Luxury access

March 2011 Access Control & Identity Management

Access control and luxury make a fine par at golf and lifestyle residential development.

Regarded as a premier golf and lifestyle residential development in southern Africa, Zimbali Coastal Resort was launched in 1995. The resort has been extended over the last 12 years and with the launch of the new Zimbali Lakes Resort and Fairmont Zimbali Hotel precinct, the property now covers 1400 hectares of pristinely restored coastal vegetation and by 2015 over 2500 homes will have been built on the estate. In view of the prestigious reputation of Zimbali and the calibre of its residents, the control of access to the estate is of paramount importance.

Impro solution

The original access control solution installed at Zimbali was the now redundant Link Scan system, also designed and manufactured by Impro Technologies. The system needed to be upgraded to support the proposed future development and to link the various control points across the estate through fibre-optic reticulation in order to increase system stability and decrease the possibility of lightning and surge damage.

One integral aspect of the system had to be the ability to maintain a high level of security at all times, with extensive reporting and real-time audit trail information available for security management. One challenge faced by the team was the implementation of the new solution and the maintenance of security and access control during the change over period.

Prior to the change over, the resort’s databases had to be cleaned up and converted, with a full overhaul and editing of access rights for residents, visitors, contractors and staff. The IXP400i system lends itself to further expansion and it is expected that the system will eventually handle a capacity of up to 35 000 tag holders with 140 access points across the estate. These access points include the two main entrances to the estate, the visitor information centre and restricted boom access points to certain residential areas within the resort. The IXP400i was also required to interface with the existing CCTV system, ensuring that all access control activity could be linked to visuals.

The Impro installation at Zimbali Coastal Resort on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast is a prime example of how access control and management of residents, visitors, contractors and staff can occur at an up market residential estate without affecting negatively on the daily operations of the estate or the lifestyle of the residents.

System parameters

Number of tag holders: 35 000

Doors: 300

Number of access points: 45

EC Controllers: 36

Integration with: CCTV

Installer: Enforce Security – Glen Allen.



Credit(s)




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Defending against SIM swap fraud
Access Control & Identity Management
Mobile networks must not be complacent about SIM swap fraud, and they need to prioritise the protection of customers, according to Gur Geva, Founder and CEO of iiDENTIFii.

Read more...
Access Selection Guide 2024
Access Control & Identity Management
The Access Selection Guide 2024 includes a range of devices geared specifically for the access control and identity management market.

Read more...
Biometrics Selection Guide 2024
Access Control & Identity Management
The Biometrics Selection Guide 2024 incorporates a number of hardware and software biometric identification systems aimed at the access and identity management market of today.

Read more...
Smart intercoms for Sky House Projects
Nology Access Control & Identity Management Residential Estate (Industry)
DNAKE’s easy and smart intercom solution has everything in place for modern residential buildings. Hence, the developer selected DNAKE video intercoms to round out upmarket apartment complexes, supported by the mobile app.

Read more...
Authentic identity
HID Global Access Control & Identity Management
As the world has become global and digital, traditional means for confirming authentic identity, and understanding what is real and what is fake have become impractical.

Read more...
Research labs secured with STid Mobile ID
Access Control & Identity Management
When NTT opened its research centre in Silicon Valley, it was looking for a high-security expert capable of protecting the company’s sensitive data. STid readers and mobile ID solutions formed part of the solution.

Read more...
Is voice biometrics in banking secure enough?
Access Control & Identity Management AI & Data Analytics
As incidents of banking fraud grow exponentially and become increasingly sophisticated, it is time to question whether voice banking is a safe option for consumers.

Read more...
Unlocking efficiency and convenience
OPTEX Access Control & Identity Management Transport (Industry)
The OVS-02GT vehicle detection sensor is the newest member of Optex’s vehicle sensor range, also known as ‘virtual loop’, and offers reliable motion detection of cars, trucks, vans, and other motorised vehicles using microwave technology.

Read more...
Protecting our most vulnerable
NEC XON Access Control & Identity Management Products & Solutions
In a nation grappling with the distressing rise in child kidnappings, the need for innovative solutions to protect our infants has never been more critical. South Africa finds itself in the throes of a child abduction pandemic.

Read more...
Understanding the power of digital identity
Access Control & Identity Management Security Services & Risk Management Financial (Industry)
The way we perceive business flourishing is undergoing a paradigm shift, as digital identity and consumer consent redefine the dynamics of transactions, says Shanaaz Trethewey.

Read more...