The security and retail loss contract company Lodge Service has extended the range of services available over its web-based intelligence network to include fraud investigation and building management – such as for lighting, heating and ventilation – besides security and loss prevention.
Control of lights on site out of office hours can improve overall safety and security and also the total return on investment by reducing costs, says Simon Chapman, managing director of Lodge Service. The Lodg:IC network is managed from an intelligence centre at Redditch in Worcestershire and a Cat 2 alarm centre in Accrington, Lancashire.
The premises of retail and corporate service users are connected through the network for remote monitoring, services management and emergency response.
Incident control systems provide post-event verification and escalation. Subscriber personnel are alerted by phone and messaging, and then emergency repair and guarding teams are despatched when required. Integration of a range of systems over the internet improves management of properties and assets and protection of staff, visitors and customers, says Simon Chapman, pictured. He says:“Centralised control for loss prevention and facilities managers makes for faster communication and better reporting for all systems – from CCTV monitoring and security investigations, to operating building services and analysing in-store merchandising data. Integration of services means we can specify a solution tailored to the specific risk and commercial profile – so you can combine guarding in working hours with CCTV monitoring and remote access control at night. It’s also important for contingency planning and disaster recovery.”
He says a key focus is on KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and RoI (Return in Investment). These are agreed with each user to meet commercial targets and compliance responsibilities with targeted cost savings. Users include UK retailers and corporates, besides police and councils and firms on the Continent. Almost any IP-connected service can be monitored and controlled from the intelligence centre in the UK, the contract company adds.
Security and facilities data is collected and analysed centrally for mangement reporting. This includes information from CCTV, EPoS, RFID and biometric systems as well as environmental services. Marketing data can include input on merchandising ‘hot spots’ from in-store CCTV, for example.
The specification of the service profile can start with a security audit and vulnerability testing – not only for physical security but also for fraud, to review possible areas for abuse in the organisation’s commercial processes.
About Lodge Service
A third generation, independently owned security consultancy and service company, with a £22m turnover, Lodge has nearly 800 staff and is, says CEO Stuart Lodge, and the only family business in the top five per cent of SIA-ACS, Security Industry Authority, Approved Contractor Scheme. Visit www.lodgeservice.com.
