A method for managing machine operation options and configuration characterised by: providing a master key software operation key separable from the machine, the master key software operation key being a physical device comprising a first memory; providing a subsequently installed software operation key separable from the machine, the subsequently installed software operation key being a physical device further comprising a second memory, with a programmable serial region and an option code; placing the subsequently installed software operation key into the machine; and reading the programmable serial region of the second memory: wherein if the programmable serial region is found blank the method further comprises: initializing the programmable serial region with a machine identification number; reading the second memory and installing the option code into the first memory of the master key software operation key; and operating the machine in accordance with the option code in the first memory of the master key software operation key; and if the programmable serial region is not found blank the method further comprises: comparing the content of the programmable serial region with the machine identification number; and if the content of the programmable serial region matches the machine identification number operating the machine in accordance with any option codes in the first memory of the master key software operation key. providing a master key software operation key separable from the machine, the master key software operation key being a physical device comprising a first memory; providing a subsequently installed software operation key separable from the machine, the subsequently installed software operation key being a physical device further comprising a second memory, with a programmable serial region and an option code; placing the subsequently installed software operation key into the machine; and reading the programmable serial region of the second memory: wherein if the programmable serial region is found blank the method further comprises: initializing the programmable serial region with a machine identification number; reading the second memory and installing the option code into the first memory of the master key software operation key; and operating the machine in accordance with the option code in the first memory of the master key software operation key; and if the programmable serial region is not found blank the method further comprises: comparing the content of the programmable serial region with the machine identification number; and if the content of the programmable serial region matches the machine identification number operating the machine in accordance with any option codes in the first memory of the master key software operation key. wherein if the programmable serial region is found blank the method further comprises: initializing the programmable serial region with a machine identification number; reading the second memory and installing the option code into the first memory of the master key software operation key; and operating the machine in accordance with the option code in the first memory of the master key software operation key; and if the programmable serial region is not found blank the method further comprises: comparing the content of the programmable serial region with the machine identification number; and if the content of the programmable serial region matches the machine identification number operating the machine in accordance with any option codes in the first memory of the master key software operation key. initializing the programmable serial region with a machine identification number; reading the second memory and installing the option code into the first memory of the master key software operation key; and operating the machine in accordance with the option code in the first memory of the master key software operation key; and if the programmable serial region is not found blank the method further comprises: comparing the content of the programmable serial region with the machine identification number; and if the content of the programmable serial region matches the machine identification number operating the machine in accordance with any option codes in the first memory of the master key software operation key. comparing the content of the programmable serial region with the machine identification number; and if the content of the programmable serial region matches the machine identification number operating the machine in accordance with any option codes in the first memory of the master key software operation key.