MRFS Newsletter by MRFS Group

Sport

Commercial

Protecting Premiership Superstars back page

London’s newest luxury spa p2

Technology

MRFS Group launches AVA p5

Residential

Home break-ins up 14% p6

security and audio visual automation news from MRFS and AVA

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Jamie’s Digital Revolution A cut above the rest...

Celeb News Celebrity hairdresser uses innovative technology to add the Hollywood touch in newest salon

airdresser to the stars, Daniel Galvin, is giving all of his Customers the chance to have a touch of “Hollywood style” in his newest salon, with the introduction of a ‘movie star makeover room’. The unique private room uses stateof-the-art imaging technology, installed by MRFS, to draw from hundreds of DVDs to see hairstyles and fashion ideas and transfer them on to an image of the Customer enabling them to decide if ‘the look’ will suit them or not. Once selected, the salon’s stylists can do their creative work. The technology takes the idea of a Customer bringing a magazine clipping of a hair style they like to the next level by expanding the selection of designs they have to choose from and giving a digital demonstration of the final look. Daniel Galvin’s celebrity Customer base includes the likes of Keira Knightly, Kate Winslet and Elle Macpherson and he was stylist to Princess Diana for over ten years. He has a reputation for delivering inspirational hair solutions for his Customers and his work in the industry earned him the privilege of being awarded an OBE.

Restaurant giant uses camera technology to ensure quality control...

elebrity chef Jamie Oliver is setting new standards for food quality in his restaurants by utilising high definition CCTV cameras to monitor individual dishes being served throughout his restaurants across the UK. MRFS developed an innovative approach to enable the highest standard of quality control to be easily implemented. All new restaurants being opened by the Jamie Oliver Group are having custom built food service stations fitted with the new high definition CCTV cameras which relay images directly back to the head office in Bath. Every plate of food that leaves the kitchen is streamed in high definition live for Jamie and his team of executive chefs to observe in real time from one location. MRFS’s utilisation of the technology

means that every plate of food leaving each kitchen can be inspected to ensure that every dish arriving at a Customer’s table is one that Jamie himself would be proud to serve. Jamie Oliver says: “Customers come to our restaurants because they know they can expect a high level of service and food quality. I have excellent teams in all my kitchens and this use of high definition CCTV is a very efficient way of maintaining that quality.” Fitted by MRFS, each restaurant also has cameras installed in the kitchen, dining areas, and the perimeter providing surveillance and security throughout. The cameras and software offer the latest in HD CCTV technology, enabling all images to the smallest detail to be captured. MRFS Group, Chief Executive, Tony Bygraves, says: “This system is unique as you are able to view in playback the same quality of image as you see in live recording. It can therefore even assist as a training medium for his quality control. “It is inspiring to see the Jamie Oliver Group recognising the potential of this technology in such an innovative way. This has the potential to really change the way professional kitchens approach quality control and customer service.”

The Jamie Oliver Group of Restaurants • Fifteen – the critically acclaimed London restaurant that uses the magic of food to give unemployed young people a chance to have a better future. Profits go to the Jamie Oliver Foundation, registered charity number 1094536

WIN a place

• Jamie’s Italian – a chain of 18 restaurants throughout the UK that re-create what Italians are most proud of: fantastic rustic dishes using recipes that have been tried, tested and loved • Barbecoa – recently opened in One New Change, the restaurant celebrates the relationship between fire and food and looks out at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Recipease Easy To Learn evening at a

in Clapham and learn to cook like .

Jamie Oliver

Improve your cookery skills and enjoy some fantastic food and drink. To enter visit www.mrfsgroup.com/jamieoliver

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Commercial A Mint Hotel Job

pened in December 2010, the Tower of London hotel is the seventh UK property for the Mint Hotel Group. The 583-rooms makes it the largest hotel to open in the City of London, occupying a prime location on Pepys Street, positioned amongst ancient and modern icons of the City, with breathtaking views of the Tower of London.

Largest hotel to open in the City of London The high-tech hotel features a multi-media iMac entertainment system in each guest room and meeting room so guests can easily keep in touch with business and home, additionally using Skype to make a video call. MRFS fitted over 100 high definition surveillance cameras throughout the hotel as a means of ensuring the safety of the hotel’s guests and staff.

Hotel & Spa operators relax in peace of mind One of London’s largest spas uses integrated technology to enhance Customer experience

ward-winning international spa company, ESPA, has launched its flagship London venue at the five-star Corinthia Hotel in Whitehall. Spread across four floors, and occupying a massive 33,000 square metres, the spa features 17 treatment rooms, a private spa suite, nail studio, indoor pool, vitality pool, amphitheatre sauna, ice fountain, marble heated lounges, private sleep pods and a state-ofthe-art gym. As would be expected from a state-ofthe-art spa facility, the level of technology involved in the facilities is vast, both in terms of delivering user interfaces and in providing security. ESPA brought in AVA and MRFS to

provide technological expertise, installing access control, intruder alarms, fire alarms, CCTV cameras, iLight lighting, Bose Music & Sound, disability access facilities and High Definition motion projector screens in the gym area. Paula Perkins, ESPA, says: “ESPALife at Corinthia is our global flagship spa and we needed to ensure a high specification on all the products and services we provide for our members and guests. It was essential to get the right balance between creating a relaxing, peaceful environment and a safe and secure venue that has a high daily footfall.” The use of iLight lighting control products enables an atmosphere to be created and controlled with preprogrammed or timed controls to produce ambient lighting in different zones. It is also highly energy efficient. The Corinthia Hotel opened in May 2011 and features 294 guest rooms, including 43 suites. The sumptuously appointed rooms, averaging 45m², are among the largest in their category in London’s luxury hotel market. With no restrictions on check-in and check-out times, the hotel has dedicated itself to providing guests ultimate flexibility, convenience and comfort during their stay.

Corinthia Residences Living the high life

longside the development of its flagship London hotel, Corinthia Hotels is developing 12 luxury residences at 10 Whitehall Place. Featuring the first serviced Presidential apartment in London, the properties are expected to go on the market for tens of millions of pounds. As would be expected in such high quality lavish apartments, they will feature the latest in technological trends with full audio visual automation systems controlling everything from the air conditioning, lighting, music and sound systems to the televisions. Alongside the entertainment systems, the touch panels being installed by AVA, will also manage a high quality video entry system and top of the range intruder alarm systems.

All the latest AVA technology news...

p4-5

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Latest News

High Definition CCTV cameras set new standards p4

Making security a safe bet Bookmaker shows that security must not be taken lightly

illiam Hill, one of the largest bookmakers in the UK, with over two thousand betting shops, handles more than £16bn in stakes each year. It is no surprise then that security for its betting offices ranks high on its list of priorities. Founded in 1934, the Company now operates worldwide, employing approximately 16,600 people with main offices in the UK, Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar. They are the largest UK operator, representing around 25 per cent of the market throughout the UK and Ireland. MRFS has been working closely with William Hill for over 20 years, handling the design, installation and maintenance of the fire and security systems of over a thousand shops in England. William Hill is synonymous with delivering a high-quality gaming and betting experience and their shops process over 1 million betting slips a day, with further cash changing hands in their 8,000 in-shop machines offering casino-style games, all of which accounts for approximately

75% of the Company’s gross annual income. With most shops now open for twelve hours per day and footfall fairly constant, there are a number of security measures that have been taken, including burglar alarms and CCTV.

MRFS has been working closely with William Hill for over 20 years Tony Bygraves, MRFS Group Chief Executive, says: “William Hill is a

Customer that we have worked with across our divisions for over two decades. Our designers and installation teams come up with practical and innovative solution to all their security needs, which are essential to protect their staff and income of the Company. The ongoing maintenance for the shops we look after is a responsibility we take very seriously and by taking a consistent approach, we ensure the security and fire systems are in full working order and being used to their full potential.”

Jewellers step up security

Technology boosts green credentials

he British Jewellers Association (BJA) and National Association of Goldsmiths (NAG) have consulted with MRFS to assist their members by partnering with MRFS to offer a service of reviewing the provision of security measures for gold and jewellery workshops, retail units and storage warehouses. With over 2,500 members between them, the two associations represent the majority of jewellery makers and sellers in the UK. The focus will

be on demonstrating the benefits of keeping security systems up to date and utilising new technology such as high definition megapixel CCTV systems. A High Court judge recently advised that the images recorded in

many recent burglaries in leading stores throughout the country have been so poor that achieving convictions has been extremely difficult. Good quality CCTV footage can be the evidence that makes or breaks a case.

ith business and home owners needing to stream line their carbon footprint, the installation of audio visual automation systems makes controlling and monitoring energy usage simple. Green Light™ technology, for example, provides complete environmental control to save energy and lower costs by combining automated dimming and daylight harvesting with power switching and load shedding to make

sure power is only being used when it is really needed. The utilisation of touch-panel technology also provides the ability to manage all systems and devices from a centralised control centre or in each room for local control. This enables users to easily control heating ventilation, air-conditioning, lighting and window blinds to allow natural light in meaning that vacant rooms are not consuming energy unnecessarily.

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Technology High Definition There’s an app for that! Tech News brings dated iPad control CCTV to task puts your house in your hands

he integration of security and entertainment systems with Apple products has created the ultimate convenience for those looking to stay in control of their property.

The systems provides even greater power and flexibility to control a whole house Specially designed programmes allow seamless integration with Apple products to create the perfect home entertainment system, allowing users to control audio, video, lights, shades and thermostats directly from an iPad or iPhone.

The newest HD CCTV cameras remove the risk of poor picture quality by providing highly detailed images for easy facial, number plate and object recognition, and even allowing operators to zoom in on certain objects whilst still recording the wider scene.

he latest in High Definition CCTV security cameras can address the significant problems caused by poor quality CCTV recordings allowing criminals to avoid identification or successful prosecution. Currently around 90 per cent of cameras in use deliver grainy, out of focus imagery, rendering the system almost completely pointless.

HD CCTV delivers the following benefits... • The potential to reduce total number of cameras needed • Increased live and playback zoom and panning usability • Real-time HD viewing of live and playback footage without loss of quality • Cameras that automatically adjusts exposure levels to capture highest quality images for varying lighting levels • Superior performance in low light levels and sensitivity to infrared illuminators

• Easy installation • Highest possible quality recording with no loss of image quality • Low file sizes to enable more efficient streaming to external devices and sources • Ability to synchronise the recording with external alarms and integrate camera motion detection into the alarm system • No external power required

Apps for iPad Mobile technology transforms the iPad into a virtual touch panel, giving users the freedom to turn on their favourite songs or set the perfect mood lighting from the screen of their iPad. It also has the added benefit of working on the move, utilising 3G and WiFi

connections to allow it to control a home’s climate and security from anywhere in the world.

Apps for iPhone & iPod touch Harnessing the power of 3G and Edge networks, mobile technology allows users to stay connected to the home or office when out and about. Users can view the intruder

alarm status or adjust lights and room temperature while lying on the beach or sitting in traffic. The systems provides even greater power and flexibility to control a whole house, including pre-set audio and lighting scenes, home entertainment and more. Both apps are compatible with the iPhone 4, iPhone 3G, iPhone, and iPod touch.

Installing and maintaining CCTV as a Security measure is a positive action in today’s climate... City of London Police

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Latest News

Most expensive village in UK steps up security p6

AVA by MRFS brings technology to life

VA provides the latest in high-tech home and property solutions and the must have technology for anyone looking to make life more convenient and that little bit special. Whether at home or work AVA can bring you the kind of control over your surroundings that will change your lifestyle forever. AVA works with the world’s most globally respected and trusted names in high end audio visual and automation systems which are installed in homes and businesses worldwide. Our systems offer dependable, convenient, affordable control without compromising quality. AVA has been at the forefront of this automation revolution for over 25 years, designing and installing systems for all sorts of environments – from hotels and restaurants to commercial offices, and from luxury apartments and developments to individual private homes.

Today, more and more individuals and organisations are recognising that this type of leading edge technology adds quality to their lives, value to their businesses and can be significantly environmentally friendly when combined with home and property management systems.

Extraordinary advances in digital and microchip technology mean we can now make life more convenient AVA technology is entirely scalable, and can grow in line with your needs and budget. Many start with a system that controls their entertainment system and then move on to adding more products that control lighting, security, adjusts heating and air conditioning systems, plays their favourite movies, selects and records their favourite HD TV programmes, streams their IT, chooses their music, and much more. All of which can be

controlled on command from anywhere at any time, be it in the home, from the office or whilst overseas. Extraordinary advances in digital and microchip technology mean we can now make life more convenient, comfortable, productive, entertaining, secure, enjoyable, better informed and more ecologically sound than ever before. AVA shapes and enhances the users environment, putting them in complete charge, by way of remote touch pad, touch screen, iPad or iPhone. It’s total control, made totally simple. Design and installation teams will ensure that systems fit in seamlessly and discreetly into the surroundings and can install futureproof cable infrastructure into every property, wherever possible, to take into account the ever changing face of technological advances. This means systems can grow incrementally to take advantage of more sophisticated products as they come on stream.

AUDIO VISUAL AUTOMATION

HARMONISED INTEGRATION OF:

• AUDIO / HD VIDEO • DIGITAL MEDIA • HOME THEATRE • LIGHTING • CLIMATE CONTROL • WHOLE HOUSE SECURITY • CCTV • INTERCOM …AND MORE THE OPTIONS ARE ENDLESS.

CALL US

0845 521 8998

WWW.AVAEXPERTS.COM

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Residential Homes fit for Royalty

Most expensive village in UK ups security

xshott is reputed to be the most expensive village in England and the Crown Estate is one of the most exclusive estates in the village, with residents including the likes of Andy Murray, Didier Drogba and a handful of other multi-millionaire Premiership players. A leafy suburb, it is a maze of private roads sandwiched between the A3 and M25, giving residents a fast and direct route to central London. MRFS has worked closely with the residents committee and won the contract to supply, install and maintain 3 sets of automatically operated gate

oyalton has recently completed the construction of the stylish and exclusive new Princess Square gated development in Esher, Surrey. The development designed to recreate an 18th Century London square, sits on the land of a former Royal house and consists of 27 luxurious new properties, comprising six townhouses and two blocks of 21 apartments. MRFS installed intruder alarms to all of the townhouses and apartments, along with fire alarms, door entry with access control, plus CCTV to the communal areas and gate automation to the main entrance.

Comment Switch on or be sorry by Tony Bygraves, Chief Executive, MRFS Group

ne thing that never fails to amaze me is people’s blasé approach to switching on their security systems. We can install the best possible systems to ensure that our Customers are protected,

The residences blend the finest architectural elements with the very best of luxurious living The driving force of the project was to provide a high quality prestigious and secure environment within the development, with a fully compliant fire detection system, controlled access for the residents, monitoring of the grounds and key areas for the Concierge and a secure mechanism for authorised visitors to gain access to the development.

but if the systems aren’t armed you will not be protected. The recently released burglary rates from the British Crime Survey make it clear in no uncertain terms that break-ins are increasing. With technology making it easier to manage a home security system, there should be no excuse. Automated control systems and iPod technology means that controlling and monitoring a system really is a simple as pressing a button and can be done from anywhere. Even without

The residences blend the finest architectural elements of the past with the very best of contemporary luxurious living and residents will enjoy the benefit of exclusive facilities befitting their lifestyle including concierge, gym and leisure room, 24hr security and underground parking. Princess Square has been designed by the world acclaimed period architect Julian Bicknell and incorporates architectural features such as flat-cut brick arches, continuous cornices and stone copings. www.princesssquare.com

the advantage of the highest tech solutions, many systems can now be activated with just the swipe of a key fob. The security and technology industries are doing their utmost to improve systems and convenience for property owners, but when it comes down to it, the whole thing relies on the user not getting lazy. Don’t be one of the sorry ones who learns the lesson once it is too late. Switch on to the security risks and switch on your systems.

systems to the separate entrances to this very private estate. MRFS security specialists were tasked with designing, manufacturing and installing the automated gates. In order to maintain security and exclusivity, each individual home received unique coded transmitters so that residents only are allowed into their respective access roads. The purpose of this system, as requested by the residents committee, was to avoid the Estate being used by non authorised vehicles. The project involved liaison with the local electricity supplier, an electrical contractor and ground worker.

Home Break-ins up 14%

he number of burglaries in the UK rose 14 per cent in 2010, with a total of 734,000 break-ins, according to the results of the British Crime Survey. The figure, up from 644,000 the previous year, represents around one per minute, and highlights the importance for home owners to ensure their properties are adequately protected. Tony Bygraves, Chief Executive, MRFS Group, says: “These figures make scary reading for home owners. Most burglaries are opportunistic, so taking care to have even basic security measures in place can be one of the best deterrents.”

The British Crime Survey (BCS) is commissioned annually by the Home Office and its findings are based on interviews carried out on a cross section of 50,000 people throughout the UK, asking them about their experience of crime over the last year. The results are contradictory to the Police’s own figures which show a drop in burglaries. According to victim support services, this is most probably because less people are reporting incidences. This is an opinion supported by the Home Office, which itself asserts that the BCS can provide a better reflection of the true level of crime because people refer to crimes that they have not bothered to report to the Police.

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Customer Care

Is your CCTV system fit for purpose? To comply with the regulations, property owners and managers should.... • Check if the Information Commissioners Office needs to notified that CCTV is being operated on the premises by carrying out an online self assessment at www.ico.gov.uk • Establish a clear method of handling and controlling recorded images with an allocated contact name who will be responsible for controlling them. The organisation that makes decisions as to how a system is managed is called the Data Controller • Ensure CCTV signage clearly states the purpose for which it is intended, that it is clearly visible to those whose image may be captured and that it includes contact details for the person responsible for managing the system or the Data Controller

• Store images captured from your system in a secure manner where only authorised staff and law enforcement agencies can have access to them, with any images download to disc done so in a controlled manner with a documented audit trail • Only supply recorded images to law enforcement agencies; no images should be provided to other third parties unless an individual requests copies of their own images, in which case all other people in the same recordings must be masked or concealed • Carry out regular system checks to ensure that it is in full working order and that cameras are correctly positioned and producing good quality images with accurate time and date recording.

• Avoid positioning cameras in a way that could capture recognisable or identifiable images of people outside of the intended and, more importantly, justifiable surveillance area

en years after the introduction of laws restricting the recording of human images were added to the Data Protection Act, statistics show that over 90 per cent of CCTV systems in the UK still do not comply with the regulations. Most of the failures are put down to minor infringements, such as inadequate signage acknowledging the presence of cameras. Police reports also show that almost 80 per cent of recorded footage is not fit for purpose in use as evidence to secure a conviction. The management of a CCTV system can be complex, but is

usually vital to the security of a property or land. It is advisable to use a professionally compiled CCTV Compliance Pack which will detail everything that is needed for the day to day management of a system in order to comply with the Data Protection Act. As a starting point it is also advisable to get your system up to the required standards by having it independently audited. CCTV systems can be extremely effective in securing property and also delivering results in securing convictions following break-ins, it is vital though that the percentage of noncompliant systems is dramatically reduced.

Feature

Home Security for sports stars p8

Smart Routes MRFS smartens up for Customers

WIN A ROUND OF GOLF WITH RAY WILKINS

MRFS Group has launched a Smart Routes system to make sure they are able to deliver preventative maintenance visits with greater flexibility for Customers, and significantly reduce the company’s carbon footprint. The process is enabled through the mapping of MRFS’ Customers’ post codes using a bespoke algorithm. Helder Miguel, Operations Director at MRFS, comments: “We’ve created groups of post codes that are close to each other, and allocated our Customers specific groups according to their circumstances. This allows us to coordinate our maintenance schedules effectively concentrating our resources in specific areas each day.

MRFS has put the intelligence behind the mapping and created their own internal system “This has tremendous environmental benefits as it reduces fuel consumption and travelling time thus minimizing delays. It also gives engineers greater flexibility and more time with each Customer. If our engineer has turned up to a Customer’s premises and the Customer has had to go out, he can go to the next call, which might just be two roads down, and then come back. Overall, the Customer gets a better service because we are in the area.” MRFS has put the intelligence behind the mapping and created their own internal system to group calls by post codes. Helder adds: “We created our own internal system, because the off the shelf packages don’t usually recognize that the N1 post code area is not next to N2.”

La Rasante Sports Club

This once in a life-time prize will see two lucky winners spend the morning or afternoon teeing off with former England, Chelsea and Manchester United star Ray Wilkins MBE at the exclusive Wisley Golf Club, Surrey, accompanied by MRFS Group Chairman, Brian Berry. To enter, simply visit www.mrfsgroup.com/wilkins and request a brochure. Winner will be selected at random from all entries by Ray Wilkins himself. Entry closes on 31 July 2011.

Gate Safety in the UK market Child deaths highlight gate safety concerns

n June 2010 the tragic deaths of two young children in separate incidents less than one week apart served to highlight the safety issues facing the UK gate automation industry.

All automatic gate systems, by law, must be installed in compliance with the Machinery Directive MD2006/42/EC and supporting standards as highlighted by recent safety advisories from the Health & Safety Executive. All manufacturers and installers of automatic gate systems should take all necessary steps to meet compliance with the Machinery Directive to ensure their completed products are safe.

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Sport Sports Club

La Rasante