Thinking About Smart Keys? Don't Make These 4 Mistakes. Be cautious when choosing the best security technology for your devices.

There's a marketplace full of tech trying to replace the humble metal key with apps: Just tap a button and your door opens. There are advantages. Business owners, for example, can easily control who has access to their offices and when. But, well, is it a good idea? Answer: Yes, as long as you consider the following.

Security: "With software and wireless, there is an entirely new set of vulnerabilities," says security expert Marc Weber Tobias. Hacker break-ins, as well as the physical kind, are a real possibility. He suggests sticking to brands such as Schlage, Kwikset, Yale and Medeco, which have a track record of producing reliable locks.

Keypad: Depending on a dedicated app for entry has its problems. Workers, say, may have incompatible devices, and a dead phone could result in a lockout. To avoid snafus, consider a smartlock that also has a number-combination keypad bypass.