The University of Dundee is advancing its security infrastructure with the integration of HID® Mobile Access® and HID Signo™ readers across its city campus. This initiative aims to enhance security and streamline access for staff and students via RFID cards and smartphones. The project, implemented by Scottish Communications Group, involves the installation of mobile-ready HID Signo readers at approximately 40 buildings and is expected to complete over two years.
To support this upgrade, the university has acquired 10,000 HID Mobile Access licences, allowing members of the academic community to use Apple and Android devices for touchless building entry. "We wanted a modern system which is safe, secure, and easy for everyone to use," stated Colin Stebbing, Head of Precinct Services at the University of Dundee. Stebbing also highlighted the importance of compliance with anticipated legislation such as Martyn’s Law, emphasizing the HID system’s adaptability and long-term value.
Recognized for its academic excellence in various fields, the University of Dundee is situated in Scotland and ranks 33rd in the Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024. Currently home to more than 16,000 students and 3,300 staff, it is expanding its facilities with a £40 million Innovation Hub, designed to foster job creation and provide flexible spaces for commercial use.
The new HID Signo readers integrate with the university’s existing AEOS access control software, facilitating touchless entry through Bluetooth® and NFC technologies. The compatibility with current access cards is expected to expedite the transition. The previous reliance on issuing plastic RFID cards posed logistical challenges, particularly during peak enrollment periods. The shift to HID Mobile Access, powered by cloud-based HID Origo management software, aims to simplify credential management and improve efficiency while reducing the need for traditional PVC cards.
While the university intends to transition to a primarily mobile access system, it also maintains a dual approach. "We recognise that some visitors and staff still want to use a physical pass," acknowledged Stebbing. This flexibility allows for the continued issuance of physical IDs using FARGO DTC4500e printers, integrating smoothly with the AEOS software.
HID Signo readers have been installed in key university buildings, including the Innovation Hub, with support from the Scottish Communications Group. "HID’s reputation is built on reliability and security," said Stuart Leslie, director at Scottish Communications Group, noting the ease of installation and system integration.
The university will further equip its security personnel with Motorola MOTORTRBO Ion smart radios, configured to work with HID Mobile Access. These devices, which connect with the university’s CCTV and alarm systems, streamline security operations by consolidating multiple functions into a single tool.
HID, the worldwide pioneer in trusted identity solutions, announces that the University of Dundee is updating its city campus estate implementing HID® Mobile Access® and signature HID Signo™ readers throughout its buildings to guarantee it has a modern, secure, and reliable access control system to allow staff and students to enter using both RFID cards and smartphones.
Mobile-ready HID Signo readers
The project will involve buying and installing new mobile-ready HID Signo readers at around 40 buildings – a staged rollout being completed over two years by a specialist security installer, Scottish Communications Group.
In addition, the University has purchased 10,000 HID Mobile Access licences to offer its academic community the option to use their Apple and Android smartphones for touchless entry into its facilities.
Safe and secure modern system
“We wanted a modern system which is safe, secure, and easy for everyone to use,” says Colin Stebbing, the University’s Head of Precinct Services. “Complying with forthcoming legislation was also another important project requirement."
"With bills like Martyn’s Law soon to be enacted, ensuring the University is ready for this was important given that we must protect to ensure everyone is safe. The HID solution enables us to not only lock down buildings immediately, but it has built-in functionality which we can leverage over time, meaning we’ve invested in ‘future proof’ equipment which will last us long term.”
University of Dundee
A thriving institution with ambitious development plans, it is currently building a new £40 million facility
The University of Dundee is a public research university in Scotland renowned for its academic excellence in dentistry, medicine, science and engineering, and life sciences. Based in the heart of the city, it is home to over 16,000 students, and 3,300 staff and is ranked 33rd in the Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.
A thriving institution with ambitious development plans, it is currently building a new £40 million facility called the Innovation Hub. This will offer commercial organisations flexible laboratory, meeting, and office space and, over the next 10 years, it is anticipated the Hub will help create up to 280 new high-quality jobs.
Touchless smartphone entry
The new HID Signo readers integrate with the University’s existing AEOS access control software from Nedap. Supporting both native Bluetooth® and Near Field Communication (NFC) connectivity, they allow touchless smartphone entry and are fast to install as the wiring uses common protocols like OSDP [Open Supervised Device Protocol] and Wiegand.
Furthermore, existing access cards already in circulation can be used with the new HID Signo readers thereby speeding up the rollout.
University's challenges
Historically, the University used to print and issue plastic RFID cards so staff and students could access buildings. This process was laborious and time-consuming, especially during peak times like Freshers Week when some 2,500 – 3,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled.
Issuing cards was logistically complex due to the high demand and the need for thorough identity checks, which could take up to 10 minutes per card.
HID Mobile Access
Shifting to HID Mobile Access completely changes this and delivers wireless credentialling
Shifting to HID Mobile Access – which utilises cloud-based HID Origo management software integrating with the AEOS system – completely changes this and delivers wireless credentialling.
This significantly simplifies all the licencing, allocation of credentials, setting of building access rights, and validating or revoking of IDs – all of which are done virtually and remotely.
Mobile credential
“Once registered by Student Services in AEOS, a student simply gets an email to their phone, they tap on a link, the app automatically uploads and a mobile credential is granted,” says Paul Brady, HID’s End User Business Manager for Physical Access Control Solutions.
“Not only does this improve the overall student experience because it’s substantially quicker and more efficient, but it’s far more sustainable as you’re not issuing PVC cards anymore.”
Dual system approach
While the strategy and aspiration are for the university population to shift wholesale to mobile access, its approach is to operate a dual system. “We recognise that some visitors and staff still want to use a physical pass and not all employees have a university-issued mobile credential,” explains Stebbing.
“HID Signo readers allow us to run both credential types in tandem, with HID Mobile Access giving us the option to scale up to include digital wallets from Apple and Google, as well as integrate with digital campus cards should we decide to go down this route in the future.”
FARGO DTC4500e printers
FARGO range integrates easily with the AEOS software so that Student Services staff can issue physical IDs
Given RFID cards are still required, the University of Dundee utilises its reliable FARGO DTC4500e printers to back up this transition to digital transformation. The FARGO range of ID card printers integrates easily with the AEOS software so that Student Services staff can easily issue physical IDs themselves.
“HID Signo readers are going in now across the main buildings including the Innovation Hub site,” says Stuart Leslie, Scottish Communications Group’s director.
Encryption, communications, and authentication standards
“HID’s reputation is built on reliability and security with its solutions supporting the latest encryption, communications, and authentication standards."
"Their devices have an open architecture so they’re easy to install and integrate which reduces the cost for the university and makes time to value that much quicker.”
Motorola MOTORTRBO Ion smart radios
In addition, the Scottish Communication Group is supplying Motorola MOTORTRBO Ion smart radios to the University’s security staff. The radios will be configured to run HID Mobile Access so they can open doors fitted with the new HID Signo readers.
Because these smart radios also link to the University’s CCTV, alarm systems, and CriticalArc Safezone® App, security staff need to carry only a single device to fulfill their duties.
