As Ascom Security Communication prepares to enter the UK market, James Winter has joined as the UK sales, marketing and relationships manager, with Graeme Lewington appointed as technical sales support and training engineer. Winter and Lewington bring decades of knowledge and skill in the secure transmission of fire and security alarms for public safety applications to Ascom’s new UK security division.
James Winter is currently the chairman of the UK British Standards Institution’s Technical Committee for electronic security and a member of CENELEC for the UK. He was previously a specialist with BT Redcare.
Graeme Lewington also worked for BT for more than 30 years before joining Ascom, and is one of the UK’s most experienced applications and systems engineers. Now, Lewington will expertly train and support the installers and client applications of the new Ascom UK venture.
With products and systems designed to serve a wide range of applications for the diverse needs of the mission critical sector wherever fast, highly reliable and secure communications are vital, Ascom’s customised solutions are used in command and control communications, emergency call systems, defense forces, public and private security organisations and the rescue emergency services in addition to road and rail infrastructure operations
Ascom’s Security Solutions Division also offers a specialist range of products and services for telecoms operators: systems for measuring quality of service in mobile networks, customised software solutions for process optimisation and services for the planning, implementation, operation and maintenance of telecoms networks.
State-of-the-art platforms
The UK division has three state-of-the-art competitive product platforms:
– ipTNA – a flexible and scalable modular IP alarm communication SPT
– openTAS – a web-based service platform for use by local or central Government people and property protection systems, commercial ARCs, police, rescue services and many private security organisations
– EmergencyLink – ensures robust, rapid and effective communication to 1st responders over a range of communications systems
Ascom is an international solutions provider with comprehensive technological know-how in mission-critical communication. The company concentrates on the core areas of wireless solutions (high-value, customer-specific on-site communications solutions) and security solutions (applications for security, communication, automation and control systems for infrastructure operators, public security institutions and the defense forces).
With a wealth of experience in implementing complex projects for discerning customers, Ascom has established itself in many key markets. Offerings range from analysis and consulting to system design and system integration, project management, engineering and implementation, right through to maintenance and support.
The products and methods of the wireless solutions and security solutions divisions are used in situations where continual, comprehensive monitoring, quick reaction times, the highest security standards and absolutely error-free transmission of data are essential.
Mission critical communications
Ascom believes that mission critical communication comprises client-specific solutions that optimally address time-critical requirements in the daily business and function quickly, reliably and smoothly even in extreme conditions. “Our solutions also contribute to improving the cost efficiency of operations by ensuring optimal communications for our clients and enable them to identify critical situations rapidly and with confidence so that they can immediately implement the necessary measures to protect people, property and the environment.”
Ascom Security Solutions is represented by subsidiaries in Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Finland, the Czech Republic and Poland. The company also runs operations in Norway, Russia, Slovenia and Israel either through partners or via Ascom subsidiaries. In total, the organisation boasts subsidiaries in 17 countries and a workforce of some 2,000 employees worldwide.
Speaking exclusively to info4security and SMT about Ascom’s venture into the UK market, James Winter commented: “With our experience and the resources of Ascom behind us, I know we will take UK installers and clients on a positive journey towards the deployment of IP for security signalling. We’ll deliver a world class solution that gives them the benefits they would expect to enjoy in terms of reliability and performance, but also allow them to control alarms in the most cost-effective way for the application at hand.”