by Shane Henson — May 30, 2012—Brivo Systems LLC, a provider of cloud applications for security management, has successfully installed its ACS WebService within Country Maid Inc.’s new production and administration complex located in West Bend, Iowa. Strauss Security Solutions is the dealer and installer for this growing project.
ACS WebService is a Web-hosted access control solution that provides reliable, real-time access control of one’s facilities, says Brivo. A software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution, it eliminates the need for dedicated servers, software installation, system administration, and information technology (IT) hassles. The system is also easily administered via a standard Web browser.
Country Maid, a manufacturer of the Butter Braid braided pastry product line, is using Brivo ACS WebService throughout its new 28,000-square-foot production facility, a 15,000-square-foot headquarters building, and a new warehouse. During the planning and construction, Marc Banwart, a systems integration specialist, was keenly aware that the new facilities would require upgraded security in order to successfully comply with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and the requirements of the Bioterrorism Act.
For access control in the new buildings, the project architect, guided by Banwart’s requirements, brought in three providers to demonstrate various access system options.
“Strauss Security Solutions came out on top with flying colors,” says Banwart. “They introduced us to the Brivo system, which gave us a hosted solution and enabled us to put access control exactly where we needed it. With Brivo, we had no servers, no software; they handled that—that was very appealing to us.”
In choosing a new access control system, Banwart wanted to provide all staff and contractors with key fob access and to achieve a level of control and visibility to collect data on everyone’s movement within the facility to both ensure FDA compliance and to improve operations. Also, with Country Maid’s impressive growth, the system would have to provide flexibility and scalability. Another important advantage is the Brivo system’s ability to integrate with video surveillance, which the company plans to add in the near future.
At this time, Country Maid is managing 35 doors and 10 door-like access points, such as roll-up doors and freezers. For the latter, Banwart and staff monitor if a delivery door, emergency door, or a freezer door is open or shut. Banwart is managing access for approximately 100 employees and contractors divided into 17 groups, each with unique privileges based on areas and time periods for approved access. Only eight of the 45 doors are external; the majority are internal doors and access points.
Banwart says he uses the system’s report function on a regular basis both for his own information, but also to supply information to the human resources (HR) department and plant management.
