A security technology specialist, iB Management Solutions has now developed resiliency modules for CIAS (Cencon IVR Automation System), its innovative third party solution which provides an automated telephone interactive voice response (IVR) service to security companies who need to distribute Kaba Mas Cencon lock codes to their security crew members in order to replenish and service ATMs.
Through automating the process, security operations have been able to save costs, improve general levels of security and increase efficiency by eliminating the need for call centre agents to manually distribute codes via telephone.
CIAS works with Cencon software to offer security companies a highly scalable automated telephony solution for distributing unique One Time Combination (OTC) open and close codes for crews.
The CIAS solution supports front line maintenance (FLM) personnel, where a maintenance engineer requires one-off access to a safe requiring repair.
It also incorporates a route management system to provide security officers with access to a series of locks without contacting their dispatch centre between each opening.
Codes needed at time of request
Given that ATM replenishment and maintenance personnel work around the clock throughout the year, it’s vital that the correct ATM open and close codes are available to authorised personnel at the exact time they’re requested.
Failure to produce codes when requested results in inefficient operations, and could well endanger security officers as they would not be able to perform planned cash replenishment duties as scheduled.
To deliver maximum resiliency, iB Management Solutions has developed a range of modules and options for its CIAS solution, allowing ATM operators to ensure their field replenishment crews benefit from the highest levels of availability from their automated ATM code distribution system.
Options include splitting incoming call load management across multiple systems, ‘mirrored’ stand-by and back-up systems and database replication.
Briefing on the latest developments
Paul Smith, managing director at iB Management Solutions, visited SMT Online’s headquarters yesterday morning to brief us on developments.
“CIAS is already helping leading ATM operators to make significant efficiency improvements for the distribution of ATM lock codes to their field crews,” urged Smith.
“We’re replacing manned call centres with automated IVRs which deliver the right codes to authorised crew members whenever they need the codes to do their job. These systems are relied upon 24/7 by ATM replenishment and maintenance crews, and need to be as resilient as possible.”
Smith continued: “We feel we have gone further than any other solution provider to address the issues around system resilience, and we can offer a range of measures specifically tailored to an individual operation. Those measures include intelligent call load management to ensure incoming calls are always answered and split-site ‘mirrored’ systems in line with disaster recovery Best Practice.”
eTag key management system protects two million cars
Paul Smith also told SMT Online that his company has witnessed the rapid adoption of its eTag security system during the last 12 months.
“The numbers have grown by over 20,000 cars per month, with 2 million cars managed and protected by eTag since its inception,” explained Smith.
At the end of 2010, iB Management Solutions had achieved a record 15,000 registered users.
The eTag system is used by progressive dealerships including the Porsche Retail Group, Mercedes Benz Retail, BMW Park Lane, Sytner Group and Essex Auto Group.
Dealerships are also expanding their use of the eTag system, with each site now having an average of 546 key slots under management by eTag.
Car key security is paramount for dealerships using the eTag system. Access to keys is only given to authorised individuals using proximity access tokens or fingerprint biometric readers.
Procedure upon vehicle arrival
When a car arrives at a dealership, details are entered onto the eTag system and the keys are allocated an intelligent fob (iFob) which identifies the car.
Vehicle movements are monitored when the key is taken or returned to and from the cabinet.
Specific slots can be allocated in the cabinet to indicate certain areas within the dealership – such as the showroom or workshop – in order to track a given vehicle’s location.
As well as reducing car and key theft, using eTag also saves valuable time and money which is otherwise wasted searching for keys and the location of vehicles: a check on the eTag system shows dealer employees exactly who has the keys and the current location of the vehicle.
Inter-dealer car transfers are also simplified through networking eTag systems together, in turn eliminating the duplication of data entry and paperwork on arrival at a dealer site.
Not surprising, then, that dealerships are using the eTag system more intensely, with a 10% increase over the last year in the number of key transactions or individual car movements to nearly 10,000 per month per site. The busiest eTag site clocked up over 40,000 transactions per month.
Integration with legacy dealer management systems
A growing number of dealerships are taking advantage of eTag’s ability to integrate with their existing dealer management system to track the progress of a car through a dealership.
“Electronic key management systems are now definitely mainstream,” explained Smith, “and are seen as an essential tool for any modern car dealership. They’re an integral part of day-to-day operations.”
Smith went on to say: “Our eTag system is exceptionally robust, and has clocked up nearly 37 million individual key movements, with some 6.2 million during 2010 alone.”
Apart from the obvious security benefits, Smith feels his company’s customers know the efficiency and certainty that eTag brings to their dealerships – which is why their usage of eTag continues to grow.
In terms of the roadmap for 2011, Smith said: “We’re looking forward to continued strong growth in the year ahead as more and more dealers become aware of how essential key management systems are to their businesses.”
For more information visit iB Management Solutions on the Internet (a dedicated link is provided on the right hand panel of this page)
