How to Place a First Smart Lock Order Without Wasting a Quarter
The sequence that turns a first order into a repeat programme.
Read the article →How to Evaluate a Smart Lock Sample Before Bulk
A sample is only worth the tests you run on it. Six checks turn it from a look into evidence you can order a batch against, and they take an afternoon.
1. Fit it to a real door, not a bench
The door is the test. Mount the sample on the door type it will actually go on, including the frame and the strike, and operate it twenty times.
- Does the bolt or shackle engage the strike without binding
- Does the door close with the lock fitted, without adjustment
- Does the body sit flush, or does the panel foul the frame
- Does it still operate after the door has been slammed a few times
2. Test every entry method, in the order a user would
Swipe the table sideways to see the full specification →
| Fingerprint | Enrol two people, three fingers each, and test a wet finger |
|---|---|
| Keypad | Test the code, then test an anti-peep entry if the model supports it |
| IC card | Test a card and a card that has not been enrolled |
| App | Open from the app while standing at the door |
| Mechanical key | Test it, then test that the electronic side still locks after |
| Emergency power | Test the emergency charge point, not just that it exists |
Test the failure cases too. An unenrolled card should be refused, and a wrong code should be refused and should not lock the user out permanently.
3. Test the app and the gateway in the building
- Pair the lock to the app on a 2.4GHz network
- Pair the gateway and confirm remote unlock works from outside the building
- Walk to the furthest point where the lock will be installed and test again
- Generate a temporary code and confirm it expires
- Read the access history and confirm the entries are correct
If the site needs an access record and the sample has no gateway, the sample cannot answer that question. Order the gateway with the sample.
4. Run the battery rather than reading the claim
Swipe the table sideways to see the full specification →
| What to do | Install fresh batteries and log the date |
|---|---|
| What to record | How many operations before the low-battery warning |
| What to check | Whether the warning is visible and audible |
| What to test | That the lock still opens after the warning appears |
Battery life in normal use depends on how often the lock is operated and whether the radio is live. A lab figure and a building figure are different numbers, and the building one is what your customer will experience.
5. Check the artwork and the packing against the proof
- Colour box printed against the approved digital proof
- Barcode scans to the value you specified, not just to a number
- Manual language is the one you asked for, on every page
- Carton marking matches your shipping marks
- Fixings, template and manual are all in the box
6. Record the version you tested
The last step is the one that prevents the argument in three months. Write down exactly what the sample was made of and keep it with the sample.
Swipe the table sideways to see the full specification →
| Firmware version | Read it from the app and write it down |
|---|---|
| App version | Both the version number and the platform |
| Hardware revision | From the label or the quotation |
| Specification | The confirmed drawing or specification sheet |
| Sample kept | Keep the physical sample, and the signed proof |
The sample you approve becomes the reference for the batch. If it is not labelled and kept, a later question has no answer.
Buyer Questions
Three questions this guide usually raises.
On this topic
Do I need to test the sample on a real door?
Yes. A bench test proves the electronics work. Only a door proves the body, the strike and the frame clearances are right.
Should I order a gateway with the sample?
If the site needs remote control or an access record, yes. Without the gateway the sample cannot demonstrate the features you are buying it for.
How long should I test the battery for?
Long enough to reach the low-battery warning under realistic use. Log the operation count rather than the calendar days, because it is operations that drain it.
Related Reading
How to Measure a Door for a Smart Lock: A Photo Guide
Five photos and three numbers are usually enough to confirm the fit.
Read the article →OEM Packaging for Smart Locks: From Artwork to Sealed Carton
The packaging is the part buyers underestimate, and the part that cannot be changed once it is printed.
Read the article →