Market opens up

Recent reports on the access control sector point to strong growth in the market and opportunities for UK installers and manufacturers.

Growth in the UK access control market over the next five years is expected to be spurred by commercial and non-residential construction and increased residential sector demand. A renewed focus on security following recent terrorist attacks is also cited as a growth factor.

These are the findings of 'The UK Access Control Market Development Report' by industry analysts MBD. The report says that the UK market for access control has increased in nominal terms each year since 2001. The current value of the market is £590m.

MBD expects online systems to continue to gain market share over the next five years. In 2010, the sector is expected to account for 47 per cent of total access control equipment sales, compared with 46 per cent in the current year. In value terms sales of online equipment are projected to increase by 15 per cent in real terms between 2005 and 2010. "This sector is expected to continue to benefit from technological developments and the trend towards integrating security systems," MBD said.

"The value of audio/video entry equipment sales and rental income is also expected to increase in each year of the five year forecast period, broadly in line with the overall market development. Demand is anticipated to increase by 12 per cent in real terms between 2005 and 2010. This sector is expected to benefit from an increase in the construction of flats and apartments."

The report is available from MBD for £550. Call 0161 236 6845 or email traceywallbank@mbdltd.co.uk.

Access to China

Another report says China will be the country with the biggest potential of the 21st century for access control manufacturers.

It will be a "fierce battlefield" as manufacturers fight for position and will emerge as the largest Asian access control market with a 31 per cent share by 2009.

The use of access control in China is much less than other parts of the world, but the ongoing terrorism threat and influx of Western access control companies attracted by high growth potential is a spur to the market.

Research predicts the access control market will reach $460.2m in 2009 with a forecast compound annual growth rate of 16.3 per cent.

The Beijing Olympics in 2008 is also driving demand as is the construction boom in apartment blocks in China's biggest cities.

The report was carried out by IMS Research. Information: www.imsresearch.com

Public accepts biometrics

Meanwhile, another report says that access control applications in the UK will increasingly be using biometrics thanks to public acceptance of the technology.

The UK public is now "overwhelmingly" in favour of wider biometrics use, according to a Biometrics in Britain Study carried out by TSSI Systems, a document and identity systems specialist.

Seventy-six per cent are more in favour of biometrics than they were one year ago and the "striking opinion change" comes after a year in which the UK has thwarted an airline terrorist plot and 15 months after the London 7/7 bombings.

Personal safety was identified as the biggest driver for the change with three-quarters of people believing it was important for combating terrorism. However, there is widespread public confusion about what biometrics means in practice, with the majority of people confused about the terminology.

In addition, concerns about civil liberties were highlighted by almost a third of respondents. Danny Chapchal, CEO of TSSI Systems said: "I was astonished by the dramatic change in public opinion. Eight in ten people changing their opinion in the last year is a huge increase and can only be attributable to the terrorist attacks. These have no doubt forced acceptance of biometrics upon the nation, but a positive campaign of education is needed to allay fears about its use."

Safety concerns

A total of 79 per cent of people were in favour or more accepting about the introduction of biometrics for travel abroad. Usage of biometrics in airports received a resounding seal of approval.

Almost half approved of usage of biometrics in Britain's underground tube networks. However, usage of biometrics in banking and retail was rejected by 59 and 63 per cent respectively.

The survey also highlighted public confusion about what biometrics means in practice. For example, when respondents were asked whether they knew that they may be subjected to biometric checks when travelling abroad, the majority (58 per cent) claimed ignorance.

However, nearly the same number (63 per cent) claimed they were aware of the pending introduction of new international standards that will mandate the logging of face and, optionally, fingerprint data (ie, biometric data) on passports.

Infringement of liberty

Concerns about civil liberty infringements remain a pressing issue in the minds of a significant proportion of the population. Nearly a third (28 per cent) rejected the creation of a Government biometric database – even if it led to better crime detection rates. While 54 per cent were convinced of its benefits, a further 18 per cent remained undecided and could join either camp with persuasion.

Said Chapchal: "Peace of mind is the biggest factor in the change. But the trade off between security and convenience is also an influence.

“The catastrophic delays and stringent measures after the thwarted terror attack on UK airlines in August 2006 appear to have pushed the British public towards applications of convenience.

“Would they rather stand in a security queue for hours at Heathrow, or be subjected to biometric checks and get through quickly to the shops? It seems people are now overwhelmingly opting for the latter."

TSSI surveyed 1000 people between the ages of 18 and 60 at mainland stations in the UK in September and October 2006. The TSSI Biometrics in Britain study 2006 management report has full details of the findings and can be requested from http://www.tssi.co.uk/biometrics.html.

Tailored courses for installers

At the end of the day all access control systems are only as good as the quality of their installation and maintenance so the installer’s role is crucial.

Bewator has recently extended its customer training programme with a series of courses tailored for installers. The specialist in access control also now offers video control and integrated solutions.

Available courses include a two-day Granta Engineer Training Level 1 course where delegates will learn about the modular expandable system which can control personnel and vehicles, manage visitors and monitor CCTV. Upon completion delegates will be able to configure a complete access system tailored to customer needs.

Another course is Entro Engineer Training focused on “one of the most popular access control systems on the market.” The latest Entro 5 system includes improved TCP/IP based hardware and, on completion, delegates will be able to install and configure the hardware as well as create and maintain a database of cardholders to suit their customer’s requirements. A new Entro Lite course has also been added.

For more information on the latest training, which also includes courses on coax controllers, digital solutions and networking skills, email training@bewator or call 0871 386 0800.