Future-proof Access Control System in the Carbon Tower Office Building

After having some issues with AC solutions from another supplier on one of the first investments, the investor decided to look for an alternative solution. Ultimately, RACS 5 was selected — the Polish Enterprise-class access control system from Roger company, which was first implemented in the Equal Business Park B office building in Cracow and then adopted as the standard of AC solution in other buildings of the Cavatina group. It was influenced not only by the Polish pedigree of both hardware and software, but most of all by Cavatina’s experience gained in previous projects, where the RACS 5 system proved to be very successful.

In the Carbon Tower office building, the system was originally installed in the standard version (ST), and then expanded to the enterprise (EX) version due to the later requirement to integrate RACS 5 with the Integral by Cavatina office management application.

MCT80M-BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) proximity readers have been installed in the building. Selected readers enable proximity identification in the MIFARE® standard and mobile identification (Bluetooth, NFC), which increases both the convenience of using the system and its security. These readers were also used due to the necessity to integrate the AC system with the office management platform using, apart from standard cards, also mobile access (BLE/NFC).

Additionally, QR readers have been installed in selected places, which enables the full scope of using the Integral by Cavatina application in the facility. Thanks to this solution, guests visiting the building can quickly and conveniently move around the building by scanning the QR code that they received in the e-mail invitation to the meeting. A QR code works just like a virtual card and allows access to specific building areas (e.g., conference room), with the difference that guests do not have to download the app to their phones. In addition, it is possible to register guests on a Zonifero tablet located at the reception.

Integrated with the RACS 5 access control system, the Integral application allows for comprehensive management of the provided office resources, from booking a parking space with its location on an interactive map, meetings in an integrated calendar, company cars, or equipment. There is also the possibility of reporting problems and failures or arranging and organizing meetings for employees and external guests. Thanks to the integration, there is no need to additionally grant the necessary access rights to resources controlled by RACS 5, which significantly improves the use of the entire system.

The cards used are dual system, which allows them to be used not only at access control doors but also in installed garage door and barrier systems with the use of long-range antennas. These solutions are integrated with the RACS 5 system using Roger adjusting modules. Electric strikes, electromagnetic locks and turnstiles were used as actuators. Due to the applicable normative and legal conditions, these elements are also controlled/released from the level of the fire protection system.

In addition to the basic building system, some tenants also have their own, internal, autonomous AC systems, which are also implemented in the RACS 5 system using common cards/identifiers. The possibility to import/export identifiers/users between independent systems provides great convenience.

The implementation began in 2018, it is being carried out in stages and customized to the progress of works carried out in connection with the continuous adaptation of space by new tenants. The main part was completed in about half a year. A dedicated, physical LAN network was made for the needs of the system.

The selected system met all the requirements, especially those regarding its scalability and flexibility, both at the implementation stage and during the subsequent operation. What is equally important, the manufacturer provided full and quick support at every stage of the system installation. Any updates in configuration, both in terms of changing authorizations, organization of access zones, and extensions, take place without disturbing the system’s operation. The native Polish Enterprise-class system enabled the integration of the AC system with the Integral by Cavatina office management application and remains open to the possibility of cooperation with other systems at a reasonable price. The method of software licensing is also important, as it allows for flexible expansion of the system’s functionality. At the same time, the adoption of a uniform standard of the access control system on all newly implemented investments guarantees the reliability of the solutions used and their maintenance at the highest level with the full support of the manufacturer.

The next planned stages include the expansion of the system with additional doors in accordance with the requirements of new users of the facility and the implementation of the License Plate Recognition (LPR) function in the AC system.