SALTO Wireless Access Control Solution Installed At Strode College, UK

SALTO XS4 uses RFID technology to communicate with the central access control database stored on the college’s server

Strode College is one of England's top performing colleges for further and higher education, offering a wide range of academic and vocational courses, training and leisure courses for the community. It has a range of high quality general and specialist learning environments and resources to support students in their studies. Most of the on-campus facilities are new or newly refurbished. A multi million pound capital investment program has continued in recent years to improve student facilities; over £20m has been invested over the last 10 years.

The Challenge

The college has a policy of improving security throughout its campus that not only supports the securing of areas, but also the provision of greater access to its facilities in a controlled and managed way. To achieve this, the college required the addition of a modern, state-of-the-art product that would provide networked access control and security via a single access card that could be easily distributed to staff and potentially, in the future to students.

SALTO Certified Partner Lock-Tech, who recently expanded by opening an office in Bristol, was the chosen supplier for two principle reasons: their proven track record in supplying and installing SALTO access control in education establishments, and their on-going ability to support and develop their customer’s systems.

The Solution

Working in conjunction with the college’s IT and procurement teams, Lock-Tech’s Bristol team selected SALTO’s XS4 wireless solution and tailored it to meet every element of the college’s requirements.

The SALTO XS4 wireless system is an on-line, real-time access control system that uses RFID radio frequency technology to communicate with the central access control database stored on the college’s server.  This effectively provides the college with a “networked access control solution without the wires”.

The wireless functionality provides the control and flexibility of a hard-wired access control system, without the additional costs and complexity associated with hardwiring each door. The wireless electronic escutcheons on the doors are configured automatically via SALTO gateways installed in strategic locations. So, with a single click of a mouse you can configure or make changes at the doors in real-time.

The system allows administrators to monitor the wireless network, download audit trail information from doors in real time, delete users remotely and securely, collect battery status of the battery operated units for maintenance, remotely lock and unlock doors and much more.

The Result

The XS4 wireless units are now installed campus wide on a mixture of Apple Mac suites, lecture rooms, engineering workshops and communal staff areas. A total of 32 doors have been secured so far in a mixture of online and wireless units. This site is totally online and wireless with no current offline or stand-alone doors.

Combined with the industry leading SALTO access control product, Lock-Tech has provided a comprehensive service to Strode College. From assistance with the specification, to supply, install and commissioning, Lock-Tech aimed to deliver from start to finish.

Strode College’s Head of IT Services, Tim Blake said: “From initial investigations through to a campus wide deployment, Lock-Tech have provided an excellent service. This has continued post installation with supportive training an effective post implementation review“

Lock-Tech Managing Director Phil Harvey says “The combination of the SALTO XS4 wireless product together with competent installation engineers and clarity of direction from such a professional client ensured we had nothing to worry about. The installation was straightforward and this ensured we delivered the project on time and fully met Strode College’s expectations.”