Comelit-PAC has collaborated with The Hillcrest Group of Companies to modernize the door entry system at the Mary Slessor Building. This initiative combines the GDX Next system with Housing Central, aiming to streamline access management and enhance service efficiency for both residents and housing staff.
The Mary Slessor Building, situated in Dundee, features eight residential apartments. Hillcrest sought a reliable video door entry solution to improve residents' experiences and optimize daily management operations.
Existing Cabling Infrastructure
A crucial requirement for the project was to utilize the building's existing cabling, minimizing disruption and avoiding the time and costs frequently associated with rewiring.
Hillcrest selected GDX Next, a door entry platform from Comelit-PAC specific to social housing and residential settings. The system was installed without extensive rewiring, as it used the existing infrastructure to cover both the main entrance and all apartments.
Reducing Installation Costs
Mike Biggam, Operations Supervisor (Electrical) at The Hillcrest Group of Companies, noted: "We required a video door entry solution that would be reliable for residents while making the system easier for our teams to manage. The ability to retain the existing wiring infrastructure was a significant factor in our decision, helping minimize disruption and reduce installation costs. Combined with Housing Central, GDX Next has given us a more efficient way to manage access across the building."
Streamlining Access Management
Hillcrest also adopted PAC's Housing Central platform for cloud-based access credential management
As part of the door entry update, Hillcrest also adopted PAC's Housing Central platform for cloud-based access credential management. This centralized system allows authorized staff to manage access permissions remotely, eliminating the need for routine site visits and enabling fast adaptation to changes as needed.
The project has yielded positive outcomes for both residents and Hillcrest teams. Residents benefit from a secure and convenient video door entry system, while housing staff can manage access permissions through a unified platform. This improvement provides better system visibility and reduces time spent on routine access tasks.
Margaret-Ann Sheppard, Business Development Manager at Comelit-PAC, commented: "Successful access management projects start with understanding how our customers operate. By working closely with Hillcrest and understanding its requirements, we were able to deliver a solution that supports residents while giving housing teams greater visibility, flexibility and control over day-to-day access management."
Comelit-PAC has worked with The Hillcrest Group of Companies to upgrade the door entry system at the Mary Slessor Building, combining GDX Next with Housing Central to simplify access management and support a more efficient service for residents and housing teams.
The Mary Slessor Building in Dundee is a residential apartment block comprising eight apartments. When reviewing options for the upgrade, Hillcrest was looking for a video door entry solution to provide a reliable experience for residents while supporting more efficient day-to-day management.
Existing cabling infrastructure
A key requirement was the ability to utilize the building's existing wiring infrastructure, helping to minimize disruption and avoid the additional time and cost often associated with replacement projects.
To meet these requirements, Hillcrest selected GDX Next, Comelit-PAC's door entry platform designed for social housing and residential environments. Covering the building's main entrance and all eight apartments, the system was installed using the existing cabling infrastructure, allowing the upgrade to be completed without extensive rewiring works throughout the building.
Reducing installation costs
Mike Biggam, Operations Supervisor (Electrical) at The Hillcrest Group of Companies, said: "We required a video door entry solution that would be reliable for residents while making the system easier for our teams to manage. The ability to retain the existing wiring infrastructure was a significant factor in our decision, helping minimize disruption and reduce installation costs. Combined with Housing Central, GDX Next has given us a more efficient way to manage access across the building."
Alongside the door entry upgrade, Hillcrest implemented PAC's Housing Central platform to provide cloud-based management of access credentials. Through a centralized system, authorized personnel can manage access permissions remotely, reducing the need for routine site visits and enabling changes to be made quickly when required.
Access management projects
For Hillcrest, the project has delivered benefits for both residents and operational teams. Residents now have access to a video door entry system designed to support secure and convenient visitor management, while housing teams can administer access permissions remotely through a single platform. This provides greater visibility of the system and reduces the time required to manage routine access-related tasks.
Margaret-Ann Sheppard, Business Development Manager at Comelit-PAC, concluded: "Successful access management projects start with understanding how our customers operate. By working closely with Hillcrest and understanding its requirements, we were able to deliver a solution that supports residents while giving housing teams greater visibility, flexibility and control over day-to-day access management."
