Tensor is currently rolling out a huge smart card-based Access Control, security and Time and Attendance network for the force, involving 15,600 staff and dozens of buildings. The ambitious undertaking, called The Gateway Project, started in 2008.
Tensor has implemented around half of the 40 key buildings so far, including police stations and highly-sensitive sites within the West Midlands area, from Wolverhampton to Coventry. The system is about to go live at West Midlands Police's Lloyd House headquarters in Birmingham, where Gateway Programme Manager, Paul Williamson is based.
He says that Tensor beat 30 other companies to secure the contract: "Tensor went through the tendering process and were successful in meeting the criteria documents. There were three main elements: the cost of the system, the ability for the system to be flexible and configurable in a police environment, and for it to be highly secure. We wanted a complete physical access system with time and attendance."
Already 60 to 70 administration staff have been trained on the combined Security and Attendance Monitoring system, whilst 15,600 smart cards have been issued to staff. Paul says: "The training has been good and Tensor have done what they said they would."
The Tensor suite of .NET Time and Security applications as installed at West Midlands Police can be combined with many other modules to provide a single, seamless application to meet the needs of any 'large scale' organisation and provide a robust security, identity management and Human Resources solution.
Tensor prides itself on the flexibility of its modular security and workforce management systems, allowing each customer to receive a bespoke solution that provides exactly what they need but without unnecessary features they won't use.
The nature of the Gateway Programme has meant that the Tensor security system has been extensively modified with a large number of customisations, making it an ideal off-the-shelf system for the Police, Emergency Services, public sector and large private sector organisations.
Paul explains: "Tensor has modified the system in ways in which no other physical access system has had to do before. This is a truly ground-breaking system. Tensor has put together a unique task, and they have done an awfully good job in that. They have risen to the challenge and come up with the goods."
Paul describes how the smart cards are being used to both clock in and gain access, and where applicable also as a hi-tech warrant card: "This streamlining is a massive advantage — it was part of the design specification."
The integrated system uses Single Sign-On integrated with Card Management and Access Control. The advanced Access Control system links to several aspects of the existing West Midlands Police infrastructure including the intruder, gas and fire alarm systems. "A few false alarms have gone off but the system has behaved as it should have done," says Paul.
Paul explains what has most impressed him about the Tensor system: "It's the fact that it is a proprietary system that is owned by Tensor, and so they have the ability to react really quickly to any problems or modifications that may arise. They have been particularly 'customer focused' and have the ability and resources to configure the system personally, which given the size of the project has largely gone in on time and on budget."
Paul is satisfied enough with the service that Tensor has provided to West Midlands Police that he offers some advice to other police forces looking for similar systems:
"I'd recommend Tensor. I think Tensor's products are flexible and configurable. The company is small enough to respond quickly to the customer demands but large enough to implement what's needed in a project of this size."
Find out how Tensor can support your public sector organisation with workforce and security management solutions — contact our knowledgeable team today.
