Comelit-PAC supports Northumbrian Water in security migration project

Northumbrian Water, which also operates Essex and Suffolk Water, looks after a diverse portfolio of sites, from offices and treatment works through to critical infrastructure locations. Maintaining controlled and accountable access for personnel across such a varied environment requires a solution that can adapt in line with operational priorities and infrastructure changes.

Chris Tindale, security systems technician for Northumbrian Water, commented: “Our estate is both extensive and varied so it’s important that our access control system is reliable and straightforward to manage.”

Tindale continued: “Comelit-PAC has worked with us to achieve a migration to Access Central, allowing us to update the complete platform in a structured way.  Working on our timetables has enabled continued maintenance across our sites, while improving oversight and day-to-day management. The ability to retain much of our existing infrastructure has also been a significant benefit.”

Evolving system

Over several years, Northumbrian Water’s access control system has evolved in line with business needs and software advancements, progressing from PAC for Windows to PAC Vision and SecureNet, and now operating on Comelit-PAC”s latest Access Central platform. This phased transition has improved visibility, simplified administration and strengthened resilience, while at the same time preserving existing hardware investments.

The system uses a mix of PAC 500 Series controllers over TCP/IP, enabling flexible connectivity across sites. Where fixed-line infrastructure is limited, GSM/GPRS connections provide secure and consistent communication, supporting reliable performance in both urban and remote environments.

Using PAC access readers, the system continues to deliver effective credential management across the estate. By maintaining compatibility with existing technologies, while enabling future development, Comelit-PAC has enhanced Northumbrian Water’s security framework without any unnecessary disruption.

Measured and workable

Steve Pilling, enterprise systems support manager at Comelit-PAC, observed: “Northumbrian Water’s approach demonstrates how access control can evolve in a measured and workable way. Moving to Access Central has allowed the organisation to strengthen system oversight, while also retaining trusted hardware in the field.”

Pilling concluded: “By combining PAC 500 Series controllers with TCP/IP and GSM connectivity, the solution delivers both flexibility and resilience across what is a complex estate. We look forward to continuing to support Northumbrian Water as the organisation’s requirements develop further.”

*Further information is available online at www.comelit-pac.co.uk