Swiss Re uses LEGIC technology for access control at 30 St Mary Axe
26 January, 2004
category: Contactless, Corporate
Smart card access control using LEGIC contactless technology has beeninstalled in 30 St Mary Axe, the new London headquarters of Swiss Re.
Founded in Zurich in 1863, Swiss Re does business from over 70 offices
in more than 30 countries providing risk transfer, risk financing and asset
management to a global client base. The Swiss Re Group is one of the
leading and financially strongest reinsurers with annual gross premiums
written amounting to over CHF 32.7 billion.
The distinctive form of the 40-storey 30 St Mary Axe, a striking addition
to the London skyline, adds to the cluster of buildings at the heart of
London’s financial centre. Designed by Foster and Partners, it is located in the
heart of the City and at 180m, will be the second tallest building in the
Square Mile and the fifth tallest in London (there are 3 taller buildings at
Canary Wharf).
Stephen Neff, LEGIC Vice President Marketing & Sales, said: “Given the
current high levels of security awareness worldwide, controlling access to
and within 30 St Mary Axe is obviously of the highest priority. The system
integrators on the project, Universal Security Systems, have installed
networked digital colour CCTV and 200 card readers from Third Millennium
for access control using LEGIC 13.56 MHz RFID contactless smart card
technology.”
“As well as Swiss Re staff, as other tenants come into the building, they too
will be issued with carefully controlled smart ID cards permitting access and
egress to individually designated doors and areas of the tower. The LEGIC
contactless technology has been designed to provide multi-functionality and
encrypted data transmission, delivering the highest levels of security,
together with significant advantages in terms of convenience and cost
efficiency.”
“Worn on a lanyard around the neck or clipped to a skirt or jacket, the
individual smart card ID requires little effort to use. It takes less time than
retrieving a card from a pocket and passing it through a swipe card slot,
and with no physical contact there is no wear and tear on either the cards
or the readers. This means that Swiss Re’s LEGIC system will deliver
secure access control for longer with less need for any field maintenance.”
About LEGIC
LEGIC Identsystems Ltd, with headquarters in Switzerland, is a world leader
in the design and manufacture of 13.56MHz contactless smart card technology.
Their product portfolio includes highly integrated LEGIC RF Standard and ISO
15693 and ISO 14443 compliant read/write chip sets. Security Modules and
transponder chips for integration into third party products.
LEGIC Identsystems currently work with over 130 external co-operation partners
world-wide who offer compatible LEGIC based applications including access
control, cashless payment, parking, e-ticketing and multiplication’s in both
workplace and leisure applications.
