Canada’s TCI Group Centralizes Security
Unique Challenges
TCI Group is one of the top builders of energy and communication networks in Canada. This highly competitive organization employs 1500 people and exercises strict quality control at every level, ensuring that projects are completed on schedule and within each client’s budget. Founded in 1978, TCI Group has four primary sites located in Laval, and 7 satellite locations throughout the province. The company has engaged in ongoing strategic growth and now has an annual business volume of more than 170 million dollars.
With aggressive plans for continued expansion already underway, physical security was becoming a growing burden for TCI Group. The legacy analog security system was out of date and difficult to maintain. Many satellite locations were running their own systems. Any changes to these systems required a trip to the physical site. As a result, the addition of one new employee to the system could require a six-hour drive so that their information could be entered into the system manually.
In addition to issues related to basic system management, TCI Group was also dealing with insider theft. TCI Group keeps large rolls of copper wire on site. Metals are attractive targets for theft, and aside from periodic walk-bys by security guards, TCI Group had no way to track the trucks and people that were coming in and out of the materials yard. As a result, on more than one occasion the company found itself the victim of copper theft.
The Right Technology
Working closely with the LenelS2 team, TCI Group decided to deploy an IP-based system integrated with intrusion detection software and Milestone video management software. The integrated system would centralize security, and offer remote capabilities that would enable the ability to operate the system via a web browser. Each site would be equipped with a node designed for a deployment of a particular size.
Combatting Insider Threats
In an innovative use of the LenelS2 technology, TCI Group was able to put an end to equipment and material thefts. The new system now operates as a physical security system, and also as a fleet management system that tracks which trucks are entering and leaving the yard. With the new system, when a truck approaches the gate, a card reader is able to recognize the truck number and record what time it left the site and returned. The guard is able to open the gate remotely, and can see truck activity on a widget that keeps the gate entrance in view on the desktop at all times.
Superior Energy Security Solutions
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