TDSi set to showcase latest hardware and software at The Security Event

Integrated security solutions manufacturer TDSi will be showcasing its latest security hardware and software systems on Stand C40 in Hall 3 when The Security Event runs at the NEC in Birmingham from 5-7 April 2022.

The Poole-based business will be showcasing its latest products with a keen focus on the GARDiS range of integrated software and hardware access control solutions, complete with the latest software updates and features, alongside the company’s contact-free Bluetooth Low Energy/mobile credentials authentication readers and an introduction to the eagerly awaited GARDiS apps.

John Davies, managing director at TDSi, commented: “We’re excited to unveil our line-up for TDSi’s forthcoming appearance at The Security Event 2022. We have a number of new products to show visitors, including the latest enhancements to our GARDiS software platform which now includes integration with the Milestone XProtect Plugin and HikVision’s HikCentral Professional Series.”

Davies added: “Visitors to the NEC will also be able to enjoy demonstrations of a range of new features in GARDiS itself, including Bluetooth reader integration, improved site maps and bespoke badge printing options. We will be offering regular presentations throughout each of the three days to highlight our solutions in action.”

TDSi will be exhibiting at The Security Event 2022

TDSi will also be showcasing its new Bluetooth Low Energy readers, which enable security operators to use the considerable benefits of mobile device authentication. High levels of cyber security are built-in, so too flexibility in issuing security tokens and prohibiting access, along with the inherent safety advantages of using this ‘touchless’ technology.

The company’s stand will also be featuring a first chance to see the new GARDiS app. “One of the benefits of our newly enhanced hybrid working schedules,” continued Davies, “has been the increased acceleration of our software development. The GARDiS apps will appeal to our customers and installation partners. Available for both the Android and Apple iOS platforms, these apps will add even further flexibility to the operation and installation of the GARDiS ecosystem.”

As well as demonstrating products, TDSi’s expert team will be on hand to help installers and system end users match its systems to their projects and daily security requirements.

Davies concluded: “The disruptions to live events over the last few years have really highlighted the benefits to be realised from in-person meetings. The Security Event 2022 is a great opportunity to meet our team and discuss solution needs, but equally so it’s an excellent opportunity for our team to gather feedback and insights which will drive the rapid and ongoing developments of our software and hardware. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the NEC in April.”

*For more details on The Security Event and visitor registration visit www.thesecurityevent.co.uk

**For more information on TDSi and its products access the company’s website at www.tdsi.co.uk

TDSi appoints Nick Mercer as marketing manager

Integrated security manufacturer TDSi has announced the appointment of Nick Mercer as marketing manager. Based at the company’s global headquarters in Poole, Mercer will oversee the overall marketing functions along with enhancing the accessibility of information, thereby enabling customers and partners to enjoy the full benefits of TDSi’s expanding portfolio of integrated security solutions and products.

John Davies, TDSi’s managing director, commented: “We’re always keen to attract and employ the best people in the industry and Nick is the perfect example of this. With over a decade’s worth of experience in marketing, brand and design, and having worked within a broad variety of marketing roles, he brings exactly the expertise TDSi needs as we continue to evolve and grow in the post-pandemic landscape. We’re delighted to welcome Nick to the team to support us in these exciting times.”

With a first class BA Honours degree in marketing (with media and design), a post-graduate diploma in brand development and a solid track record in marketing management roles before joining TDSi, Mercer has considerable training and experience in taking products and services to market.

On his move to TDSi and the security industry Nick stated, “It’s an exciting new challenge in a new industry for me. After meeting with John Davies and hearing about TDSi and the company’s plans for the next couple of years, it was an easy decision to make.”

Nick Mercer

Busy start to 2022

Mercer is already firmly at the helm of the TDSi Marketing Department and commented: “In the first instance, there’s always a period where you’re taking in as much in as possible. Fortunately, TDSi is exhibiting at several events in the first few months of 2022 so I’ve been straight in at the deep end, making sure everything’s on track and organised. In addition, there are a number of exciting new products, enhancements and integrations on the immediate horizon for the business so there’s certainly a lot going on right now.”

Mercer harbours a clear vision for his ongoing mission to support TDSi’s impressive growth and development. “Moving forward, I’m keen to develop new ways in which to ensure that our current and potential customers can easily access the information they need in order to make informed decisions about the products and integrations we have to offer. We’re already looking at a number of options to add to our communication and content strategies to support this.”

*For more information on TDSi visit www.tdsi.co.uk

TDSi’s GARDiS software now features full integration with Hikvision’s face recognition terminals and ANPR cameras

Integrated security solutions manufacturer TDSi’s powerful GARDiS access management software now supports full integration with Hikvision’s face recognition terminals and ANPR cameras.

John Davies, managing director of TDSi, commented: “Integration with Hikvision’s latest generation of intelligent cameras is part of TDSi’s ongoing mission to ensure that our powerful integrated access control solutions work directly with the best third party products on the market.”

Davies continued: “Our GARDiS software is perfectly placed to help end users cope and deal with rapidly changing and evolving needs. Our ethos is that customers must be able to choose the right components for their security network to meet their specific needs and budget, with the whole solution overseen by our powerful, centralised, but flexible GARDiS software.”

Providing options for Wiegand and Clock & Data protocol inputs, TDSi’s GARDiS software delivers quick and simple, but powerful integration with Hikvision’s face recognition terminal and the wider security network. This includes integration with ASSA ABLOY Aperio and SimonsVoss SmartIntego wireless locks, along with a wide choice of intruder alarms and CCTV systems.

GARDiS includes Lift Control, Area Occupancy and ANPR, all of which are designed to assist with not only security, but also the ongoing safeguarding of health requirements.

Key features

Integration with Hikvision’s face recognition terminals adds considerable functionality to any security network, with features including:

*Temperature measuring range: 30 °C to 45 °C (86 °F to 113 °F), with an accuracy of 0.1 ° C, deviation ± 0.5 °C

*Face mask wearing alert

*Multiple authentication modes (card and temperature, face and temperature, card and face and temperature, etc)

*Triggered voice prompt when detecting abnormal temperature

*Configurable door status (open/close) when detecting abnormal temperature

*6,000 face capacity, 6,000 card capacity and 100,000 event capacity

*Six attendance statuses – check-in, check out, break-in, break out, overtime in and overtime out

*Watchdog design and tamper function.

John Davies concluded: “The last 18 months have demonstrated the need for security and safety systems that can be rapidly deployed and installed and have the flexibility to evolve and grow to meet future user requirements. Be it individual end user projects or the delivery of rapidly expanding Security-as-a-Service solutions, the GARDiS integration with Hikvision’s systems is a perfect example of the potential for modern systems to work closely together and deliver potentially life-saving benefits.”

*For more information on TDSi’s GARDiS and the full range of integrated security and safety solutions visit www.tdsi.co.uk

**For further details on Hikvision’s range of products access www.hikvision.com/uk/

TDSi announces full integration with RotaOne Time and Attendance solution

Integrated security solutions manufacturer TDSi has announced the integration of its powerful GARDiS access control range with Thinking Software’s RotaOne Time and Attendance platform. The new integration enables businesses and organisations to incorporate the two solutions, thereby providing a complete overview of staff movements and the security of facilities.

Reflecting on the new integration, Gwen Curran (channel partner manager for the North at TDSi) commented: “GARDiS is designed to not only deliver the most secure of integrated access control solutions, but also to be highly flexible and adaptable to the needs of customers. As a highly popular Time and Attendance solution, RotaOne is the perfect integration partner for GARDiS, enabling users of both systems to link their technology investments and enjoy the benefits of combining data and having a powerful overview of operations.”

The integration with TDSi’s GARDiS platform was a clear choice for Thinking Software, too. Paul Coombes (the company’s sales and marketing director) noted: “No systems developer can specialise in all areas of expertise, so it follows that integration is a far better approach than trying to be the best at everything. TDSi’s GARDiS represents the Best-of-Breed in access control. Working together means that we can both add additional Return on Investment and ease of management benefits for our customers.”

Integrating GARDiS with RotaOne enables businesses to mitigate risk by ensuring that staff are safe and facilities are secure. It also provides an accurate record of people movement, which is perfect for time and cost savings when running a business that employs contracted, casual and salaried staff on complex or repeating shift patterns. The integrated solution also ensures full monitoring for compliance reporting and safety purposes.

Flexibility and resilience

For added flexibility and resilience, RotaOne can be deployed remotely and hosted in the cloud (either on a private footing or securely shared) and is fully scalable from a small SME team right up to a full multinational enterprise.

Integration is backwards compatible with existing installations (running the latest updates of both platforms). Both TDSi and Thinking Software offer their solutions through fully-trained installation partners to provide a professional integration solution for customers that can be swiftly implemented.

Gwen Curran concluded: “As the world begins to adjust to the complex post-pandemic landscape, integrated systems will be at the forefront of managing social distancing and reducing the possibilities of cross-infection. By integrating two solutions that are Best-of-Breed in their respective spheres, we can help businesses to concentrate on their core functions with full peace of mind.”

*Further information on TDSi and its products is available online at www.tdsi.co.uk

**For more detail about Thinking Software and RotaOne visit www.thinking-software.com

TDSi recommences full COVID-safe training at Poole headquarters

Integrated security solutions manufacturer TDSi has announced the reopening of its on-site training programme, backed up by a robust COVID-safe regime of testing and Track and Trace which helps to protect everyone involved.

Additionally, the business has signed up to the Government-run ‘We Offer Testing to our Staff’ scheme. This facilitates all staff taking lateral flow testing in its offices on a twice weekly basis.

John Davies (managing director at TDSi) told Security Matters: “Now that UK COVID restrictions have relaxed a little further, it’s the perfect time to cautiously reintroduce on-site training for our partners and customers. While online training and assistance is invaluable, there are many practical training applications, particularly so those involving hardware installation, that benefit quite considerably from first-hand demonstration.”

Davies continued: “We fully appreciate that some visitors will have anxiety about frequenting other locations, so we have put in place highly robust measures to ensure those who visit and work at our facilities have maximum reassurance that the risks are minimised and that they’re protected.”

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While the testing remains voluntary, TDSi is positively encouraging staff and visitors to test themselves to ensure everyone’s peace of mind and safety. Davies asserted: “When trainees attend the Poole facility for training, we will present them with individual bags containing all of the equipment they need as well as an instruction pack. They will be advised to complete the lateral flow test in their cars before entry to the building to ensure that any potential issues are isolated.”

Return to the office

From Monday 17 May, around 70% of the TDSi team returned to the company’s headquarters for daily operations while always maintaining safe social distancing. However, the business will continue to support a mixture of home and office working to ensure there’s flexibility and also that all operations continue to run smoothly and safely.

Davies added: “Our employees are now testing themselves at home on Sunday and Wednesday evenings in line with the official guidelines, with the results reported back to the NHS. If any individual has a positive result, we will ensure they receive a PCR test to confirm that they’re negative before they return to the office such that any potential infection routes are immediately restricted.”

Further, Davies stated: “We owe this level of scrutiny and care to all our visitors and staff and are proud to be extending this level of reassurance to our visiting partners and customers. While there are still considerable potential health threats at large, it’s also important to ensure we safely deliver the right levels of support and training by adjusting to the needs of the ‘new normal’ as quickly as possible.”

*To find out more about TDSi’s Installer Training or to book a place on a COVID-safe course visit www.tdsi.co.uk/training.html

*For more information on TDSi in general visit www.tdsi.co.uk

TDSi takes on first higher-level apprentice at Poole headquarters

Integrated security security manufacturer TDSi has unveiled trainee product engineer Oscar Johnson as the company’s first higher-level Apprentice. Johnson is currently studying for a Higher National Certificate at Bournemouth and Poole College for two years, but will continue as a degree apprentice for a further four years with a permanent role at TDSi running alongside his studies.  

TDSi’s managing director John Davies commented: “It’s great to welcome Oscar to TDSi. He’s the first candidate to take up a higher-level apprenticeship at the company. He’ll be a great asset to our development team as we ramp up product development and augment products in the GARDiS family and ecosystem.”

Davies continued: “The security industry is leading the way on the apprenticeship front, with initiatives through Skills for Security, and TDSi is excited about the energy and innovative thinking that apprentices bring to the table as our ‘Boomers’ retire.”

Oscar Johnson

Having studied engineering at college for the last year alongside his previous role in occupational health, 22-year-old Johnson is excited by his new role and the opportunities at TDSi. He stated: “This is a great opportunity for me and there’s so much variation and job rotation within my new role. I’m working within the development team, mainly alongside our product engineer Russell Marande, to gain valuable experience and training in this cutting-edge technology company.”

Johnson comes from nearby Bournemouth and has spent most of his life in the area, apart from a year living on the Gold Coast in Australia. With an eye on the future of technology, he’s excited to be joining a technology company which is helping to shape the future of security.

He concluded: “It’s fascinating finding out how TDSI is adapting towards the future and seeing what great new products will be released before they’re unveiled to the public. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me at TDSi.”

TDSi appoints Zara Taylor as marketing manager

Integrated security manufacturer TDSi has announced the appointment of Zara Taylor as its new marketing manager. Taylor is now overseeing the company’s ongoing and rapidly expanding digital and marketing strategies.

TDSi’s managing director John Davies commented: “We’re excited at the prospect of seeing Zara’s skills being put to work as we take our marketing activity to the next level with a good dose of Millennial thinking and know-how. Zara’s knowledge of the digital and social landscape will add fresh impetus to our marketing drive as we bring new products out of our development pipeline and augment our sales channel strategies, both here at home and abroad. I know that Zara will have a positive impact on our activities and I’m delighted she’s now a part of the team.”

Zara Taylor

Having graduated from the University of Northampton in 2017 with a First Class BA Honours degree in Fashion Marketing, Taylor has worked in marketing roles for three years covering a variety of different industries including hospitality, automotive, fashion and now security.

Commenting on her appointment, Taylor stated: “I am very excited to be leading TDSi’s push into the digital world, which is a vital part of the security industry’s continued growth and evolution. Security needs are universal across all industries and our customers and potential customers operate across all vertical sectors. On that basis, it is vital that we continue to deliver relevant and exciting messaging to all these audiences through all digital channels.”

Taylor continued: “We have many exciting developments taking place at TDSi which we will be unveiling over the coming months and into 2021, and I very much look forward to being a key part of this. TDSi will be further embracing digital channels, as well as meeting our customers and partners at UK and international events in a determined bid to showcase our solutions for an evolving security world.”

TDSi expands logistics team to support customer needs during COVID-19 restrictions

Integrated security systems manufacturer TDSi has announced the appointment of Keith Beech to its logistics team based at the company’s headquarters in Poole. Beech’s expertise in managing the shipping and movement of TDSi’s integrated security products to partners and customers around the world is particularly important during the COVID-19 restrictions and transition to the new normal.

TDSi’s managing director John Davies commented: “We are delighted to welcome Keith to the team at TDSi. He is already a key figure in our ongoing distribution operations. Given the restrictions and social distancing rules associated with the new normal, Keith has a pivotal role to play in ensuring that our products are smoothly and reliably managed and shipped worldwide, wherever and whenever they are needed.”

Keith Beech

Reflecting upon his appointment, Beech explained: “I have joined the TDSi team at a challenging, but also highly rewarding time with a remit to support our customers and maintain logistics in a rapidly changing world. I am directly involved with all of the functions of our warehouse operations, from goods receipt through to picking, packing and distribution, while at the same time maintaining safe social distancing regulations as well as the highest levels of accuracy and quality service.”

With a distinguished career in logistics for technology businesses, including both supervisory and managerial roles, Beech has the expertise and experience to fully support TDSi’s expanding international operations.

Beech concluded: “One of the main things that drew me to this role is working with and being part of the highly talented and dedicated team at TDSi. The Poole facility encompasses many key parts of the company, including product development and business operations, which means our logistical team is a focal point in delivering TDSi’s combined expertise to the market. I am now looking forward to being part of our continued success and supporting our business partners and customers alike.”

TDSi promotes British exporting excellence as ‘Export Champion’

Integrated security solutions manufacturer TDSi is supporting the UK Department for International Trade’s ‘Great’ initiative as an Export Champion, encouraging British businesses to think globally when it comes to tapping into potentially lucrative markets.

TDSi’s managing director, John Davies, who has personally been appointed as a South West Export Champion, commented: “TDSi has been actively exporting its products since 1984. Currently, exports comprise 40% of our sales. Whatever the outcome of the Brexit negotiations with the EU, there are huge opportunities in selling revered UK products and services around the globe. We’re keen to encourage and inspire other British businesses to embrace all available markets.”

The ‘Great’ scheme strives to encourage customers from around the world to engage with and buy from UK producers and expert service providers, while the latter offer advice and support (including legal, financial and networking assistance) for UK businesses looking to embrace these potential markets.

John Davies

As an Export Champion, TDSi is offering advice and experience to support other businesses looking to expand their export reach.

South East Asia and the Middle East

In conversation with Risk Xtra, Davies continued: “In the past, France and the EU have been our biggest export market, but South East Asia and the Middle East are due to eclipse their position this year. China is also a very important market for TDSi because, despite being one of the great ‘workshops of the world’, savvy security buyers there know British manufacturers like ourselves have a well-deserved reputation for offering innovation, quality and excellent value for money.”

Exporting shapes TDSi as a business. “It keeps us on our toes to deal with the competition and ensures we listen effectively to new customers and markets, adapting our products and services to maintain and establish relevance in each territory,” stated Davies.

Exporting also offers fresh opportunities aside from those in the domestic market. Davies said: “Despite being an SME manufacturer/exporter, we can take on the big boys, in other words competitors considerably larger than we are, and beat them. We offer specialised, top-quality security solutions and are highly responsive with great service delivery. This is why we’re winning in these overseas markets.”

Project involvement

TDSi has capitalised on these advantages by working on many impressive projects, including China Petroleum’s headquarters in Beijing (where it beat a $20 billion competitor), the Shanghai Metro and other Metro systems in China along with telecom and electricity companies in Thailand, Brunei and Malaysia.

In conclusion, Davies observed: “We’re keen to share this experience and knowledge through schemes such as ‘Great’, helping other UK companies to embrace a diverse selection of potential markets and help ensure the nation remains a powerful force in the sphere of international trade and exports.”

TDSi appoints new channel partner manager for Northern England and Scotland

Integrated security solutions manufacturer TDSi welcomes Gwen Curran to the business as its new channel partner manager (North). Curran’s role is a pivotal one in TDSi’s ongoing relationship with its channel partners in Northern England and Scotland.

John Davies, managing director of TDSi, commented: “Channel partners are a lifeblood for TDSi and we have a close working relationship with them as we build our business together. We’re very pleased to welcome Gwen to this highly important role. She will be a key contact for our channel partners across the North.”

Reflecting upon her new position, Curran commented: “My new role means I will be working closely with leading channel partners in the North to grow awareness of our full access control offer supported by the wider TDSi integrated security portfolio. I’ll be here to support our installation partners with all of their TDSi needs, but equally to support their business with end users and grow joint revenue overall.”

Gwen Curran: joining the team at TDSi

Curran’s career in the security industry started in 2004 when she joined Norbain, working as an internal account manager with the distributor for over a decade. Across those ten years, Curran worked with leading manufacturers on a range of security systems and products including CCTV, IP solutions, access control, gate automation and intruder alarm systems.

In 2013, Curran joined the Risco Group before taking on her new role at TDSi. 

Continued Curran: “Access control is an element of the security industry that’s growing at a rapid pace and, as part of the TDSi team, I aim to be an integral part of this vibrant sector. As a leading British security solutions manufacturer, TDSi’s systems are at the heart of many exciting projects, which often include close integration with many other leading brands and manufacturers.”

Curran concluded: “I’m looking forward to working alongside our channel partners and to being a key part of TDSi’s rich ongoing history and helping to grow the business.”