Segro is a property investment and development company focused on providing flexible business space across Europe. Segro’s network of dedicated property management teams provides Flexible Business Space to a wide variety of global companies. IQ Farnborough (formerly Farnborough Business Park), one of Segro’s sites in the UK, houses a diverse base of tenants.  To ensure that the development is able to offer all tenants the highest level of security, Segro needed a flexible and expandable access control system for this site.

IQ Farnborough had previously used an access control system run on HID 125 kHz proximity cards. Over time, Segro discovered that there were usability issues with their legacy system. It was inconvenient, time-consuming and costly for the site manager to have to physically visit each building when a tenant was put on or taken off the system. To help overcome issues with remote management, Cathy Darcey, IQ Farnborough, Site Manager, decided to look for a new system that could be centrally controlled and would be “future-proof” for the growing business needs of Segro tenants.

“It was very important for us to have the most advanced access control system in place alongside readers that fit in with the aesthetics of our architecturally beautiful buildings. We required something special for us and not just off-the-shelf products,’’ commented Cathy Darcey.

Offering tenants a complete “office solution’’, Segro needed a new system that allowed current tenants to use their existing HID cards, without having to re-badge employees. The new system would also provide the opportunity for migration to a more expandable technology platform in the future, enabling additional applications such as cashless vending and PC log-on.

Segro had high expectations of what they wanted from a new access control system and knew they needed to work with a company that could offer a complete installation package from design concept through to installation and commissioning. They identified Compass Security as a company that had a good reputation for working in sync with customer requirements. Upon their consultation with Compass Security Innovations Sales Director, Nicky Stokes, they found an access control system that was suitable for the increased needs of IQ Farnborough.

“Providing complete packages and delivering systems that meet and exceed customer expectations is the core of our business’’ explained Nicky Stokes.

Based on Segro’s requirements, Compass Security Innovations recommended a centrally managed Lenel access control system, employing HID RP40 multiCLASS readers, capable of reading both proximity and iCLASS cards. To accompany the 35 multiCLASS readers, iCLASS 16k/16 cards were recommended, initially for access control use, but with the flexibility to add other applications as future needs arise.

Compass Security Innovations and Segro were both confident in their selection of HID products for the installation due to HID’s lifetime warranty and their reputation as the “trusted advisor.” Segro was happy with the proposed solution and the understanding that RP40 readers feature advanced key management, which reduces the risk of compromised data and card duplication. This was an ideal fit for Segro’s needs, placing utmost importance on its tenants’ security.

To ensure that all of the readers could be installed at IQ Farnborough a bespoke mounting solution was required to fit some of the readers onto a mullion framework. To accomplish this task with minimal business disruption, Compass Security Innovations found a perfect installation solution for Segro, installing brackets to fit the readers.

Segro has already seen the benefits of the installation, as Cathy Darcey explains. “We initially had to spend to save, but the total cost of ownership has been reduced by 40%. Our old system was not “future-proof”--the new solution with HID has helped to reduce administration as well as card production costs.’’

Surpassing Segro’s expectations, tenants at IQ Farnborough have welcomed the newly installed system. Due to the success of the access control system installation at the Farnborough site, Compass Security Innovations updated the access control system at Segro’s London site by transitioning from HID’s Indala proximity cards to iCLASS 16k cards.

In the future, as more tenants move into, IQ Farnborough there are vast opportunities to expand with iCLASS. The property managers are now able to move ahead with plans to use smart cards on local tenant shuttle buses, helping to create a close-knit community at the business park.

Segro is delighted with the installation and feels confident that enhanced security and access control will entice new tenants to the IQ Farnborough in the future.

If you would like further information about IQ Farnborough please contact the Marketing Suite on 01252 894882 or visit www.iq-farnborough.com

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