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Frontline and TDSi co-star at Guildhall School

The Guildhall School of Music & Drama has invested in a new access control system to ensure that all its staff and students can work in a safe and secure environment.

The school commissioned system integration specialists, Frontline Security Solutions to install the new system manufactured by TDSi.  The requirement was to replace an existing outdated access control system with one that could identify and record as well as control who has access to any or all of five separate sites.

Situated in the heart of the City of London, the Guildhall School of Music & Drama impresses not only with its unique location, neighbouring the Barbican Centre, Europe's largest multi-arts and conference venue, but is at the same time home to outstandingly talented teachers and students from around the world.

It was felt that a comprehensive security system was needed to ensure the smooth operation of the 100,000 square metres complex.  Some 2,000 students and staff require different levels of access to the school's in-house facilities including 41 teaching/practice rooms, recording and sound studios, the students' Common Room, I.T. facilities, a specialist library and residential accommodation for those who live in.

Frontline installed a TDSi eXcel networkable access control system in combination with TDSi's eXguard Pro software.  This allows an unlimited number of doors to be controlled and when needed for particular events make it easy to open up additional doors.

The access control magnetic cards issued to all staff and students also serve as the school's ID card giving access to designated areas as well as being a discount card for the in-house cafeteria.  In addition the cards act as a library card and can be used for cashless photocopying.

Mr. Martin Auger, Head of Estates Management at the said:  "The new access control system has cut down on a lot of administration costs throughout the departments.  At the same time we have one card only that's useful to everybody and by using our own design and colour coding for the different user groups it's very easy to quickly identify people."