Grosvenor Technology’s access control system is at the heart of an integrated smart-card system at Nottingham Trent University (NTU). Over the last 10 years the university has deployed the system for their campus-wide access control and has developed it into one of the sophisticated integrated access and student management systems in the education sector. The system typically has 45,000 smart cards programmed for students, staff and visitors allowing controlled entry to more than 300 access points around campus.
Grosvenor Technology's access control system is at the heart of an integrated smart-card system at Nottingham Trent University (NTU). Over the last 10 years the university has deployed the system for their campus-wide access control and has developed it into one of the sophisticated integrated access and student management systems in the education sector. The system typically has 45,000 smart cards programmed for students, staff and visitors allowing controlled entry to more than 300 access points around campus.
“The system is a robust, flexible and open-architecture solution that has allowed us to develop an integrated approach to access control,” said Nigel Smith, NTU's Resources Manager. “Not only does it interface with hardware such as the fire alarm system; automatically opening doors in the event of a fire, but also interfaces to other software applications, through the software.”
The open-database structure of the system has allowed the university to streamline its student enrolment and smart-card production process. When a student is first enrolled, the open structure automatically allows the creation of an access control profile for the student based on their course code, discipline and year of study. This ensures that the student can only gain access to the appropriate campus buildings and facilities. The contactless MIFARE smart cards are used for cashless vending, photocopying, printing, sports membership, car parks, library book loans and as a student union card. They can also be used for unlimited transport on Nottingham's bus and tram network. This integrated approach allows the university to efficiently manage large numbers of students that change on a regular basis.
“The system offers us a set of analysis and reporting tools,” Smith said. “We use this to produce a range of reports that are an invaluable aid to analyzing building usage and footfall. Together with other building management data, these reports allow us to measure the utilization of our buildings and areas and make decisions such as opening times.”
The university uses real-time analytics to automatically manage its car parks. The system maintains an accurate count of the number of vehicles in each car park, enabling large car park entrance displays to show if spaces are available and restricting entry when full.
The reporting tools allow the university to establish whether a student has accessed the university in the event of an emergency or if a student welfare issue arises. Building and room occupancy can be quickly checked for security or health and safety reasons.