CEM System's CEM AC2000 AE installed at Inverness Airport to manage passengers and staff

CEM’s AC2000 AE system provides a fully integrated business solution designed to help airports run more efficiently

CEM Systems, part of the Security Products business unit of Tyco, and ADT Fire & Security, Europe’s leading provider of physical security solutions, recently announced that the CEM AC2000 AE (Airport Edition) security management system has been installed at Inverness Airport, Scotland to manage passengers and staff. AC2000 AE is the industry’s only airport specific access control system and is designed to monitor and manage access to the airport areas and services - helping to ensure the safety of staff and passengers alike.

With almost 615,000 passengers a year, Inverness Airport is the largest airport in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland and is a key gateway for the north of Scotland. The airport’s route development and rise in passenger footfall have been catalysts to the airport’s overall growth year on year, and ADT has responded by installing the AC2000 AE system and CEM intelligent hardware to accommodate the expansion.

AC2000 AE encompasses powerful core access control features with a host of modules designed specifically for airports including check-in desk enabling, air-bridge monitoring, vehicle management, passenger reconciliation and much more. With a suite of powerful applications, and through seamless integration with other airport systems, CEM’s AC2000 AE system provides a fully integrated business solution designed to help airports run more efficiently.

“Developed by working in consultation with airports for over 25 years, CEM AC2000 AE is the leading choice for airports around the world,” said Philip Verner, Regional Sales Director, EMEA, CEM Systems. “CEM understands the dynamics of airports, and, using the AC2000 AE system in conjunction with CEM hardware, helps to provide Inverness Airport with the highest level of operational efficiency and security.”

Inverness Airport uses CEM innovative access control hardware which features an LCD to provide staff with instant feedback on the system including crucial cardholder information. The reader offers the highest level of reliability as it features an internal database for offline card validation. This means that should communication be temporarily lost with the host AC2000 server, airport staff can still validate cards using the card records stored in the reader’s internal memory, ensuring zero downtime at critical doors which is mandatory for Inverness Airport. 

Inverness chose the CEM reader with DESFire smart card technology, one of the most secure card technologies available. The CEM DESFire card stores information securely on the card ensuring the card cannot be cloned and only valid staff cards are granted access. The CEM DESFire smart card delivers the perfect balance of speed, performance and cost efficiency.

Inverness Airport also uses CEM AC2000 VIPPS (Visual Imaging & Pass Production System) application. The VIPPS application gives the operator a range of video imaging facilities for capturing personnel details and images and incorporating these onto professionally designed ID passes. The VIPPS application allows ID unit administrators to create bespoke permanent or temporary printed ID passes that can be colour coded.  

“ADT Inverness managed the installation of the CEM AC2000 AE system and CEM hardware solutions at Inverness Airport due to its comprehensive understanding of airport challenges and the security required to overcome them. By installing the only airport specific access control and security management solution on the market, we were able to meet the customer’s huge security requirements, delivering continuity of key systems, coupled with diligent authentication to airport services,” said Ian Hodgson, Regional Managing Director, Northern Region, ADT Fire & Security.

As Inverness Airport continues to grow, the CEM Systems solution can be easily developed and expanded to meet the airport’s evolving security needs.