COCONUT CREEK, Fla. — 3xLOGIC and Sonitrol of Fort Lauderdale recently partnered to complete a security system upgrade for Junior Achievement of South Florida (JASF) at the organization’s JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion (JA World).
JASF provides real-world training in financial literacy and skill-building opportunities for young people, enabling them to explore different careers. Students learn how to start businesses, as well as learn entrepreneurial values that strengthen workplaces.
With over 60,000 square feet of learning areas, rentable meetings rooms and the Huizenga Catering Kitchen, JA World is the largest Junior Achievement facility in the world, according to the company. But such a large space comes a need for effective security.
“Each day, 450 students participate in JA BizTown and JA Finance Park simulations at JA World. Their safety and the safety of our volunteers, staff, and guests is of the utmost concern to us,” says Laurie Sallarulo, president & CEO, JASF.
Sonitrol started working with JASF in 2008, in the early design/build phase of the facility, and through its completion in 2009. The initial security system included remotely managed access control, verified audio intrusion detection and analog cameras. At the time, IP cameras were considered too expensive, according to the company.
“Previously, we had 18 analog cameras on the system,” explains Leni Smith, director of operations for JASF. “As time went on, it was clear that we needed to bring more areas inside and outside the building under surveillance, we wanted to access more cutting-edge IP camera technology, and we wanted to have all our surveillance under one video management system.”
Working together, Sonitrol and 3xLOGIC designed a system upgrade that JASF could afford through a combination of discounts and donations.
In order to fit JASF’s budget, Sonitrol installed a 3xLOGIC hybrid NVR, enabling JASF to protect their analog camera investment, while adding in higher-resolution IP cameras for expanded coverage. The hybrid solution is also said to create a migration path, allowing JASF to continue improving visibility with new IP cameras over time as their budget allows.
“As part of ongoing security and safety improvements, our staff participates in an annual active shooter training and during those trainings, two things became clear. We needed to cover more areas with surveillance, and we needed to partner more closely with local law enforcement to give them real-time access to our system in case of an emergency,” says Monica McNerney, vice president operations, JASF.
JASF has a number of discrete areas under surveillance, and manages viewing them through use of the 3xLOGIC VIGIL server software. These include the reception area, two loading dock areas, other exterior doors, their large meeting rooms and the student areas, known as JA BizTown and JA Finance Park, where 450 young people spend most of their time each day at JA World.
The receptionist controls public access to the building by viewing who is requesting entry, and buzzing that person in. The receptionist also monitors the loading dock area and notifies the appropriate staff member when a delivery has arrived.
Vice President of Operations for Sonitrol of Fort Lauderdale Jennifer Thomas says continued improvements are planned for JA World. “We are actively designing phase two of the camera upgrade, which will include improved coverage and image clarity for camera views outside the front doors. We are also ready to deploy our latest technology for the main lobby area — TotalGuard. TotalGuard is a great solution for emergency situations, it allows JASF personnel to alert the Sonitrol central station and transmit real-time audio and video to the monitoring center, for prioritized verified police response,” she says.
Inside of the JASF.
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