The Client
Part of the Home Office, the UK Border Force is responsible for border control. Previously part of the UK Border Agency (UKBA), its presence at Heathrow Terminal 5 includes; interview rooms, holding rooms, admin offices and staff facilities spread around the terminal building. Prior to the opening of Terminal 5 in March 2008, all UKBA secure areas within the terminal building were fitted with Mifare card readers backed by a Norpass2 access control system.
The Challenge
In August 2013, the Border Force had become aware of the range of additional features available in Norpass3, Nortech’s latest access control system, and contacted their security provider, Universal Security Systems, to request a system upgrade to Norpass3.
It was necessary to upgrade the firmware in 20 door controllers installed around the terminal building, and transfer the whole system onto Norpass3 management while keeping disruption for its two thousand card holders to an absolute minimum.
The Solution
Nortech’s technical team transferred the systems database over to Norpass3 in advance of the upgrade, and Universal Security Systems engineers worked together with Nortech’s technical support engineers to systematically carry out the upgrade across the entire terminal building, while working around the Border Force staff and avoiding disruption to normal operations.
The Benefits
- Extremely user friendly management reduces operator training requirements
- Comprehensive reporting features support improved monitoring of staff movement and availability
- Individual card holder tracking helps members of staff to be quickly located
- New security features enable enhanced security for particularly sensitive areas
