Lord's, which is owned by Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), stages two Test matches annually and this summer capacity crowds saw the England captain Andrew Strauss lead from the front as his side defeated Australia by 115 runs.
ICTS has installed networkable entry controllers from Dublin-based Access Control Technology (ACT) Ltd. These units are in place at 24 doors across the site using ACTpro 3000 controllers in conjunction with Mifare 1040 readers. The controllers are linked to the venue's LAN so as to provide a site-wide solution, while the Mifare readers have allowed programming of cards for members of the MCC staff on to the system using ACTWin pro software.
Prior to the upgrade, the venue was using various access control systems, which necessitated the issue of multiple cards to employees who had to remember which fob worked with which system. The complexity of the solutions meant that it was difficult to conduct effective audit trails.
In keeping with its commitment to providing world-class facilities throughout the venue, MCC decided to rationalise access control and ICTS were awarded the contract as a result of their impressive track record securing major sporting arenas.
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| Networkable entry controllers from ACT have been installed at Lord's Cricket Ground in St. John's Wood, London |
It was vital that there should be minimal disruption to core activities at Lord's and the ACTpro 3000 two-door system controller was selected for its built-in TCP/IP connectivity. The pavilion with its world-famous Long Room is Grade II-listed and it was therefore significant that the ACT equipment was IP-addressable, meaning that the controllers could ‘piggyback' on existing conduit. This not only reduced engineering disruption but proved a ‘green' approach in terms of minimising material usage. The new solution provides instant reports and information on the location of individuals around the venue as well as multiple control from a site-wide IT system.
David Tymlin, Managing Director of Access Control Technology, said: "In addition to its premier position within cricket, Lord's will stage the archery competitions at the 2012 Olympics and we are pleased to be involved in an initiative that has further improved facilities at MCC in the run-up to the Olympiad. We are aware that there is significant history here since Lord's also hosted archery at the 1908 Olympics."
