A major upgrade to security and public information systems, provided by Siemens Building Technologies, is helping Exchange Quay in one of Salford's premier business districts to retain and enhance the enviable reputation which has allowed it to attract a host of blue-chip tenants.
Originally built in 1989 using futuristic building designs and strategically located at the entrance to the Salford Quays business area, the 12-acre Exchange Quay site has, since its opening, made effective use of CCTV security systems supplied by Siemens Building Technologies a leading expert in electronic security.
Recognising the need to provide their high-profile tenants with the best possible levels of service and security, the forward-thinking managers of Exchange Quay decided to upgrade the CCTV installation to take advantage of recent developments, and to lay a sound foundation for future expansion on the site.
While Siemens Building Technologies was the incumbent supplier, the upgrade project was put out to competitive tender via an independent consultant. After careful evaluation of competing offers, Siemens was awarded the contract on the basis of several key deciding factors.
Among these were the organisation's proven ability to handle large projects efficiently and effectively, its willingness to agree to completion of the works within four months, and its capacity to offer an attractive rental agreement for the installation and maintenance, without the need to involve third-party finance.
Central to the upgrade was the replacement of the cabled analogue network used by the existing CCTV system with a new dual fibre optic ring network which would provide greatly expanded capacity as well as options for the easy connection of future equipment. 
Installation of the fibre involved extensive civil work around the site, which Siemens achieved with a minimum of disruption to traffic and access. After the completion of the work, Siemens also fully reinstated all landscaping, ensuring that the attractive visual environment, which is part of Exchange Quay's appeal to tenants, was unimpaired.
Siemens also replaced all CCTV cameras on the site with the latest high quality models, adding ten new camera positions, internally and externally, for extended coverage. A new recording system, based on hard-disk technology, was also installed which offers many more benefits over a tape version. For instance, it delivers greatly improved picture quality compared to a tape system and enables controllers to view specific incidents quickly and easily. Moreover, selected sequences can be copied onto CDs for permanent storage.
Siemens and the managers of Exchange Quay were conscious that, in addition to providing enhanced site security, the upgrading of the CCTV installation offered other opportunities for improving the service provided to tenants and employees on the site. After evaluating these opportunities, it was decided that Siemens would install 42" plasma display screens in the public areas of six main buildings.
Linked to the fibre optic network and controlled from the site management office, these screens are divided into three information display areas. The first area is used for health and safety messages and management announcements, and the second for news, traffic and weather reports sourced via a broadband Internet connection. The third area displays advertisements offering services and facilities to the tenants and employees, which in turn provide a useful additional source of revenue for the building service charge.
The contract was completed to time and on budget, with minimal disruption, and with uninterrupted CCTV security coverage throughout. Senior Property Manager, Fergus Pryce, is lavish in his praise.
"Right from the tender stage, everything Siemens did was impressively professional," he said. "They understood our requirements perfectly and were always able to meet and even exceed them. The project was carried out with the needs of those who work on the site always in mind, and the amount of inconvenience which resulted was negligible. In short, every aspect of the job was first class - I can't think of any other company I would trust to deliver such outstanding service and performance."
