LifeWay Christian Resources, one of the world’s largest providers of Christian resources, recently constructed a new building to house its Nashville, TN headquarters (HQ), with the objective of reducing square footage and operational costs, while creating a more secure yet convenient and aesthetically pleasing access control system for its 1,100 employees and 15,000+ annual visitors.
Other goals were to ensure the lobby of the new HQ more welcoming and open, but also more secure in order to control visitor traffic access past security at the main entrance, according to Tom Lamb, LifeWay’s Engineering and Business Support Mgr.
“We wanted to direct visitors to the conference area and needed the turnstiles, elevators and cameras to be integrated.”
“We were seeking a complete package and a much more secure building.”
LifeWay partnered with Nashville-based systems integrator ACT Security, a security and technology solutions integration company for commercial buildings and luxury homes throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
ACT specified the technology solutions of Automatic Systems, the Platinum Award Winner for Best Pedestrian Entrance Control in the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program, to meet LifeWay’s objectives, having developed well-founded confidence in Automatic Systems, based on superior results that Automatic Systems had delivered on previous projects.
Obstacles to Overcome
Designing a seamless pedestrian access solution for LifeWay employees was just one part of the project’s equation.
ACT and Automatic Systems were also tasked with securing LifeWay’s vehicle parking garage facilities, managing the flow of visitor traffic to its Conference Center area, and eliminating unauthorized visitors and tailgating at entry points.
As part of the solution, the access system needed to be integrated with the elevators using multiple readers and technologies, to enable an elevator dispatch system directing users to their designated elevator and floor.
Ultimate Solution
To secure employee and visitor access to its new headquarters, LifeWay chose Automatic Systems’ SlimLane EPR optical turnstiles for the lobby and its ParkPlus smart parking barrier gates for the parking garage.
(Automatic Systems’ SlimLane range of swing doors speed gates is the most compelling product offering for security turnstiles on the market, combining maximum throughput in a minimum footprint with high speed and best in class security in a modern and streamlined design. Courtesy of Automatic Systems and YouTube.)
LifeWay’s existing access control system was incorporated into the Automatic Systems’ networkable security optical turnstiles, allowing for a streamlined, ultra-reliable access control process.
The SlimLanes are backed by a five year warranty, rather than the two year industry standard, and are UL2593 certified for electrical and mechanical safety.
SlimLane’s rated 10 million MCBF (mean cycles between failure) gave LifeWay an added assurance that the security lanes will give them many years of reliable service.
Results
With the integration of the SlimLane EPR optical turnstile security lanes and ParkPlus parking gates, LifeWay now has one unified access control system employed for both employees and visitors that is maximizing security and convenience while also delivering significant cost savings in its new, state-of-the-art headquarters.
(Whether your requirement is for toll roads, parking areas, access to bridges, tunnels or the closing and entry control of private or industrial sites, Automatic Systems provides thee right product suitable for your application. Courtesy of Automatic Systems.)
With data collected from their access control, LifeWay was able to significantly reduce the footprint in square footage eliminating two of the floors needed to house its 1500 employees.
In addition, with the data the Automatic Systems turnstiles are providing, Lifeway continues to track how well they are utilizing their building.
Because of this data, Lifeway has plans to consolidate employees on fewer floors in order to lease space and offset facility costs.
LifeWay was also able to eliminate 200 parking spots resulting in an upfront construction cost – and ongoing utilities cost reduction – in the millions of dollars.
End user satisfaction
LifeWay reports that the newly installed Automatic Systems turnstiles worked seamlessly from Day One.
As Randy Mann, President, CEO and Partner of ACT Security notes, “Automatic Systems wowed the client with their presentation of features/benefits and was there for us and LifeWay every step of the way.”
“When we started comparing the reliability of the systems proposed, we made the unanimous decision to go with Automatic Systems because they are a North American manufacturer who delivers unsurpassed reliability and support; the best warranty in the industry; and, the beautiful aesthetics needed for this project.”
“It turned out to be the best decision for us. Based on our previous experience with Automatic Systems, we were confident in their performance capability.”
“The finished product is perfect for LifeWay’s needs– it’s the kind of building people enter and say ‘WOW’ to – and the design of the SlimLane EPR optical turnstiles are beautiful.”
(Learn More about Automatic Systems Capabilities, courtesy of Automatic Systems and YouTube.)
Automatic Systems at a Glance
Automatic Systems, a Returning Sponsor for the Third Consecutive Year in the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program, is a world leader in the automation of secure entrance control, designs and manufactures pedestrian, vehicle and passenger physical access control equipment, which features the following and more.
Full-height Turnstile – TRS37x: Lock down the perimeter of enclosed outdoor sites and ensure single-user throughput.
Anti-terrorist retractable obstacle – RSB: Protect your site from unwanted intrusions. Its structure and dimensions enables it to resist violent impacts up to PAS 68’.
Reinforced raising fenced barrier – BLG7x: Offers a robust alternative to a sliding gate, while having advantages in terms of maneuvering speed and obstruction on the ground.
Intelligent parking barrier– ParkPlus: Thanks to its embedded web server, it is possible to configure and monitor the gate remotely.
ParkPlus is now available as an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) version allowing automatic recognition of license plates.
Elegant security entrance lanes, and 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winner for Best Pedestrian Entrance Control – the ‘SlimLane‘ series combines high throughput and compact footprint.
Thanks to its best in class detection, SlimLane prevents the unauthorized access by detecting fraud deterrence (tailgating) while differentiating between humans and many other objects such as trolleys and wheelchairs.
ClearLock – High security portal: ClearLock detection enables it to identify a user, stop tailgating and can also prevent against the threat of dangerous objects in order to ensure that the most sensitive areas of your building remain closed to non-authorized persons.
Automatic Systems Takes Platinum in the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program
Automatic Systems
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Platinum Award Winner – Best Pedestrian Entrance Control
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Slimlane SQ Swing Arm Optical Turnstile
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*Automatic Systems is a Featured Gold Sponsor of the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program, and a 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Platinum Award Winner.
The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is specifically designed to honor distinguished government and vendor solutions that deliver enhanced value, benefit and intelligence to end users in a variety of government, homeland security and public safety vertical markets.
The 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program drew an overwhelming response from industry leaders with a record high number of corporate and government nominations received, as well as record breaking ‘ASTORS’ Presentation Luncheon Attendees, with top firms trying to register for the exclusive high – end luncheon and networking opportunity – right up to the event kickoff on Wednesday afternoon, at the ISC East registration!
Over 130 distinguished guests representing National, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms, gathered from across North America, Europe and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields which included:
- The Department of Homeland Security
- The Federal Protective Service (FPS)
- Argonne National Laboratory
- The Department of Homeland Security
- The Department of Justice
- The Security Exchange Commission Office of Personnel Management
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Viasat, Hanwha Techwin, Lenel, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Verint, Canon U.S.A., BriefCam, Pivot3, Milestone Systems, Allied Universal, Ameristar Perimeter Security and More!
The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program highlighting the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition, and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.
The 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program was Proudly Sponsored by ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, Desktop Alert, and Royal Holdings Technologies.
Early Bird Nominations are now being accepted for the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland SecurityAwards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.
Comprehensive List of Categories Include:
| Access Control/ Identification | Personal/Protective Equipment | Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism |
| Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System | Interagency Interdiction Operation | Cloud Computing/Storage Solution |
| Facial/IRIS Recognition | Body Worn Video Product | Cyber Security |
| Video Surveillance/VMS | Mobile Technology | Anti-Malware |
| Audio Analytics | Disaster Preparedness | ID Management |
| Thermal/Infrared Camera | Mass Notification System | Fire & Safety |
| Metal/Weapon Detection | Rescue Operations | Critical Infrastructure |
| License Plate Recognition | Detection Products | And Many Others! |
Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?
Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
2018 Champions Edition
See the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Champions Edition – ‘Best Products of 2018 ‘ Year in Review’ for in-depth coverage of the outstanding products and services of firms receiving American Security Today’s 2018‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards.’
Enter Early to Maximize Media Coverage of your Products and Services at Kickoff, and Get the Recognition Your Organization Deserves!
And be sure to Register Early for the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East 2019 to ensure your place at this limited- space event!
Why the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program?
American Security Today’s comprehensive Annual Homeland Security Awards Program is organized to recognize the most distinguished vendors of physical, IT, port security, law enforcement, and first responders, in acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to ‘Keep our Nation Secure, One City at a Time.’
Why American Security Today?
American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 70,000 readers at the Federal, State and local levels of government as well as firms allied to government.
The old traditional security marketplace has been covered by a host of security publications that have changed little over many years.
American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that provides our readers with solutions to their challenges.
Our Editorial staff provides a full plate of topics for our AST monthly digital editions, AST Website and AST Daily News Alerts.
The editorial calendar and AST’s high drawing website features 23 different Technology and Marketing Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities and Emergency Response among others.
These sectors are part of the new integration, where these major applications communicate with one another in a variety of solutions to protect our cities and critical infrastructure.
(Learn More about Automatic Systems and see a product demonstration by David Enderle, Vice President of Sales for Automatic Systems at ISC East in New York City.)
