Jim Caola

SALTO effectively provides the college with a ‘networked access control solution without the wires’ Queen's College is a co-educational independent school located in Taunton, Somerset. It is a day/boarding school for children aged 3–18, and incorporates Nursery, Pre-Prep, Junior and Senior schools. The college was aware that its existing security arrangements in the form of mechanical keyed locks and a very basic access control system were somewhat outdated and not up to the mark when it came to providing an environment that was as safe and secure as it could be for its pupils and staff. Recognising the need to modernise and upgrade, the college considered the best way to achieve this would be to bring in security experts to advise them on how to implement this in a controlled and managed way. Guardian Security South West was the local company appointed to do this for two principle reasons: their track record in supplying and installing access control technology in education facilities, and their on-going ability to support and service any subsequent products installed at the college. Sales Manager Jim Caola says “Wanting to secure a mixture of classroom, office and bedroom doors what the college needed was a modern, state-of-the-art solution that would provide networked access control and security via a single contactless access card that could be easily distributed to staff and pupils as required. So working with Queen’s College Operations Director Peter Evans, we selected SALTO System’s XS4 wireless solution and tailored it to meet every element of the college’s requirements, fitting it to 35 doors in a mix of online and offline formats.” The SALTO XS4 wireless system is an online, real-time access control system that uses RFID radio frequency technology to communicate with an access control database at the college. This effectively provides the college with a ‘networked access control solution without the wires’. The wireless functionality provides the control and flexibility of a hard-wired access control system, without the costs and complexity associated with hardwiring each door. The wireless electronic escutcheons on the doors are configured automatically via SALTO gateways installed in strategic locations. So, with simple changes to its software users can "The combination of the SALTO XS4 wireless product and a committed client ensured the solution fully met the college’s expectations" configure or make changes at the doors in real-time. The system allows the college to monitor the wireless network, download audit trail information from doors in real time, delete users remotely and securely, collect battery status of the locks for maintenance, remotely lock and unlock doors and much more. Combined with the industry leading SALTO access control product, Guardian Security South West has provided a comprehensive service to Queen’s College. From designing the specification, through to supply, installing and commissioning, Guardian has delivered from start to finish. Peter Evans comments “From initial investigations through to actual deployment, Guardian have provided an excellent service. Having security that is reliable is critical since in addition to the need to control access to classrooms we also board a number of young people in our student accommodation. We like the ease of use and capability of the SALTO software as it helps us get maximum benefit from the technology whilst providing a secure environment for all our students and staff.” SALTO Area Manager David Hill says “The combination of the SALTO XS4 wireless product and a committed client ensured the solution fully met the college’s expectations. The simple to use SALTO XS4 platform achieves this in a versatile and cost-effective way. It regulates entry to specific rooms and provides effective security on a daily basis, helping to maintain the continuity of education by preventing any potential disruptions caused by unwanted security events.”

SALTO XS4 stand-alone electronic handle sets are fitted into new student rooms with online wall reader access points on main entrances The latest student housing development at Bath Spa University’s Newton Park campus will see accommodation climb from 307 to over 860 places thanks to its new Gardens development, with all new rooms secured by SALTO smart access control. Located at the very top of Newton Park campus, the Gardens adds nine new halls of residence to the on-campus accommodation, all named after species of trees, and ranging from single study bedrooms with shared facilities to shared study bedrooms and en-suite rooms. All halls are sub dived into houses which contain either 8 or 10 rooms. The project is the latest phase of ongoing development at the University, and the access control solution was supplied, installed and commissioned by SALTO Certificated Partner Guardian Security South West, of Exeter. Jim Caola, Sales Manager at Guardian Security South West, said “Having already supplied and fitted SALTO access control to the University’s new 'Commons' building (which opened in June 2014), this new phase of student accommodation is the next logical step in extending their modular approach to security into the new development. SALTO products were again selected for this project due to the simplicity and efficiency of the whole system, both to install and manage. We’ve now fitted SALTO XS4 stand-alone electronic handle sets in a smart stainless steel finish into 560 new student rooms, with online wall reader access points on main entrances. SALTO Energy Saving Devices (ESD’s) have also been fitted into rooms which can help to save up to 35% of a typical student’s electricity consumption and are compact and quick to install. The installation integrates seamlessly with the other SALTO access control already on campus and gives the University simplicity, affordability and a fully scalable solution that they already know, use and are happy with but continues to allow for instant upgrades at any time if they so wish in the future.” Anita Edson, Capital Project Manager at Bath Spa University, says: “The safety and security of our students is of the utmost importance to us and working with Guardian Security South West helped us achieve this by providing peace of mind for both students and staff. SALTO’s products are secure, safe and reliable and they provide a high level of customer service, making this the ideal partnership”.