Future Could Include 1-Card Access Control
In addition to the massiveness of the project, the integrator had to work closely with other contractors to coordinate activity.
“My goal with the latest upgrade was to extend the features of the Symmetry solution to all parts of the Lafayette General Health System,” Hebert says. “Our first challenge was to bring on board
the new emergency department and operating platform at LGMC. There are some unique challenges there that required Stanley, other contractors, emergency department staff and security personnel to collaborate to create workable solutions that would also satisfy the life safety code.”
When discussing the installation’s challenges, scale is also at the top of the integrator’s mind, particularly pertaining to the video surveillance deployment.
“Moving the security command and control center was a challenge, as well as adding cameras to the network when some analog cameras were exchanged for new IP devices,” says Lackey. “That was a huge part of the project. They had a substantial number of cameras. They currently have a mix of analog and IP cameras.”
As the medical center has grown and morphed over the years, so have its security needs. And rapid expansion and growth means more patients and visitors – increasing the potential for security issues.
“It is increasingly challenging to control visitor flow and access to sensitive areas,” Hebert says. “The increased anxiety created by more people, parking hassles, longer wait times, etc. creates a strain on security resources as they respond to more conflict-related calls.”
Next up on the ever-growing list of the health provider’s security projects is a proposed switch from mag-stripe technology to smart cards and prox readers facility-wide.
“We would like to be able to do everything on one card, and that is pushing us to look at a more sophisticated mechanism,” she says. “That will provide me an opportunity to suggest to administration that we move toward proximity to change to a more functional card.”
Deborah O’Mara is principal of DLO Communications in Chicago, a content development and writing business specializing in the security and life safety industries. She can be reached at [email protected] or (847) 384-1916.
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