Millard Public Schools enhance security with Access Control and Video
Millard Public Schools is a top-rated school district in the United States. MPS upgraded its security systems to the unified security platform, Security Center, to oversee video surveillance, access control, intrusion detection and intercom within all 38 buildings.
The company
Located in the South West of Omaha, Nebraska, Millard Public Schools (MPS) is a top-rated and nationally-recognized school district in the United States. With 35 schools offering education from kindergarten through to grade 12, and another three administrative buildings, MPS is considered the third largest school district in the state of Nebraska. Security audits, safety procedures and upgrades to security technology were ongoing at MPS, but when a school shooting shook the community, district security efforts were amplified.
The challenge
Access control was managed by keyed locks, and a few access control readers. Over the years, tracking keys and manually updating staff access rights became difficult for MPS. Video surveillance was used for after-the-fact investigations, but the poor video quality and lack of storage often frustrated staff who had trouble retrieving recordings or identifying happenings in a scene. Working with a limited budget, decision-makers wanted to find security solutions to help prevent intrusion and control access to buildings during the school day.
The solution
One unified security platform
Hall monitors and administrative staff at each building manage video surveillance, access control, intrusion detection and intercom from the intuitive Security Center platform.
Flexible door scheduling
Doors lock and unlock on schedule as programmed in the Synergis access control system, freeing up busy staff for other tasks. Door schedules are easily adjusted for community events.
Simple credential management
MPS has better control over who has access to buildings, video and data with a simple integration to Microsoft Active Directory. Staff credentials are automatically removed upon termination.
Easy monitoring for staff
Users find the system very easy to use, and are more independent in handling investigations, pulling video, and managing door or intrusion alarms. Tasks help them oversee school activity.
“We wanted a system that would help us screen threats coming from outside and give us tools to quickly respond. The Genetec platform helps us balance convenience, safety and costs very well.”
Curtis Case, Director of Digital Learning, Millard Public Schools
Results
MPS is using Security Center to oversee video surveillance, access control, intrusion detection and intercom within all 38 buildings. The Synergis™ access control system is programmed to lock and unlock doors according to school schedules. Hall monitors and administrative staff no longer worry about physically securing doors. Instead, they focus on monitoring intercom and door events during the day which are linked the Omnicast™ video surveillance system.
Security Center is more user-friendly for MPS staff with varying technical knowledge. They work from the map-based interface, Plan Manager, to quickly find and monitor cameras, doors, and zones. Pre-set monitoring tasks help staff oversee specific school activity, such as monitoring the cameras and zones around the cafeteria at lunch. An integration with Windows Active Directory ensures MPS can better manage user privileges and credentials for all staff.