Grosvenor Technology Ltd - Experts & Thought Leaders

Grosvenor Technology, the access and attendance specialist that provides Janus and Sateon Access Control platforms, has announced the end of their relationship with Videcon, to market an OEM variant of its product. “I just got it wrong, plain and simple”, said Andy Rainforth, Grosvenor Technology’s Managing Director. “The intention was for this exclusive and ‘lite’ OEM variant to be clearly differentiated from our own offering and to appeal to Videcon’s customers through the deep integration we developed into their video platform. Instead, I think we have just caused confusion in the market, with some believing we were using ‘distribution’ channels for our own products.”   When our partners started criticising our OEM model, we listened and responded to remove any confusion and ensure a fair deal for them" Sateon access control solution This point is key to Grosvenor, who have seen sales of its Sateon access control product grow exponentially in the last few years. Their strategy of only dealing direct with security professionals approved by NSI or SSAIB has been key to this success and they don’t want to jeopardise the loyalty that this approach has created. “I don’t think we really appreciated how much ‘added value’ security installers and systems integrators perceive in our strategy which helps protect professionals from the non-approved end of the market. So, when our partners started criticising our OEM model, we listened and responded to remove any confusion and ensure a fair deal for them.” Rainforth added.  Janus access control suite Grosvenor Technology provides security and attendance solutions via its Access Control and Workforce Management lines of business. Its Janus access control product was the world’s first Windows-based access control platform and has been installed in over 10,000 sites globally. Its current Sateon platform protects some of the world’s most prestigious organisations. Grosvenor Technology delivers solutions tailored to an organisation’s working practices in a bid to increase security, reduce risk and lower operational costs. End Users are multi-sector and include global blue-chip organisations, government departments, the banking sector, high street retailers and higher education institutions.

Security and attendance solutions provider Grosvenor Technology has announced that security industry mainstay, Patrick Brennan, has been appointed to the position of Sales Director, Europe. Patrick has been promoted to the role having demonstrated three year’s solid growth in his existing remit as European Sales Manager and follows successful tenures with Honeywell Security Group and Pyronix. Patrick is a vital part of a restructured team that is building upon a promising product pipeline and is primed to further the success of Sateon Advance access control which has experienced a ten-fold increase in demand since its launch in 2013. Strategy for effective transition Patrick commented, “I am excited to be taking on additional strategic responsibilities within Grosvenor Technology at such a key point in the organisation’s journey. We have proven since launch that Sateon Advance’s quick and cost-effective approach to access control is resonating with NSI and SSAIB integrators, and I am looking forward to building upon this strong start with fresh initiatives and innovative solutions.” This announcement follows just three months after Technical Director, Colin Leatherbarrow bolstered the leadership team with his 30 years of industry experience with the likes of UTC Chubb Fire and Security. Andy Rainforth, Managing Director commented, “We’ve made a number of strategic appointments recently to support our transition from ‘hardware manufacturer’ to ‘services provider’. In addition to Patrick’s new role, we’ve recently appointed a Head of Embedded Platforms and a Head of Applications & Cloud Development to further support our ambitions. I am delighted that all of these roles were internal appointments, such is the depth of experience we enjoy.”

Sateon Advance access control has gained favour with installers and integrators in the months since its launch, but security and attendance solutions provider Grosvenor Technology are not stopping there. Security industry stalwart Colin Leatherbarrow has been appointed to the position of Technical Director as the company looks to expand an already promising product pipeline. Security industry expertise Colin commented, “I am very pleased to be joining Grosvenor Technology as Technical Director. I have been in the security industry for the vast majority of my career and have recently left the role of UTC Chubb Fire & Security UK’s Product Director to join Grosvenor. Before working in the corporate world of United Technologies, I started my career in a small and agile SME with many similarities to GTL and in fact in days gone past we collaborated with Grosvenor on key high security projects. I count myself extremely lucky to have the opportunity to work again in a dynamic business with great products, services, people and innovation.” Andy Rainforth, Managing Director commented, “I am tremendously excited about Colin choosing to join us. His reputation and experience in the access control sector is beyond doubt. We are confident our customers will soon be reaping the rewards of Colin’s blue-chip experience, applied in an agile environment.”

Cloud computing has been around since the turn of the millennium. Over the years, the concept of storing and accessing programs over the Internet (instead of using an on-premises computer system) has grown in almost every realm of business. Some might say the physical security industry has come late to the party, delayed in some instances by (misguided?) concerns about cybersecurity of cloud systems. The bandwidth needed to transfer video to the cloud has also been a challenge. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What features of Cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) are the most valuable to the average user?

We have been hearing about smart buildings for more than a decade, but the increasing profile of the Internet of Things (IoT) expands the possibilities for intelligent building systems and makes them even more attainable. Security is often among the “smart” functions of a building, and the capabilities of many physical security systems can contribute in new ways to building intelligence. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the impact of “smart buildings” on the physical security marketplace?