The Story
The challenge was to select a security system for The MET that had the future in mind, in addition to supplying a robust solution for today. For Adam Perrin, CTO – Automation at Toronto based integration partners The Citywide Group, that's why any decision had to be about more than just access control systems or commercial alarms and monitoring.
Future Proofed, Multi-Tech, and Mobile
The developer recognized the importance of making decisions with the future in mind. As development takes place all around the MET, traffic and security concerns will inevitably increase. This gave Citywide an opportunity to present an ICT solution that was a win for all parties.
With Protege GX, the developers have a platform that can evolve with the needs of the building. It delivers instant security and a rich set of features, without limiting the future potential of the platform.
The MET is also seeing the advantages of mobile credentials. With smartphones playing such a major part of our lives, the convenience and connectivity of using the Protege Mobile App and Bluetooth enabled keys brings benefits to all involved.
"The convenience and simplicity of having your security credential on your phone is a feature that more and more end users are requesting," says Perrin. It's not just residents that love mobile credentials. "Using multi-technology tSec readers with both mobile keys and fobs ensures that key duplication, and granting or revoking access during turnover is optimized." Property Managers can instantly issue new mobile keys to new tenants on, or ahead of arrival, then remove credentials on departure without having to physically exchange keys.
Simplicity in Action
Despite the complex array of Protege GX features in use, the simple interface has proved invaluable for users at The MET. The 72 doors have been simplified onto one easy-to-use status page using floorplan modelling. "Concierge staff love this as it helps lay out a map to aid with orientation. Many features have also been incorporated into the dashboard, such as integrating CCTV images into it or releasing certain doors directly from the floorplan," Perrin says.
And with ICT Entry Stations acting as digital doormen at entrances, it's also simple for visitors to The MET to contact their hosts using the Protege Mobile App, or for the concierge to facilitate deliveries to the complex.
Hassle-Free Wireless Parking
A frequent problem with parking access is when multiple garage doors exist in a confined area. This can make it difficult for the system to discern which door a user is attempting to open. Citywide solved this for The MET's four parking doors by teaming 4-button remote fobs with four ICT wireless receivers to simplify the equipment needed to distinguish the doors. This system guarantees that parking access is restricted to only those residents that have been verified, and that only the correct door is opened.
