Biometrics added to standard Skill-safe system for fully-integrated access control with competency management
01 february 2012

As part of our recent development work to provide a single turnkey solution to our clients looking for a high-quality competency and training management system coupled with full access control, we can now offer biometric verification using Hand Geometry as part of our standard Skill-safe solution.

For further information, please contact Reference Point Sales via sales@referencepoint.co.uk.

 

BAM Nuttall / Taylor Woodrow JV extends use of CSCS Smartcards: One Smartcard, many uses
18 january 2012

The use of CSCS Smartcards at the £250 million upgrade of Tottenham Court Road by BAM Nuttall and Taylor Woodrow has been extended following a successful trial scheme.

Last year, this project was the first to require all site-based staff to hold CSCS Smartcards, which are now being used to reduce the number of cards workers need to carry on site.

The technology was first used to provide a link between individuals’ CSCS SmartCards and their training records on Vinci subsidiary Taylor Woodrow and Bam Nuttall’s internal training records system.

More recent development by Reference Point has seen workers’ cards loaded with project specific information, so when entering the site they present their CSCS Smartcards at readers at site entrances and the access control and biometric systems check the information stored and either allow or deny access, depending on their training and competence.

Taylor Woodrow / BAM Nuttall project director at Tottenham Court Road, Jez Haskins said: "Using the technology available through CSCS Smartcards has made ensuring that workers on our Tottenham Court Road site are competent much simpler and quicker.

"Using them for gaining access to site too means that workers only need one card which makes life easier for them and more cost-effective for us."

 

Thames Water Skill-safe System at Beckton: One site, more than 1300 workers per day handled electronically
11 december 2011

The system which was installed in August at Beckton is now handling well over 1300 site operatives, visitors and delivery personnel per day. Everyone accessing the site has a Smartcard (whether for long-term workers or Visitors/Deliveries), so that key information is recorded and tracked helping to ensure that workers leave site safely at the end of their shift. Site access is controlled through a series of vehicle barriers as well as card readers on buses that transport foot passengers to various destinations around the site, which has a 5km perimeter that includes a wide range of building, civil engineering, engineering and specialist construction operations.

Plans are currently being considered to widen implementation into other card uses.

 

In-house access control solutions team at Reference Point
09 december 2011

For a number of years, our solutions have interfaced with construction companies’ access control hardware. Owing to the volume of new business we’ve been winning that combines our software and Smartcards as part of a site access solution, we now offer our own in-house team.

We can provide objective advice as well as deliver and install any access control elements required in a single turnkey solution, supported by one reliable supplier: Reference Point.

 

Reference Point is now an approved CSCS Partner
01 december 2011

Reference Point is pleased to be one of the first approved partners confirmed by CSCS.

Reference Point is currently working on a number of projects with construction companies looking to utilise the unique benefits of the CSCS Smartcard, the universal Smartcard for the Construction Industry.

 

Vote for Reference Point and help us become an award winner!
22 september 2011

Against competition from major names in the industry, Reference Point has been shortlisted for two categories in the prestigious Construction Computing Awards. We are in the running for the E-Commerce Product of the Year category in recognition of our work on LUCAS, the membership and Smart card scheme for Engineering and Construction workers on London Underground sites. And we are also one of only three companies in the shortlist for IT Project of the Year for organisations with fewer than 100 employees.

The winner of the E-Commerce award is decided by a public voting process. To register your support for Reference Point please go to www.constructioncomputingawards.co.uk and click on the Vote button. Voting closes on November 2nd.

 

Reference Point shortlisted for two categories in Seasames Awards
18 august 2011

The Reference Point-developed CSCS Smart Card has been shortlisted for two categories in the prestigious Sesames Awards which are recognised as setting the standard for global card-based applications. The winner of the Software and ID Cards categories will be announded at the CARTES exhibition and conference in Paris in November.

 

First UK all-smart CSCS site
09 february 2011

VINCI BAM Nuttall’s £250 million joint venture at Tottenham Court Road is now the first UK all-smart CSCS site.

Following the consortium’s announcement to go smart last December, the system has been successfully implemented at Tottenham Court Road and was formally launched at an event attended by about 100 guests from varying parts of the construction sector at Centrepoint yesterday.

For more information, you may read this article .

 

VINCI BAM Nuttall Go Smart
10 december 2010

The £250m VINCI/BAM Nutall joint venture project to upgrade Tottenham Court Road for Transport for London (TfL) includes almost 800 piles totalling around 14km in length – or approximately 140 football pitches - requiring 9000 cubic metres of concrete.

The project will be the first construction site to require all site-based staff to hold CSCS SmartCards.

Using CSCS’ SmartCard technology will bring many benefits that will reduce costs and improve safety on site including:

• Eliminating holders of fraudulent CSCS cards gaining site access
• Reducing administrative time to check CSCS cards are valid and appropriate to workers’ roles on site
• Providing easy access to the in-house training records system to allow site managers to check that workers have received the necessary training to undertake their jobs safely.

SmartCards will be utilised on the Tottenham Court Road site from early 2011.

Jez Haskins, project director for VINCI/BAM Nuttall said:

"Saving time and money whilst improving safety management is good for workers, contractors and clients. Using CSCS SmartCards makes sense on many levels so we are keen to see the benefits they bring at Tottenham Court Road in order to determine how to introduce them onto other sites."

Commenting on this, Tanya Morris, Business Development Director at RPL, said:

"For years, people in the construction sector have talked longingly of the Utopian concept of a single card to authenticate the individual worker and confirm his/ her skills – instead of the numerous cards and certificates that construction operatives routinely need to carry around.

"With the CSCS Smartcard, this ideal is now a reality. The Smartcard has been designed not only to meet CSCS requirements but also to accommodate a wide range of data for individual construction and engineering companies, enabling such businesses to get multiple uses from the single CSCS Smartcard. The Tottenham Court Road project will be a fabulous showcase to demonstrate the many benefits and cost savings that a CSCS Smartcard can offer construction companies and their clients."

This story has also been featured in Construction News - you can find the article on their website as well as in their weekly magazine.

 

Success at Construction Computing awards
25 november 2010

Pitched against over 750 entries in the 2010 Construction Computing Awards, Reference Point triumphed with a category winner and two runners up accolades.

The Reference Point-developed SmartCard system for CSCS won the coveted Product to Watch category, whilst our work for London Underground’s LUCAS membership and Smart Card scheme for engineering and construction workers on its sites was awarded runner up for both the E-Commerce Product of the Year and IT Project of the Year.

Reference Point managing director Beric Davis commented:

"This is the first time we have entered these prestigious awards and we are delighted that the hardwork and dedication of our clients and our own team has been acknowledged by industry experts."

 

Reference Point reaches finals of prestigious Construction Computing awards
16 september 2010

Against competition from major names in the industry, Reference Point has been shortlisted for three categories in the prestigious Construction Computing Awards. In recognition of the many initiatives it has launched in the past year, Reference Point is in the final stages of being honoured the title of Construction Computing One to Watch Company while its work for London Underground to develop a sophisticated elearning Portal has reached the final stages of both the E-commerce Product of the Year and IT Project of the Year categories.

The winners of these awards are decided by a voting process. To register your support for Reference Point please go to www.constructioncomputingawards.co.uk and click on the Vote Now button. Voting closes on November 15th.

 

National Federation of Demolition Contractors to take up Smart Cards
24 may 2010

CSCS-affiliated organisation The National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC) has announced that it is committed to developing and implementing Smart technology on its CCDO (Certificate of Competence for Demolition Operatives) cards by November 2010 to complement CSCS’ introduction of Smart Cards earlier this year.

Howard Button, the NFDC’s chief executive, commented:

"We are determined to adopt new technology where it provides a positive way forward for the industry to maintain the pressure to drive up competency and the NDTG is working hard to make the benefits of Smart Cards available to the demolition industry."

 

New-look website goes live
23 may 2010

Reference Point today launched its new look company website.

Business Development Director, Tanya Morris, commented:

"It’s often said that, 'The cobbler's son is the worst shod,' and that’s certainly been true of our website for some time. I’m pleased, however, that we have finally put that right with the launch of our new website today. A change that is long overdue, the fresh look is a far more apt showcase for our design talents and much more in line with the services we provide to our clients."

 

Reference Point enters 20th year in business
04 january 2010

This year, 2010, sees Reference Point enter its 20th year in software. Since its inception, the company has supplied software solutions to more than five hundred organisations in both the public and private sector, and it is now the UKs leading supplier of sophisticated Smart Card systems, as well as an established player in the field of surveys.

Thanking staff for their participation in building the company and backing its values, Managing Director, Beric Davis, said:

"We are delighted to be celebrating our twentieth year in business. Things have changed slightly since we set up. Back in 1991, the business was centred on supplying organisations with user-friendly shrink-wrapped systems. Now we are more focused on building bespoke systems that are customised to individual client needs. Our core values haven’t changed though: dedication to providing clients with first class solutions that work; flexible and responsive customer support; and an over-riding focus on delivering value for money. Our main business activities haven’t changed either; we have been delivering competency systems for twenty years and survey systems for only marginally less time.

One of the most pleasing things for me is the number of original staff who are still with the business today, underpinning our services with an unequalled skill-base and bringing a rarely found continuity to what we do."

 

First CSCS Smart Card issued
01 january 2010

Today saw the issue of the first new CSCS Smart Card.

Commenting on the launch of the card, Reference Point Managing Director, Beric Davis, said:

"Today sees the culmination of three years of hard work and planning. We are proud to have participated in bringing the new Smart Card to fruition. I would like to thank all our staff for the commitment and effort they have put in to making this happen."