After installing security systems for the Marshall Group of Companies for almost two decades, Guardian Security and Communications Ltd, was invited to tender for a major upgrade at a complex for corporate jets.
The requirement was for systems to serve a new Forward Base Operations and Maintenance Repair Operations complex.
After carefully analysing the requirements of this complex project – which involved widely separated multiple sites – the integrated security installer company decided on the Bewator Granta 5 access control system from Siemens Building Technologies Security Systems which, because of its TCP/IP support, made it easy to set up network connections with remote sites.
The Marshall Group of Companies includes Cambridge City Airport and the security systems cover not only the main sites at Cambridge but also satellite sites such as the Mildenhall, 15 miles away.
Future integration with CCTV
Each site has many buildings and the security system was initially required to serve a total of 60 doors.
Capacity for further expansion, including extra sites, was essential as was the option to provide future integration with the company’s CCTV system. It was also vital that any new security system would be able to interface with existing card readers, and that it would be compatible with the 2,500 cards already issued and in use.
Having won the prestigious contract on the basis of using Granta, Guardian was pleased to find the installation and commissioning to be straightforward, despite the added complexity of setting up the 15-mile long TCP/IP Ethernet link to the Mildenhall satellite site.
The Ministry of Defence was also satisfied that the equipment would meet its demanding security requirements for the military areas of the various sites.
Understanding the basics
The new system is said to be delivering a range of important benefits to The Marshall Group. “The system’s biggest benefit is undoubtedly ease of use,” said Tom Richards, Chief Security Officer for the Group.
“Once you’ve understood the basics – and that’s certainly not complicated – it’s a simple process to create access groups, create and amend records and to interrogate the system.”
Richards also praised the “first class” training and system support provided by the installer and the first-hand insight provided by Siemens Building Technologies Security Products at its headquarters in South Wales.
“On the very few occasions when it has proved necessary to call on support services to resolve highly complex and sensitive security network issues, Guardian and Siemens staff have invariably proved knowledgeable and helpful,” he said.
He added the Granta system had proven to be “an excellent tool in the ‘security in depth’ approach that the Marshall Group adopts”.
When there were new build and refurbishment programmes on site, security aspects were always high on the agenda, with the specific details of access control being particularly important.
The current preferred solution to extend the networked system rather than rely on standalone systems, was proving successful, dependable and cost-effective.
Brian Hodges of Guardian Security and Communications Ltd said TCP/IP support allowed them to set up network connections with remote sites and, because most types of card readers and cards were accommodated, legacy equipment could be used.
