A challenging environment
The Maastricht Courthouse handles all kinds of cases every day, from hosting administrative hearings to trying actual crimes, and it is one of the larger legal institutions in the Netherlands, retaining eighty judges and 265 employees in addition to the daily flux of visitors. Against this vibrant background, safety and security stand out as absolute musts. That’s why the Maastricht Courthouse decided it was time to upgrade its fifteen-year-old security system with a centralised and intelligent IP solution.
Setting up the security system
After a few bad experiences in the past with the preceding proprietary system, courthouse authorities were adamant about one thing: They did not want to rely on a single manufacturer for the installation and maintenance of the system. To ensure the courthouse received a system able to meet project requirements, authorities outsourced the research of the new system and ultimately hired the TES Group as the main contractor. This electrical engineering company selected the necessary equipment to set up an IP-based system with intercom communication, access control, video surveillance, and paging capability.
A courthouse is no ordinary building and the demands on the security system for such a place are extremely high. It needs to effectively protect the people and confidential documents. To this end, a centralised management system was recommended to incorporate all the necessary components.TES Group chose Flexposure of TKH Security Solutions, a developer of flexible platform software, to create a customised user interface to consolidate the security system.
User-friendly operation
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| Flexposure applies the insights from gaming and touch-screen technologies to provide intuitive security management |
Flexposure applies the insights from gaming and touch-screen technologies to provide intuitive security management. Flexposure customised its FlinQ GUI solution to ensure the Maastricht Courthouse could successfully supervise the safety of its facilities. Since FlinQ is based on open standards, it is easy to integrate into various types of networks and with diverse devices. The Rijksgebouwendienst (the Dutch Ministry for Buildings and Infrastructure) thoroughly tested FlinQ and it now runs successfully on all three workstations. Users can access the system via mobile devices, allowing personnel to maintain safety of the premises from any location.
“Flexposure has clear and effective lines of communication and it is easy to get things done,” said Pie Jongen, Project Manager at the Maastricht Courthouse. “No elaborate training program or manual is needed to operate the system since the visuals are clear and recognisable. All in all, the Maastricht Courthouse is really happy with Flexposure and FlinQ.”
Effective safety and security
The project was implemented over the course of eleven months with team members working around the clock to deliver the system on time. Due to the highly challenging environment and the demands inherent in securing a busy legal institution, the security system at the Maastricht Courthouse is covered by a full service level agreement. This guarantees the availability of the system and ensures maintenance is carried out to prevent any potential breakdowns. The Maastricht Courthouse is manned 24/7 by security personnel who have a direct line of support, should an incident occur. Using FlinQ from various locations, operators can effectively supervise the facility and appropriately react to events and triggered alarms as necessary.Despite the complex needs of the Maastricht Courthouse, the security system effectively maintains safety while still being easy to use.
