The Northern & Shell Building at 10 Lower Thames Street, London EC3 offers dramatic panoramic river views. It has an on-site restaurant, a ten-storey glazed atrium, pictured; and glass wall climber lifts. Among its tenants, Northern & Shell Group occupies about 110,000 sq. ft. spread over the ground, fourth, ninth and tenth floors. This landmark building’s security has seen an upgrade with Smart R Distribution products by systems integrator, Isecurity Systems Limited.
As part of a phased office refurbishment, the owners of the building reviewed the tools for the security personnel to protect about 5,000 people who work in the building, as well as contractors and visitors.
Russell Morgan is Project Manager for Elsenham, Essex based Isecurity Systems, who have had a long term association with Northern & Shell. He said: “The existing Geoffrey access control system had been in use for over 20 years and although it was still operating effectively, its functionality was limited compared to more modern solutions. A decision was made to invest in the latest generation Vanderbilt Security Management System (SMS) which enables users to efficiently manage alarms, lifts, visitors and the photo ID badging process, from a single software platform.”
Russell and his colleagues at Isecurity worked with the Smart R Distribution to supply a Vanderbilt SMS access control system. In the process the installer replaced some 140 ageing magnetic stripe readers with new CIDRON access control readers which support securely encrypted DESfire EV2 contactless Smart Cards from Cambridge UK based Authenticard.
Intercom
Smart R Distribution also supplied a new Comelit ViP video entry system, comprising eight door stations and two control desk positions, which has been installed by Isecurity to allow operators within the building’s 24/7 control room, to communicate and remotely open doors for contractors and couriers who need to gain entry via, for example, a basement. The video entry integrates with the SMS control system.
Customer
Dave Wratten, Facilities Manager for Northern & Shell Group, said: “We now have a highly efficient access control solution which helps us to manage the smooth movement of large numbers of people through turnstile controlled speed lanes located in our reception area and it also enables us to control who can gain access to other restricted areas within the building. Isecurity Systems and Smart R should be applauded for working in partnership to ensure that all the equipment was delivered to site exactly when it was needed and then installed to our complete satisfaction.”
About Smart R Distribution
Established in 2010, Smart R Distribution distributes and supports access control, door entry and CCTV products from manufacturers including ACT, Authenticard, Comelit, Farpointe Data, HID, Intratone, Vanderbilt and Vivotek.
Although device agnostic, when being asked to provide advice on the best combination of products for specific projects, Smart R Distribution offers its own brand of Ethernet and Power transmission equipment. It is also able to satisfy the demand for CCTV for the housing market with its entry level Smart R Home and semi-professional Smart R Guard CCTV.
