SecurityNewsDesk spoke to Derek Maltby, managing director at Global MSC Security (MSC), about the continued success of the Bristol-based independent security consultants. It has been an exciting and busy year for the team at Global MSC as major public bodies and private companies seek out the experienced and independent advice available from Maltby and the Global MSC team.
The big news is the addition of staff to cope with the growing demands of the business. Graeme Gerrard the former Cheshire Police Deputy Chief Constable, ACPO CCTV spokesperson and author of the National CCTV Strategy who retired last year has joined the company together with Gavin Archery formerly of Bewator and Siemens. They join Maltby and the other members of the team of Roger Hardiman (formerly Optimum) and David White.
The consultancy was recently awarded a contract to review the security systems and processes for government agency VOSA, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency. In addition, the Welsh Transport Technology Consultancy (WTTC), a collaboration between Amey and URS, acting for the Welsh Government, chose MSC to assist with the compilation of the tender specification to replace all the motorway cameras along the M4 motorway and major trunk roads in Wales. With more than 300 cameras on an old analogue system, the client is looking to make the system more efficient and reduce maintenance costs.
A number of councils, including Weymouth and Portland Borough, Cherwell, West Oxfordshire and Aylesbury Vale District Councils, have also recently sought out the independent experience of Global MSC. That success is continuing and the consultancy was recently awarded two major jobs in the London Borough of Sutton.
They completed a feasibility study of the area’s public space surveillance cameras and made recommendations about reducing the number to save money. The consultancy has also been asked by the Borough to compile a tender specification to upgrade those cameras and the transmission systems to include road traffic enforcement cameras and software and which could include wireless to avoid the need to continuing paying line rental to third parties. Another recent contract awarded to MSC is for an operational requirement for the planned refurbishment of the Civic Centre, which houses around 60 cameras. MSC are exploring the options to link this system with the public space surveillance system to avoid potential duplication and the extra expense associated with two separate control points and systems.
As well as Sutton, the London Borough of Merton tasked Global MSC to embark on a complete review of their public space surveillance cameras and establish the costs of replacing rented fibre-optic cablings with a stand-alone wireless transmission system. Cherwell District Council has asked MSC to examine their public space CCTV cameras in Bicester and Kidlington with a view to establishing if these can be migrated onto wireless transmission to avoid on-going revenue costs associated with fibre optic cabling rental. MSC is also working on behalf of another London Borough intending to upgrade and improve its public space CCTV system.
As well as public bodies, MSC is trusted by private companies with valuable assets to protect. The leading UK legal expenses insurer DAS Group awarded them a contract to carry out a security review and is now in the process of compiling tenders to install an integrated security system on one platform and procure a new manned guarding contract. With three buildings in Bristol and two in South Wales, DAS’ intention is to monitor their own premises with a sophisticated ‘cause and effect’ designed security system. A new shopping centre built by Sainsbury’s in Bicester has just been formally handed over and this CCTV system which is monitored by the council public space system 15 miles away, was designed by MSC to meet with the National CCTV Strategy recommendations to avoid the duplication of separate control rooms with the recovery of recorded data implications for the police.
MSC is hosting its latest security industry seminar entitled ‘Making the Most of CCTV’ at the Marriot Royal Hotel in Bristol on 12 November. A panel of eminent speakers will be discussing cutting edge topics in global video surveillance, counter terrorism and public safety, with some of the industry’s leading experts already confirmed to take to the stage.
An accompanying exhibition area will feature dozens of companies showcasing latest equipment and services, and delegates from across councils, universities, the police force, major institutions and blue chip companies will be in attendance in Bristol. It is a quality opportunity for people in the marketplace to demonstrate their technology and for buyers to see a wide number of solutions showcased under one roof.
