Building a Smart Security Program
Fortune 500 company Northwestern Mutual not only changed the Milwaukee skyline when it built a new high-rise and three-floor Learning Center, it also improved the way it delivers security at both its downtown Milwaukee, WI campus and suburban Franklin, WI campus.
The downtown campus consists of an area of 2.5 million square feet with five buildings, including the new high-rise, Learning Center and commons space, that bolsters a workforce of over 3,000. The Franklin (Milwaukee suburb) campus has an area of 1.1 million square feet and two buildings that hold a workforce of 2,100.
Challenge:
- Disparate security systems
- Manage up to several hundred guests at a time without audit trail
- Control costs of securing new building
- Quality of security officer failed to meet expectations
Solution:
- Symmetry Enterprise Access Control system combines alarm management and all security data into one system
- Symmetry Enterprise Access Control easily expands to secure new high rise
- Allied Universal® (USA) Security Officer training and experience level corresponded to assigned post
Results
- Symmetry Enterprise Access Control interoperability secures both campuses, saving time and money
- Symmetry Enterprise Access Control allowed Northwestern Mutual to leverage technology to reduce risk, streamline its activities and not add headcount when the new tower opened
- Security Officer qualifications correspond to the unique needs of Northwestern Mutual
Faced with the challenge of disparate systems for access control, alarm, video, intercom and visitor management, Northwestern Mutual used the building project to upgrade their security program. The goal was to work smarter by automating manual processes and streamlining security using one system. With several hundred sales reps visiting at once for week long continuing education classes, managing those visitors was a challenge.