Access to growth

Access control in the UK grew by five per cent last year according to the latest market development report from MBD.

The value of the access control market (including sales and rental income) was estimated to have reached GB pound 656 million in 2007, equivalent to a nominal growth of 5 per cent in the year.

This follows similar annual growth levels of between 5 and 7 per cent recorded in the previous three years.

Since 2003, the value of the market has increased by an estimated 26 per cent, says the UK Access Control Market Development Report. Access control has also continued to gain share from the overarching security systems and alarms market during recent years, largely reflecting the development of more sophisticated and higher value systems.

Furthermore, demand has been generated by the heightened perceived threat of terrorism which has increased the focus on security in commercial and public buildings, says MBD.

Growth has also been helped by increased construction output in the private commercial sector, and the rise in the number of new flats and apartments. Insurance requirements have also become more stringent in recent years, in turn increasing the demand for access control solutions.

Up to 2012: the market forecast

Demand for access control equipment and systems (including sales and rental income) is expected to increase throughout the five-year forecast period up to 2012. In the latter year, the value of the market is expected to reach GB pound 740 million at 2007 prices, representing an overall growth of 13 per cent in real terms when compared to 2007.

Growth levels are expected to be more moderate in the short term, mirroring the slowdown in construction activity.

Nevertheless, the access control equipment and systems sector should continue to be one of the most buoyant areas of the wider security alarms and systems market during the forecast period (with the share of the sector forecast to rise moderately from 23 per cent in 2007 up to 24 per cent by the year 2012).

During the forecast period, the market for access control is projected to continue to benefit from the trend towards integrated security solutions and advanced networked systems, says the report

Demand for IP-based open architecture systems – enabling the integration of access control with other security-related solutions – is likely to continue, although IP-enabled systems are anticipated to command only a small share of the market during the forecast period.

* Copies of the report are prices at GB pound 600. Tel: 0161 233 7092; Email: enquiries@mbdltd.co.uk Fax: 0161 233 7093

US market set for big boost in 2011

A market study from IMS Research forecasts that a homeland security directive will “significantly boost” the American access control market. The regional market is forecast to account for over $1 billion in revenues by 2012; however, year-on-year growth is predicted to fall until 2011.

IMS Research predicts that increased spending in government facilities from 2011 onwards, as a result of HSPD-12 (Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12) will reverse this.

According to report author and IMS Research analyst Niall Jenkins, “HSPD-12 was expected to help the market immediately, as government facilities replaced their existing access control systems with HSPD-12 compliant readers and cards. To date, growth has been limited by the fact that HSPD-12 is an unfunded mandate, requiring local agencies to find funds from their existing budgets. Growth has also been limited by the different government agencies using different cards,” said Jenkins.

“Readers need to be compatible with a variety of FIPS 201 compliant credentials including the PIV, CAC and TWIC cards. Additionally, many manufacturers have found it difficult to get access to these cards to test their products”

While there have been a number of issues with HSPD-12, the market is now looking more buoyant with most of the enterprise solution providers beginning to see additional revenues from the directive, he said.

Government agencies are beginning to build the mandate into their financial plans and there are rumours of additional government funding; HSPD-12 is now expected to drive real market growth from 2011.

* Visit www.imsresearch.com

Access control in manufacturing

The British Security Industry Association has published a new guide to the use of access control systems on manufacturing sites.

The guide covers the principles and application of access control, as well as providing practical examples of its successful use on manufacturing sites. It also provides information on the benefits of access control, key considerations to take into account when deciding on a system, and any legislation which should be considered.

The guide to manufacturing sites is part of a series of guides, each tailored to the installation of systems within different environments, ensuring readers are getting accurate information in relation to the particular application they are looking for, the BSIA says.

* Visit www.bsia.co.uk