Security Excellence Awards 2010
Having won "Large Security installer of the year" in 2008, been finalists in 2009 in the International Achievement category, we are delighted to announce that for the 3rd year running Universal Security Systems have been selected as finalists in the category of Large Security Installer of the Year for this years Security Excellence Awards.
Our submission was based on three projects which were: Nomura at One Angel Lane, 30 St Mary Axe and Canary Wharf. This underlines our position as a leading systems integrator.
The ultimate winners of the Security Excellence Awards 2010 will be announced at a high profile Black Tie Dinner and Awards ceremony to be held at the London Hilton, Park Lane, on the evening of Thursday 21st October.
ISO 14001 Environmental Standard Achievement
Universal security systems have just been granted the premier environmental award reflecting its ongoing commitment to environmental issues as well as the quality of its environment management system (EMS).
The ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management Systems (EMS) international standard has only been gained by a small number of security integrators in the UK.
The ISO 14001 is the international accreditation for a Management System which illustrates an organisation's commitment to the highest possible environmental standards. Few integrators have been certified with ISO 14001 which therefore demonstrates Universal security's dedication to the environment and issues surrounding sustainability, thus endorsing their 'green' credentials to current and prospective clients.
James Crouch, Managing Director for Universal Security Systems commented “the ISO 14001 accreditation has made us aware of implications we have as a business on the environment and how simple changes can make a big impact now and in the future. As a company Universal are committed to reducing our impact on the environment."
Exceptional NSI Audit
Universal Security Systems have been given a clean sweep of 'A's across the board in a recent audit by the National Security Inspectorate (NSI).
The NSI is the leading approvals and certification body that assesses security installers, and Universal impressed the inspectorate in areas including workmanship, innovative use of new technology and sound design practice as well as quality of documentation and levels of customer care.
James Crouch, a Director and founder of Universal, said: "Ensuring that the company's operational methods are documented scrupulously is a roots-up part of the culture here and our internal processes are stringent. They are matched by working practice on site and we are among an elite group of installers who have NSI NACOSS Gold approval across the three disciplines of CCTV, access control and intruder alarms."
Universal have been an accredited member of the NSI (formerly NACOSS) for 15 years and have been audited annually during this period. The inspectorate insists on an open-book approach and access to documentation associated with the projects that the installer offers up for evaluation. Associated completion reports must also be made available.
Mr Crouch continued: “Universal offered the NSI a portfolio of work to assess which underlined the breadth of our support services. A site inspection was made of Transport for London’s major new office at Palestra House in Southwark where the NSI representative gained feedback from the client’s security staff. The project showed Universal making optimum use of advanced turnstiles, Pelco dome cameras, structured cabling and access control units from Grosvenor Technology.”
The support service side of Universal’s business was scrutinised rigorously both at Palestra House and two other projects where client confidentiality issues precluded visits. It was a condition of the NSI inspection that the principal audit should be of a wide-ranging, recently completed project in which factors such as preventive maintenance could be assessed.
Palestra House is only one of a range of iconic London structures on which Universal have worked recently, with other projects including the Willis Tower, the London Eye and 30 St Mary Axe (popularly known as ‘The Gherkin’.) The exceptionally high rating in this NSI audit comes in the wake of Universal winning a Security Excellence Award in the category of Large Security Installer of the Year.
A focus of Universal’s approach is the permanent on-site presence of an engineer known as a Direct Support Services Technician. Crucially, this engineer will not only be the client’s reference point for technical matters but will have business acumen to ensure an understanding of the end-user’s trading conditions and real-life commercial objectives.
Universal Wins Security Excellence Award
Universal has won a 2008 Security Excellence Award in the category of Large Security Installer of the Year. The awards are organised by industry publisher CMP who are responsible for two of the sector's leading publications, Security Management Today and Security Installer. Judges evaluate companies and teams who have demonstrated outstanding professionalism in the industry and we were commended for innovation and technical excellence at three of our recent projects in London.
The panel's criteria included the highest standards of workmanship, meeting customer expectations and providing the benefits of the latest technology and solutions. And our fully IP-addressable installation at the Willis Tower in the capital received special praise. Originally an analogue solution, Universal re-engineered it to a fully IP based solution that saved money on the original design and offered greater flexibility.
Feedback on this project from Nicholas Innel, Chief security officer at architect Sir Norman Foster's 26-storey landmark skyscraper in the financial district of London, stressed that our staff communicated exceptionally well with the client and delivered to deadline and budget. The 125-metre tower features a distinctly stepped and curved façade that is set to become a London landmark and the office space houses a prominent insurance company.
Universal underlined its commitment to open protocols and converging technologies here by creating a resilient IP camera network of 100 Panasonic units based on building blocks common to the tower's existing IT infrastructure. This approach was not only the correct solution technically but was also environmentally sound, an important factor in our working methods.
Our other installations evaluated by the judges included work for Arup and Partners. One of the top global security consultants who have won Security Excellence Awards themselves on several occasions, Arup have unrivalled experience of working with major installers. The choice of Universal by such a discerning client to work on a new London base is a ringing endorsement of our use of technology and the rigour of our working methods.
A focus of Universal's approach is the permanent on-site presence of an engineer known as a Direct Support Services Technician (DSST.) Crucially, this engineer will not only be the client's reference point for technical matters but will have business acumen to ensure that he or she understands the end-user's trading conditions and real-life commercial objectives.
It was one of our directors, James Crouch, who stepped up to collect the award at the Hilton Hotel in London. James said: "I'm thrilled that by recognising us in this way the panel has endorsed our commitment to customer care as well as our success in using new technology." He continued "There were a number of strong entrants in the category, which included previous winners and so for Universal to win this award shows us that our customers value the approach we take to looking after their security needs."
We are keen to illustrate the working methods that received praise during this awards process and invite customers to get in touch to outline their projects, see our site references and discuss working methods and possible solutions. If you have a project that you think could benefit from Universal's innovative approach, please call today on 020 7511 8080 or send an email by clicking here and we will be happy to discuss ways in which you can take advantage of the most effective solutions available to you.
IFSEC Selects Universal for IP Innovation
The IP Innovation Centre is an education area for both end users and installers. It will be based on a specially designed IP journey created by Universal Security and CNL. See us at IFSEC Stand: 18178 Hall 18
The Government of Kuwait National Oil Refinery, Kuwait City, Kuwait
This 33 square kilometre mega facility is the Government of Kuwait's national pride. When selecting a company to install and service their flagship oil refinery the Government had the choice of many leading British, American and European companies.
They chose Universal Security for their proven installation and project management expertise allied with their excellent service delivery. Having recently won the project in the second quarter of 2008, Universal have now started the first phase which is due for completion by the end of the year.
The Willis Tower, City of London
The newest iconic skyscraper in the City of London, In the heart of the City of London, a bold new landmark is taking shape. The 26-storey tower is the new London home of Willis one of the World's premier insurance services firms. Designed by Sir Norman Foster and featuring a distinct stepped and curved facade, the 125-metre tower is ground breaking in other ways. A bespoke security system protects its people and assets, leveraging the benefits of a secure IP network.
By creating a resilient network based upon building blocks common to IT, Willis are able to manage and adapt their physical security quickly and easily to meet the growing challenges of business life. A purpose designed network carries high resolution CCTV from over one hundred Panasonic cameras to the new security control centre in the heart of the Tower. Added to this is a secure smartcard Access Control system with the same IP based flexibility making future moves or changes simply a matter of plug and play.
The system was installed and commissioned by Universal Security Systems who also provided the design capability for the IP CCTV system.
"We are proud to have been selected to work with Willis on their exciting new home" said Paul Mangham, Director of Universal Security "Combining security and the open architecture of TCP/IP is the challenge. With the help of our dedicated networks team and specialist suppliers we were able to do this and exceed the clients performance criteria," added Paul.
The Gherkin Tower, City of London
Arguably the London's most iconic skyscraper in London the building officially known as 30 St Mary Axe, but better known as "The Gherkin" is an integration of a number of systems including Access Control, CCTV, and Barriers.
Our system design allowed for the flexibility of multiple tenants over multiple floors that are continually moving in and moving out to have control over their individual staff, yet allow the landlord to have full control of the systems and people within the building.
Microsoft Certifications
As the security and networking sectors converge it is vitally important that engineers have the skills to work with the new IP technologies. As part of their commitment to ongoing training, Universal are pleased to announce that a number of engineers have been certified as "Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers". To achieve this they have demonstrated their expertise, knowledge and skills in implementing technology solutions.
First in Europe
Honeywell have awarded Universal security systems the level of Platinum certified NexWatch dealer. Universal are proud to be the first company in Europe to achieve this accreditation for installation of NexWatch systems.
