With the consolidation and expansion of its operations in South Africa, Europe and North America, Controlsoft has positioned itself to become a global player in the market for integrated security and identification solutions.
In a move aimed at streamlining its global business operations, Controlsoft merged its South African and UK operations during the second quarter of 2001.
As part of the global restructuring, two key people have moved from the Johannesburg operation to the new group head office in the UK. Controlsoft founder Russell Wagstaff has been appointed as Group Operations Director, while Dawie Snyman is now Group Technical Director. Both of them remain actively involved in the development and manufacturing operation, which is still based in South Africa. Mark Patterson takes over from Wagstaff as Managing Director of the South African operation.
Jonathan Summers, Group Commercial Director and former Managing Director of the UK-based company, has moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to head up the newly established North American operation. Summers is also Group Commercial Director and remains the CEO of Controlsoft Europe, which he started in 1999.
Business Development Manager Joe Maurel is leading the company's drive to pursue opportunities in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. During a recent trip to Asia, Maurel signed up a new Controlsoft Distribution Partner for mainland China and Hong Kong. He also met potential business partners in Singapore and Malaysia.
Business partnerships
According to Wagstaff, Controlsoft's business strategy is based on partnerships with organisations that share his company's commitment to 'delivering superb solutions for managing the security of people and assets.' He says the Controlsoft Partnership Programme was designed to foster cooperation with system integrators, distributors and technology vendors.
Wagstaff explains that Controlsoft Business Partners are certified at three levels: "Controlsoft System Integrators are well established organisations that have the skills required to market, install, integrate and support the full range of Controlsoft solutions. KeyMaster Pro Installers are certified to market, install and support KeyMaster Lite and single-station KeyMaster Pro systems. KeyMaster Lite Installers are authorised to provide KeyMaster Lite access control solutions. Controlsoft also appoints selected organisations as Distribution Partners and Technology Partners."
The company offers a range of support services that assist business partners in marketing, installing, operating and maintaining Controlsoft systems. These services include training and certification, marketing and pre-sales support, telephonic support and remote diagnostics, on-site technical assistance, and repair services.
Integrated systems
South African MD, Mark Patterson, says integrated systems are the key to future growth, both locally and internationally. "Controlsoft's objective is to become the number one provider of IT solutions enabling integrated management of systems that impact security and quality of life in the work environment. Our technology platform already supports the integration of access control, intrusion detection, asset tracking, CCTV and building management. We are enhancing the level of integration by taking advantage of 'open' technologies and forging partnerships with other technology vendors."
CCTV integration
Patterson cites the integration of CCTV and access control as an example of what can be achieved with open systems architecture. As reported in the September 1999 issue of Hi-Tech Security Solutions, Controlsoft used built-in event/action programming functionality to integrate KeyMaster Pro with the CCTV system at Vodacom Corporate Park in Midrand. Controlsoft has also integrated KeyMaster Pro with digital CCTV recording systems developed by Thales Advanced Engineering. This functionality allows KeyMaster Pro users to retrieve high quality CCTV images associated with any access control event.
Time and attendance
In the UK, Controlsoft has formed an alliance with Kronos Systems limited, the UK subsidiary of Kronos, a leader in frontline labour management solutions. This partnership enables Kronos customers to integrate their Timekeeper T&A systems with KeyMaster Pro. The co-operation between Kronos and Controlsoft started in South Africa when the local Kronos agents, CS Systems Integration, developed a software module that allows users to capture employee data once, and to share the data between the time management and security control systems.
Building management
The company's US operation has concluded a joint development agreement with American Auto-Matrix, a specialist in integrated solutions for intelligent building systems. The alliance with American Auto-Matrix will enable Controlsoft to make a rapid entry into the growing market for fully integrated building management and security systems.
Identification technologies
Controlsoft solutions support all the leading identification technologies, including Philips HITAG 1 and 2, which are used in the vast majority of contactless smartcard systems worldwide. The Philips Mifare architecture is rapidly gaining acceptance as the de-facto standard for smartcard solutions. Controlsoft has already invested significant resources in the development of Mifare solutions that will complement and enhance the current product offering.
For further details contact Mark Patterson, Controlsoft (South Africa) on tel: (011) 463 1102, fax: (011) 463 2183, e-mail: [email protected]
Track record in systems engineering
Controlsoft security technologies have been successfully deployed at several hundred sites around the world. The company's end-user reference list includes:
* Anglo Gold
* British Airways
* Cadbury's
* Colgate-Palmolive
* DHL
* Daimler-Chrysler
* Epson
* Estee Lauder
* First National Bank
* Kimberly-Clark
* Merck Pharmaceuticals
* Sony
* South African Reserve Bank
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