When Vodacom planned its new headquarters in Midrand, it wanted more than just a corporate office complex. The company's objective was to create a technologically advanced and aesthetically sophisticated working space. Tasked with this brief, ASC Security Systems assembled a project team to design and implement a ControlSoft KeyMaster Pro access control solution that would meet the client's exacting technical requirements, complement the aesthetics of the building and reflect the Vodacom corporate culture.
When Vodacom planned its new headquarters in Midrand, it wanted more than just a corporate office complex. The company's objective was to create a technologically advanced and aesthetically sophisticated working space. Tasked with this brief, ASC Security Systems assembled a project team to design and implement a ControlSoft KeyMaster Pro access control solution that would meet the client's exacting technical requirements, complement the aesthetics of the building and reflect the Vodacom corporate culture.
By involving the client, engineering consultants and security technology vendors at every stage of the project, ASC delivered a people-friendly system that assures optimal protection for the cellular operator's mission critical systems.
For Vodacom, continuity of operations is of paramount importance. In order to maintain maximum availability of its mission critical communications and billing systems, the company demands extremely high standards of performance from peripheral infrastructure such as the access control and building monitoring system.
Transparent integration
But industrial-strength security was not the only requirement for the access control solution at Vodacom Corporate Park. CEO Alan Knott-Craig wanted a free flowing building that facilitated the uninhibited movement of people. The security system had to be transparently integrated into the interior design, which employs materials such as stainless steel, glass and polished aluminium alongside rich wood finishes and black upholstery to reflect Vodacom's state-of-the-art corporate image.
ControlSoft designed its AC-1100 slimline proximity smart card reader to fit in with the aesthetics of the building. Card reader consoles in front of the lifts on each of the floors in the centre core of the building were also custom designed. Even the electromagnetic locks and door closers had to complement the interior design theme.
According to Fritz Verheem, Managing Director of ASC (Johannesburg), the Vodacom access control system was designed with people in mind. "To ensure that the system would be easy to use, operate and support we involved a whole range of people in the development process. The project team included the client, supplier, installer and the electrical consultant, as well as key project management people responsible for elements such as asset tracking and CCTV.
Companies in the ASC Holdings group have provided security services to Vodacom since 1993. ASC Security Systems was established specifically to develop security solutions for Vodacom. According to ASC's Fritz Verheem, his company set out to identify quality suppliers who were able to adapt their technologies to meet Vodacom's demands. ControlSoft was selected as the access control partner. "From the start we decided to work with ControlSoft and by the time this project came up, it was clear that we would instal KeyMaster Pro. It was simply a matter of ensuring that the system would be able to provide the extra 'bells and whistles' that were required in the building," explains Verheem.
Upgradability was a major consideration, says Vodacom Group Security Manager Brett Cassidy. "When designing the security system for this building, we had to keep in mind that Vodacom is growing fast. Considering our large number of buildings, it was very important to get into partnership with someone who could develop our systems to stay abreast of our needs. We needed a system that would not become obsolete and have to be replaced after three years. With ControlSoft as a technology provider, we can continue to use the existing hardware infrastructure while developing the software to meet our requirements."
The ControlSoft product development team integrated the access control system with the Techpro CCTV system - without hard-wiring scores of inputs and outputs. Using built-in event/action programming functionality, KeyMaster Pro was configured to communicate intelligently with the CCTV matrix. When the access control system detects an event such as an attempted forced entry or unauthorised access to a restricted area, KeyMaster Pro sends a signal which activates the appropriate cameras.
Scalability and remote access crucial
Fritz Verheem adds, "Vodacom has a presence in just about every town where there is a post office. They needed a system that would suit not only a large facility such as the Midrand head office, but could also provide cost-effective access control at remote sites around the country. The ControlSoft KeyMaster Pro system scales easily and allows us to implement the same technology throughout the organisation."
ASC is in the process of linking the access control systems at several Vodacom sites around the country. ControlSoft hardware and software has been installed at most of the sites and other sites are being upgraded. "We want all our sites to be linked into a central control room, so that we know exactly what is happening throughout the organisation. We need the functionality to open doors from a central location and to shut buildings down remotely in the event of an emergency," says Vodacom's Cassidy.
The Vodaworld retail centre is already linked to Vodacom's head office building, while Pier Place and The Terraces in Cape Town are in the process of being connected. It is envisaged that all Vodacom operations in the Western Cape will be linked to a central control room by the end of 1999.
Smart card technology offers flexibility
Smart card technology gives Vodacom the flexibility to develop an offline access control solution for small and remote sites (such as base stations) where it may not always be practical to deploy an online system. Smart cards can also be used for an array of other applications. Vodacom employees already use their access cards to buy meals at the on-site cafeteria.
In future, employees may also use their cards to make purchases at the adjacent Vodaworld retail centre and at corporate events such as golf days. Brett Cassidy says the smart card based system offers real added value and encourages people to take better care of their access cards.
Open client/server architecture
KeyMaster Pro's open client/server architecture enabled ASC to instal the access control system in stages. Says Fritz Verheem, "With KeyMaster Pro, we can split the system and run it as separate, smaller systems. We just run the software on a different PC and plug in a few cables. This architecture also helps us to isolate and eliminate problems easily, especially in emergencies. In the case of a hardware problem, we can switch to a back-up PC within about sixty seconds."
Brett Cassidy says KeyMaster Pro's flexibility makes it ideally suited to Vodacom's dynamic culture. "Since we moved in here, four departments have been relocated within the building. KeyMaster Pro allowed us to make the necessary changes without shutting down the entire system. When people arrived at their new offices, they had immediate access, without having to take their cards to the security staff for updating." The Vodacom organisational philosophy gives heads of divisions a high degree of autonomy in their own areas. With KeyMaster Pro, heads of divisions can control access to their areas, monitor the movement of people and manage overtime claims more effectively," adds Cassidy.
"By focusing our efforts on adapting the best available technology to suit the specific requirements of a large, technologically demanding customer, we have developed a solution that can be deployed in any corporate environment," says Mr. Verheem. "Working closely with the client and ControlSoft has enabled us to gain a competitive edge in the market for large, distributed, centrally controlled access control systems."
For details contact ControlSoft on tel: (011) 477 4760, fax: (011) 477 5789 or ASC on tel: (011) xxx xxxx, fax: (011) xxx xxxx.
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