Kraft Foods, is a global leader in branded foods and beverages, marketing many well known brands including cereals, snacks and beverages in more than 150 countries worldwide. In April 2005, the company expanded its presence in the Egyptian market with the acquisition of local biscuit and snack-food maker “Family Nutrition”. As part of this expansion Kraft invested resources in the Cairo factory including an upgrade in building security.
As part of a complete security solution, CEM Systems supplied its AC2000 SE (Standard Edition) system for installation at kraft’s factory offices by approved reseller, ISS Egypt.
AC2000 SE offers Kraft a powerful and completely integrated security management solution, protecting four processing buildings, warehouses, and administration rooms. Three staff gates have full height electric turnstiles installed, with employees now having to present their ID card at CEM readers to gain access. Card readers also control hydraulic barriers at entrances to the factory car park, ensuring that employees in vehicles must present a valid card before being allowed into the facility.
The AC2000 SE system offers Kraft a highly resilient and expandable solution. CEM S9020 controllers (intelligent Ethernet based sub-systems) interface the card reading devices to the central Server offering Kraft an added layer of security resilience. System installers, ISS Egypt, found the S9020 controllers an ideal choice for Kraft. With IP connectivity, the controllers offer ease of installation and the ability for remote administration.
“The versatility of the A2000 SE system, along with remote connectivity was a governing factor for choosing the AC2000 SE system,” commented Mr. Ahmed Shouman, Safety, Security & Environment Manager, Kraft Foods Egypt. “Not only does the system offer a high-security solution with versatility and ease if use, but it also provides endless possibilities to interface to almost any third party system.”
Factory Entry…
For a higher level of access control, Kraft decided upon the highly commended CEM InfoProx readers* for selected doors such as the server administration room, cashier room and research and development areas. A compact, discreet and intelligent device with in-built database, the InfoProx continues to validate staff card swipes at all times, even when offline from the central system. The LCD display allows useful information to be provided for the cardholder whilst the keypad provides added security with card plus PIN operation.
“With IP-based technology, the choice of card readers and software applications available we found the AC2000 SE system a matchless solution,” continued Shouman.
Beyond access control…
AC2000 SE is provided with one of the most comprehensive suite of software applications available offering the client many features that go beyond their access control needs.
Kraft is using CEM’s time and attendance application. With approximately 2,100 staff employed at the factory, the AC2000 SE Time and Attendance module allows Kraft to compile various reports on the number of hours worked by employees and their shift patterns (night/day). Using existing cards and readers for both access control and time and attendance, reports are then produced for the use of salary allocation.
“Although the need for the system was initially by the security department we subsequently realized there where other applications, like the Time and Attendance feature, that could be applied to help the human resource and management systems, all without losing any aspect of security,” continued Shouman.
Using CEM’s Alarm Event Display (AED), Kraft will centrally monitor all alarm situations as they happen. Through the use of graphical maps, a dynamic on-screen interface is provided showing status of the entire system. Kraft can also use the AED to run real-time reports and record daily journals on events for future analysis by management.
* InfoProx reader commended by A&S International Magazine July 05 as “representing superior design quality”.
