Integrated security systems - Gloucestershire College

One BSIA member worked with Gloucestershire College to provide effective security to a new state-of-the-art campus in Cheltenham. One of the greatest challenges for any education establishment is balancing the need to create an open and stimulating environment that encourages learning, whilst ensuring that people are protected from the threat of theft, vandalism, physical attack and abuse.

Gloucestershire College is one of the UK’s largest further education colleges and therefore an effective security solution was required which would pre-empt the issues highlighted above and would ensure the well-being of all the college’s personnel, students and their personal belongings. 

The member company installed an internal access control system, incorporating card based security, where access is gained using a choice of contact free media such as keys, ID cards or fobs.

The system allows other applications such as time and attendance, cash-free payment and audit trail to be added. Subsequently, the college implemented a cashless vending solution which allowed students to use the same access control card to purchase food and drinks from the canteen or snack machines. An additional benefit has also been the memory feature of the software which indicates which doors have been visited, therefore providing a quick and easy way to indicate checks and controls over who has access where and at what times. The college has found flexibility in the use of the system and has allowed them to also consider the introduction of cabinet locks that will work with the same card currently in use.

Click here to find a BSIA member who can provide an integrated security system.