London South Bank University
London South Bank University heads to Space
Background
London South Bank University (LSBU) is one of the largest Universities in London. It is based in the Borough of Southwark, near the South Bank of the River Thames, and is one of London’s oldest universities founded in 1892.
As a cosmopolitan university with over 18,000 students, it draws students and teachers from across the world representing over 130 countries all of which are located across two campuses and four halls of residence in Southwark, based at the Elephant and Castle Campus and the Havering Campus in Essex.
London South Bank University commissioned Optyma Security Systems to upgrade its access control systems and database with the SALTO Space management software.
Challenges
Following an intensive review of the existing Campus databases, it was recommended that the current system should undergo a major upgrade.
The main challenge the University faced was that the stored information from previous students and teachers was inaccurate and was clogging up the system.
Left unchecked, meant that the databases had out-of-date information, which was costing the University significant time and money and affecting the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the Security and Facilities teams.
Project Management
Optyma Security Systems have been the incumbent security specialists providing maintenance and reactive repairs for the CCTV, access control and integrated intruder alarms systems across the whole campus since 2017.
Optyma Security Systems also provide the integration of the access control and student enrolment/service databases.
During this project, the principle aims were to:
Eliminate any potential blacklisting problems
Bring the existing technology up to date
Build Future proof resiliency into the system
Install and implement a web-based solution to allow for easier access
Solutions
Optyma Security’s team of skilled engineers and technical support staff worked closely with LSBU to ensure seamless integration and a fully functioning system without disruption to the universities essential work.
The project work and installation needed to be completed during the University lockdown period to ensure downtime was kept to a minimum. This was achieved by our projects teams managing the extraction of all the information required for the new systems and then incorporating this into rebuilding a new database for LSBU.
The new SPACE platform was installed onto the new access control servers which were then integrated into the existing hardware across the two campuses and the four halls of residence. Finally, Optyma engineers then carried out the initialisation of all hardware and re-enrolment of user cards across the campus.
The system is now a smart access control platform which is fully integrated with the electronic locking which gives LSBU seamless access to every door in any building in an efficient, safe and secure way.
Results
The new access control platform database now enables the LSBU to easily manage and secure its access plan across all its facilities from a single point if needed. Their new SALTO SPACE software was designed to be easy and intuitive to use, allowing the LSBU system administrators to manage doors and user keys in just a few easy steps, and in real-time.
It provides the LSBU with an intuitive user-centric software interface that makes it simple and secure to incorporate access control for all their buildings and allows each system operator to set up their own preferences: capabilities and security levels.
They also have benefited from the ability to integrate with third-party systems. Including interfaces and APIs with smart lock technology, video surveillance, vehicle access, biometrics, time & attendance, escape door control systems, intrusion alarm, and more