Abstract: A system for enabling a central location to control a service at a plurality of remote locations. The system includes a plurality of control modules for controlling the length of time for actuation of a switch at remote locations. A magnetic stripe card programs one of the plurality control modules to provide a service to the remote location for a predetermined period of time. The magnetic stripe card also programs the remote control module with a series of progressive warning modes. A central site manager programs the magnetic stripe cards for use with a specific control module. The central site manager contains a storage means containing information concerning each control module under the control of the site manager and information concerning all of the magnetic stripe cards issued by the central site manager.