News

Gallagher Asia/Middle East sales team welcomed 2012 with a successful exhibit at the 14th annual Intersec Dubai.

The three-day event featuring 910 exhibitors from over 50 countries is a firmly established regional trade event in the security, safety and protection industries. It provides a platform for an up-to-date reflection of the industry portfolio and to showcase the latest trends.

Business Development Manager Ian Meadow says the attendance of visitors was up from the previous year, and the quality even higher. “The quality of Intersec is up there with IFSEC UK, ISC West and ASIS in the US,” he added.

There is much to be gained from attending large regional trade shows. “Intersec Dubai is very important to us. It is the major security show for the Middle East and we have visitors from all over the region. It gives us the opportunity to connect with our market going forward. We are planning for some good growth this coming financial year [in this region],” says Ian.

The Arabian Gulf is one of the most exciting markets in the world for the security industry. Its security market is worth AED 3.6 billion (US$980 million, NZ$1.18 billion) and is projected to grow at 10% annually. Intersec 2013 is set to take place in January 2013.

Gallagher, is preparing itself for a challenging, but exciting year as the company's technology creates new global opportunities for its security and animal management divisions.

The Gallagher story began in the 1930's when Bill Gallagher Senior used his ingenuity to develop practical mechanical solutions for an underdeveloped farm. When Joe the Horse used the family car as a scratching post the horse could not have known what his annoying habit would lead to and it’s unlikely that Bill could visualise his pioneering future when he set up the electric circuit charging the car to break the horse's habit.

Not surprisingly, the company and its award winning technology have grown significantly from the first electric fence energizer. Gallagher’s head office and manufacturing plant in Waikato employs around 700 people on site with another 400 staff globally delivering animal management, security and fuel solutions.

Gallagher’s integrated security systems are used to protect some of the most sensitive sites and facilities around the world including mining sites, correctional facilities and tertiary institutes. The Animal Management division provides state of the art, high quality electric fence systems to over 130 countries as well as world leading weighing & electronic identification systems designed to improve farm and livestock performance.

To support the company’s expanding portfolio, Gallagher employs a range of expertise globally including dedicated business development teams for each region, an in-house marketing and communications team with full print house operation and an extensive team of research and development capabilities. R&D plays a major role in the growth of the organization and Gallagher’s commitment to this aspect is frequently acknowledged through industry awards such as the 2010 NZTE International Business Awards. The NZ Government is also committed to the development of high-tech export businesses with the recent investment of $92 million over three years on business R&D through the new Technology Development Grant programme – Gallagher was on the recipients list.

CEO and Chairman, Sir William Gallagher explains “The significant investment in R&D ensures we maintain a competitive advantage in the access control, perimeter security and animal management systems market and this is represented by over 160 patents worldwide.”

Understandably, Sir William speaks highly of the company’s R&D team and their capabilities. “We focus on the customer’s needs and wants to inspire and inform our designs. We have an intimate understanding of our customers and partners, and this insight partnered with our design capability enables us to redefine what’s possible for our customers.”

Gallagher has a relentless drive for innovation. We use the practical genius that’s in our blood to create products and services which couldn’t be any easier for the user. We let customer insights drive us to new places

But the company’s strength’s aren’t limited to research and development as the whole organisation has the ability to leverage the competencies and resources from all divisions within the group. Gallagher’s in-house resources for tool making, plastics and electronics manufacturing and logistics mean that production can be controlled end to end from concept design to manufacturing. The obvious benefits include quality control, rapid development and deployment to manufacture, and the ability to produce economic short runs as well as large production capability. All of this is centrally managed on the 22,528 sq feet container park and 29,000 sq feet warehouse on the Hamilton site.

A well known factor in the company’s success to date is its ability to recruit committed staff who embrace the Gallagher philosophy of redefining what’s possible for the customer. Corporate Services Executive, Margaret Comer, plays a lead role in recruitment for the company and she knows selecting the right people for the company is vital. “Our staff play a huge role in the success of the company’s growth and they are key to our future opportunities - they show everyone how we do it the Gallagher way.”

Gallagher people make an impact, they stand out, they develop followers and go on to achieve great things - all because they have a purpose to what they are doing each day.

“We’re all here to redefine what’s possible for our customers, no matter which of our business units or central resource departments we work in – we have a team with a clearly defined passion and a desire to share this passion with others. I believe these attributes are what attracts other potential candidates to the company. People see the career opportunities at Gallagher; they know what they can bring to the company and ultimately they want to be part of our brand.”

We are pleased to announce that we are welcoming Anna Greenhill as new Marketing Manager - Security. Anna at present resides in the UK where she has enjoyed an impressive career in the Security & Defense sector. Anna will be based at Gallagher's World Headquarters in Hamilton and will commence her role with us on Monday, February 13, 2012.

We congratulate Anna on her appointment and look forward to welcoming Anna to the Security team and to the wider Gallagher organisation.

Press release from IndigoVision, sourced from Security Info Watch

IndigoVision, a leading provider of complete IP Video security solutions, has launched enhanced support for the Gallagher access control system – formerly known as Cardax FT.

IndigoVision's Gallagher Integration Module has been upgraded to support the latest version of Command Centre. The update allows live video from the IndigoVision system to be viewed in the Command Centre Premier v7 and Command Centre Classic v7 user interfaces.

A streamlined video integration user interface increases the space available to display live video, improving viewing capabilities for the operator. Camera identifier data has been simplified, for faster decision-making and straightforward configuration of the access control system.

IndigoVision's support for the Gallagher access control system includes two alarm integration modules: The OPC Alarms and Events integration module transfers alarms and events from the Gallagher system and into the IndigoVision system, while the Gallagher integration module is used to transfer events/alarms from the IndigoVision system into the Gallagher system.

Together with the enhanced support and compatibility with Command Centre interfaces, these alarm modules allow the creation of a tightly integrated access control and CCTV system.

The Gallagher integration module is currently one of 23 modules that allow seamless integration over the IP network with SMS4, IndigoVision's Security Management Software, and other third-party systems such as access control, intrusion detection, Building Management Systems (BMS), process control and Electronic Point of Sale (EPoS).

IndigoVision architecture is a truly open solution. Users have freedom to choose third-party ONVIF cameras and Windows-based storage solutions and a Software Developers Kit allows integrators to connect specialist systems. A key part of IndigoVision's open strategy is the development of integration with other security systems, increasingly important for efficient security management and incident response. With operators in large surveillance systems having to monitor hundreds of cameras, the use of alarms from other systems to highlight incidents and events is invaluable.

Christchurch International Airport is New Zealand’s second largest and the busiest and most strategic air connection from the South Island to the world’s trade and tourism markets. It receives six million passengers yearly. With such high numbers of passengers going through the airport, providing a safe and secure environment is an important part of the vision to be recognised as New Zealand’s leading tourism gateway.

In a legislation driven airport environment, management is mandated by a number of Civil Aviation rules and regulations to provide control and monitoring of all access to restricted security areas.

Christchurch Airport plans to make a number of additional security installations with its three-year terminal and aircraft apron expansion project. One significant application will be a controlled swing gate area, where 14 doors will either automatically open or lock, to allow an aircraft to arrive as a domestic flight and depart as an international flight (or vice versa) without the need to move the aircraft.

Having installed protection to the primary areas of aviation activity within Christchurch Airport in 2007 – terminal, airfield, support buildings and infrastructure, including a perimeter security system that provides monitored electrical fencing for a small section of the airport’s 16km of fence line protecting over 300 hectares of land – perimeter security provider Gallagher Security will also provide the additional installations.

Airport operations manager Tim Morris says this installation means both the airport and airlines will save time and costs. He says the desire to operate a modern and reliable access control system prompted the need to upgrade Christchurch airport’s access system.

“We needed something to provide the required security functionality today and allow for easy integration for more advanced requirements for the future,” he says.

“We followed a robust evaluation process and found the Gallagher product was the best value for money and the best support structure for our site. In-house capability was a feature that set it apart from other systems.”

Residing on the existing Local Area Network, using TCP/IP, the system features peer-to-peer communications, so if communications with the head end need to be taken down, those on the airport using the system are not affected.

This means if the airport experiences network communications problems, security and access control of the site won’t be compromised. Multiple workstations access the database to manage cardholders, events, check on the status of doors, override doors and trace activity. System division is used to enable the airport to be divided for management and monitoring purposes. With more than 5000 cardholders accessing more than 400 doors, gates and fences, cardholder management has to be efficient and allow for changes to be applied easily to groups of cardholders.

The system manages cardholders by groups for cardholders who share the same access requirements. A cardholder may belong to one or more access groups to get their full access privileges.

All service elevators are operated with an access card and once an area of the airport has been “sealed” for security, for instance the international departure lounge, access to these floors is automatically denied, so the areas become accessible only via a particular security clearance entryway. There are three auto gates which allow authorised vehicles access onto the airfield at various points. When a vehicle drives up to the auto gate, the driver badges the access card and the information and photo of the cardholder pops up on the operator’s screen.

Granting access requires the operator to check the driver against the photo on screen, as well as ensure their competencies are up to date. If the driver’s Civil Aviation ID or airside driving permit is due to expire soon, the operator is notified on screen and therefore able to advise the driver of the expiration date.

The main auto gate is manned 24/7. If someone requests access at an unmanned auto gate, their photo and competencies are checked by the operator at the main auto gate and access is either granted or denied, saving on staff and running costs. Airport management takes advantage of the maker’s reporting functionality by running automatic shift change reports. These reports print at set times of the day at shift change, to provide the new shift with a variety of information relating to the previous eight hours of site activity. Mr Morris says the system has also assisted in increasing in-house knowledge and driven down the annual costs associated to access control. “The system performs extremely well with no significant outages to date,” he says. “Our expectations were met overnight. It is easy to use, modern, innovative, and flexible with high quality installations and we have an excellent channel partner.”

“User group meetings are very useful sessions. We have attended most Southern region and National user group meetings since being involved with Gallagher. These are a great opportunity to learn about new innovations and products due to be released, as well as talking with fellow users and swapping ideas and sharing issues.”

Sourced from Security Electronics and Networks

RIGHT from the get-go, let’s be clear that Gallagher’s Command Centre v7.00 is the latest incarnation of a solution that used to be called Cardax FT. As we all know, this revered product pioneered modern networked access control. After its release, the company’s software engineers undertook more than a decade of digital lapidary to polish the access control industry’s benchmark.

Now - having established the product’s lineage using that name, let it here be known that Gallagher Command Centre v7.00 is the only name by which this great product shall in future be known. As part of a process of unifying its identity, Gallagher has branded a number of its famous electronic security products as – well - as Gallagher. We will all get used to this.

So, we now know this is not a new product but an improvement on something that was a fine solution already. The enhancements made to v7.00 are significant, however, and they focus on making the system easier to use, giving users greater power and flexibility in their operations. It’s these enhancements we will focus on.

For a start, the underlying Gallagher platform resides on a user’s IT network in servers and stores information about cardholders, the site, and system activity. The system automatically executes business policy, enforcing compliance with internal and external regulations. It’s the way in which this underlying solution is managed that concerns us here and that’s because v7.00 is designed to give users what they want where they need it.

As Gallagher’s people neatly sum up, the new client achieves all this by allowing itself to be configured so as to dish up exactly what operators need to see - sized and placed on screen wherever it’s wanted. This capability extends from alarms management, to general monitoring and control, from challenge to cardholder administration.

At the heart of all this is an in-built and intuitive user interface design tool and powerful high resolution multi-monitor workstations. Operators are able to mix and match information from different sources on the fly and then filter the content to provide situational awareness. It’s powerful stuff.

Test driving v7.00

I got a demo of the product from Gallagher’s product manager Trish Thompson at the Gallagher office in Hamilton, NZ. Thompson is enthusiastic about v7.00 and she navigates the system deftly. Not surprisingly, Thompson has a relentless user focus - v7.00 is about control rooms and their ability to manage, monitor and control security simply and intuitively, she says.

Now, this is something you hear a lot when talking management solutions but it’s obvious Gallagher has achieved something special with v7.00. They’ve put system layout into the hands of users – and not just a few shreds of functionality. You can reinvent key parts of the interface every few minutes to meet changing circumstances. To do this, you pull together the functions that best serve an incident and when it’s over you simply dissolve them.

As Thompson explains, the company’s workstation client has been around for more than ten years and has accrued features over time. She doesn’t say it aloud but clearly adding functionality over time adds layers of operational complexity – complexity that v7.00 sweeps completely away. With v7.00, you pick functionality to suit your needs – simple as that.

“A key with v7.00 is that we’ve embraced new architecture and software tools – the .net framework and the WPF – this gives us a lot more control in terms of the capabilities of the user interface. That was one of the big drivers from an IT perspective,” she says.

Thompson explains that while Gallagher is going to be migrating a number of things through to v7.00 over the next few years, the first thing to square away is the controller. This means operators handling day to day security will be familiar with a new and better way of driving their systems and more functionality will be added to this capability later on.

“Thanks to the new tools the big step we’ve made is going away from the little gray windows of traditional software products to a system of configurable tiles,” she says. “And within this big step the key is that operators can now design the screen layout to give them the information they need to handle any event.

“Instead of an interface that may not represent the context of the incident they are working on, operators are now looking at an alarm event and everything they need to know or control in relation to that particular alarm event has appeared on their screen.

According to Thompson, this means operators don’t have to go looking for things, they don’t need to filter or run reports. Instead everything that’s important is front and centre.

“As an example, let me activate an alarm on the demo system,” she says. “Up here we have 3 different alarm viewers – this is the viewer alarm tool bar when you log on and depending on my privileges as an operator I might see one viewer or I might see many of them.

“In this case I have 3 viewers, the north of the country, the south the country and a viewer for duress. What we are showing here is that you can now create a viewer specifically designed to pop to the front and you can then filter the content of that viewer if there’s an incident.”

The viewers can be moved about, too. If there are multiple monitors in a system operators can grab one drag it off and pop it onto another monitor that might display another part of the system. The idea is to distribute viewers in such a way that suits operators.

“As part of this, whenever you are logged on as an operator you always have your own personal summary of all the alarm events that are designated to be visible to you,” Thompson explains. “When you sit down you can click on the list and skip to the first priority alarm – you click that and through you go to a viewer showing all the details of that alarm.

“On a practical note, when you lay out these screens you actually designate what resolution monitor you are using. An alarm viewer for a particular location may not need a big alarm list that gets in the way – so I can dedicate most my screen to the things I really need to know. Things like: where is this alarm? What does the team need to do? All of these tiles you can size on screen yourself.”

During the demo Thompson works quickly away. She positions an alarm list to the left and a panel with chosen tiles to the right. She selects a range of elements in her tiles including site graphics and a card expiry list. Next, she actuates an access denied event using a card and a reader linked to the demo system.

In a powerful demonstration of the nature of the system, when the event is denied, all the information selected for such an event is displayed. This includes information about the person, their photo. Other events related to them. And if there’s integrated video available, you get live video from the door.

Now Thompson dives off into another scenario, in this case the alarm has video integration and the screen is configured to show footage from a door open too long alarm, as well as a filtered event trail. This event trail allows operators to see who left the door open and follow where they have gone. And if there’s a hardware problem with a door or an alarm contact, then this can be diagnosed and a response organised.

“Now see how over here where I’ve tiled all of the other related elements as a film strip?” she asks. “If I click on that I can jump to details, or I can click on the header and go back to my standard layout – you can see it’s really easy to navigate.”

One of the nice things about the screen configuration is the flexibility operators have with the alarm list. This is not just bunged smack in the middle of the screen, consuming wall-to-wall acreage but displaying nothing that’s relevant. Instead the list can be docked to the top, bottom, right or left – and you can size the alarm list for the sort of information you want to display. There’s no layout restriction imposed on the operator at all.

Can multiple operators have a different layout based on privileges? I ask. Indeed they can, Thompson says. Everybody can have their own layout if they chose to do so.

Something else that’s different in the alarm list in v7.0 is that there used to have a big band of flashing colour that flashed on and off when an alarm was not acknowledged. There are instances in which particular nuisance alarms or expected alarms – faults or door opens for maintenance – need to be ignored. This flashing made for tiring viewing. The red alert is still there but it’s now much smaller.

Monitor site viewers

Next, Thompson runs me through monitor site viewers which she says are the same concept as alarms viewers but which start off with a blank canvas. With monitor site viewers you pull together components into tiles and filter content to give the ‘views’ of the system status you need. You might want to view the status of a building, a floor or a single door and with site viewers you can designate how the relevant information is presented to you.

A key way you use the monitor site viewer is view-only challenge mode. To demonstrate, Thompson badges a card at a ‘door’ in the demo panel configured for view-only challenge.

“See how all the details of the person badging immediately update for that cardholder so the system is showing me the last person through and whether they were granted access or not. Some people use this as a view-only challenge while other operators take control using override and open the door for a cardholder. This can also be integrated with video.”

Thompson explains that the overall configuration of the system may entail 6 main site plans which are always available to operators along with an event trail. If there’s an event, operators can zoom into the plan for more detail about the event and for cardholder detail and with a single click they can reverse back to a standard layout.

“On smaller sites there might just be a site plan with video and a thumbnail you get to size. In this part of the interface operators can also control a camera if they are privileged to do so,” she says.

“The way we envisage a lot of people using this part of the system is creating a panel relating to different areas of the site – say a remote building or a floor or even just a high security door. How you filter these components depends on the views you want but because it’s flexible on the configuration side what you do with it is up to your imagination.

“Here we are looking at the admin building site plan, we have the main items and in this tile I can add items by searching for them – I can look for the lecture block and it will show me everything related to that, it filters for me, I can add things on the fly and then when done get rid of them from the tile.

“And if I want to monitor anything I can head off through the system picking anything that’s relevant to that door or area or cardholder and add it to my tile and then head back to my home site plan. Over there I can use this information in my tile and when an incident is resolved I can just remove it.”

There’s also a status tile that is similar in behaviour but it is preconfigured and there’s a guard tour tile with macros showing operators how to mix and match. If you integrate the tile with CCTV you can bring through live video from compatible systems and DVRs. This system of configurable tiles is really clever and allows operators to condense overall system functionality wherever they need it.

“On the cardholder admin side we have pulled together all the information about a person on a single screen and we let operators configure it – so there’s a lot of information we potentially hold for people,” Thompson explains.

“With admin we also made the search as simple as we could – you just start typing part of the first or second name of the cardholder and on the third letter the system starts querying and suggesting potential matches.

“You can also configure the fields that turn up in the search results, configure the fields you are allowed to search on and select different search options,” she says.

“You can then copy results, pop them into an excel spread sheet and email it – it’s a simple onscreen reporting option where you don’t have to go off to the reporting engine.”

V7.00 also has a filtered event trail

“Basically when you are looking at a person through an alarm or a cardholder viewer you can see recent events for the person as well as any events that an operator actioned for a person – so if details where updated they could be seen,” Thompson says.

“Prior to this, operators would have to know how to go off to a report and know how to select these particular things which would take a bit of time. So v7.00 has a level of configurability to include and display just what you need to handle admin and everything is much more accessible than before – you click a button and we lead you through whatever you need to do to make the system work best for you.”

The system also has the ability to offer video integration – an ActiveX control can be displayed inside a tile and that tile can be maximised or minimised and the video scaled up and down when viewed. When it comes to DVR integration this brings stored video relating to an alarm event – such video can still be viewed through the alarm viewer, and anywhere throughout the system you can pull in that live video feed if you need it.

“The next thing we are looking to migrate is the reporting engine and we are designing that at the moment and coming up with concepts about how it will fit in with these viewer concepts and the config side,” explains Thompson.

“I think that will be impressive – I’m excited about the plans we have to date. There are a few other things in the pipeline – but nothing I can tell you about at the moment!”

Keeping workers safe is a vital part of conducting business efficiently and effectively. What was once considered a security access control decision can now be thought of in broader terms as a business workforce enablement decision.

Access control can be greatly enriched when informed by data from integrated systems including business and regulatory policy defining an individual’s suitability for access – e.g. their status in terms of induction, training, certification, licences, and fitness for work.

Employers’ ability monitor and control which areas are accessed, and by which employees keeps workers safe by making sure the restricted areas are only accessed by compliant staff with necessary skills and training. In case of an emergency evacuation, employers are able to know exactly who is on site and which area they last accessed.

Identity Analytics, a function in the Gallagher access system ensures people are competent, safe and accountable as they move around on site. Identity Analytics provides a high degree of control and certainty by ensuring the right people (who are inducted, trained, licensed and competent and therefore compliant with regulations) with the right assets (e.g. vehicles or safety equipment), are in the right place at the right time, and by alerting system operators to exceptions. This greatly mitigates the risk of accidents, partial or full site shutdown and corporate liability.

Partial or full site lockdown during threat or emergency situations allows only a selected group of staff such as rescue or medical personnel to enter and exit locked down zones, so no one else can enter a dangerous area in case of a site evacuation.

Bi-directional information flow between business systems overlaid with policy and its effect ‘at the door’ delivers an ongoing impact throughout your organisation. As business rules are set, managers are assured that organisational and regulatory policy is automatically enforced. The effect on day-to-day business can be felt on the ground by every employee – they have the assurance that their co-workers are fit for work and their working environment is safe.

Identity Analytics delivers truly intelligent access control decisions which are communicated in a meaningful way on distributed hardware ‘at the door’. Staff can be warned via a door reader screen of any upcoming expiry of their licences or competencies, so they can proactively address these issues and prevent them from becoming an impediment to their access. If denied access, they are immediately informed of corrective action to be taken in order to have their access to an area re-instated. For example, a employee may be denied access if he needs to complete certain training before accessing equipment or a licence to access a vehicle before signing on for his shift.

This system can be advantageous across multiple industries. High-risk industries like critical infrastructure, manufacturing plants or mines especially can benefit from the feature. Xstrata Copper’s Mount Isa Mines operates one of the largest underground mines in the world. As they handle explosives, operate machinery and work as deep as 1800 metres below ground, Xstrata Copper requires first class safety and security systems. The company is committed to providing a safe, productive and healthy work environment and utilises Gallagher security system to achieve this goal.

Mount Isa Mines Emergency and Protective Services Superintendent Darren Bracey said the complex mix of mining, processing and smelting at Mount Isa presented numerous challenges when it came to ensuring the safety of employees and general public. “We must allow for movement of authorised personnel with a minimum effort, while ensuring all the necessary training, induction and other entry requirements are current,” he said. “We must also be able to ensure that personnel who are not authorised to access certain areas are prevented from doing so. The powerful Gallagher software leads itself well to integration with other third party software applications to allow better management of security, health, safety, access control and contractor management.”

The Gallagher system employed at Mount Isa Mines uses several integration applications to provide a customised reporting tool to monitor the whereabouts of underground staff. As well as being interfaced to CCTV and the company’s HR management system, the Gallagher system also monitors alarms including environmental, fire, intrusion and production alarms and domestic site associated alarm systems.

Gallagher’s security solution will be installed in Cambodia’s first high-rise building, Vattanac Capital Tower.

At 183.8 meters high, the 39-storey building will be the tallest building in Phnom Penh and the city’s most prestigious commercial address, ultimately providing a unique cultural presence. Designed to meet the needs of Cambodia’s developing business community the high-rise will include trading floors, offices, high-end retail and luxury serviced apartments.

Gallagher Business Development Manager, Ian Meadows, says the exclusive development will be secured by Gallagher’s Command Centre, a Central Management Platform for Integrated Access control, designed and manufactured by the New Zealand based technology company, Gallagher.

Incorporating the Gallagher security solution will also enable a high level interface to the Schindler elevator system enabling system operators to monitor all access from one central point.

The security project will be managed by Gallagher’s Channel Partners Comin Khmere, Cambodia and AES Group, Thailand.

Gallagher, a well-known leader in the security industry has released its latest product Gallagher Command Centre v7.00.

Gallagher’s Command Centre v7.00 security integration platform (previously Cardax FT) capitalises on its highly customisable and configurable capabilities. The new client ensures the security team sees exactly what they need to see, sized and placed on screen exactly where they want it. From alarms management, to general monitoring and control; from Challenge to cardholder administration, the information the security team needs is provided seamlessly and in context, exactly as they have designed.

The product launch will be accompanied by events across the UK where end users, channel partners and consultants will have a chance to see demonstrations and an opportunity to interact staff and products.

Each event will be supported by Gallagher’s integration partners Aperio, Nedap, Sagem and Salto. Director of Advent IM Mike Gillespie will be the opening speaker, discussing the logic and benefits behind integrating security systems with other systems. Advent IM is UK’s leading independent holistic security consultancy, and will be able to offer real insight and show businesses how the benefits exceed cost saving.

“I am very excited to have the opportunity to extol the virtues and significant benefits of integrating security into other systems, such as Building Management Systems. I hope to show that the opportunities are not limited to simply cost saving and that the holistic approach should be a business imperative,” said Mr Gillespie.

Gallagher Security Product Manager Trish Thompson will also be present at the events to present the product. Gallagher Command Centre v7.00 is about “the control room and managing, monitoring, and controlling security within a site,” said Ms Thompson. “This version introduces the ability for you to put in front of your operators the particular information they need to see to manage the task in front of them,” she said.

One of Gallagher’s third party integrator Morpho celebrated the delivery of its millionth biometric device to the market recently. Morpho provides a wide range of ergonomic biometric devices for access control, attendance management and payment applications.

The Morpho fingerprint reader is integrated seamlessly within the Gallagher Command Centre. This world class integration allows for all enrolment, access and template management to all by completed by one management system, Gallagher Command Centre. The combination of Morpho's world class biometric terminals and Gallaghers world class perimeter, access control and intruder alarms system makes Gallagher command centre the obvious choice for biometric access control.

Morpho’s fingerprint recognition algorithms have been ranked number one for accuracy and interoperability by the National Institute of Standards & Technology. The Gallagher system and Morpho fingerprint readers are available from accredited Gallagher Dealers.

Gallagher Group is one of the most enduring brands in New Zealand's agricultural sector, but its conservative image disguises a culture of innovation, says Rob Heebink, general manager of research and development.

“From the outside looking in a lot of people see Gallagher as one of those stable old companies, all owned by the Gallagher family and there’s one guy who makes all the decisions. Well it’s nothing like that. It is a very dynamic company with a very healthy culture."

He says it can be tough recruiting software developers and engineers, especially from outside the Waikato region.

“There is this barrier called the Bombay Hills,” he says. “People perceive Hamilton still as the back country, the rural village where nothing much is happening. So we’ve got a little bit of an issue with the PR of the region itself, that is a slight disadvantage.”

Heebink left Auckland three years ago, where he had previously worked for Navman, to take up the role at Gallagher. The 73-year old private company is known for electric fencing, although the animal management division only makes up half its revenue. Security systems for a range of industries, but in particular mining, make up 40 percent and the remaining ten percent is through the manufacture of fuel pumps. According to the technology report TIN100, Gallagher Group employs 710 people and in 2011 its revenue was $175 million.

Heebink says the company spends seven percent of its revenue on research and development. He heads a 100-strong team, of which 30 are software developers. In 2010, Gallagher received $7.2 million from what is now the Ministry of Science and Innovation, towards research and development as part of the technology development grant scheme whereby 20 percent of R&D expenditure is refunded up to $2.4 million a year.

He says there is plenty of scope for software developers and engineers from a range of disciplines to experiment with new ideas.

“People are given responsibilities to make decisions – you get enough rope to hang yourself. You don’t get fired for making a mistake, you get fired for not getting off your backside.”

Around 60 percent of research and development funding goes into the security systems business. It was showing year-on-year growth of 20 to 25 percent before the recession in 2008, but this growth has slowed in recent months.

He says the security side of the business is more technology intensive, with systems being developed that integrate digital video recording systems, time in attendence systems, HR databases and digital cameras.

The target market is enterprise and high-end commercial and Heebink says the company has just developed a new version of its command centre software that is “a highly configurable and context situational aware user interface built on the .Net framework.”

He describes this as a major leap forward because it enables those in the security command centre to be instantly informed about people trying to access the site with security cards. Not only will it say why they are not being automatically allowed entry, but a screen will appear outlining the instructions for the security guard to follow.

On a mining site, the person may be refused entry because their access card shows they are not up to date with health and safety training. This is because new systems integrate compliance databases, so that workers’ access is directly linked to training.

“In the mining industry health and safety is a big issue, the cost of compliance is astronomical. The implications of a death on site are significant, a shut down costs tens of millions,” Heebink says. “So what we’ve done with our software is to integrate the access control with health and safety compliance.”

This makes it an easier sell. Security is considered a cost centre, but marry it with compliance and Gallagher reps are not just talking to the security manager, they are also in front of HR and possibly the chief executive.

On the security side of the business Heebink says Gallagher has no major competitors in New Zealand, but in animal management he cites the main rival as Tru-Test in Auckland ($90 million revenue a year according to the TIN100, 2011 report). Animal management systems will get a further boost with the compulsory introdcution of the National Animal Identification and Tracing project (NAIT) scheduled for next year.

Without regulation forcing farmers to purchase equipment such as electronic weighing scales and identification systems, he admits it would be tougher sell.

Sourced from Computerworld

The first installation of the Gallagher D21 Sensors at a correctional facility in Indiana, USA has been completed successfully.

The D21 Disturbance Sensor, which is offered as part of the Gallagher perimeter security solution, can measure and analyze the impact on the security fence when disturbed. The sensor only proceeds to signal an alarm event when certain limits are exceeded, preventing any nuisance or “false” alarms caused by wind or rain, for example.

When Gallagher certified channel partner Security Automation Systems, Inc was approached by the Indiana Department of Correction to propose a perimeter detection system, the D21 disturbance sensors were proposed for two primary reasons.

“First, the D21 sensors integrate seamlessly with the Gallagher Command Centre software, which was a key factor in the decision process. We were already integrating non-lethal electric fencing, door control and video systems with Command Centre and the state preferred not to add another, separate system. The second reason we chose the D21 sensors was cost. Compared to other technologies considered by the state the D21 sensors were the most cost-effective solution,” says Ryan Tomlinson from Security Automation Systems.

Mr Tomlinson had confidence in Gallagher and its products to carry out the job successfully. “Although this was to be our first installation of the D21 product, we were confident that between the technical ability of our staff and the support from Gallagher, we would be able to provide a successful installation,” he says. “The D21 sensors were simple to install. They easily mounted to fence posts and other structures the system was monitoring and installing the communications backbone was low-cost and straightforward.”

“After the initial process of setting the address of each sensor, we were able to power-up each new zone of sensors and get them on-line with the Gallagher Controller 6000s. Next, we were able to individually adjust the parameters of each sensor, and monitor real-time data in Command Centre according to the particular characteristics of the structure the sensor was affixed to. Overall, I was impressed with the ease of installation, the adjustability of the sensors and how well the sensors integrate with the Command Centre software.”

Approximately 1000 feet of interior chain link fence around the facility’s administration building was successfully protected with the cost-effective, yet highly secure perimeter security solutions offered by Gallagher.

Gallagher Command Centre is the central management tool for the Gallagher security system (formerly Cardax FT). It is a comprehensive Microsoft Windows-based security system that provides high-level security management for global access control, intruder alarms, voice over IP, and alarm management and perimeter security requirements. The Gallagher system is scalable, with Gallagher Command Centre server options available based on the number of doors, from less than 16 doors to an unlimited number. It can be incorporated into a company’s existing local area network, wide area network or reside on its own dedicated network.

Gallagher Command Centre links to Gallagher Controllers (6000, 3000 and 5000GL) and to operator workstations over Ethernet using TCP/ IP. Using this protocol means the system communications are Internet compatible.

According to Jake Macaskill, Gallagher product manager, third-party products, “The integration between Gallagher and Aperio enhances the level of access control for a facility, enabling more doors on a site to be secured with electronic access control. It provides the user with a central management platform delivering online, real-time access control without the need to wire all the way to the physical door.”

"Gallagher offers scalable electronic access control systems appropriate for small- to medium-sized businesses, as well as large distributed solutions for global enterprises," Huddart said. "The Aperio integration adds to the strength and scalability of these solutions by providing an easy, cost-effective option for expanding access control deeper into any facility."

Aperio is a wireless technology from ASSA ABLOY that provides an easy, affordable way to connect additional openings to an existing electronic access control system. Offering wireless communication (IEEE 802.15.4), the simplicity and flexibility of Aperio allow lower-cost installations than traditional access control with less complexity than other wireless options in the market. With more than 40 access control partners that have already adopted the technology globally, facilities can easily extend the number of doors that can be monitored with their currently installed panels and systems.

Extract from Security Products

Gallagher's association with the Indian government and business community is extremely positive following a recent visit to Gujarat by Gallagher CEO, Sir William Gallagher.

That’s according to IBEX Gallagher Manager, NV Gautham, who recently hosted the New Zealand businessman in India.

Sir William was a key speaker at the Fire & Security Association of India (Gujarat Chapter) seminar on Emerging Trends in Perimeter and Integrated Access Security. The event, sponsored by regional office Ibex Gallagher Private Limited, was attended by over 180 delegates including key government authorities engaged in security solutions & risk management businesses.

Expressing his views on the Seminar, Mr. Pankaj Dharkar, (President - FSAI Gujarat Chapter) said, “The rising level of security threat has become a major cause of concern not only for government institutions and big corporate houses but also for small entrepreneurs. Major incidents of intrusion have become very common and to prevent such incidents, we need to adopt integrated security solutions applying advanced technology. In this rapidly changing scenario, various security solutions available in the market acquire new dimensions in line with the technological advancement and seminars like this would help us to understand and adopt this kind of new solutions.” Mr. Dharkar explained that this is why Sir William Gallagher was invited to present at the seminar. “He is an excellent leader and well known for his pioneering efforts in electric power fence systems.”

Gallagher has developed electric perimeter fence systems as a first line of defence. The systems provide a unique physical and psychological barrier to detect and deter would-be intruders and are installed around the world by some of the most demanding customers including organizations in the utilities, transport, airports, ports, corrections and defense sectors through to a wide range of commercial, manufacturing, self storage and distribution sites. Gallagher systems can be installed stand alone or directly interfaced with any other type of intruder alarm, access control, or integrated security system for arming and disarming zones, alarm monitoring and signaling.

While in India, Sir William also joined key IBEX Gallagher staff at a meeting with the Gujarat Chief Minister, Honorable Shri Narendra Modi, to discuss ideas on better security management for the State of Gujarat. The discussions were focused on protection of State Boundaries / perimeter and protection of important premises which are most vulnerable for attack, with implantation of proper system and policy for perimeter protection & integrated security for better management.

Sir William Gallagher says "The Government of Gujarat has Gallagher's full support in its endeavor to provide a safer, secure and stronger Gujarat."

Country living, recreational lakes, a tree house, stables, horse trails, a children’s playground, barbeque area and jogging tracks are all key features of a high quality Sime Darby residential complex. But a high quality lifestyle often requires high level, low profile security, and meeting this expectation can be difficult. However Sime Darby, Malaysia’s leading multinational conglomerate, has achieved this model with an integrated access and perimeter security solution from Gallagher.

Sime Darby Property (SDP) focuses on property development with interests in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, China, Australia and the UK. The company has complementary operations in property investment, asset management, hospitality and leisure. SDP was established to enable the consolidated management of all the property related companies held by the Sime Darby Group, guided by the vision to be a leader in building sustainable communities. The company’s properties are extensive and range from low-cost to high-end, landed to high rise and freehold to leasehold units catering to various consumer demands and preferences.

Regardless of the customer needs, Sime Darby places a strong emphasis on quality. As the foundation of their brand values, quality needs to be reflected in its security solution. Among the features enjoyed by residents in a Sime Darby residential complex is the 24-hour security and patrolling service incorporating a Gallagher perimeter security fence and central access management system.

Sime Darby has installed a Gallagher security system which is monitored 24/7 at the command centre located within the guardhouse by on-site security staff. Remote maintenance monitoring is also carried out by PowerFence Malaysia at their purpose built monitoring facility.

The Gallagher system is a comprehensive Microsoft® Windows® based security programme which integrates access control and alarms management, intruder alarm monitoring, remote digital imaging, intercom, and more. A crucial benefit for the site security is the ability to collect real time data and integrate with all other key systems such as the DVR and CCTV.

The Gallagher platform integrated with the perimeter electric security fence is used to detect and deter would-be intruders with a short, sharp, safe pulse. Despite the level of physical security introduced at the Sime Darby residential compound, the overall aesthetics of the facility have not been compromised.

Gallagher’s exclusive distributor, PowerFence Malaysia, is responsible for installation of the security system at Sime Darby sites and they are now a preferred vendor for the group.

Managing Director, Prema Nair says her company is completely aware of Sime Darby’s reputation for quality. “When we install a Gallagher perimeter electric fence we will blend the fence components in with the surrounding environment. We work very closely with the designers to help Sime Darby present a quality image.”

She says the inclusion of a Gallagher high level security system has become a key feature during the Sime Darby sales process.

“Sime Darby places a strong emphasis on the benefits of the Gallagher security system. When a new residential complex is launched they will host an open day to educate customers on the security features offered.”

Enhancing the perimeter security system on site is third party integrator, Nedap. The complex holds a Gallagher-enabled variant of Nedap’s long range automatic vehicle identification (AVI) system. The integration enables driver and vehicle identification and access control to be managed and monitored via the Gallagher Command Centre, the central control server of the access management system. Nedap’s system provides long range vehicle identification from distances up to 10 meters [33 feet] even when a vehicle is travelling at high speed. This solution ensures that a vehicle can never leave, or get access to the secured area unless occupied by an authorized driver.

Prema says integrating third party products such as Nedap with Gallagher products is another key feature of the complete security solution. “We provide total project management for Sime Darby delivering a high quality secure system and peace of mind for residents.”