29 May 2013
The
University of Pretoria has contracted the expertise of Jasco Security Solutions
since 2004, to maintain and expand its fully-redundant Cosmos4 Alarm Systems at
its campus grounds, which include its Main and Sports campus, Groenkloof,
Onderstepoort, Mamelodi and Prinshof campuses, as well as student residences.
Today
the university's centralised control room operates 24 hours a day and collates
all security instances of its alarm panels, closed circuit television (CCTV)
surveillance, access control, as well as emergency communication systems in
elevators.
The
Challenges
In
the past, the university had a myriad of loose-standing alarm systems from
different vendors in buildings throughout the campuses and were difficult to
administer and maintain. The laboratories, lecture, committee and seminar
facilities are equipped with the latest technologies, and have been plagued by
theft and unauthorised access. Additionally, if an alarm was triggered, the
security alert was isolated to a specific building because the alarm panels did
not have the functionality to link back to the central control room to notify
security personnel.
The
University of Pretoria's Facilities Maintenance and Operations Division
investigated alarm system solutions that would consolidate its alarm infrastructure,
that can be centrally managed and holistically address the safety of its staff,
students and assets.
The
Tender Process
Explains
Kobus le Roux, National Sales & Marketing Executive at Jasco Security
Solutions: “The Division soon realised that they couldn’t do it all themselves
and as a result, embarked on an open and transparent tender process in line
with the University’s procurement policy and practice. They were looking for a
certified partner that could provide them with a standardised system, as well
as with the expertise to integrate its existing alarm panels.
Le
Roux says it was paramount for the Facilities Maintenance and Operations
Division to find a security-focused organisation with solid track-record that
could consistently support its alarm infrastructure, backed by an accountable
service level agreement.
“The
university had very specific needs. One such requirement was to embed the
contractors on site and integrate them as part of its own maintenance
infrastructure culture, to establish a trust relationship that is as responsive
as possible,” he adds.
After
extensive contractor reviews, the University of Pretoria awarded the tender to
Jasco Security Solutions in 2004 to implement the Cosmos4 Alarm Systems.
“Each
contract period at the university is only 26 months. At the end of each cycle,
the open tender process starts all over again, and existing contractors have to
compete with other product certified and technically minded organisations.
“However,
when it came to service, support and expertise, Jasco Enterprise proved its
proficiency time and time again as a competent provider to maintain and develop
its alarm systems,” Le Roux says.
The
Solution
The
Cosmos4 Alarm System is 100 percent South African that has been in development
for the last 25 years.
Designed
by Scafell, a company within Jasco Security Solutions, and a wholly owned
subsidiary of Jasco Trading, the system is used by leading financial
institutions, mining operations, educational facilities, as well as at national
key points throughout the country.
“The
Cosmos4 Alarm System is highly customisable and can be tailored to the
university's specific security needs. The system is also scalable, and each
panel can be expanded from 16 to 176 inputs that can be independently
identified when triggered. It has the ability to select the most effective
medium to communicate alarms and events to the control room, selecting between
internet networks, land line and cellular mediums,” says le Roux.
Implementation
and results
Jasco
Security Solutions deployed eight permanent employees across the campuses and
installed the Cosmos 4 Alarm Systems. The implementations have since grown from
40 to 193 panels.
Le
Roux says the alarm system components have been installed on doors, motion
detection sensors in buildings, as well as mechanical plant alarms, that all
link back to the control room and administrated via five user terminals.
“Once
an alarm is triggered, the centralised system flags the location and
description to security personnel, indicates what level threat is presented and
provides instructions how to timeously respond to the security incident. When
the issue has been resolved, the instance is logged for reporting purposes,” he
says.
To
enhance the safety of its staff in remote or isolated locations, the university
also supplied them with panic buttons. If an alarm is activated a guard is
immediately dispatched to investigate the incident. The system also
incorporates automatic testing of detectors and reporting of detectors that are
faulty.
“There
has been a marked improvement in the university's ability to deliver its
security objectives effectively. Once the alarm systems were operational theft
of equipment halted completely,” explains le Roux.
This
sentiment has been echoed by the university. In 2005, 2011 and 2012
respectively, Jasco Security Solutions was presented with awards honouring the
company as 'The best performing Electronics Systems
Maintenance
contractor at the University's Department of Facilities Management.
“These
awards recognise our quality standards in maintaining the university's
facilities and services infrastructure, as well as our continuous improvements
in our service delivery to ensure customer satisfaction.
“Currently
we are renovating the Student Affairs and Student Centre, as well as its new
Study Centre facility. As an integral part of the university's infrastructure
personnel, our work at the university is ongoing as old buildings are
refurbished or new buildings are acquired. Our work here is as challenging as
it is rewarding,” concludes Le Roux.