Secured Alarm Systems has installed the cloud-based access control system from manufacturer ACT, ACT365, at the new UK base of Dr Organic, a natural skincare and beauty product company. Dr Organic created a production, design and distribution centre within the 18-acre Swansea Enterprise Park.
ACT365 gives users management of access points both locally and remotely. It allows the operator to analyse door status and activate doors from any major web browser or ACT’s own App. ACT365 also unifies VMS with access control, enabling users to control cameras from the same platform.
The software is allowing Dr Organic to make remote adjustments to a user’s privileges including disabling a card after any breach of access protocol even if it is an innocent error. A common occurrence might be a contractor forgetting to hand in their card or fob after finishing an assignment, for example.
Secured Alarm Systems worked with the client’s IT consultant, SA1 Solutions, to use existing Cat6 infrastructure and assign IP addresses to the ACT hardware. Dr Organic is using ACTpro 1040e 125kHz proximity readers and also opted for another recent innovation, ACTpro 1520e single-door controllers.
Matthew Giffard, managing director of Secured Alarm Systems, said: “The installation at Dr Organic was rapid and hassle-free. An outstanding feature of ACT365 is that if the client reports a fault on their access control system we’ve got the ability to assess the situation via the Cloud from our own office and make modifications without necessarily visiting site. This enhances our offering to clients and of course end-users also appreciate the remote visibility of their premises.
“ACT365 is showing exceptional functionality in terms of ability to programme user time zones and door groups. The responsiveness of the system was illustrated recently when a Dr Organic member of staff had a highly unusual but legitimate access control request involving external doors. We were able to adjust the privileges on their fob from our office promptly and with no disruption to the system.”
ACT365 operates from a compact unit involving minimal capital cost according to the developers and is provided to installers by ACT and its distribution partners on an ‘as-a-service’ model. The makers add that clients are able to focus on their core operations without being potentially distracted by technical concerns such as firewalls, router settings, patches and firmware upgrades.
Dr Organic use organic ingredients wherever possible and avoid petro-chemicals such as paraffin and petroleum in their products. Dr Organic exports to the US and to do this it must meet regulations from the United States Department of Homeland Security. The ACT system is contributing to this compliance.
About the installer
Swansea-based Secured Alarm Systems operate across access control, CCTV and fire protection. The company works in sectors including civil infrastructure, retail, social housing, student accommodation and local NHS. The installer cover the whole of the south west of the UK. The company is a member of the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) and BAFE; their staff are fully trained in the Construction Skills Certification Scheme.
