Standing tall in the Atlanta skyline, The Mansion on Peachtree, Buckhead, Ga., a luxury boutique 127-room hotel that also offers 45 residences, wasted no time in planning an intricate security system that would meet both the needs of their guests and residents.

The developers and owners of The Mansion on Peachtree turned to Richard Lee, integrated systems consultant for Operational Security Systems Inc., Atlanta, to design a security system that could protect condominium owners, hotel guests and mansion staff, yet allow them free mobility throughout the premises. Lee recommended an integrated security approach that included the Symmetry Professional Security Management System from AMAG Technology, Torrance, Calif., integrated with a complete video system. The system includes a self-serve visitor management system for condo owners to allow guests entry.

A safe haven for tenants

Bioscrypt fingerprint readers are located throughout the premises to provide entrance from the garage into the building. The fingerprint readers allow condo owners to walk freely to the amenity floors without the inconvenience of having to carry a card or keys, according to Lee. “After all, this is their home,” Lee continued.

With security this tight, condo owners can use the web server to preauthorize their visitors. Owners log into the condominium association’s intranet, which is integrated with the Symmetry Professional SMS, and preauthorize any and all guests. Condo owners set expiration dates while the pre-enrolled visitor management function allows security personnel to issue proximity cards to visitors with access rights. It’s based on the name, password, date of arrival and duration of the visit. A proximity card is assigned to each guest and left at the concierge desk for pick-up by the guest. Guests are allowed access to the perimeter areas, to the condo owner’s floor and entrances specified by the owner.

Securing hotel guests and staff

The hotel implemented a photo ID system that doubles as an access card for staff. The hotel staff uses their cards to access back offices, computer rooms, cashiering services and computer rooms. They can also utilize the service elevator which is controlled by Symmetry. Symmetry’s alarm monitoring function is connected to the medical alert buttons in the sauna and duress buttons located throughout the hotel. The integration allows for a quick response if medical attention or security assistance is needed.