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| The Traka key management system enables access to these areas via the staff member or student’s existing access card |
The University of East Anglia has integrated a Traka key management solution with its exiting access control system to provide seamless security across the multi-site campus.
Previously, the University was operating under a manual key management system, with limited paper record of who had access to keys and when they were taken or returned. Due to the loss of a bunch of keys, which required the replacement of certain locks, the facility decided to implement a more thorough process.
The University already has a very mature access control system in place, CardAX. One solution that was considered was the installation of additional doors. However, because only a limited number of people required access to those doors it was not deemed as cost-effective.
Despite this, there were sensitive areas that did require access restriction and also careful monitoring of who was using the keys and at what time. For example, laboratories where chemicals are stored were considered an extremely sensitive area, but only a small number of staff needed access to it.
The Traka key management system enables access to these areas via the staff member or student’s existing access card. Because the Traka product was integrated with CardAX, the central administrator can set up access permissions automatically. This means that the facility can set a hierarchy of access rights for an individual, which will allow them to use their existing card to access keys to sensitive areas if they have been given prior permission. The Traka system also creates reports, detailing who has taken keys, when they have taken them and when they have returned them. This data is fed straight into CardAX and is included in the Campus’s security reports.
The key management system has also created an economical solution that lets a large number of students have access to sports equipment. Because of the accountability the Traka solution provides there is less chance of keys going missing, as access to keys can only be granted if a student uses their own card.
Jonathon Richardson, Assistant CIS Director at University of East Anglia said, “The most important aspect of the Traka system is the seamless integration to our existing access management processes. There has been minimal disruption and changes, and the Traka solution seems to compliment CardAX very well.
“We are now able to monitor who is accessing keys, and when they are returning them. This is invaluable as the accountability ensures keys are being looked after, and it also allows us to monitor the times they are being returned.”
