On Tuesday, October 28 and Wednesday, October 29, 2014, Supra and GBAR will be facilitating the mandatory exchange of all current blue iBox Lockboxes for new, low energy Bluetooth® iBox BTLE Lockboxes. The new BTLE Boxes have built-in Bluetooth Technology, which will allow shackle and key access using an app on your smartphone/tablet, rather than carrying around an ActiveKey or an EKey Fob. There is no charge for exchanging your old blue iBox Lockboxes for the new BTLE Boxes.
 

The Lockbox exchange and app upload event will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton at 225 Water Street in Binghamton in the "225 Entertainment Zone" downstairs. Given the volume of Boxes to be exchanged, we have established a schedule according to last name which we ask Lockbox/Key holders to follow. Click here for the schedule.

In preparation, please:
 

Mark the date and time of your assigned exchange on your calendar.

• Take an inventory of the number and location of your outstanding iBoxes, and make arrangements to pick them up in preparation for the exchange, and to place your new BTLE Boxes back on your listed properties.

• Note that each Keybox owner must come in person with your iBoxes and your ActiveKey or EKey Fob (if you wish to upgrade to the smartphone/tablet app), and a government issued ID.

• Verify that your smartphone/tablet is compatible with the EKey app by clicking here. If it is, get instructions for downloading the app for your device by clicking here.

Frequently Asked Questions:
 

1. Q: Do I have to exchange all my old blue Lockboxes?

   
    

   A:  Yes, the exchange is mandatory. The old boxes will not be accessible by the new smartphone/tablet app - only by a Fob or Active Key. That is why it is essential that all blue IBox Lockboxes be exchanged for the new iBox BTLE Lockboxes, because we anticipate that most agents will opt for the smartphone/tablet app instead of an ActiveKey or Fob.

   
    

2. Q:  Can I keep my ActiveKey if I don't want to use the smartphone/tablet app?
    

   A:   Yes, you can. The Active Key will be able to access the new boxes. The semi-annual price will be $106.20.

   
    

3. Q: What will be the new price for the smartphone/tablet app?

   A:   $17.70, billed monthly by Supra

   
    

4. Q: Will the smartphone/tablet app allow me to access the old lockboxes of cooperating Associations (e.g., Ithaca)?

   
    

   A: No, it won't. It is recommended you retain your ActiveKey or Fob to access these boxes.

   
    

5. Q: Does the smartphone/tablet app require cell service to open shackles or key boxes?

   
    

   A:   No. It operates via Bluetooth technology, so no cell service is required.

   
    

6. Q: I am a GBAR Affiliate who has been issued an ActiveKey or Fob to conduct my business (e.g., an Inspector), or a REALTOR® with an ActiveKey or Fob who has no outstanding Lockboxes. Do I need to attend the Exchange according to the schedule just to activate the new smartphone/tablet app?

   
    

   A:   Yes. You need to attend the Exchange in order to activate the app and turn in your ActiveKey or Fob.

   
    

7. Q: So what's this going to cost me?

   
    

   A:   All your old blue iBoxes will be exchanged for free. A Summary of ActiveKey, EKey and Professional EKey pricing is shown below. An ActiveKey will cost a bit more than in the past, to encourage a shift to the smartphone/tablet EKey App.
    

*Tax not included - Pricing Subject to Change

For an overview of the new IBox BTLE and its capabilities, click here.