Author Archives: acwales

1. Access Control Must Be an Essential Requirement for the Food Industry

   6th January 2021 11:29 am Leave a Comment

   Strict access control provisions will definitely need to be put in place whenever companies in the food processing sector expand to new premises in order to ensure a high level of food safety.

   And that’s exactly the case with Red Boat Ice-cream, a North Wales-based Italian gelato producer that has four parlours across Anglesey and North Wales and now has invested £400,000 in a new ice-cream production lab at its Llangefni hub.

   A visitor attraction is planned at the site for people to come along to watch ice-cream chefs making the gelato. There will also be an on-site mini-parlour.

   The investment has helped to fund product development which includes a new range of 120ml mini pots of ice-cream and a number of innovative gelato products such as cakes, gelato sticks and filled chocolates to allow them to target and grow their B2B and retail listings across Wales, Cheshire and Merseyside as well as nationally.

   Red Boat Ice-cream founder Tony Green received training at Carpigiani University of Italy, before setting up his brand with his wife Lyn.

   He said: “We have lots of exciting plans for the business in 2021 including growing our number of stockists not just in Wales and across the region but throughout the UK, launching some fantastic new gelato products and collaborating with a number of other well-known Welsh brands.

   “We have a new range of 120ml mini pots of ice-cream which are perfect for restaurants, coffee shops and tourist attractions as well as food wholesalers and supermarket chains.

   “Our team of gelato chefs can even bespoke products for customers to suit their requirements.”

   Access Control Wales – Expert Suppliers of Integrated Access Control Systems

   Access Control Wales can aid your firm in keeping crime on a downward trend with our Visitor Monitoring and ID Card Systems. Access Control Wales have put together a range of options for bundled ID card systems, guaranteed to suit your business requirements.

   All of our ID card systems can be modified, to your particular specifications. We have three ID card systems available, all of which come complete with upgradable software, enabling your system to grow as your needs change.

2. Historic Swansea theatre set to turn into business hub

   11th December 2020 9:55 am Leave a Comment

   A change in the intended use of a building should also trigger a review of the access control and security provisions on site, and this is exactly the case with Swansea’s historic Palace Theatre building, which is set to become home to technology, start-up and creative businesses.

   According to a news report in the local business media, planning permission has been granted for the restoration and conversion of the 132-year-old six-storey structure. Works will include the reinstatement and restoration of the auditorium balustrading. A section of tiered seating will be retained to form social seating and presentation space, with the ability to accommodate small scale events.

   The interior will retain the existing floors that look down towards a stage – as theatre audiences once would have done.

   The planning application, submitted to Swansea planners in September, has now been approved. It shows the building’s structure maintained with the retention and restoration of original historic features and the reinstatement of other historic features.

   The vision for the wedge-shaped grade two listed city centre building includes workspaces for more than 130 people.

   On behalf of Swansea Council, GWP Architecture is leading the Palace project.

   Council leader Rob Stewart said: “We’re preserving this landmark building and are pleased that planning permission has been granted.

   “The sense of the theatre is to be retained wherever possible, with the opportunity for workspaces overlooking the original auditorium.

   “Our plan will help transform the High Street area – already benefiting from many millions of private investment – and will help our £1bn regeneration work.”

   Access Control Wales – Expert suppliers of Access Control systems designer to combine enhanced security with style and convenience

   The Access Control Wales system can control most standard types of internal/external electronic door releases and physical security devices such as barriers and turnstiles making.

   The system gives you full control over who is allowed access through any controlled point at any time of any day.

   It is suitable for operations of any size, from the control of a single internal door through to a fully computerised, multi-site network of control points.

   You can integrate CCTV with the software, linking cameras with smart card scanners so that locks releasing triggers recording to begin. This can be viewed afterwards.

   There is even a function which allows users to specific that they are entering or allowing entrance under duress.

   There is no difference to the reader response when the duress key is pressed but silent alarms and emails are triggered to warn of the entry under duress.

   Contact us on sales@accesscontrol-wales.co.uk to find out more!

3. Plans for new Cardiff school moving forward

   18th November 2020 11:15 am Leave a Comment

   Access control and security systems are a must for any new building in the educational environment, such as the new Fitzalan High School will in Cardiff, whose redevelopment plans worth £63.5m have just been recommended for approval, according to a news report in the local business media.

   The new Fitzalan High School will represent a £63.5m investment and would involve the existing school being replaced with a new-build school on land next to the Leckwith Stadium in the Canton area of the city.

   Plans for the different elements of the project have been recommended for approval ahead of a Cardiff City planning committee meeting next week.

   The school would be a ten-form entry, accommodating students between the age of 11 and 16, plus a sixth form.

   It would offer sports facilities including a multi-use games area, 3G pitches and a new indoor swimming pool, replacing the current pool which is already used by local schools and community groups.

   Despite a limited number of objections, a report to councillors considers the proposal will provide a significantly enhanced educational facility for the children of this area in

   a well-designed building in a sustainable location with three sporting pitches, six multi-use games areas, a 25m swimming pool and sports hall, and shared access of other sporting facilities.

   Access Control Wales– suppliers of choice of advanced access control and facial recognition systems

   Given the level of security required for stadia and sporting arenas, implementing a very solid access control and surveillance system is really a must, and this is specifically where Access Control Wales could leverage its extensive experience in this field.

   Access Control Wales employs a variety of access control technologies, including here facial recognition, to create advanced solutions, enable users to exert solid, reliable and accurate control over the access to specific premises or zones.

   If you’d like to find out more about the range of solutions supplied by Access Control Wales, both in terms of hardware (smart card readers, biometric readers, turnstiles, etc.) and software (access rights management software solutions, etc.), just contact us, we’ll be more than happy to answer any queries you might have.

4. Fintech company to take up space in Cardiff city centre office building

   6th November 2020 11:25 am Leave a Comment

   Reviewing access control and security provisions is best achieved when moving to a new premises or office space. This is something that should be considered by companies such as Currencycloud, an expanding fintech firm that is moving to the newly-refurbished Hodge House office building in Cardiff city centre.

   According to a news report in the local business media, the company, which provides a global payments platform servicing banks, financial institutions and fintechs, has taken a ten- year lease on a 6,586 sq ft office suite on the fifth floor of the building.   It is moving from a number of serviced offices in Cardiff.

   The move follows an announcement last month that AI imaging specialist, Intelligent Ultrasound, has leased 7,188 sq ft on the building’s sixth floor.

   Owner Legal & General has refurbished and rebranded the building to modernise the 110,000 sq ft, eight-storey grade II listed building.

   The detailed Portland stone façade with sash windows, originally inspired by the architecture of London’s Regent Street, has been cleaned, repaired and redecorated.

   Anouska Streets, head of platform engineering at Currencycloud, said: “We’re excited to be moving into Hodge House and building our presence as part of the local Cardiff fintech community.  Cardiff, and Wales, are cementing their place as a hub for nurturing great tech talent and enabling the fintech ecosystem. We look forward to expanding our team locally as we grow in the future.”

   Access Control Wales – Expert suppliers of Access Control systems designer to combine enhanced security with style and convenience

   The Access Control Wales system can control most standard types of internal/external electronic door releases and physical security devices such as barriers and turnstiles making.

   The system gives you full control over who is allowed access through any controlled point at any time of any day.

   It is suitable for operations of any size, from the control of a single internal door through to a fully computerised, multi-site network of control points.

   You can integrate CCTV with the software, linking cameras with smart card scanners so that locks releasing triggers recording to begin. This can be viewed afterwards.

   There is even a function which allows users to specific that they are entering or allowing entrance under duress.

   There is no difference to the reader response when the duress key is pressed but silent alarms and emails are triggered to warn of the entry under duress.

   Contact us on sales@accesscontrol-wales.co.uk to find out more!

5. Electronic Access Control – The Solution of Choice for Modern Security

   29th September 2020 12:30 pm Leave a Comment

   Electronic access control is not exactly a new concept, but the technological leaps forward recorded over the past few years in this sector have made this type of solution easier to install and more affordable than even before – not to mention more secure.

   Electronic access control solutions are highly flexible, enabling administrators to define roles and permissions in a very fast and seamless manner. So, if some staff should have access everywhere, but others only through the main door, it is easy to program the system to allow just that. Plus, administrators can program and reprogram credentials and door locks as many times as they like: employees leaving or joining the company create very little workload.

   Additionally, electronic access control systems provide a very high level of traceability, meaning that an access control system helps uses handle any security breach quickly and efficiently.

   Furthermore, a modern, wireless system with digital door locks, programmable credentials and user-friendly software is easy, affordable and fast to install. And this is exactly where Access Control Wales can help.

   Access Control Wales – Expert Suppliers of Integrated Access Control Systems

   Access Control Wales can aid your firm in keeping crime on a downward trend with our Visitor Monitoring and ID Card Systems. Access Control Wales have put together a range of options for bundled ID card systems, guaranteed to suit your business requirements.

   All of our ID card systems can be modified, to your particular specifications. We have three ID card systems available, all of which come complete with upgradable software, enabling your system to grow as your needs change.

6. Swansea theatre regeneration plans move forward

   23rd September 2020 12:05 pm Leave a Comment

   Plans for the development of office space and meeting rooms for tech and creative SMEs in a historic Swansea theatre have moved forward after receiving a positive reaction from planning officers, a recent news report in the local media has been able to suggest.

   In August, City and County of Swansea Council unveiled plans for the conversion of the Palace Theatre with the aim of creating approximately 12,000 sq ft of new office space with workspaces for more than 130 people. The proposal also includes ten meeting rooms with a total capacity of more than 50.

   The council hopes the restoration of the grade II-listed property would “become a focal point for creative businesses whilst retaining potential scope for smaller scale performances and events”.

   According to council planning officer’s the proposal relates to a sustainable location and has the potential to support the regeneration of the surrounding area, while preserving an important cultural asset.

   The project is set to ramp up this week with the council beginning a process to find a lead tenant to run the Palace. The business will maintain and manage the building once its multimillion-pound revamp is complete.

   Access Control Wales – Expert suppliers of Access Control systems designer to combine enhanced security with style and convenience

   The Access Control Wales system can control most standard types of internal/external electronic door releases and physical security devices such as barriers and turnstiles making.

   The system gives you full control over who is allowed access through any controlled point at any time of any day.

   It is suitable for operations of any size, from the control of a single internal door through to a fully computerised, multi-site network of control points.

   You can integrate CCTV with the software, linking cameras with smart card scanners so that locks releasing triggers recording to begin. This can be viewed afterwards.

   There is even a function which allows users to specific that they are entering or allowing entrance under duress.

   There is no difference to the reader response when the duress key is pressed but silent alarms and emails are triggered to warn of the entry under duress.

   Contact us on sales@accesscontrol-wales.co.uk to find out more!

7. Access Control a Must for Food Packaging Hub

   15th September 2020 12:26 pm Leave a Comment

   A new sustainable food packaging hub is being established in Broughton thanks to a £2m financial investment from the Welsh Government, a recent news report in the local media has been able to suggest.

   Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre Cymru (AMRC Cymru) has secured the Business, Innovation and Tourism Escalator Scheme (BITES) funding to develop a technology demonstrator, specifically for the Welsh food and drink sector that is designed to accelerate the adoption of waste-reducing eco-innovations.

   The £2m funding will be used for prototyping production processes and equipment infrastructure that supports the progress of new designs, materials and processes.

   Bobby Manesh, AMRC Cymru’s food and drink technical lead, said: “These technologies are widely used in other industries but don’t really exist within food and drink.

   “There are new challenges for us as food and drink packaging companies work in a high-speed, low-cost environment, so the demonstrator will display how they can be implemented in a different manufacturing set up.

   “The hub will have a central demonstrator based on a conveyor system which will be linked together with collaborative robots, AGVs and our own engineers wearing exoskeletons.

   “Everything will be visualised and tracked through cameras so we will have a digital twin of the process that can be viewed on a screen in real time.”

   Access Control Wales – Expert Suppliers of Integrated Access Control Systems

   Access Control Wales can aid your firm in keeping crime on a downward trend with our Visitor Monitoring and ID Card Systems. Access Control Wales have put together a range of options for bundled ID card systems, guaranteed to suit your business requirements.

   All of our ID card systems can be modified, to your particular specifications. We have three ID card systems available, all of which come complete with upgradable software, enabling your system to grow as your needs change.

8. Enhanced Security and Access Control Should be a Must for Medical-Grade Equipment Manufacturers

   17th August 2020 4:44 pm Leave a Comment

   Installing a secure and reliable access control system capable of perfectly streamlining access and isolating various zones based on specific access rights should be a must for any manufacturer of medical-grade equipment, such as newly announced medical-grade mask making facility announced by Hardshell.

   According to a news report in the local media, the company has invested £1.5m to develop the facility in Wales, which is set to provide more than 40 new jobs.

   Life Sciences Hub Wales has supported Hardshell, a specialist in the production of protective defensive equipment such as body armour and demining suits, to secure product certifications that will allow it to become the first in the UK to produce medical-grade face masks for use by the NHS.

   Life Sciences Hub Wales has been appointed by Welsh Government to manage all initial enquiries and offers of support from businesses on behalf of NHS Wales.

   The approximately 16,000 sq ft Cardiff facility will be dedicated to manufacturing a full range of PPE, covering everything from single-use surgical masks to reusable face masks. The range includes Type IIR, FFP2 and FFP3 respirators. It will be capable of producing 300,000 respirators and 1.5 million masks a week.

   Hardshell chief executive Anil Kant said: “As a defensive equipment manufacturer, we specialise in making protective equipment and body armour that saves lives in areas of combat. We wanted to build upon this legacy and help protect those people working on the new frontline in the fight against Covid-19.

   “Due to the global pandemic, PPE has been in high demand, with many countries understandably taking control of their own domestic supplies, leaving a shortage of products for the UK. We wanted to do something about this and chose to invest in our business to produce masks and respirators in-house here in the UK, using materials all manufactured in the UK.”

   Access Control Wales – Expert Suppliers of Integrated Access Control Systems

   Access Control Wales can aid your firm in keeping crime on a downward trend with our Visitor Monitoring and ID Card Systems. Access Control Wales have put together a range of options for bundled ID card systems, guaranteed to suit your business requirements.

   All of our ID card systems can be modified, to your particular specifications. We have three ID card systems available, all of which come complete with upgradable software, enabling your system to grow as your needs change.

9. Construction Works Starts on South Wales Metro

   13th July 2020 4:52 pm Leave a Comment

   Transport for Wales (TfW) will begin railway line transformational works next month and move ahead with plans for the South Wales Metro, a recent news report in the local business media has been able to suggest.

   The initiative will open a range of job, business, education and other opportunities for both people and businesses in the area.

   As part of its £750m investment in the Metro, which includes £164 of European Regional Development Funding through the Welsh Government, TfW will begin works on 3 August.

   James Price, TfW chief executive, said: “This is a once-in-a-generation project and through building the South Wales Metro we hope to help regenerate the economy in Wales especially as we enter the Covid-19 recovery phase.

   “We now have significant physical infrastructure work to do to overhaul our rail network which was largely built in the Victorian era, to get it ready for our new faster, greener and more frequent train service.”

   Access Control Software from Access Control Wales delivers comprehensive visitor monitoring functionality

   Access control systems are just the right solutions to help construction companies increase the level of security on their various sites, especially since they’re visited on a daily basis by a large number of contractors, sub-contractors and other members of staff.

   The powerful software supplied with all the Access Control Wales solutions has a familiar Windows™ interface, providing quick and easy access to information. It is also highly scalable, from simple door and registration point control, through to a fully computerised global Networked Access Control System.

   Some of the most important features include:

   • Access Control Profiles easily created or customised to suit your particular site, and can be varied minute-by-minute
   • Real Time (near) graphical display shows doors being opened / closed, those with alarm status set and forced entry
   • Doors may be configured to open automatically on fire alarms and lock automatically on burglar alarms
   • Anti Pass Back facility limits the same card being used by more than one person
   • CCTV Tracking of video clips showing “evidence quality” footage of forced entries, alarm events, users of Smart Cards gaining access or being denied
   • Door/Barrier Access can be limited depending on the persons’ roll call status
   • Resilient System keeps running even when certain cables are cut or damaged or PC networks fail
   • Sensor Monitoring to detect forced entry
   • Audit Trail showing who gained access (or denied) at any location at any time
   • Biometric dermal fingerprint reading for maximum security and personnel authentication
   • Hardware Device Manager allows easy adding & editing of hardware device profiles
   • With our Access Control Software you can be assured that you will receive a simple to use, highly secure way of controlling access to areas or buildings, as well as monitoring who is present 24 hours a day.

   If you’d like to find out more about the range of solutions supplied by Access Control Wales, both in terms of hardware (smart card readers, biometric readers, turnstiles, etc.) and software (access rights management software solutions, etc.), just hit the contact button at the top of the screen, we’ll be more than happy to answer any queries you might have.

10. Unemployment Warning Issues for Wales

    3rd July 2020 2:45 pm Leave a Comment

    Unemployment across Wales could rise to 20% in the coming months, a recent news report has been able to suggest.

    Wales’ most influential thinktank, the Bevan Foundation, is warning that unemployment across Wales could rise to 20%. The stark forecast comes as support for thousands of workers via the Job Retention Scheme and Self Employed Income Support Scheme winds down.  The forecast increase is on top of a record rise in the number of benefit claimants last month and an influx of school-leavers and graduates onto the jobs market over the summer.

    The thinktank also finds that jobs are already being lost in Wales due to the pandemic, and that earnings have fallen as many employers have not ‘topped up’ furloughed workers’ earnings. On average, the lowest paid fifth of employees are nearly £50 a week worse off while the second lowest fifth are £77 a week worse off.

    With so many employees losing their jobs, having a very secure and sturdy security solution in place is really a must.

    From the control of a single internal door through to a fully computerised, multi-site network of control points, a Tensor Access Control System is the solution.

    Operated by contactless smart cards, key fobs or biometrics, a Tensor Access Control System gives you full control over who is allowed access through any controlled point at any time of any day, placing it at the forefront of security solutions.

    Tensor Access Control Systems are modular in design, and can be adapted and extended to integrate with a time and attendance system seamlessly and without complication.

    The WinAC.NET system will adapt easily to your specific security environment, whether you need to secure a large, multi-site facility, or a smaller installation with a few doors. In fact, the Tensor Access Control System’s modularity allows it to easily scale up as your operations grow.

    With WinAC.NET and Tensor’s range of readers, you can control most standard types of internal and external electronic, magnetic door releases and devices, making full use of location points, whether in full view or hidden out of sight, providing access even in the most adverse conditions.

    An extensive range of equipment, devices and releases can be connected to your security network, which can be operated through your access control software including:

    • alarms and hooters

    • break glass buttons

    • door locks

    • door release buttons

    • electro-mangnetic door locks

    • fingerprint readers

    • CCTV cameras

    • scanners

    The WinAC.NET includes a wide range of time and money-saving features, such as:

    • Access Control Profiles easily created or customised to suit your particular site, and can be varied minute-by-minute

    • Real Time (near) graphical display shows doors being opened / closed, those with alarm status set and forced entry

    • Doors may be configured to open automatically on fire alarms and lock automatically on burglar alarms

    • Anti Pass Back facility limits the same card being used by more than one person

    • CCTV Tracking of video clips showing “evidence quality” footage of forced entries, alarm events, users of Smart Cards gaining access or being denied

    • Door/Barrier Access can be limited depending on the persons’ roll call status

    • Resilient System keeps running even when certain cables are cut or damaged or PC networks fail

    • Sensor Monitoring to detect forced entry

    • Audit Trail showing who gained access (or denied) at any location at any time

    • Biometric dermal fingerprint reading for maximum security and personnel authentication

    • Hardware Device Manager allows easy adding & editing of hardware device profiles

    With our Access Control Software you can be assured that you will receive a simple to use, highly secure way of controlling access to areas or buildings, as well as monitoring who is present 24 hours a day.

    Additional features are available for the WinAC.NET Business/Enterprise editions which can be implemented on your access control system to take into account diversity with access rules between individual organisations.