From Lost Keys to Zero: How Groupe ABS Took Control of a 130-Vehicle Field Fleet

Groupe ABS runs a busy field operation, with 130 vehicles supporting its daily operations. When the fleet was smaller, managing the vehicles was straightforward. Keys were kept on an open board on the wall, where employees could pick them up and return them after use.

As the company grew, that simple system stopped working. With more vehicles and teams spread across multiple offices, it became difficult to keep track of who had each vehicle. Keys regularly went missing, and because there was no record of who took a vehicle or when it would be returned, the team had little visibility into the fleet.

The problem also became expensive. Modern keys contain transponder chips that must be programmed to the vehicle. “Keys with a chip in them can be pretty expensive, like five hundred dollars, and it can be more sometimes,” said David Fitz-Morris, Field Operations Director at Groupe ABS.

Vehicle handoffs created another challenge. Employees had to coordinate with supervisors to get the keys, which was difficult with different schedules and multiple locations. Crews could end up waiting for access to a vehicle, while supervisors spent time coordinating who would pick up and return the keys.

Groupe ABS installed Keycafe SmartBoxes to manage its fleet keys. Each key is linked to a specific vehicle through a tracking fob, and employees can pick up and return keys using a PIN or mobile authentication. Supervisors no longer need to coordinate every handoff, so crews can access vehicles independently when they need them.

Groupe ABS also connected Keycafe to its employee database through the open API. When a new employee is added, their Keycafe access is created automatically based on the vehicles they are authorized to use. This eliminates manual account setup and separate permission lists.

Supervisors can manage access remotely and see the status of every key through the Keycafe app. Each pickup and return is recorded with the employee and time, giving the team a clear record of vehicle use.

Keycafe quickly simplified how Groupe ABS manages its fleet keys. Within the first few weeks, the team was spending less time coordinating handovers and tracking down missing keys. Lost key incidents dropped to near zero, eliminating a recurring replacement cost, while every use of a vehicle became linked to a specific employee.

Self-service access also made it easier for employees to get on the road without waiting for a supervisor. Supervisors spend less time managing handoffs and more time on their day-to-day responsibilities. The integration with the employee database further reduced administrative work by automatically keeping vehicle access up to date as employees join and leave the company.

With every pickup and return recorded, Groupe ABS now has a clear view of key activity across its locations. Supervisors can see who accessed each vehicle and when, giving the team greater accountability and making it easier to resolve questions when they arise.