printer friendly version

Access control security upgrade

CEM Systems, part of the Security Products business unit of Tyco, announced its long-standing customer, London Gatwick Airport, has undergone a major upgrade of its AC2000 access control and security management system. The project was phased throughout 2014 and involved an upgrade of AC2000 Airport software, as well as the upgrade of more than 700 card readers throughout the airport terminals to support PicoPass smartcard technology. CEM’s intelligent access terminal, emerald, has also been installed at Gatwick Airport, providing a modern, innovative solution that goes beyond access control.

London Gatwick is the UK’s second largest airport, serving around 200 destinations in 90 countries, with more than 38 million passengers a year.

“Over the last year we have worked with CEM Systems to seamlessly upgrade our existing AC2000 security system, which has proven to be highly reliable and powerful. As a large system with more than 80 000 card holders and due to the critical nature of the airport environment we needed a phased upgrade that ensured zero system downtime,” said David Rees, business system manager for operations. “CEM support was second to none with the AC2000 Airport software upgrade performed remotely and quickly.”

“CEM Systems has been working in partnership with Gatwick Airport for over 25 years, during which time their AC2000 security management system has been continually upgraded and customised,” said Philip Verner, regional sales director, EMEA, CEM Systems. “This recent upgrade was a significant project that required all existing CEM S610e card readers to be upgraded to support highly secure PicoPass smartcard technology. CEM emerald IP access terminals have been installed to enhance operations at Gatwick Airport’s arrival gates and to act as an information point for ID staff and flight agents.”

Emerald is a touch screen reader, door controller, VoIP intercom and system terminal all in a single box. The touch screen LCD greets cardholders by illuminating as they approach and provides a user friendly security experience. As an intelligent multifunctional IP access terminal, emerald provides London Gatwick Airport with more than access control at the door. Airport security can use remote apps on the terminal to update personnel records, perform reader maintenance and display airport adverts and messages.

Gatwick Airport is also using the emerald flight arrivals door mode, which enables flight arrival gates in both the North and South Terminal to intelligently route domestic and international passengers accordingly. Upon a valid card swipe, flight agents intuitively select a predefined flight carrier number on the emerald terminal. emerald then interlocks the appropriate doors to allow international passengers to be routed to passport and border controls, with domestic passengers simply routed to baggage collection.

Share this article:

Further reading: