Keeping close to residents at Stockport Homes, even in lockdown – Comelit-PAC

Keeping close to residents at Stockport Homes, even in lockdown

Stockport Homes manages 11,500 properties on behalf of Stockport Council and is also committed to building new homes for rental, leasehold and shared ownership. The company aims to offer its customers the highest levels of service and recently upgraded its access control provision with innovative cloud based technology from PAC & GDX which has more than proved its worth during COVID-19 lockdown.

Room for improvement

In addition to carrying out repairs, rent collection, property allocation, homelessness services and estate management, Stockport Homes is responsible for ensuring the security and safety of residents across its portfolio of high rise, low rise multi-unit dwellings and sheltered accommodation. Access control plays a fundamental role in achieving this objective and, as part of its ongoing upgrade programme, the company decided to investigate how it could benefit from the latest technology.

‘Being able to respond quickly to the needs and expectations of our customers involves using the best available security solutions,’ explains James Hood, project leader at Stockport Homes. ‘Although our previous access control and door entry systems had served us well, it was obvious that innovations in this area had moved on significantly. I also wanted to explore ways to enable our staff to more effectively access information, issue and configure key fobs, check occupancy status and carry out their duties remotely. To that end I invited the PAC & GDX national sales manager, Jason Sullivan, to look at the available options.’

On the up

The previous access control system operated via a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) dial-up modem technology, which could often be slow and unreliable, as well as being relatively insecure. Stockport Homes also wanted to move away from an inflexible system that could only be used via two standalone PCs located in an on-site control room, to one that could be operated remotely.

After conducting a comprehensive site audit, Jason Sullivan configured a solution for the low-rise element of the estate based around the installation of PAC 512 controller technology and PAC Residential Cloud. He says, ‘PAC 512 devices utilise the general packet radio service (GPRS) platform, which is a faster and cost effective means of connecting remote sites via a mobile network. Using this technology meant that we could create a highly innovative remote monitoring platform, which can now be accessed via a PC, tablet or smartphone.

‘We were also able to fuse our new PAC hardware with the existing GDX door entry system, allowing concierge control (via a control room) in the high-rise blocks and remote access control system administration.’

Remote control

The cloud is radically reshaping how access control is specified, installed and used, and PAC Residential Cloud allows organisations to remotely manage and monitor their access control systems in a secure environment. Designated users can address technical issues, test systems, deal with key fob management, examine diagnostics, view system status, set and unset a system, and gain access to an event log more easily than ever before – all from a remote location. It is also fully auditable, meaning that an action can be linked directly to a specific user.

Asked about the benefits that the cloud now offers his team, James Hood responds, ‘The previous system’s limitations meant that any problems and issues had to be dealt with by on-site individuals. This was obviously restrictive, particularly in the present climate, and meant that a response often took longer than we wanted it to. PAC Residential Cloud has made a massive difference to our response times, as our dedicated technical team can now address connection issues, manage the system and troubleshoot from wherever they happen to be. Just as importantly, our chosen maintenance provider, OpenView, can remotely access it to diagnose problems and offer us a more immediate service. In addition, there is the option to integrate it with CCTV so personnel can be notified if, for example, a door is forced or left open.’

OpenView’s Business Development Manager, Simon France, was just as complimentary about the support and added value they received from PAC – particularly from Jason Sullivan – and said, ‘I’ve worked closely with Jason on this contract and his help, dedication and attention to detail has gone above and beyond what was expected. The Pac product has proven to be a big hit with our client and the end user.’

Protect and survive

The use of personal data comes with significant responsibilities and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires organisations to implement a strong data protection policy, encompassing access, secure storage and destruction. Via its virtual private network (VPN), information from Stockport Homes is stored with The Bunker, a trusted PAC partner, whose UK data centres are located in former nuclear bunkers and certified to the ISO 27001 standard for information security management.

PAC Residential Cloud also restricts access to resident data, with employees only given permission to look at information that relates directly to their roles and responsibilities. There are also other less obvious benefits and Jason Sullivan comments, ‘The data collected by the access control system can be used to add an extra level of care. For instance, James and his team can see if a resident’s key fob hasn’t been used during a specific period and send someone to investigate if necessary. Furthermore, in the event that a key fob is lost, an authorisation check can be carried out, access grated and, if necessary, a missing device deactivated – all from a remote location.’

Safety first

During the coronavirus pandemic the PAC access control system has allowed Stockport Homes to remotely carry out duties, while adhering to social distancing guidelines. James Hood concludes, ‘Under these difficult circumstances the use of PAC Residential Cloud has proven hugely beneficial in numerous ways. Specifically, I’m delighted with the overall improvement it has made to our responsiveness, flexibility and efficiency, and I’m confident that we have maximised tenant safety as a result of completing this project.’

For more information, please contact us : [email protected]  or +44 (0) 161 406 3400

 

 

ievo

Type of Integration: Biometrics

Software: ievo

Description: The integration between ievo fingerprint readers and PAC access control provides a secure and scalable biometric solution suitable for your access control needs. The ievo biometric range of readers comes complete with a PAC output enabling direct connection to any of the PAC 511 and 512 series of controllers and is CPNI certified. The ievo readers have been designed after many years of research by a team of professionals who have been at the cutting edge of biometric deployment, installation, and integration and they are guaranteed to work accurately, with a strong emphasis on efficiency and reliability.

Key benefits & features when integrated with Comelit-PAC:

  • ievo biometric readers are compatible with any PAC 511 and 512 series controllers
  • ievo biometric readers support the use of users fingerprints as a credential
  • ievo biometric readers can be used at a point of entry to verify users via their fingerprint
  • All compatible ievo readers are fully integrated with Access Central™ management software enabling them to be easily incorporated within a new or existing PAC access control system

Additional costs: n/a

PAC Compatibility: Access Central™ v5.4

Languages available: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch.

How to buy/Contact: Please contact [email protected] or call +44 (0) 1707 377203 to buy compatible ievo products.

EntrySign

Type of Integration: Visitor Management

Software: EntrySign

Description: EntrySign is an easy, simple, and smart Visitor Management system. Designed for and installed in small to large organisations across the UK and worldwide. EntrySign is suitable for a multitude of industry solutions including education, healthcare, industrial, commercial, and public sector. Available as a self-contained standalone kiosk, or as a desk or wall-mounted solution, EntrySign simplifies your sign-in process, reduces administration, improves health and safety, safeguarding and security. EntrySign seamlessly integrates with PAC access control systems and is the perfect addition for a truly integrated solution.

Key benefits & features when integrated with Comelit-PAC:

  • Share RFID card/fob technology between EntrySign and PAC access control solutions
  • Push users from EntrySign > Access Central™
  • Pull users from Access Central™ > EntrySign
  • Push credentials from EntrySign > Access Central™
  • Pull credentials from Access Central™ > EntrySign
  • Open doors/speed lanes/barriers
  • Issue one-time access control links
  • Pre-book visitors and contractors
  • Receive visitor arrival notification via email/SMS
  • Contactless sign in via QR code

Additional costs: n/a

PAC Compatibility: Access Central™ v5.4

Languages available: English (UK), English (US), French, German, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Latvian, Arabic, Spanish, Spanish Latin, Welsh, and Urdu. Other languages available upon request.

How to buy/Contact: Please contact Osborne Technologies at [email protected] for any orders or queries. Alternatively visit EntrySign website www.entrysign.co.uk/comelit or call +44 (0)1226 295455.

Dahua

Type of Integration: Thermal Monitoring

Software: Dahua

Description: PAC’s long-standing tradition of security integration is now extended to the Dahua Temperature Monitoring Terminal, which has functionality to check a person’s temperature and determine if a face mask is being worn when entering a building or area. The ability to secure the building and protect the occupants is a true value add for customers planning strategies in times when minimising the risk of infection and preventing the spread of the virus are critical. The recommended means of installation ensures that access rights for individuals can be dynamically managed. Taking an output from the Dahua Thermal Monitoring Terminal into the PAC access control system will withdraw access rights for anyone who does not meet the user configured thresholds.

Key benefits & features when integrated with Comelit-PAC:

    • Enables a single access control system for management of all secured areas/entrances
    • Supporting the Dahua temperature and mask checking functionalities before enabling use of the PAC access control credential to unlock the secured entrance
    • Enables clear demarcation of building controls as the PAC access control system is used for all access control and the Dahua Thermal Monitoring Terminal is used as added check for temperature and mask wearing

Additional costs: n/a

PAC Compatibility: Access Central™ v5.4

Languages available: English

How to buy/Contact: Please visit Where to Buy – Dahua Technology (dahuasecurity.com) for more details on how to buy.

Digital ID

Swiftpro K30D Retransfer Card Printer

Partner function: Application encoding on ISO prox. cards and ID badge printing

Partner: Digital ID

Description: The Swiftpro K30D retransfer card printer has an outstanding print quality for single and double sided printing with 300dpi printing density. The ultra-fast Swiftpro K30D printer is available with contact and contactless smart code encoding technologies and 100-card input and output hoppers, with an optional 250-card input hopper upgrade.

Widely used throughout Education, Healthcare, Government, Corporate, Retail, Finance, Transport, Residential market sectors.

Key product benefits & features:

  • Easily add authentication applications to PAC OPS™ credentials via built-in encoding solution.
  • Windows compatible software.
  • High Resolution 300dpi printing on ISO proximity cards.
  • 3-year product warranty and lifetime warranty on the print head.
  • Compliant with UL, CE, FCC, KC, CCC, CSA

Security features:

  • Ribbon erase function prevents leakage of personal information.
  • IPSec Security for Secure Data Encryption IPv6 and IPv4.
  • Secure lock for input hopper and supplied/front door housing.

Additional costs: n/a

How to buy/Contact: Please contact [email protected] or call +1 732-271-7369.

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