Network Rail
Services
Access control systems installation
Network Rail wanted a company with the vision and experience to undertake a complete upgrade and expansion of their access control requirements.
Their existing access control infrastructure was fragmented and disjointed, and Network Rail wanted to merge all of their systems onto a common platform. Due to the large scale of the project, Network Rail chose to work with MITIE for our track record in implementing multi-site access control systems as well as our vision to expand access control capabilities nationwide.
How did MITIE help?
The MITIE team developed a unique access control strategy and implementation plan through in partnership with Network Rail. An enterprise wide system was developed that allows security to be managed both on a local and a central basis. The final system provides access control for all of their commercial property and mainline stations and provides flexibility and potential for growth. Not only does the system deliver today, but it has the capability to expand with demand and maintain effectiveness, in essence making it future-proof! The system is set to be one of the largest access control systems in the UK and will cover all Network Rail mainline railway stations and 50 offices across the UK.
The results
A flexible, modular and expandable system with no maximum limitations meaning that it can be implemented across any number of sites reducing the need for re-installation in the future. Network Rail are able to pre-define access rights to any area of a station or building, so unauthorised access is not left to human decision. The system is set to be one of the most advanced systems of its type and with additional benefits of low cost of ownership due to the web-browsing technology used.
Successful projects
Our partnership with Network Rail continues to develop as we work with the client to complete a schedule of on-going projects.
In June 2012 we completed an access control system migration at a Network Rail Regional Station Area Redevelopment site in Reading. This was a particularly challenging project as the existing access control system needed to be maintained during the migration.
Our dedicated project team overcame this challenge by carefully compiling a plan of tasks which were dependant on each other. The sequence of tasks was communicated to the MITIE team and Network Rail’s IT team as well as Network Rail Facilities Management (FM) teams and its safety, health and environment team members.
The sequence included pre migration work - cabling and electronic communication set up by the engineering teams, which then enabled the card holder database and card production to commence.
The FM team arranged for the site based staff to be available for new photo identification badges and confirmed the access rights that they were to have. Once confirmed the cards were produced and issued. The migration of the access controlled doors started; staff members were made aware and temporary signage was used to inform users to use their new card.
Reception entrance doors were completed out of normal working hours and then monitored by the FM team to ensure cards operated correctly.
Our team was able to minimise disruption to Network Rail’s business continuity, maintain security of the building and improve on the security measures.
Network Rail facts
The central system is a resilient main server running SQL with web browser management from any PC connected on the system.
Over 50 PCs are connected to the system each can add/delete and track card holders.
All local workstations include a card printer for photo ID to be printed on the access control card.
Over 1000 doors (and growing) are managed both centrally and locally.