The access control solution has to feature network capabilities with the option to expand
MEP selected an HID access control system because of the high quality and functionality of its products and solutions
In March 2008, a new fulfilment centre was built to house the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP)—the hub for international communication and collaboration on environmental protection issues in China (PRC). The main mission of the MEP is to prevent and control environmental pollution, protect nature and ecology, supervise nuclear safety, safeguard public health and environmental safety, and promote the harmony between man and nature. The hub, officially known as the Environmental Protection International Treaty Fulfillment Center, aims at using financial aid from countries around the world to strengthen the PRC’s ability to meet the requirements of the international environmental protection treaty.
 
Reliable modern access control
 
The Center houses foreign negotiations, attracts foreign investments, unifies external data and information, as well as internally organises and coordinates the development and management of all treaty fulfilment projects, policy suggestions and treaty trainings. The Center requires a modernised access control system and passage management solution that not only is able to manage employees, but complies with worldwide environmental standards outlined within the treaty.

To support the MEP’s mission, the building incorporates 21st-century construction concepts of natural resource conservation, environmental protection and green building standards with sophisticated technologies. The business facilities serve as a prime example of the successful integration of modern and green construction utilizing optimal advanced technology. When considering a new access control and passage management solution, the Center’s executives knew the system needed to meet the buildings standards of environmental safety and bar-none innovation.
 
Rigorous standards
 
In addition, the access control solution had to pass the MEP’s rigorous set of standards including: 
  • Solution must be stable, reliable and a known brand product. If the solution is imported, it must be manufactured in the country of origin.
  • Solution must have proven success in other applications/customers in China
  • Solution must have a representative organisation in China, providing complete after-sale customer service
  • Solution must feature network capabilities with the option to expand, providing the necessary conditions for centralised management and continued construction of the project 
Also, due to the frequent visits by foreign guests to the Center, the solution needed to provide a relaxed and comfortable external passageway management process while, at the same time incorporating a strict internal access control system, to protect the foreign affairs and data. For this reason, “relaxed outside, strict inside” was the construction goal for this building, posing an even higher requirement for the quality and functionality of the access control system.
 
HID access control and passage management
 
MEP selected an HID access control system because of the high quality and functionality of its products and solutions. The HID solution provided a perfect access control and passage management solution supporting the goals of the fulfillment center. In order to simplify the centralised management and control system, the building uses HID’s contactless smart cards as media, together with HID’s card reader, EDGE™ E400 and V2000 controllers, access software, and the “One Card Solution” developed in cooperation with a third party. This comprehensive package of solutions forms a perfect passage management system that controls both physical and logical access within the Center. Functions such as identity recognition, time and attendance, medical expenses, internal banking, shopping and amusement are all centralised into a “One Card Solution.”
 
Currently, MEP uses 3,000 HID iCLASS® smart cards as an employee management system (500 for full-time employees and 2,500 for other subordinate departments) to increase security performance. The card holder is authorised via the entrance and exit management system located in the security centre. The system tracks and monitors access according to the grade, area and time for every card. Issued from a central control system, the HID iCLASS smart cards are each equipped with a unique card number that limits the activity scope of the card by password and level assigned: operator, management or system engineer levels.
 
One card access control solution
 
Card holders with operator level status can browse inspection and control data in real-time to carry out specific service operations. Those with management level credentials can carry out specific service operations, as well as executive functions such as card management and query management. At the system engineer level, in addition to the above abilities, card holders can carry out alterations over the entire system to the passwords of the two previous levels and installation of system hardware parameters.
 
The smart cards used by the MEP have a variety of other functions that make the card versatile and robust, including a prepayment system that can be used to carry out prepayment service for the consumption value on the card. With one HID smart card, the card holder can enter and exit all authorised activity area, make purchases from the cafeteria, park in the parking lot, and register attendance at meetings.
 
Scalable security system
 
Since the E400 HID product of the EDGE series shows new access control concepts with the basis of their TCP/IP network, it is equipped and ready for the possibility of expansions and upgrades of the system. The upgradability and expandability of the solution allow it to meet this key requirement for the MEP solution.
 
Mr Chen, MEP member, expressed, “As an original hardware manufacturer of access control equipment, HID has cooperated with a Chinese software company to provide the complete ‘One Card Solution,’ a solution that is reliable and is in accordance with the requirements of Chinese users. This is a wise investment in the Chinese market. The HID card solution, with the emphasis on ‘management,’ provides a system that complies with the users’ needs and in addition, provides more practical management functions for the users, making the smart card a reliable, practical, secure and functional tool.
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