The invention provides a key system unit (106, 108, 110) comprising a first interface (204) suitable for connection to a plurality of local terminals (122) and a control unit (202) coupled to the first interface. The control unit is operative for receiving a user data signal from the first interface and routing the user data signal toward a selected destination. The control unit has a registry (310) for storing status information, the status information including a local segment and at least one remote segment, the local segment providing a representation of the functional status of the key system unit, the remote segment providing a representation of the functional status of a remote key system unit. The information in the registry can be displayed on a display screen on a local terminal to provide the user with system status information on the local key system unit and the remote key system unit.