11 minute read
The PSI Directory
Faelsafe benefits from adopting cloud-based business platform
Faelsafe Life Safety has transformed its business using BigChange field service management software. Since implementing the cloud-based platform, Faelsafe has reduced its administrative resource, eliminated paper from its mobile operation and improved the efficiency of engineers working across mainland UK.
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Andrew Hutchinson, Director of Faelsafe said: “Despite having job management software, we were still producing paper worksheets and reports, in triplicate, and having to wait for engineers to return to base before we could process them. This was labour intensive, resulted in delays in invoicing and meant dealing with customer queries was virtually impossible.
“Since implementing BigChange we have slashed our administrative resource, we have removed every filing cabinet from the office, eliminated delays in invoicing and query resolutions and improved the efficiency of our engineers.”
Headquartered in Leeds, Faelsafe made the move to BigChange following a recommendation from its IT support company. The complete job management solution, which incorporates customer relationship management (CRM), job scheduling, live tracking, field resource management, financial management and business intelligence, has helped Faelsafe remove paper from its job allocation and reporting workflows.
Engineers are automatically allocated work and completion reports, including photographs and customer signatures, are digitally captured, stored and shared with the back-office operation. Route scheduling and live tracking is also helping Faelsafe optimise the use of mobile engineers reducing time spent travelling between jobs.
Digital public address system improves shopper safety
Bosch Building Technologies has installed a digital public address and voice alarm system at Telford Shopping Centre. On 25 acres of commercial space, the IP-based Praesensa system from Bosch now provides music, announcements, and emergency alerts for retail stores, restaurants, as well as hotels and a cinema. The shopping mall operator was looking to upgrade the existing public address system with a future-proof and IP-networked solution for retail environments.
Bosch partner North AVS refurbished all existing loudspeakers installed at Telford Centre across 16 zones via minor modifications on the end lines. As a result, system integrators merely needed to replace the obsolete control equipment – including a cumbersome call station with analogue buttons – and amplifiers.
Since the upgrade, security staff at Telford Shopping Centre now control the public address system via a touch screen interface. Managed via OMNEO media networking technology, the software-based system combines live broadcasts and recordings from various media sources. The library includes background music in MP3 format, commercials from a message database, plus end-of-day mall closing messages on automated schedules. Automation also kicks in during an emergency, for instance in case of a fire: targeted to specific zones on the property, the public address system integrates with the fire alarm system to play pre-recorded alerts and evacuation messages. Leaving full control to security, personnel can send live voice messages and manually trigger the evacuation protocol as needed at any time.
Praesensa also delivers automated fault notification to the control desk within 100 seconds, thereby meeting EN54-16 standards for public address systems.
Chris Titley, Facilities Manager, Savills said: “We are extremely happy with the quality and operation of the new Bosch equipment and the team are finding the system easy to use. It´s of paramount importance to have a reliable system and this is definitely ticking all the boxes.”
IFSEC 2022
IFSEC hosts Engineers of Tomorrow
Register for IFSEC here:
The next stage in the highly regarded IFSEC Engineers of Tomorrow competition will be held at IFSEC International in May this year
Engineers of Tomorrow helps to raise the profile of engineering apprenticeships and the opportunities they represent within the sector. Taking place at IFSEC and FIREX International each year, winners of regional heats compete in a live installation challenge at the show. The process involves two separate competitions – one for electronic security systems, and the other for fire systems.
The winners of Engineers of Tomorrow will then proceed to the esteemed WorldSkills UK (WSUK) LIVE competition – the nation’s premier skills, apprenticeships and careers event. For the first time this year, both the electronic security and fire competitions will be represented at WSUK –underlining the value of both competitions to the wider UK skills industry.
The competition aims to help tackle the growing engineering skills gap and attract and retain the next generation of security and fire systems installers. While the 2020 competition was unfortunately unable to go ahead, due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, 2021’s competition saw a record number of entries take part, despite the challenges and restrictions of the global pandemic.
The 2022 competition
The Engineers of Tomorrow finals return to the IFSEC and FIREX show floor on 17-19 May at London’s ExCeL this year. Apprentice finalists will get the chance to show off their skills in front of thousands of peers and professionals from the security and fire sectors.
David Scott, Managing Director at Skills for Security, explains: “We’re thrilled to get back to the live event this year, where Engineers of Tomorrow finalists can compete in front of their own industry, and showcase the talent that we know, as training providers, they demonstrate on a weekly basis.”
“In addition, to have both security and fire competitions represented at WSUK this year is another fantastic result for the event and industry. WSUK gives opportunity to shine a positive light on the security and fire engineering sector as a career of choice, attracting new young talent into the industry. It puts the industry on a pedestal alongside the Navy, BAE, NHS and other major sectors and showcases the industry as a fun, technologydriven industry where learning never stops.”
Stakeholders involved in supporting and contributing to the IFSEC and FIREX Engineers of Tomorrow competition are Skills for Security, CSL, NSI, SSAIB, and Texecom Academy, while additional support comes from the BSIA and BAFE.
In addition, several manufacturers have demonstrated their own commitment to the event. As part of a three-year commitment, Hikvision, Texecom and CSL all donate equipment to be used in the heats, whilst Advanced and Apollo Fire Detectors – both part of the Halma Group –donate products for the fire competition.
AWARD-WINNING, LEADING GLOBAL WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTOR OF SECURITY AND LOW VOLTAGE PRODUCTS
ADI GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION
Distributor of electronic security systems and solutions for over 250 leading manufacturers, the company also offers an internal technical support team, dedicated field support engineers along with a suite of training courses and services. ADI also offers a variety of fast, reliable delivery options, including specified time delivery, next day or collection from any one of 28 branches nationwide. Plus, with an ADI online account, installers can order up to 7pm for next day delivery.
Tel: 0161 767 2990 Fax: 0161 767 2999 sales.uk@adiglobal.com www.adiglobal.com/uk
DISTRIBUTOR OF SECURITY AND FIRE SOLUTIONS
FORTUS
Fortus is a distributor of security and fire solutions. We are the largest privately owned, B2B security distribution company trading across the UK & IRE within the key industry verticals of CCTV, Intruder, Access and Fire products. With more than 20 years’ experience in technology distribution with key brands, we can support you with any size project as well as offering next day delivery.
Tel: +44 (0)1462 708820 www.fortusuk.com STATE-OF-THE-ART WIRELESS SOLUTIONS
INTRATONE UK
114 Power Road Studios, Chiswick, London W4 5PY
INTEGRATED SECURITY SOLUTIONS
SECURITY PRODUCTS AND INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS
HONEYWELL COMMERCIAL SECURITY
INTRUDER
WHEN SECURITY IS ART
AJAX SYSTEMS
Unit No: OneJLT-06-23, OneJLT, Plot No. DMCC-EZI-1AB, Jumeriah Lakes Tower, Dubai
MANUFACTURER OF INTRUDER ALARM EQUIPMENT
HKC SECURITY LTD
James Hill Street, Littleborough OL15 8AE
PYRONIX LTD
Secure House, Braithwell Way, Hellaby, Rotherham, South Yorkshire S66 8QY
SECURITY YOU CAN TRUST
TEXECOM INTRUDER
Bradwood Court, St Crispin Way, Haslingden, Lancs BB4 4PW
RECRUITMENT
PLACING THE BEST CANDIDATES IN FIRE & SECURITY
TECHNICAL RESOURCES LTD
Rivermead House, Hamm Moor Lane, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 2SF
SECURITY
SECURE CONNECTIVITY PROVIDERS
CSL GROUP
T: +44 (0)1895 474474 sales@csl-group.com @CSLGroupLtd www.csl-group.com
LIFE SAFETY EQUIPMENT
C-TEC
Challenge Way, Martland Park, Wigan WN5 OLD United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1942 322744 www.c-tec.com
BT REDCARE
We’ve over 35 years of experience in the fire and security industry. Prepare and protect homes and businesses with our alarm signalling systems. From fast and affordable to best in the business, you can get every customer future-ready for all-IP. Simple to install, with a choice of fixed IP and wi-fi connected options. Dual SIM and roaming 4G for resilient wireless signalling. Many of them also come with no upfront costs and all with a 10-year guarantee and 24/7 support.
Tel: 0800 800 628 Email address: redcare@bt.com Twitter: @BTRedcare Website: www.redcare.bt.com
SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS
FIRE & SECURITY MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
INSTALLERPRO
PO Box 1288, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 9BQ
enquiries@installerpro.co.uk www.installerpro.co.uk
SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS
WEBEYE LTD
6a Hazel Court, Blidworth, Nottingham NG21 0RY
STORAGE
YOUR CLOUD. YOUR WAY
SEAGATE STORAGE
60 Norden Road, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 4AY
+440208 7127 4477 www.seagate.com
APPOINTMENTS
APPOINTMENTS
Lynne Allen
IDIS is expanding its UK sales operation with the appointment of Lynne Allen as regional sales manager for the north of England.
Lynn will be further developing the company’s partnerships with distributors, systems integrators, and end-users across the north. She brings more than 20 years’ security industry and sales experience to her new role, including time with Honeywell, TDSi and Aiphone.
“With significant demand for single-source, end-to-end video solutions from trustworthy manufacturers, this is a great time to be joining the IDIS UK team,” says Lynne. “I’m focused on developing major project opportunities with our partners across the region.”
Blair Bowen
Paxton has expanded its senior team appointing Blair Bowen as its Global Manufacturing Manager.
Blair previously managed manufacturing teams for Collins Aerospace and Jaguar Land Rover and will be based at Paxton’s main UK manufacturing facility in Eastbourne. His role is integral to the company’s growth plans over the coming years.
Blair said: “I have spent the last twelve years working in a blue-chip large corporation environment. This is an opportunity to come to a growing organisation, get that breadth of exposure, and broaden my horizons across multiple elements of the business.”
Laura Grainger
Luminite has announced the internal promotion of Laura Grainger to Director of Sales and Marketing. Laura joined the company nine years ago and has played a key role in building relationships with distributors and end users contributing to the wider growth of the business.
Graham Creek MD said “Laura is a vital member of the team and has proven to be a strategic Sales and Marketing Manager. Our future plans for growth with the addition and development of our wireless security range will entail a larger team which Laura will head and oversee.”
Laura said “This opportunity comes at an exciting time for Luminite. I look forward to driving our sales and marketing plans forward.”
Chris Connor
Vemotion Interactive has announced that Chris Connor has been appointed as Channel Partner Manager.
In his new role, Chris will be supporting the UK market, with a focus on generating new business in the Public Space and Emergency Services sectors, delivering end-user system specifications, and expanding Vemotion’s system integrator partner network. Spanning his 19years’ security industry experience, Chris’s industry experience includes Senior Business Development Manager at Dedicated Micros, Regional Sales Manager at Avigilon/Motorola, and international Senior roles at DeView (EMEA) and The Security Centre (Caribbean and the USA).
“I plan to assist blue light verticals and local authorities to combat a wide variety of challenges, including fly-tipping and anti-social behavior, using Vemotion low-bandwidth streaming technology to help create cleaner environments and safer communities - whilst introducing high-value revenue streams for our integration partners,” says Chris. “I look forward to bringing my wealth of experience and expertise to my new role and becoming a key member of the Vemotion team.”
Matthew Tolkien
Matthew Tolkien has recently been appointed as Managing Director of BusinessWatch Group based in Leeds & Peterborough. Matthew has spent the past four years with the group as Sales & Marketing Director. With his strategic thinking he was appointed to help drive the business forward his already formalising growth and business plans with his teams and is excited for the future of the group. Find out more about Matthew in “Meet the Installer” this month
