Warwickshire Police
Date: 2022
Client: Graham Asset Management
Project Value: £50K
Services: BMS Software and Graphic Design, Integration with existing BMS infastructure, Internet Connection provision and management, Managed ongoing system support service.
What We Did
Hills Energy Management Solutions undertook a pivotal project to enhance the operational efficiency and security across Warwickshire Police’s estate. The key objective was to implement a solution that allowed centralized, secure access to the Building Management Systems without relying on the police’s internal IT networks. By deploying advanced 4G smart routers, we connected each site's BMS to a highly secure cloud platform, facilitating a transformative approach to their facilities management.
The Challenge
Warwickshire Police needed a reliable and secure method to manage their BMS across multiple sites without imposing on their internal IT infrastructure. The challenges were multifaceted: ensuring robust security measures, achieving real time operational oversight, and enabling immediate alerting for critical issues, all while operating independently of the internal IT networks. The deployment of a 4G system emerged as a strategic solution to meet these requirements efficiently.
The Solution
Hills Energy Management Solutions developed a scheme, central to which was the installation of 4G smart routers at each police site. These routers provided a direct and secure connection to our cloud based platform with its stringent security features, including two-factor authentication (2FA) and detailed user logs for enhanced monitoring and compliance.
Key components of the solution included:
- 4G Smart Routers ensured a reliable, secure connection to the cloud platform, bypassing the need for access to the police's internal IT networks.
- Centralised Cloud Platform offered a unified view and control over the BMS of all facilities, significantly improving operational efficiency and decision making.
- The platform's security measures, including 2FA and comprehensive user logs, safeguarded against unauthorized access, aligning with the highest cybersecurity standards.
- A critical alert system was configured to send text and / or email messages to stakeholders, ensuring immediate notification of any system issues or critical events, enhancing responsiveness to potential emergencies.
Implementation
The deployment was meticulously carried out to minimize operational disruption. Each site was equipped with the necessary 4G hardware, connecting the existing BMS to the centralized platform seamlessly. Hills Energy Management Solutions prioritized training for Warwickshire Police staff, focusing on the new system's operational and security features, particularly the text message and email alert system for ensuring rapid response to critical issues.
Outcome
The 4G solution effectively segregated the BMS operations from the police’s internal IT networks, eliminating potential security risks.
Centralised access to the BMS across all sites empowered Warwickshire Police with real time data and control, fostering a proactive approach to facilities management.
The implementation of text message and email alerts significantly improved the force's ability to respond swiftly to critical facilities related issues, ensuring safety and operational continuity.
