Supporting G4S clients through legacy network shutdowns
As G4S, a global security services provider, began preparing its customers for the BT Redcare and PSTN network shutdowns, they needed a reliable signalling platform to support the large-scale transition without risking alarm downtime. They called upon AddSecure UK, and our tried-and-tested Next Generation Portfolio (NGP), to provide customers with a resilient, IP-based service as legacy network closures went ahead.
Maintaining reliable security monitoring across the UK
G4S are renowned as a trusted provider of alarm monitoring and CCTV services and operate a managed Security Operations Centre that is responsible for protecting a wide range of commercial and residential premises across the UK.
The closure of BT Redcare, followed by the PSTN switch-off, presented G4S with the significant challenge of replacing outdated legacy equipment and making sure that customers fully understood the scale and urgency of the network transition. With a number of businesses still operating alarm signalling on legacy infrastructure, it was vital that the security provider could uphold its reputation for high quality security services. To achieve this, G4S needed to support their customers throughout the migration by upgrading their connections before the older networks were permanently switched off.
Jacqueline Lyttle, Head of Business Support at G4S, said: “Our main role is alarm monitoring and CCTV services, so dependable signalling is vital to what we do. The PSTN switch-off is one of our biggest challenges, and our focus has been on working closely with customers to ensure they understand what’s happening and take proactive steps to upgrade legacy connections before the deadlines arrive.”
It's important for us to provide solutions that customers trust, and the support we receive from AddSecure has been excellent.
Jacqueline Lyttle - Head of Business Support, G4S
A robust and reliable Next Generation Portfolio
To support customers during the network transitions, G4S opted for AddSecure’s Next Generation Portfolio (NGP), implementing both single and dual path devices with Essential, Essential IP, Essential Extra and Advanced to support the migration away from legacy PSTN networks. The broad range and flexibility of the portfolio allowed G4S to provide their customers with the right service for their risk profile, as well as the extra resilience of a second path.
The platform’s proven reliability and compatibility with modern IP infrastructure enabled G4S to provide customers with a clear and future-ready upgrade path. One of the advantages of our NGP is its ability to easily integrate with a wide range of alarm systems, so that upgrades can be carried out efficiently whilst minimising disruption for customers – this has proven particularly advantageous as the security provider worked through the complex process of identifying customers with legacy connections and then supporting them with the move to modern IP-based signalling.
Since beginning the programme, we have migrated 850 services helping G4S’s customers remain compliant and operational ahead of the PSTN switch-off deadline.
Jacqueline adds: “We really like the Next Generation Platform, and our customers are strong advocates of it as well. It’s important for us to provide solutions that customers trust, and the support we receive from AddSecure has been excellent as we continue onboarding more connections to the platform.”
By working closely with AddSecure, G4S has been able to support its customers navigate one of the biggest technology transitions the UK security industry has faced in decades, ensuring that customers remain protected with futureproofed alarm monitoring solutions.
Next Generation Portfolio
With the NGP, you can offer every customer a future-ready alarm signalling solution, from cost-effective options to the highest-performing systems in the industry, whatever their budget.