News

Site digital video recording is triggered by movement on a CCTV camera

Police are urging people who recognise the men involved in an attack beside a shop to come forward. The pair attacked a passer-by after he went to the aid of a security guard. The young man suffered a broken jaw in the assault in Edinburgh. He had helped the guard, who he had seen remonstrating with the men outside the store. Police have released CCTV images of the duo in a bid to swiftly catch them. A Tensor digital CCTV system can be applied as ‘standalone’, or it can be combined with any previously installed Tensor access control or visitor monitoring equipment at a shop or premises. The CCTV footage generated by your camera network is recorded on a dedicated digital video recorder, which can be located either onsite or offsite. Triggered by motion detectors or movement on a CCTV camera, the DVR only records footage of activity so no ‘dead time’ is unnecessarily stored. Evidence quality digital CCTV is now affordable by any size of business.  
News

Business system communicates in real time when a person clocks

As part of its previously announced strategic review Lloyds Banking Group said it will lose nearly 1,000 jobs. In a statement released on Tuesday, it said: “During 2009, 2010 and 2011, slightly less than 50% of the role reductions made as part of integration have led to people leaving the group through redundancy. All affected employees have been briefed by their line manager today.” Lloyds said recognised unions Accord, LTU, GMB and Unite were consulted prior to the announcement. Business clocking experts Tensor have designed wireless enabled Time and Attendance systems that save time and increase efficiency at the workplace. Timely information is increasingly important within business. The new range of T32xx clocks actively communicate with the computer system when a person clocks, books them ‘on’ to a job or uses their card to open a door. Real time communications provides you with the information as it occurs. Employees can clock ‘in’ or ‘out’ for time & attendance and ‘on’ or ‘off’ production jobs.  
News

Door access controllers can be networked into powerful PC run security infrastructure

An item of rare industrial heritage was allegedly stolen in the latest incident of metal theft from a business park in Dorset. The large piece was part of a Victorian railway steam engine’s boiler which is being restored by Aaron Tiefel who works for a nearby engineering firm. He said: “It’s a real blow that the piece has been stolen because it was a unique piece of Victorian British heritage that can now never be restored to its former glory.” Tensor can help an office or site suffering from theft with our secure Access Control products. Our access controllers can be networked to form a powerful computer controlled security infrastructure. The T3510 Low Cost Four Scanner Controller can be configured in many different arrangements, controlling a smaller number of doors at first and then more at a later date as need and/or budget permits. The T3510 is ideal for one to four door access control; linked together it can control up to 128 doors from one PC.  
News

Tensor is short listed for ADS Security and Innovation award

Security & Policing is the UK's only secure event for police, law enforcement and security professionals tasked with security, civil protection and national resilience. With a 30-year history and a global influence, this UK Government event has grown to become a corner-stone of the security calendar. The exhibition brings together international professionals and experts from government, law enforcement, police services, CNI and industry in a crucible of shared knowledge and experience. The Security & Policing 2012 show is an invitation only event and Tensor plc were delighted to be invited to exhibit at the show for a third year running. Tensor’s demonstrations included a high security turnstile; HD CCTV integrated with Access Control; Tensor’s full .NET suite of Security & Time Management products; Tensor’s new PharosTM ballistics grade, wireless and self powering CCTV system; and a live test of Tensor’s ruggedized range of smart card readers being soaked continuously in a stream of water for the entire three day event. Ashley Smith, Tensor Chief Executive, commented: “This year was the most successful year to date for Tensor at the Security & Policing show (formally HOSDB). The calibre of visitors was extremely high and provided Tensor with an opportunity to discreetly discuss in-depth security requirements with key decision makers, from the UK and many other countries. Tensor experienced the highest number of visitors to our stand in our three year history of exhibiting at this event.” In addition, Tensor were honoured to be short-listed as a finalist for the ADS Security & Innovation award which was presented at Security & Policing 2012 Dinner in Guildford Cathedral as part of the event. Bob Rose, Director of Security for ADS, said: “Congratulations must be extended to Tensor on receiving the award of 'Highly Commended' in this year’s Security Innovation Awards. The standard of entries was very high as ever, which is a testament to the continued advanced research and development of the UK Security Industry and partnership with UK customers. The Security Innovation Awards organised in conjunction with the Home Office provide a rare opportunity to recognise the achievement of the UK Security Industry and once again we congratulate Tensor on this achievement.”  
News

Businesses can get warning emails when employees are absent from work

Threats of a strike on the prime European rail network have been called off after a pay deal was sorted out for cleaners. The maintenance workers on the Eurostar service ceased their pay dispute after accepting a settlement which they say will see staff earning a minimum rate of £8 an hour. The new pay deal comes into effect in the autumn. The agreement agreed with cleaners’ employer OCS is worth 8 per cent on basic pay. If your firm has problems identifying or anticipating when employees are absent from work, Tensor’s time and attendance systems include a facility for absenteeism and lateness reporting. Accurate information about absenteeism and lateness is provided for businesses through warning email notifications, SMS messaging direct to a supervisor’s mobile or via hardcopy reports. The system quickly identifies missing employees that are expected to be at work and then informs you via automatic email reporting. Data on manning levels is another feature of Tensor’s advanced WinTAnet system.  
News

Gates or barriers restrict potential criminals from trespassing onto a site

Virgin Media said it was continuing to liaise with police after “malicious damage” to part of its cable network. A Virgin Media business spokesperson said these criminal acts had impacted on the services the company delivers to users such as rail transport and the health board in the Swansea area. Local police confirmed officers were investigating another case of cable theft at 01:20 GMT on February 2. A previous theft of generator cables had forced a hospital to postpone operations. Gates, barriers, and turnstiles from Tensor are ways of restricting potential criminals from trespassing onto a site. The barriers fully integrate with our smart card and biometric access control systems giving you full jurisdiction over movement and access in and around the premises. A durable and reliable system Tensor system can stop vehicles or personnel at the relevant barrier and disallow entry or exit until they identify themselves via their smart card and/or biometric fingerprint. For more details on a Tensor barrier, please contact our sales team.  
News

Labour hours analysis workstation supports smart card and MiFare technology

Network Rail has turned down calls for the chairman of its remuneration committee to resign following the furore over executive bonuses. It follows a controversy last week at the £4bn taxpayer-subsidised firm. Company executives announced they would not take bonuses worth as much as 60 per cent of their salary. At a board meeting members were unhappy at how the bonus issue was handled, however Network Rail said the committee would stay put with Steve Russell as boss. The Tensor T32xx Time & Security Workstation is top class at allowing staff to handle on-site matters such as Job Booking, Job Costing and Labour Hours Analysis. The user friendly, multilingual GUI (Graphical User Interface) makes using the T32xx effortless for anyone likely to use it. It boasts a 480 x 272 pixel colour LCD with video playback; expandable memory with USB flash stick and SD/MMC Card storage support; and tamper detection. Optional features include speaker output; mobile phone SIM card support; and Tensor Smart Card and MiFare Technology.  
News

Durable gates ideal for controlling vehicle access to and from a business

Police suspect a string of recent early evening armed robberies in Nottingham are being conducted by the same man. Between November 25 last year and January 27 half a dozen business sites and shops had items stolen. Among these episodes were cash and jewellery being stolen from a hair salon and cash taken from the Jamaica National Bank. Officers said in all instances the man entered the premises, threatened staff with a handgun and demanded they hand over cash. Tensor offers a range of high quality access control products ideal for all business sites. Among these are durable gates, which offer reliable performance in the most demanding environments. Tensor’s gates are quick to respond to the user’s instructions and can work alongside our Smart Card door access systems. Ideal for controlling vehicle access to and from your site, all gates include a manual override facility preventing closure on a pedestrian or vehicle. They operate quickly enough to cope with high traffic volumes and need no routine maintenance.  
News

Personnel management system includes company cars facility and training data

Since standing down as prime minister, Gordon Brown has earned more than £1.4 million. An updated entry in the House of Commons register of members' interests shows he has earned more than £180,000 for his role as Distinguished Global Leader in Residence at New York University. About £997,000 in fees and £293,000 in expenses have gone to the office of Gordon and his wife Sarah Brown. They use this money to fund campaigns on issues such as improving education in the developing world. Tensor’s Personnel Software offers everything you would expect from a personnel management system which aids strategic planning. Extensive information is stored on each employee in your company. Other features include an Intelligent Graphical Diary that enables messages to be entered and viewed for selected users; a Company Cars facility for logging MOT and service dates; Training Information for pending courses, including locations, descriptions and notes; Letter Writer including mailmerge functionality; and a Pay Reviewer including reports, projected pay increases and salary expenditure.  
News

Electronic fingerprint reader controls access to high security or dangerous areas

In the past three years there has been a rise in a new burglary technique, which involves applying force and snapping a lock cylinder in two. The issue mainly centres on euro cylinder locks. Former burglar Peter Findlay said snapping the lock was “simpler and quicker”. Mr Findlay now works with police formulating crime prevention tips. He said: “If I had the best lock pins in England I wouldn't bother using them, I'd just snap the lock.” If locks at your business are vulnerable to burglary, then only the ultimate in Access Control from Tensor is good enough. The T34xx Smart Card scanner combines the latest generation of Tensor’s Smart Card electronics with a fingerprint reader. This product is for those who want the absolute peace-of-mind and the assurance that only the right people can gain access to your high-security or dangerous areas. The T34xx unit can be directly connected via a peer to peer cable connection, or be part of a network using your existing Ethernet IT backbone.  
News

Software allows HR department to accurately calculate bonuses and hourly rates

Lloyds is the first British bank to claw back bonuses after financial results did not meet expectations. The banking group is claiming back millions of pounds worth of bonuses. Top bosses affected include ex-chief executive Eric Daniels, who is expected to lose between 40 per cent and half of a £1.45m bonus. The BBC also claims that three other board directors are expected to see about £250,000 of their bonus taken from them. Time and Attendance software from Tensor makes it simple for the HR department at both small and large businesses to accurately calculate shifts and hourly rates, including bonuses. Complex payment schemes can be used, based on factors such as the time of working to the grade of employee, via the Shift Premiums function. It allows you to create a series of shift premium rules that enable employees to earn bonus payments under special circumstances. The bonus is calculated either as extra hours or monetary amounts and can be included in the export to payroll.  
News

Supervisors able to authorise online pending holiday requests from workers

Hospital workers who are members of the GMB union are due to strike again tomorrow (Thursday, February 23). Cleaners and domestic staff at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon walked out on Tuesday over alleged managerial “bullying and harassment” by contractor Carillion. A Carillion spokesman said the contractor was “disappointed” that despite talks with the union on Monday, the strike was going ahead. Carillion added that it had carried out a full investigation into the allegations. Time & Attendance technology from Tensor allows management to monitor which members of staff are present or absent from work. Under the advanced WinTAnet system’s online self service module employees or contractors can view or change their personal information via an Internet Browser. After a successful login, staff can view their absence calendar and make holiday requests and add or annotate reasons why they were absent. Supervisors logging into the self-service module can amend their subordinates’ clockings and authorise or deny any pending holiday requests.