Heathrow is one of the world's busiest international airports. Over 72 million passengers travelled through the airport in 2013, using the services offered by 82 airlines travelling to more than 180 destinations in 85 countries.
CEM's AC2000 Airport provides Heathrow airport with a flexible and customizable security solution to meet their unique and growing security requirements.
CEM Systems has been working with Heathrow Airport for over 20 years to secure all terminals, including Terminal 5. Recently Heathrow installed the industry renowned emerald multi functional touch screen terminal to ensure the highest levels of security as well as increasing operational efficiency.
Airport-Specific Access Control System
The AC2000 Airport system is a powerful and fully integrated access control system that has been specifically designed for airports and can be customized to meet their unique and ever changing needs over time. The flexibility and high quality offered by the AC2000 Airport is a key factor in its suitability for the airport environment.
The AC2000 Airport system provides a fully integrated solution by using a suite of extended, comprehensive operational applications and seamlessly integrating them with third party external systems. Amongst other things the system is most commonly used for managing access throughout the airport and preventing unauthorized access to secure areas. It is also used for managing the flow of passengers, visitors and baggage through access points inside the airport.
CEM Systems manufacture both the system hardware and software and therefore was able to customize the AC2000 system to meet Heathrow's unique requirements.
Proven Solution
From its initial installation over 20 years ago, CEM has worked with Heathrow Airport to develop the system in response to the airport's needs and to offer more than simply an access control solution.
Over the years, functionality has been added to in response to changing legislation in the aviation industry and as the airport grew. Today, the system provides an integrated business solution that is designed to help Heathrow run more efficiently.
From using VIPPS (Visual Imaging Pass Production System) to control the issue and invoicing of operational access control cards, to configuring readers to assist in the movement and segregation of passengers, CEM has provided Heathrow Airport with a dedicated airport security management system.
The CEM readers allow doors to operate in a variety of modes as required in the airport environment. Other than simply providing individual staff access, specified readers are configured to permit passengers to enter a controlled area and to allow airline staff to easily segregate arriving and departing passengers. At Heathrow the system sends broadcast data to the readers and monitor units. For instance, if a quiet evacuation of an area is required, the system is programmed to unlock a number of doors. This means in the event of an emergency threat, the area can be evacuated without having to trigger the fire alarm system to open doors.
emerald Intelligent Access Terminal
emerald intelligent touch screen terminal controls critical paths and restricted zones as well as Heathrow's Campus Area where all cargo, staff and crew are processed before gaining airside access. emerald provides security staff with a clear, visual, colour image indicating the card status i.e. access denied or access granted. This is an important part of Heathrow's security operation where the highest level of security is required. emerald features a touch screen reader and controller in one, built in Voice over IP (VoIP) intercom functionality and uniquely enables data normally only available on the CEM AC2000 access control client workstation to be accessed locally and securely at the door through its range of Remote Applications.
Remote Applications display real time security information and statistics such as card status, scheduled visitors, top system alarms and most recent alarms on the terminal. Additional applications include First and Last swipes that can be used for time and attendance purposes, Card Details for individuals to determine access levels and card expiry date, and Change PIN that allows users to proactively change their own PIN without contacting the system operator. This data can only be accessed by those with the correct cardholder privileges.
emerald now has the ability to display rotating advertisements or information announcements. This feature can be used to display Health & Safety notices or company updates, as well as advertisements which businesses can use to assist in revenue generation.
Entry Checklist Mode enables emerald to display a sequence of images and questions relating to business requirements such as Security or Health & Safety, which users must answer positively before the door will open. If the employee answers No to any of the mandatory questions the door will not open. This enables the business to enforce their Health & Safety Policy at the edge of their access control system.