Cape Town`s Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront is planning to RFID tag its 300 security guards, in what it believes will be one of the first instances of the technology`s use in SA.
V&A safety and security executive manager Duncan Cloete says the use of RFID (radio frequency identification) tagging grew out of the installation of a new security management system that was recently installed by Cape Town-based software firm Global Vision.
"The Chase (Chain Software Security Enterprise) system opened more options for use, including RFID tagging the security guards and assets, such as vehicles and hand radios," he says.
The V&A Waterfront provides retail and leisure facilities including restaurants, hotels, an aquarium, cinemas, office space and a residential area, and it experiences around 600 incidents a day. Some are security-related, but the majority are related to the tracking of assets, such as vehicles and monitoring events.
Cloete says the guards will be issued with RFID tags to keep track of them while they are doing their rounds. Tracking will be done using readers situated at key points around the complex. It can also be used to manage the guards when having to deploy them to incidents around the complex.
Possible extensions to the Chase system include the integration of facial recognition software with the V&A`s closed circuit TV system, and SMS notification whenever an alarm is set off or a locked door is opened. It also allows for key personnel to be notified when an incident has taken place. Chase, which was piloted in December, has replaced the "911 System" that was used for a number of years.
Another key feature is a mapping tool, which identifies high-risk areas by providing security staff with a detailed map of the whole Waterfront and highlighting specific regions where there is an unusually high record of incidents. This assists planning in terms of the allocation of resources.
Graeme Powel, Global Vision IT director, says the V&A installation has become his company's flagship installation for its risk management software. Other installations include Sandton City in Johannesburg and the University of Cape Town.
Powell says the basic Chase implementation costs around R128 000; however, the V&A system has a number of custom features.
"No two installations are exactly the same. We work on an 80/20 principle where the basic system is the same, but a certain amount of customisation is required," he says.
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