ARCs sign up to Monitor

PSTN TO IP

As the migration from PSTN to IP lines in the UK continues, Texecom’s primary alarm communication service, Texecom Monitor, is being utilised by a growing number of Alarm Receiving Centres (ARCs) in the UK. Here we find out why it is an attractive proposition

Following the launch of Texecom Monitor in April 2022 the system has been adopted by a host of alarm monitoring companies including SMC, Scutum Digital, EMCS, Fenix Monitoring, First County Monitoring and also Southern & Northern Monitoring. The company has recently announced that further ARCs have signed up with ASM, QVIS Monitoring and Corps Monitoring all becoming approved users of the technology.

Texecom Monitor offers SP2, SP2 Radio, DP2, DP3 and DP4 primary alarm signalling to leading Alarm Receiving Centres. The service is accessed from Premier Elite systems via dualpath SmartCom 4G communicators which provide connectivity to all the major UK telecommunication networks, including O2, EE, 3 (H3G) and Vodafone.

In essence Texecom Monitor makes adding primary alarm communications simple and easy. No messing about for installers in ordering bespoke equipment from ARCs for a particular, specific, site. No time-consuming wiring, programming and testing regime. No arduous ARC account setup process. Texecom Monitor is fully integrated with Premier Elite alarm systems making alarm signalling plug-and-play for the field alarm installer.

Texecom Monitor is setup and configured through a Texecom Cloud account, giving installers total control and visibility and the ability to manage ARCs, Texecom Cloud diagnostics and Texecom Connect app management all from the company cloud account.

The field-service app TexecomPro provides installers with all the tools to setup, configure and diagnose connectivity, on the go. For your customers, Texecom Connect puts users in control of their security systems. Available on

The system has been adopted by a host of alarm monitoring companies such as SMC, Scutum Digital, EMCS, Fenix Monitoring, First County Monitoring and Southern & Northern Monitoring and more

PSTN TO IP

Android or iOS, the Texecom Connect app allows users to control Premier Elite security systems directly from their compatible smartphone or tablet device.

Texecom Monitor has been designed from the ground up with cyber security at the heart of the cloud architecture and has been penetration tested by leading cyber security experts to ensure compliance with the highest standards.

Texecom’s cloud-based architecture that powers Texecom Monitor provides layers of resiliency and redundancy - ensuring reliable communications. With dual path, fully roaming 4G communications backed up with multiredundant cloud transport systems, Texecom Monitor is a service you can depend on as it exceeds EN50136 DP4 signalling uptime requirements and has achieved 100% uptime availability in the last twelve months.

The Texecom Monitor digital platform can help raise service levels and reduce overheads for installation companies such as fuel costs and engineer on-site time in conjunction through the benefits of Cloud services. The system provides the simple and seamless answer to going All-IP whilst offering customers add-ons such as App management and control and increasing service levels to those with Premier Elite systems.

APPLICATION

London retro arcade bar installs new security technology

Amthal has worked with contractors in the fit out for the new NQ64 arcade bar in London, ensuring staff and guests can enjoy the retro arcade games and classic consoles safely and securely.

The new addition in Soho, NQ64’s eighth UK venue, now offers a choice of over 30 original arcade games including Time Crisis, Guitar Hero, Dancing Stage and Pac-Man, alongside a selection of gamer-themed cocktails.

In the build, contractors Clarke Gough ripped out the existing site, taking it right back to the brickwork and building from scratch to create the new NQ64 experience. This included removal of a legacy CCTV and intruder alarm, which Amthal replaced with a smart and monitored solution.

Andy Platt, Property Manager at NQ64 Arcade Bars said: “It’s always exciting to open a new venue, but bringing NQ64 to London has been a huge ambition of ours for some years. We think it will bring a whole new dimension to the entertainment landscape of the capital by transporting visitors back in time. This is whilst being the latest hotspot for those who just want to have a drink and a good night out in the capital.”

NQ64 Soho has a capacity for 300 people, for which safety and security was a top priority in the specification and design of the venue.

Andrew Clarke of Clark Gough Contractors added: “This was an immense project where every aspect of the design had to work with the retro glowing neon graffiti theme of NQ64, right from the entrance through to the bar area.

“In the first fit stage, we had to include security to ensure compliance.Having Amthal on board right from the early stages of the design, and specification of the bar development was key. The team could offer advice and practical support on how and where to install the right systems to assure guest safety and peace of mind.”

Steve Holdway, Amthal Account Manager – Sales Team concluded: “Security measures must be in place to protect everyone on site, and the property itself, and this extends to all part of the premises. What our work here shows is the importance of operating closely with contractors right from specification and design to ensure systems can be installed that blend with their surroundings, without affecting the experience of staff and guests.”

APPLICATION

Access control solution supplied for safe research units

Abloy UK has supplied the SafePod Network with the Assa Abloy ARX access control solution to help secure the new research facilities located at universities across the UK.

The SafePod Network provides standardised safe settings across the UK for data that requires secure access for research. The network was launched in September 2021.

SafePods include the ARX access control solution to provide secure access to researchers, as well as CCTV, an area for dataset analysis, and an IT cupboard for the storage of services.

To provide a safe and robust environment for researchers, SafePods required a security solution that could offer a simple access system while ensuring it was kept physically secure.

Several access control system options were considered during the SafePod prototype and specification phase. A fingerprint reader was tested, but it did not meet the requirements in terms of reliability and ease of use.

Using ARX, for controlled access, researchers are supplied with a pre-programmed door card that can be swiped over the reader on the SafePod door to gain access and begin their research.

Darren Lightfoot, SafePod Network Manager explained: “SafePods were created to widen the opportunities for approved researchers to work with data that requires secure access and improve the quantity and diversity of public benefit research undertaken across the UK.

“The Assa Abloy ARX access control system was a key component for providing researchers with secure access to SafePods. The online management software is straight forward to use, and it was great that I could brand the swipe cards to give a custom and professional finish.”

Installation of the ARX solution was managed by JCI, who also provide services at other Universities operating the ARX platform.

There are expected to be around 24 SafePods primarily based in universities across the UK by the end of 2022.

Tourist port upgrades from analogue surveillance system

The Marina di Varazze tourist port needed to replace a completely analogue video surveillance system that no longer met its needs so the security team decided to invest in a new system to improve the quality of the recordings and give operators the ability to view footage remotely.

The aim of the upgrade was to improve the safety of the personnel assigned to the structure, of the shipowners and of the commercial premises located on the promenade of the port itself. Furthermore, there was the need to have the option of providing clear and effective documentation to the police in the event of a specific request/investigation.

The video surveillance system had to be able to protect the 232,000 square metres of port, of which 144,000 square metres is water, as well as shops, restaurants, bars, car parks, public areas and apartments.

The Marina security team had previously worked with XiX by Paolo Laterza so they once again turned to the company to install the first phase of cameras, the fibre-optic infrastructure, and all active equipment, switches, servers and clients.

XiX by Paolo Laterza advised investing in Wisenet Q and Wisenet X cameras and centralising the system to the VMS Wisenet WAVE.

The first phase involved the installation of IP cameras, in particular 33 bullet cameras and four speed domes. After completing this first phase, and with the changing needs of the marina, additional cameras were added, bringing the total to 67.

Marina di Varazze invested in Wisenet WAVE, Hanwha Techwin's VMS, to consolidate video feeds from both Wisenet cameras and legacy devices still in use. There is a control room on site to protect and monitor the marina 24/7, and thanks to Wisenet WAVE, operators can quickly access footage to investigate events and people of interest. In addition, operators can easily find the most appropriate footage and images relating to an event and export this data to be delivered, if necessary, to the police.

APPLICATION

Islington Council utilises cloud based door entry solutions

Islington Council has worked with Comelit-PAC to create a cloud based door entry solution for managing access control to communal residential developments across its housing portfolio.

London Borough Council, Islington has made the transition to a PAC cloud solution across its housing network, delivering improved security for residents.

Initially, PAC pilot tested the system across six blocks. The pilot was successful in working around residents to ensure a seamless transaction of fobs and secure access to communal areas. The works have now been extended to more locations across the borough.

The PAC security system can accommodate the high frequency movement of residents and operators who may need controlled access to communal areas. Overall, the PAC installation offers greater peace of mind and safe audit control.

From the borough’s perspective, the remote capability enables a much more efficient approach to managing access throughout our properties, enabling resident instant access, and old resident details can be removed and replaced as necessary.

At the same time, Islington has peace of mind that data captured is secure in the cloud, in compliance with latest standards.