updates is easy. When an update is available it is shown in a banner at the bottom of the main program window.
- Direct access to see what has changed in the program update and to download it.
- Expired Support and Maintenance is shown in a banner at the bottom of the main program window so you know when it needs to be renewed.
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Huge improvements system import speed – important for cloud hosting
1001 keys, 1000 doors: KM7 import 13m33s, reimport 9m30s, KM8 import 3m46s, reimport 3s.
See the article Cloud server installation performance.
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Can use the PM8 publishing service to transfer systems from PM8 (The locksmith) to KM8, fast and convenient.
PM8 (The locksmith) and KM8 support and maintenance must be current.
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Checks for updates from the locksmith and shows in a banner on main window when available.
¶ KM8 New features – New and improved
- Many more security permissions and security groups for more granular security.
- Unbreak key - for when you incorrectly marked a key as broken.
- Improved move keys into key cabinet.
- Fewer ‘admin’ functions – now done by users with appropriate permissions.
- Can restrict key holder categories to selected key cabinets.
- Easier setup for user -> system security and for user -> key cabinet security
- Email now can be encrypted SMTP and uses HTML (SMTP or Outlook).
- Improved wizards for deactivating key holders and removing key holders.
- Much improved for self-maintained systems (CSV imports, keying matrix functionality etc).
- Supports new PM8 (The locksmith) features (Internal keying, mandatory signatories).
- New database engine – Firebird 3.0.x
New, removes any known vulnerabilities.
Performs better.
Encrypted data transmission – major corporate and university consideration.
- Basic edition uses ‘embedded’ engine so database engine not installed as a service
- Installer puts on minimal file set depending on options (basic, premium, new, upgrade).
- No components shared with KM7 so can be run side-by-side for testing.
- Product brochure PDF available.
See the article Product brochure
- Product help file – like in KM7 but better.
- Product help is available for download as PDF.
See the article Product documentation in PDF format
- Knowledgebase - kb.whsoftware.com
Updated frequently to reflect tech support questions