Trimec Access Controllers  (3)

Though many office workers across the globe have found themselves working remotely for the past year, we are seeing a bit of a silver lining, as vaccine rollouts hint at a return to some pre-pandemic sense of normalcy. However, while some of us might opt for a fully-remote work life, others are anticipating a hybrid solution. Even before the pandemic, offices were taking a new, more open layout approach—moving past the days of cubicles and small office configurations. Going forward, offices and other workspaces will be tasked with supporting a hybrid work solution, as well as increasing hygiene measures. Video intercom solution This is where an IP video intercom solution can assist. Below are four ways they can help usher in a smarter, safer work environment: Video intercoms assist in creating a more hygienic work environment - The outbreak of COVID-19 has raised awareness of germs and just how easily a virus can be transmitted by face-to-face contact. Germ barriers are popping up in many aspects of our daily lives, where we were not likely to see them before Unfortunately, the door is also the easiest of these germ barriers to breach As such, we’re becoming accustomed to seeing plexiglass barriers at restaurants, grocery stores, and even coffee shops. However, many don’t realize that one of the best germ barriers is a simple door. Unfortunately, the door is also the easiest of these germ barriers to breach. All it takes is a knock or a doorbell ring to make us open our germ barrier and be face-to-face with whomever is on the other side. Increasing hygiene safety A simple step to increase hygiene safety and visitor security in commercial buildings and workspaces is an IP video intercom. Installing a video intercom will allow staff to see and speak with visitors without breaching that all-important germ barrier. A video intercom system provides a first line of defense, enabling the user to visually confirm the identity of the person on the other side of the door first before granting access. It can also be used to make sure proper procedures are being followed before a person is allowed to enter, such as using hand sanitizer, wearing a mask, and following social distancing guidelines. Basic security needs A major topic of conversation the past year has been how to manage occupancy in all facilities Video intercoms for occupancy management and basic security - A major topic of conversation the past year has been how to manage occupancy in all facilities—ranging from grocery stores and retail shops to restaurants and commercial buildings. Workspaces and offices are no exception. A video intercom provides a quick and convenient method of seeing who, or what, is on the unsecure side of the door before opening. For basic security needs, if a business has a door opening into an alley, a video intercom would be used to ensure no one is waiting outside to force their way in when the door is opened. Personal protection equipment Such solutions can also be used to ensure a person is carrying proper credentials, or wearing proper personal protection equipment (PPE), before entering a sensitive area. For example, if a lab has a room which can only be accessed by two persons at a time wearing specific protective gear, a video intercom could ensure each person is properly equipped, before allowing access that particular room. Additionally, for office or workspaces that have shared common areas, such as a cafeteria, gym or even conference rooms, managing access to these spaces will remain a priority, especially with post-pandemic restrictions in place. Video intercoms are a comprehensive safety and security tool for any workspace Deliveries of packages, work-related materials, or even food are common in any office or workspace. Video intercoms can assist in facilitating safe deliveries by visually and audibly confirming the identity of the individual. The visitor could be your next big client, your lunch delivery, a fellow employee with a faulty access card, or your mail. Video intercoms are a comprehensive safety and security tool for any workspace. Visitor management systems Video intercoms provide a cost-effective solution in small to mid-sized office facilities - One significant advantage of video intercom systems is the variety of applications available. Systems range from simple one-to-one video intercoms, to buzz-in systems, to full-fledged visitor management systems in mixed-use buildings. While they might lack the resources and manpower many enterprises have, small-to medium-sized offices can also take steps to ensure the safety of their staff and customers. Like any business, controlling who comes into the building is a primary way of maintaining safety. Video intercoms work in conjunction with access control systems to provide an identifying view of visitors or employees with lost or missing credentials. They allow staff to both see and hear those on the unsecured side of the door to determine intent before granting access. Most quality video intercoms will provide a clear enough image to allow an identification card to be read by holding it close to the lens, adding another opportunity to verify identity. Touchless intercom activation One major trend is the option of providing a touchless door activation Video intercoms provide a touchless option - Even prior to COVID-19, one major trend is the option of providing a touchless door activation or touchless intercom activation of a video intercom for those without proper credentials. Though touchless isn’t a new solution to the access control market, the pandemic introduced a renewed focus on these types of solutions to provide hygienic access to visitors. For offices and other workspaces looking to make investments into post-pandemic solutions to assist in reopening, touchless can support these efforts. When it comes to smart, secure workspaces, many people think instantly of cameras or monitors, access control, and alarm systems. Proper access credentials However, video intercoms are often the missing piece of a building’s security puzzle. A video intercom provides an identifying view that is not always available from a camera covering a large area. They allow those without proper access credentials a method of requesting entry, and just like cameras, they can be activated by alarms to allow staff to clearly see and communicate. If a workspace or office is important enough to be secure, it’s important enough to be sure of who is there before the door is opened. In 2021, it’s not enough to ensure the physical security of your staff and visitors, but also to ensure they are accessing a hygienic environment. Video intercoms provide that security and peace of mind.

In a world forever changed by the coronavirus pandemic, companies worldwide are now expanding their concept of physical security to best safeguard their facilities and employees. Few incidents have had as much of an impact on businesses globally as the COVID-19 pandemic; much of the world is still struggling to contain COVID-19, navigating the lasting effects and exploring what the “new normal” looks like. While some organizations are still engaged primarily in “anywhere operations”, i.e. remote work, many organizations are implementing strategic physical security solutions that better protect everyone through the use of video surveillance technology and advanced intelligence capabilities. As this new normal takes hold within the business environment, security strategies will largely be centered around several key initiatives like access control, people counting, occupancy controls, temperature screening, contact tracing, and reducing office touch points. With the use of a video management system (VMS) in the shadow of COVID-19, occupancy data from a VMS can trigger a lockdown and not permit new entrants until the occupancy drops below a certain threshold; this is significantly useful for organizations that have returned to in-person work.  But there’s a caveat: though many legacy security systems are being re-evaluated to allow for touchless or frictionless access control — a move designed to eliminate the need for employees and visitors to physically touch a surface when using an access control system — upgrading the outdated technologies can be cumbersome and expensive, especially for organizations that had not planned for an interruption like the pandemic. Security contractors will be vital So, what is the solution? Security contractors will play a vital role in helping end-users across a range of vertical markets — large and small — to achieve their goals in the new paradigm. For some, this may mean leveraging existing access control and video surveillance systems with upgrades where needed. For others, an entire overhaul is made possible with budget friendly solutions for businesses to migrate to integrated access control through end-to-end security solutions that tie into existing infrastructures without major disruptions (meaning the organization will never be left vulnerable). Cybersecurity is becoming even more intertwined with physical security There is massive transformation occurring in the security industry, most notably the movement to digitise physical access and integrate it with video management systems and surveillance. This shift means that cybersecurity is becoming even more intertwined with physical security, allowing organizations the ability to correlate the metadata of people’s behaviors and activities — a plus point for those looking to remain vigilant against future pandemic-esque business interruptions. Access, video, and audio are converging into consolidated platforms. Due to lower costs and pairings with IP-based, wireless infrastructure, there are infinite solution configurations. IT security requirements are beginning to apply to physical security because of this integrated infrastructure. Multi-factor authentication The security industry is also beginning to see a trend of multi-factor authentication, which is going to dominate in the days to come as it makes solutions more reliable. Most people carry smartphones these days, which have green check communication capabilities that allow easy multi-factor authentication. Costs are going down, and algorithms are getting better, making more people willing to try it. Some new solutions have both the fingerprint reader and a camera for facial biometrics Some new solutions have both the fingerprint reader and a camera for facial biometrics. Cameras and CCD modules cost almost nothing, and they do not have to be super high-end anymore, especially if organizations are doing one-to-one verification. It’s not just about security now; it is security, health, and safety. Access control with video, intelligent readers, and credentials is a perfect platform for next generation solutions.

Access control and door entry is a huge responsibility, and challenge, for local authorities and housing associations UK wide. For councils, they’re accountable for the security and safety of many public facilities such as leisure centers, libraries as well as residential housing developments which are often large scale and home to hundreds of people. Housing associations manage affordable rental housing which also means they’re responsible for the appropriate access control management for each individual house or apartment. Technology developments have enabled better entry systems that are far more secure yet also more convenient and easier to manage. For example, with modern intercom and access control systems, remote management and communication is something that offers local authorities and housing associations features that enable them to reduce costs and cut their carbon footprints by managing multiple sites from one place. On the other hand, such technological innovation has meant that local authority and housing association specifiers and consultants now have a wide range of systems and products to choose from which can cause issues in ensuring the right system for a specific building or development is chosen. Choosing an appropritate access control system In choosing an appropriate system, local authorities and housing associations need to opt for a cost effective solution that can be easily maintained with excellent support from the manufacturer and guarantees that the system and system parts will remain supported for the duration of its expected life cycle. It is also important that the chosen system is flexible to cater for the varying needs of the tenants and visitors. Of increasing importance is the reduction of anti-social behavior which new technology can help by providing the use of data loggers which track the use and events of a door entry system, allowing specific evidence to be located by integrating with CCTV. Using technology to our advantage Through advancements in management systems and services, we can gain a much better visual representation of the events and general usage of an intercom entry system and not just its proximity access control. Systems, for example, can now send email alarms or notifications to the administrator or management. We are now able to modify user rights and access levels on the go from a mobile app which enables a much greater control over service and maintenance engineers, such as making sure they have full access when required via an app, rather than arriving to site with the incorrect keys or access fob. Systems, for example, can now send email alarms or notifications to the administrator or management Dealing with tenant’s lost and stolen keys has never been so easy either. The blocking or deletion of lost fobs and adding a new fob can be carried out in minutes while at the same time removing the cost of sending an engineer to the development to program new fobs. This greatly reduces the carbon footprint of the whole task as fobs can now be sent out via mail to a secure location for collection. Technology has also helped local authorities and housing associations to overcome the issue of not being able to have a concierge or building manager available 24/7 at some developments. Now with internet communication, it’s possible for tenants and visitors to get in touch with someone should they need assistance, whether that’s from within the apartment or from an entrance point. For example, lets take the Videx VX2200 with IP concierge integration. This system is exceptionally flexible, enabling calls to be answered on Videx intercoms and also mobile phones if required. With the integration of the IP concierge each block can be either standalone or networked via the internet back to a central control room. Reduced maintenance costs and carbon footprint We work with a wide range of local authorities and housing associations to help them overcome access control and door entry challenges. One organization we have recently partnered with is The Living Group to help them greatly reduce their maintenance costs and carbon footprint by installing the MiAccess offline proximity system on many of their developments across the North East. Technology developments have enabled better entry systems that are far more secure yet also more convenient and easier to manage By installing an appropriate system, The Living Group has managed to overcome issues caused by the existing system’s limitations and also enabled much more flexibility when it comes to effectively managing the access control system of all their included developments. For those responsible for effective and appropriate access control, the management of the systems are easier, quicker and there’s no delay or on-going costs for needing a specialist program to modify fobs and access rights as this can now all carried out in-house. Improved security legislation Further advancements in programmes such as Secured by Design (SBD), a police initiative that improves the security of buildings and their immediate surroundings to provide safe places to live, work and visit, means that there’s more security legislation being implemented that’s making intercoms and access control more secure, without affecting ease and convenience. Videx holds an SBD accreditation and we know, from first-hand experience, how it’s making a difference in keeping tenants safe. When you combine the safety features promoted by an SBD member company like ourselves with the likes of the Videx event logging, image capture and ability to modify access users on the go, for example, we can help to create a very safe and secure environment. Personally, I think there needs to be a greater emphasis on the role of security legislation Technology has completely transformed the way local authorities and housing association are able to choose, install and manage door entry and access control systems for tenants and visitors alike. Personally, I think there needs to be a greater emphasis on the role of security legislation such as Secured by Design to ensure all councils and housing association consultants are up to date with what constitutes a robust and secure system that’s also cost effective too. In my role, I see weaknesses in systems and constant ongoing costs that could easily be avoided. For instance, features such as timed remote entry means local authority and housing association management no longer need to worry about keys being lost, the wrong keys being supplied or locks needing to be changed. With new systems such as the Videx MiAccess and Videx WS4 range, we can help to massively reduce a housing association’s or council’s carbon footprint and engineer costs by allowing them the access to management and control from an offsite location. Crime prevention We can also use live and logged events to help prevent crime in different ways, from antisocial behavior growing around a tenant being called or visited much more regularly than others, to knowing a tenant is currently still living at a property but isn’t paying rent or answering to any correspondence. Technology enables local authorities and housing associations to receive detailed data and therefore behavioral insights on the people under their management and care. If consultants and specifiers are advised on the most appropriate systems that meet their specific entry needs, they can ensure greater, safer and more convenient access control that meets the requirements of both the end user and the those responsible for its effective management.

Security stakes are high at healthcare premises. Patients expect and deserve privacy and safety. Yet, most medical buildings must remain welcoming spaces, many open around the clock. The protection of drugs and confidential data is critical, and every breach demands thorough investigation. Such needs go way beyond what mechanical security was designed to meet. Real-time control and monitoring Hospitals, for example, are often large and spread out. Their locks may need to integrate with fire detection, CCTV, and other building systems. Labs and pharmacies are safer when access is managed with time-limited ‘keys’, which can be revoked. In care homes, security must be matched by convenience for a client group, who may have limited dexterity or learning skills. Here, real-time control and monitoring can help managers to react quickly. Too much is asked of a traditional metal key, if it is expected to do all this. Yet, wired security doors can be an expensive retrofit option. Fortunately, there is a solution: wireless access control. Wireless access control solutions Wireless devices provide the easiest upgrade or replacement for any access control system Wireless devices provide the easiest upgrade or replacement for any access control system, based on mechanical or magnetic locks. Credentials, including RFID smartcards, programmable keys, or secure mobile keys stored on a smartphone, replace cumbersome physical keys. Wireless components make it a cost-effective option to add electronic control to many more areas of a building. With online locking systems, facility managers can monitor and manage premises at any time of day or night, even viewing the status of medicine cupboards or server racks from the same administration software interface. Integrating wireless locks  Swapping existing locks for battery-powered cylinders or escutcheons can link a door to an access control system. In one recent survey of access control professionals, 95% of respondents judged system integration with other building/security management functions to be ‘somewhat’ or ‘very’ important. To meet this challenge at the Haute Savoie region’s new hospital, managers selected Aperio locking integrated online with an ARD access management system. Because Aperio locks are wireless, the hospital could introduce more layers of security and secure doors without incurring excessive installation or operating costs, including for sensitive offices and drugs stores. Staff no longer carry big bunches or waste time hunting down keys. Individual permissions are all stored on a single, programmable RFID credential. Battery-powered Aperio devices All battery-powered Aperio devices integrate natively with the central system, so wired and wireless access points at Center Hospitalier Métropole Savoie (CHMS) are managed together, with real-time logs, remote door opening, and free time-slot management. “Having just a single badge, and not having to carry around heavy keys, has been a major advantage for us,” said Béatrice Dequidt, Health Executive at Center Hospitalier Métropole Savoie. “We have implemented internal HR management procedures, creating badges that are automatically integrated into ARD's operating software,” adds Alain Gestin, CHMS’s IT Systems Architect. Powerful, real-time access control Aperio and ARD also maintain compatibility of credentials with the French government’s electronic CPS Aperio and ARD also maintain compatibility of credentials with the French government’s electronic Health Professional Card (CPS), for added staff convenience. Multiple key systems and varied openings, including fire doors, glass doors, offices, pharmacies, car parks, and lifts, plus hundreds of workers and contractors needing different, constantly changing permissions. Faced with these challenges, managers at Hospital MAZ, in Zaragoza, knew mechanical keys could not provide the 21st-century security they needed. SMARTair Wireless online access control Hospital MAZ upgraded locks to SMARTair Wireless Online electronic access control, which keeps facility managers updated in real time. A unified access system is controlled by intuitive software, installed at the central server, and managed via client servers in different departments. Because the SMARTair Wireless Online system updates via communications hubs in real time, security managers implement all changes via the central system, without needing to waste time walking through the hospital, changing rights one door at a time. Employee convenience is greatly enhanced. Staff and contractors carry a single MIFARE smart card programmed with individual access permissions. Cards are personalized to double as employee IDs, so 625 staff and approximately 100 contractors only carry a single card. "We have achieved all our objectives with the installation of the system,” said Miguel Angel Hernández Jerez at Hospital MAZ. Intelligent keys Programmable electronic key systems put the advantages of access control into a familiar form. They reinvent the key for the 21st century, making it more flexible, powerful, and better equipped to handle modern security demands. Lost keys and departed employees are no longer a problem, because their access rights are canceled with a click. The key’s familiarity is welcome to a user group who are not experts — at least, not in access control. CLIQ electro-mechanical locking system CLIQ offers easy-to-use access control, based on high-security mechanical disc cylinders Managing physical keys can impact nursing care, as pharmacy managers at the UK’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham discovered. An older, mechanical system made it difficult to keep track of who held the right keys. Searching for that person wasted valuable time. They identified a better solution for convenient secure access to controlled medicines: CLIQ electro-mechanical locking. CLIQ offers easy-to-use access control, based on high-security mechanical disc cylinders, combined with encrypted electronic locking and identification. With CLIQ, power to the lock is supplied by a standard battery inside every CLIQ key, so no wires are required — making it an ideal retrofit solution for doors, cabinets, and mobile drug trolleys. Each employee carries a single programmable CLIQ key to open any authorized CLIQ lock. No CLIQ device unlocks without the key first being authorized by the software. Remote key management QE Birmingham’s new CLIQ system allows for remote key management. Audit trails for locks and padlocks are available on-demand, so nurse managers can instantly see who has accessed particular cabinets or drug trolleys. “Programmable key solutions really boost medicine safety in hospitals,” said Stephan Schulz, CLIQ Product Manager at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions EMEA, adding “Nurses at Queen Elizabeth, Birmingham, carry their own key with personalized access rights, so they don’t waste time finding out who has the key to every cupboard. Patients benefit.” “The message from all nursing staff is that patients are getting medicines much easier and in a more timely fashion,” said Inderjit Singh, Chief Pharmacist at QE Birmingham, adding “For us, the key return on investment is the quality of service we’re providing.” Simple, effective door control without software When installing a Code Handle electronic PIN lock, users need never worry again In any busy medical facility, however small, it is easy to leave a door unlocked. With expensive equipment or controlled drugs on the other side, an opening invites opportunist trouble. But, when installing a Code Handle electronic PIN lock, users need never worry again. A Code Handle fits right over an existing cylinder, users can simply swap the current handle for a low-profile Code Handle, and fix it in place with two screws, to instantly add PIN security to a consultation room, medicine store, or equipment cupboard. It adds electronic security without a bulky push-button door unit, which disrupts interior aesthetics. Code Handle electronic PIN lock solution In Spain’s Basque Country, Fylab sought this easy solution for their consulting rooms. Requirements were straightforward: secure, keyless access around a facility with a lot of daily traffic from professionals and the public. They needed a device that is easy to retrofit, with a design to chime with Fylab’s contemporary medical workplace. Code Handle added this security to three consulting-room doors, without wires or cables. “I am no artist or handyman, but I managed to fit the handles within 10 minutes,” said Fylab’s Founder, Borja Saldias Retegui. Their Code Handle devices lock both wooden and glass doors, keeping equipment and personal belongings safe. “Code Handle provides the simplest solution for access control in a small facility,” Borja Saldias Retegui adds.

The Thiepval Museums, in northern France, needed trusted, secure entry and exit control to reduce theft from their premises. User-friendly management of access rights was essential, for both internal and external users. The museums needed a system that will be able to cope easily with changes, site extensions and two-site operation, and a solution that would remove the need to change all cylinders, when an employee loses a key. eCLIQ locking cylinders installed Now, the Historial and Thiepval Museums are equipped with 52 eCLIQ locking cylinders, across the two sites. ASSA ABLOY’s eCLIQ key-operated solution offers them simplified access management, incorporating easy activation and deactivation of keys and simpler administration of access rights, and schedules for external providers and contractors. A unified system manages access to both locations. Every authorized key holder carries one battery-powered key programmed with only their tailored access permissions. With eCLIQ, missing keys are quickly de-authorized, cutting risks associated with key loss or theft. At any time, facility managers can generate an audit trail to verify who has accessed which locks. Designed for museum security Installing an eCLIQ system has allowed security teams to better monitor service providers Across the two sites, the museums have 40 durable, compact, and waterproof eCLIQ keys, of which 19 are already allocated to regular users. These Bluetooth-enabled keys are available to employees and contractors, helping the latter to improve their responsiveness when they are needed on-site. Installing an eCLIQ system has allowed security teams to better monitor service providers, along with their movements around and between the two sites. It is straightforward for museum managers to limit contractors’ access rights to the duration of a task, whether recurring or one-off. eCLIQ locking system Fitting eCLIQ locking system was a simple and wire-free task, and the museum staff, performed the installation themselves. One training session, with the admin software, was sufficient, to put them at ease with their new system. Looking after eCLIQ components is also easy, an integrated lubricant reservoir ensures cylinders, don’t require maintenance for up to 200,000 cycles. AES encryption, rapid processing, and efficient energy management is built into the eCLIQ chip. When a key’s battery runs out, it is easily replaced without tools. Easy and effective access control “I am very happy with the eCLIQ solution,” said M. Guyot, Technical and Security Manager at the Historial and Thiepval Museums, adding “Today, I promote the solution to those around me. I have also given a demonstration to the Somme General Council, to show the effectiveness and simplicity of the eCLIQ solution.” Guyot adds, “Normally, as a user client, we try to help you improve your products, but there was nothing to say in this case!”

ASSA ABLOY, the globally renowned company in access solutions, has published its Sustainability Report 2020. During the 2015-2020 period, the ASSA ABLOY Group successfully completed its sustainability program and exceeded the majority of the targets set for health and safety, energy, water and materials efficiency, while also reducing waste generated. A new ambitious sustainability program has been set for 2025. New sustainability program Sustainability is vital to economic and industrial development, and it is a strategic priority for ASSA ABLOY" The new program builds on the momentum and progress from the Group’s successive five-year sustainability programs. The new program has raised ambition level across all indicators and complements ASSA ABLOY’s long-term climate commitment to halve emissions by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2050. “Sustainability is vital to economic and industrial development, and it is a strategic priority for ASSA ABLOY. Overall, I am proud of the progress we have made in sustainability, against our targets to 2020,” said Nico Delvaux, President and CEO ASSA ABLOY. Commitment to reduce 50% emissions by 2030 Nico adds, “Though we still have a lot to do, we are on a journey and our new ambitious targets to 2025 and long-term climate commitment to halve our emissions by 2030, and be net-zero by 2050, will be our roadmap. This demonstrates our willingness to lead our industry to a more sustainable future, and will further improve our competitiveness with more sustainable products, solutions and operations.” Sustainability Program 2020-2025 Operations -25% Carbon footprint – absolute -25% Energy intensity (MWh/SEK M) -25% Water intensity (m3/SEK M) -25% Hazardous waste intensity (kg/SEK M) -50% Organic solvents intensity (kg/SEK M) 100% ISO 14001 – % sites certified in reporting scope Supply Management 95% Supplier sustainability audits (% of direct material spend in identified risk countries) 95% Business Partner Code of Conduct (% of direct & indirect material spend) People 33% Injury rate (number of injuries per million hours worked) 33% Injury lost day rate (number of lost days related to injuries per million hours worked) 30% Gender diversity (% of females in management positions) The baseline year for the new targets is 2019, as 2020 is not a representative year, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and its wide spread effects. Interested parties can read more about the ASSA ABLOY Group’s sustainability programs and KPIs in their sustainability report. Commitment to science-based targets initiative In October 2020 ASSA ABLOY announced that the Group is committing to set science-based targets to further substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the entire value chain. The ASSA ABLOY Group will set targets that are aligned to the Paris Agreement, limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C, by halving emissions by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.