Net2, the network access control system from Paxton Access Limited, a UK market leader in the design and manufacture of electronic access control systems, has been installed at the RAF Museum at Hendon.
Opened in late 1972, the RAF Museum at Hendon attracts 180,000 visitors a year to the 15-acre site of former RAF Hendon Aerodrome. Currently the museum is home to over eighty aircraft, which will increase to more than one hundred later this year. It is the national museum of aviation and is recognised as one of the top aviation museums in the world.
With growing visitor numbers, David Rowe, the museum's Operations Manager, decided it was time to investigate an access control system. He explains the concerns: "We previously used a master key system. It became difficult to keep track of all the keys given to staff when they needed access to certain areas. In addition, since December 2001 entrance to the museum has been free and we have seen a massive increase in the number of visitors. I felt we needed a system that would give us more control and easier access for staff, and enable us to ensure the visitors could not wander into private areas."
"I spoke to a few companies I know who have knowledge of access control and I heard good things about Net2, the PC based network system from Paxton Access. I had a look at the system and it seemed pretty easy to use. The main thing I liked was that the system could change and adapt as our needs changed."
The museum installed Net2 for use with cardswipe readers, initially on eight doors, subsequently increased to thirteen. David says: "We decided to deal with what we considered our main priorities first, then add to the system as budget became available. One of the really good things about this system is that expanding it gradually is easy."
There are eighty users on the system with different time zones set up for the staff according to their shifts. "It is a very easy bit of kit to use," comments David. "When Net2 software was loaded it took very little time to get all the users entered and cards issued. I feel this solution has worked well for our particular needs. The card readers on the doors and Net2 give us the security we need. I would have no hesitation recommending it to other businesses."
