FACEKEY s BIOMETRIC ACCESS CONTROL Delivers Security and Piece of Mind

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1 FACEKEY s BIOMETRIC ACCESS CONTROL Delivers Security and Piece of Mind Floresville Electric Light and Power System deployed FaceKey s EntryGuard Access Control System, which utilizes fingerprints and proximity cards for identification, to increase accountability amongst employees, discourage theft at its equipment yard and increase security for their Floresville, TX facility. Floresville Electric Light and Power System, the sole source of electrical power for Floresville, and the surrounding areas plays an integral role in the community and demanded the best security for their facility. RESULTS Floresville Electric Light and Power System (FELPS) buildings and equipment yard are protected with a state of the art biometric security system which they operate on their network. The system consists of a variety of units to serve specific needs and includes a door unit with a video camera and intercom so that an exterior door(s) can be safely opened remotely. FELPS is able to operate the system in-house after minimal training. Additionally, Floresville Electric Light and Power System has selected a system that can be expanded with minimum investment because the typical expansion requires only a network drop and an additional door unit. Floresville Electric Light and Power System has purchased and deployed a system that is effective and relevant today and most importantly will be relevant in the future. THE COMPANY Floresville Electric Light and Power System Located south of San Antonio, in Floresville, TX, Floresville Electric Lighting and Power System (FELPS), is a municipally owned electric distribution utility, the sole supplier of electricity for the City of Floresville, most of Wilson County, TX and extending into Bexar and Karnes counties, serving approximately 600 square miles. FELPS is a cornerstone of the community, supplying the energy that brings prosperity and allows its customers to carry on their daily lives. See note at end of article for additional information about FELPS. Mr. Brent Jendrusch, Manager of Technology was project manager for the installation and notes, Floresville Electric Light and Power System selected FaceKey s EntryGuard biometric

2 access control system, because they were able to deliver a system that met our key requirements. We required a system we could operate in house, that was easy to expand, wireless to reduce installation costs and responsive support. FaceKey s Access Control System, which utilizes fingerprints and proximity cards, has more than met our requirements and FaceKey continues to provide the support promised. THE CHALLENGE Floresville Electric Light and Power System has the responsibility to supply reliable power to their growing population and required a high level of security for their headquarters. The major challenges where: 1. Deploy a system to increase security and accountability for employees. 2. A cost effective solution that won t be outdated within the next few years. 3. A system to operate over the network that their IT department could manage. 4. Prevent unauthorized access to the equipment yard to deter theft of supplies and equipment. 5. Other requirements were: units with both fingerprints and HID cards, wireless units to reduce trenching and cable runs, ability to view and talk with persons requesting entry to certain remote doors. To ensure that their customers have a reliable and cost effective power supply with minimal interruption, FELPS deployed a system easily expandable for future growth which operates over their already existing IT infrastructure. THE STRATEGY By early 2009, Floresville Electric had researched several solutions and found that FaceKey could resolve their access control concerns and provide a state of the art biometric system.

3 Deployment began November 2009 and all tasks had been completed by mid-december The design and installation of the access control system was handled by LanComm Technologies, Inc. and Bulldog Security. The project manager was Brent Jendrusch, Manager of Technology. Training was done by FaceKey s Customer Service Manager, Richard Prince. During a site visit to Floresville Electric, FaceKey recommended various devices, depending on the location. The system deployed consisted of a mix and match solution which utilized units that combined HID cards, fingerprints, and PINs. Some of the units were connected via wireless communications to reduce trenching and cable runs. The system is five doors and two gates and is easily expandable to other locations when FELPS is ready to expand. KEY BENEFITS Floresville Electric realized a number of benefits from the FaceKey EntryGuard Access Control System. Centralized enrollment of users and management of user information. Wireless application for gates that reduced trenching and cable runs. Positive identification of FELPS employees, not just verification. Because the system operates over the network, it was easy install and operate with minimal training. Able to restrict access of gates and doors to authorized persons. Audit trail of each activity for every unit with the name of the user, time and location of the unit. The fingerprint readers ensured that only authorized persons could access areas where equipment and supplies were stored.

4 LESSONS LEARNED Floresville Electric was able to deploy the FaceKey EntryGuard Access Control System in a short time and at minimal cost. Key factors for the successful installation and implementation include: Well defined personnel policies. Reliable network infrastructure. Training of the technician is key for proper enrollment of fingerprint templates and cards. Knowledgeable staff that understands FaceKey s training and implementation program. Management that understands their requirements and is able to articulate them effectively. CALCULATING THE RESULTS After deployment of the FaceKey EntryGuard Access Control system, Floresville Electric has a security system that will help FELPS keep costs down for their customers. FELPS did not have an access control system to mitigate theft. The FaceKey solution keeps personnel accountable and at the same time mitigates theft, keeps costs down, ensuring that equipment and supplies will be available should an interruption in service occur for FELPS customers. The number one concern for FELPS was to have all of their equipment and supplies kept safe and secure so that should a power outage occur, FELPS would have the equipment or supplies on hand and be able to restore service without delay. FaceKey personnel observed that Floresville Electric Light and Power System was keenly aware of their role in their service area and of their responsibilities to their customers and are intent on doing what it takes to provide the most reliable and cost effective service possible.

5 Note: About Floresville Electric Light and Power System Floresville Electric Light and Power System, a municipally owned electric distribution utility, located at th street in Floresville, phone number (830) , is a cornerstone of the community. David K. McMillan is the General Manager. FELPS, established in May 1942, is one of the nearly 2,000 public power utilities throughout the country that provide an important function: supplying the energy that allows us to carry on our daily lives. The area served by the System is comprised mostly of Wilson County, Texas, and extends into Bexar and Karnes Counties, including the cities of Floresville, Stockdale, Poth, Falls City, and La Vernia, as well as the unincorporated communities of Saspamco, Sutherland Springs, Pandora, Denhawken, Koscuisko, Cestohowa, Pawelekville, and Hobson. The total area serviced is estimated by the management of the System to include approximately 600 square miles. The availability of safe, reliable and low-cost electricity has become a mainstay of community prosperity. The services provided by FELPS are important to this area's ability to attract businesses and, with them, the jobs that bring greater prosperity.