Milwaukee Tool’s Big Bet on One-Key

Milwaukee One-Key Big Bet

One thing has become pretty clear to us, Milwaukee Tool is betting big on their ONE-KEY Tool System which you can download the app now but really kicks off February, 1 2016 with a full launch of ONE-KEY M18 FUEL drills and impact tools (see list below). In a nut shell, One-Key builds in Bluetooth and RFID technology into their tools which today means you can control RPM, torque and other setting in the tools. You can also track tool performance and more easily communicate with the ONE-KEY Inventory Management System. The inventory component is really a standalone system (connect by computer & app) as it tracks any item tool or otherwise like ladder, jobox, threader, bender, camera system, whatever even if you don’t have any ONE-KEY tools.

One-Key Tool Settings

Tomorrow (or the not too distant future) ONE-KEY could mean tracking remotely exact location of all your ONE-KEY tools, theft deterrents such as disabling tool from afar when stolen, live jobsite data, alerts when a tools are not performing correctly, future improvements to tools performance/features, linking tools to specific users (or smartphones) and many other possible features in safety, performance, tracking and theft deterrent we can’t even imagine.

Will Milwaukee’s Big Bet pay off? Tough to tell but they were very smart to not limit the potential of ONE-KEY to just a single function of theft deterrence, tracking, reporting or settings because each feature only appeals to a smaller group of users. Let people use these tools how they want means the potential is way bigger, it also means people may need to figure some things out on their own. We have talked to several specific users doing assembly work that currently pay $1000+ for tools that control RPM or torque who cannot wait for these tools to launch. Many more will need to get on-board however for this technology to be the mainstream hit Milwaukee is hoping for.

Milwaukee App iPhone Android

Several years ago the Apple iPhone was launched and I very clearly remember thinking “people want to press buttons, that touch screen thing is not going to take off”… Clearly I’m an idiot, now 99+% of all smartphones are direct descendants on that original flat screen iPhone design. If power tool connectivity does take off right away Milwaukee Tools is going to be way out in front leading the way with ONE-KEY. We think it will inevitably be a feature people demand however there are some questions. Will people pay extra? Could it take a few years or more features to catch on? Could ONE-KEY be too far ahead of its time?

Time will tell but we should have some answers in the next few months, learn more about Milwaukee M18 ONE-KEY, see the full list of current & coming soon ONE-KEY tools below and the full Milwaukee Tool press release below that.

Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2″ Drill/Driver with ONE-KEY (Bare Tool) 2705-20
On Sale For: $179.96
Torque: 1200 in-lbs
Speed: 2 Speed
RPM: 0-550 / 0-2,000 RPM
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2″ Drill/Driver with ONE-KEY Kit 2705-22
On Sale For: $329.92
Torque: 1200 in-lbs
Speed: 2 Speed
RPM: 0-550 / 0-2,000 RPM
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2″ Hammer Drill/Driver with ONE-KEY™ (Bare Tool) 2706-20
On Sale For: $199.95
Torque: 1200 in-lbs
Speed: 2 Speed
RPM: 0-550 / 0-2,000 RPM
BPM: 0-32,000
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2″ Hammer Drill/Driver with ONE-KEY™ Kit 2706-22
On Sale For: $349.98
Torque: 1200 in-lbs
Speed: 2 Speed
RPM: 0-550 / 0-2,000 RPM
BPM: 0-32,000
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2-Tool Combo Kit with ONE-KEY 2795-22
On Sale For: $479.91
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2-Tool Combo Kit with ONE-KEY 2796-22
On Sale For: $499.95
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2″ Compact Impact Wrench with Pin Detent with ONE-KEY (Bare Tool) 2759-20
On Sale For: $209.96
Torque: 220 ft-lbs
RPM: 0-2,500 RPM
IPM: 0-3,200 IPM
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2″ Compact Impact Wrench with Pin Detent with ONE-KEY Kit 2759-22
On Sale For: $379.93
Torque: 220 ft-lbs
RPM: 0-2,500 RPM
IPM: 0-3,200 IPM
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2″ High Torque Impact Wrench w/ Friction Ring BARE TOOL with OKE-KEY 2759B-20
On Sale For: $209.96
Torque: 220 ft-lbs
RPM: 0-2,500 RPM
IPM: 0-3,200 IPM
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2″ High Torque Impact Wrench w/ Friction Ring with ONE-KEY 2759B-22
On Sale For: $379.93
Torque: 220 ft-lbs
RPM: 0-2,500 RPM
IPM: 0-3,200 IPM
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/4″ Hex Impact Driver with ONE-KEY™ Kit 2757-22
On Sale For: $349.98
Torque: 1,800 in-lbs
RPM: 0-3,000 RPM
IPM: 0-3,700 IPM
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/4″ Hex Impact Driver with ONE-KEY™ Kit 2757-22CT
On Sale For: $279.93
Torque: 1,800 in-lbs
RPM: 0-3,000 RPM
IPM: 0-3,700 IPM
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1-4″ Hex Impact Driver with ONE-KEY (Bare Tool) 2757-20
On Sale For: $179.96
Torque: 1,800 in-lbs
RPM: 0-3,000 RPM
IPM: 0-3,700 IPM
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 3/8″ Compact Impact Wrench w/ Friction Ring with ONE-KEY Kit 2758-22
On Sale For: $379.93
Torque: 210 ft-lbs
RPM: 0-2,500 RPM
IPM: 0-3,200 IPM
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 3/8″ Compact Impact Wrench w/ Friction Ring with ONE-KEY Kit 2758-22CT
On Sale For: $309.98
Torque: 210 ft-lbs
RPM: 0-2,500 RPM
IPM: 0-3,200 IPM
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 3/8″ Compact Impact Wrench w/ Friction Ring with ONE-KEY™ (Bare Tool) 2758-20
On Sale For: $209.96
Torque: 210 ft-lbs
RPM: 0-2,500 RPM
IPM: 0-3,200 IPM
Milwaukee M18 FORCE LOGIC 6T Utility Crimper Kit with D3 Grooves and Fixed BG Die 2678-22BG
On Sale For: $2,199.91
Milwaukee M18 FORCE LOGIC 6T Utility Crimper Kit with D3 Grooves and Fixed O Die 2678-22OOn Sale For: $1,899.95

MILWAUKEE, WI – Milwaukee Tool continues to revolutionize the tool industry with the introduction of new M18 FUEL™ Drill Drivers, Hammer Drills and Compact Impacts that can be completely customized for better control over power, speed and consistency through ONE-KEY™. These new drilling and fastening solutions connect wirelessly to the ONE-KEY™ app, allowing users to use predetermined set-ups for specific fasteners and materials, or completely customize their own profile with torque and speed settings for the application at hand.

“This is an exciting time in power tool history. Our M18 FUEL™ drills and impacts are the most powerful on the market. Because these tools feature a combination of the smartest electronics available, brushless motors and advanced lithium-ion batteries, their power and versatility make them perfect for an incredibly wide variety of applications. With all this power at their fingertips, our users want to be able to harness the performance and customize it for their specific needs,” said Christian Coulis, Vice President of Product Management for Milwaukee Tool. “With ONE-KEY™ we’re giving our users the ability to take full advantage of the sophisticated electronics in our M18 FUEL™ tools so they can communicate with them in ways never before possible and tailor their tool to how they work.”

The Tool Control functionality within ONE-KEY™ allows users to customize a variety of settings in managing tool output – everything from torque and speed to trigger ramp up and sensing progress throughout a given application. Easily configured, these tools will automatically adjust based on the inputs.

Create – Users will be able to use their smart device to connect to any ONE-KEY™ compatible M18 FUEL™ tool within 50 feet and create custom profiles that make the tool match the way they work. Tool Control will give these users two ways to customize: They can create their own profile by adjusting speed or torque, or they can access available setups based on common applications like self-tapping screws, concrete anchors and hole-saw drilling. These setups will remove the guesswork by providing torque and speed outputs based on selected materials, fasteners and accessories.

Save – With the touch of the button on the tool, users will be able to easily go back and forth between these saved profiles so that each application is done with the most accurate and productive settings. Once the tool is set, a phone is no longer needed.

Outperform – The ability to communicate with a tool, maximize its potential and save settings that achieved the best results will revolutionize the way work gets done. With unmatched control and speed for the most consistent results, users will experience up to 25% more run-time, 50% faster driving speeds, 4X longer accessory life, as well as reduced tool stalling, and damage to fasteners and materials.

“This is truly a game-changer for the industry and its professionals,” said Coulis. “We’re, essentially, pushing the boundaries of cordless tools and putting the power to do so in the hands of the people who know their tools best – the users.”

As with all M18 FUEL™ products*, the new tools feature three Milwaukee®-exclusive innovations — the POWERSTATE™ Brushless Motor, REDLITHIUM™ XC5.0 Battery Pack and REDLINK PLUS™ Intelligence Hardware and Software— to deliver unmatched performance, durability and run-time.

Available in February 2016, the new M18 FUEL™ drilling and fastening solutions, compatible w/ ONE-KEY™, are a true testament to Milwaukee’s focus on the user and investment in game changing technology. Not only will ONE-KEY™’s capabilities** lead to more efficient work, better performance and consistently accurate results, but as the program’s capabilities evolve, Milwaukee Tool will be able to deliver more features to a product even after it’s purchased – translating to invaluable productivity gains.

For more information on the ONE-KEY™ please visit http://www.milwaukeetool.com/one-key.

* M18 FUEL™ is engineered for the most demanding tradesmen in the world. Delivering unrivaled performance, all M18 FUEL™ products feature three Milwaukee®-exclusive innovations—The POWERSTATE™ Brushless Motor, REDLITHIUM™ Battery Pack and REDLINK PLUS™ Intelligence Hardware and Software—that deliver unmatched power, run-time and durability on the jobsite. Simply put, M18 FUEL™ tools are the most powerful 18V cordless tools in their class.

**ONE-KEY™ is the first digital platform for tools and equipment. By integrating industry-leading tool electronics with a custom-built cloud based program, ONE-KEY™ provides a new level of control and access to information that revolutionizes the way work gets done. The first phase of ONE-KEY™ delivers 3 core benefits that have an immediate impact on productivity: inventory management, tool reporting and tool control.

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