Technologies for the Office: Network, Access Control and Video Surveillance

A modern office is impossible to imagine without telecommunication systems: internet access, access control to the premises and video recording of events are an integral part of an organisation’s effective functioning. It is these office technologies that form its digital infrastructure.

In this guide we briefly describe the functionality of three key systems — a structured cabling system (SCS), an access control system and a video surveillance system. We also show how they combine with automation to make an office more efficient and secure.

Structured cabling system (SCS)

For any office to work productively, it needs a local network connecting all workplaces and enabling the exchange of information, as well as wireless internet access for flexibility and fast communication. This is the job of the SCS — the foundation of the entire digital infrastructure.

The characteristic features of a structured cabling system:

• long-term effective operation with no need for modernisation;
• modularity — changes and capacity growth without replacing the whole system;
• the use of standard interchangeable components and materials;
• minimal management and maintenance costs.

Designing an SCS requires highly qualified specialists able to develop the project and then maintain and scale the system. That is why it is laid down at the engineering design stage, together with the electrics and other networks.

Access control system

An access control system is a set of means that lets you control the visiting of both individual rooms and the object as a whole, and record the location and time staff spend on the territory. The system automatically grants access to those entitled to it and doesn’t admit those without the appropriate identifier. The identifier can even be a person’s face: modern biometric readers recognise faces and fingerprints, but RFID readers that read a unique code from a card or fob are used more often.

What access control gives:

• Security — protection of the object from unauthorised entry, preserving valuables and information, and staff safety.
• Staff access management — tracking staff movement, accounting for time worked, and detecting discipline violations.
• Access distribution — by object (accessible rooms), by time (individual schedules) and by rights (including with an expiry period).
• Raising the company’s status — access control matches modern corporate standards, so partners immediately see the company’s solidity.

Video surveillance system

Modern IP video surveillance systems have significantly expanded the possibilities of monitoring. They allow you to:

• recognise faces;
• view events in real time in high resolution and review recordings from the video server;
• work without a server connection, storing the recording on a memory card;
• remotely control cameras with rotation and zoom;
• record video only at a certain time or in alarm mode (a motion-detector trigger, etc.).

Video surveillance is an effective way to ensure office security. It helps prevent crime (the mere presence of cameras reduces the likelihood of offences), provides a record of events for investigations and lets you observe work. Importantly, under Ukrainian law, employees must be informed that video surveillance is being conducted. More on security systems is in the article Alarm & Video Surveillance in the Office.

How these technologies make an office more efficient

SCS, access control and video surveillance are the basic building blocks of a technological office. The network provides communication and data exchange, access control provides security and time tracking, and video surveillance protects property and staff. And when these systems are integrated into a single automated scheme, the office becomes truly “smart”: lighting, climate and security are managed by scenario, with resource savings.

For more on automation and intelligent control, read the article The Smart Office System: How It Works, and for smart lighting, our article on office lighting.

Office technologies with Partner Create

For SCS, access control and video surveillance to work as a single system, they should be designed and installed as part of the overall renovation. Partner Create delivers technological solutions alongside the engineering networks under general contracting.

Examples of completed offices are in the office spaces portfolio.

Office technologies in brief

• An office’s digital infrastructure consists of SCS, access control and a video surveillance system.
• SCS is the local network: modular, durable, with minimal maintenance costs.
• Access control manages entry (RFID or biometrics), tracks time and distributes rights by object, time and rights.
• Video surveillance uses modern IP cameras with face recognition, remote control and alarm-mode recording.
• The law requires informing employees about video surveillance.
• Integrating these systems with automation turns an office into a “smart” one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Implement office technologies with Partner Create

Modern technologies mean efficiency, security and comfort for an office. Partner Create will design and install SCS, access control and video surveillance alongside the renovation and take responsibility for the result.

Explore our work in the portfolio, read useful materials on the blog, or get in touch to discuss your project. Call +38 050 388 24 49.

We also recommend The Smart Office System: How It Works and Alarm & Video Surveillance in the Office — they cover automation and security in more detail.