2023: The year in review

Posted:

It’s been a busy year at Biosite!

We are super proud of our team, who have once again demonstrated their drive, determination and dedication to supporting our customers in construction, with some impressive results. Thank you and well done Team Biosite.

Thank you also to our customers, partners and suppliers, who have supported us this year (including lots of lovely new customers). Together we have navigated some challenging conditions in the industry, with a shared vision and spirit of collaboration and advancement.

Bring on 2024!

Mike Bryant appointed SVP and Head of Construction

Posted:

Leading Biosite and CrewSight to support the digital transformation of construction.

Mike Bryant has been appointed Senior Vice President (SVP) and Head of Construction at ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, to drive growth and global expansion of the Biosite and CrewSight brands.

Following a decade at Biosite forging collaborative partnerships with the team and customers and tenures as Director and Head of Global Business Development and Commercial Director, the promotion is a natural next step. Mike will now lead the team on the next phase of innovation to support the digital transformation of the construction industry, globally, through the delivery of effective biometric access control and workforce management software solutions.

He comments: “I am passionate about our business and about supporting the construction industry. I have seen first-hand over the years the challenges our customers face and their growing responsibilities, as the industry shifts to focus on adopting technology, improving safety and culture on site and demonstrating compliance. I am committed to continuing our mission to support construction, globally, by providing end-to-end solutions rooted in the latest technology, that will help them manage their workforce effectively and ensure sites are safe, secure, efficient and compliant.”

Stephanie Ordan, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Solutions, adds: “Mike has been instrumental in Biosite’s growth journey and his solid background in business development, most recently focusing on global expansion, means he is ideally placed to continue the upward trajectory of the Construction business.”

The promotion comes as Mike Rimmington, former SVP and Head of Construction, moves to head up the Key and Asset Management vertical of ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, led by the TRAKA brand. He comments: “Mike is highly respected and valued – internally and externally – and his drive for continuous improvement and innovation will certainly make for an exciting and impactful next chapter for Biosite and CrewSight. I am looking forward to continuing to work collaboratively across our respective verticals and introducing relevant technology solutions to our shared customers. There is a certainly a place for intelligent key and asset management systems within construction that we are excited to explore.”

Mike’s ‘tremendous contribution’ to the construction industry has been recognised by the judges of the Construction News ‘Rising Star’ award, who commended his efforts supporting continuous improvement in construction through digitisation and fire safety. Mike is currently completing a Masters in Business Administration at Warwick Business School (The University of Warwick).

ASSA ABLOY is the global leader in access solutions and the Global Solutions division was established to provide end-to-end, technology-driven solutions for dedicated industries. The Construction vertical is spearheaded by Biosite, which was acquired by the Group in 2020 and joined by CrewSight in early 2023.

Biosite is a market leader and innovator in biometric access control systems and workforce management software for construction, with accompanying solutions for fire safety, security and delivery management. CrewSight specialises in jobsite access control and workforce management software in the United States. Both are dedicated to delivering effective, software-driven solutions for the construction industry, with a shared mission to optimise safety, security, efficiency and compliance on site.

Check CSCS cards the SMART way

Posted:

The danger of construction card fraud is well documented and the CSCS has been urging employers to carry out electronic card checks prior to allowing workers on site for several years. By checking CSCS cards electronically, employers can be confident that operatives on site have the right qualifications and training to do the job safely. CSCS is urging employers to help tackle card fraud and take advantage of the benefits offered by using the CSCS SmartCard.

Benefits that CSCS SmartCard technology can offer

CSCS partner with IT firms who provide software and solutions that can be integrated with the CSCS SmartCard.  Only companies which have adequately demonstrated how their solutions benefit construction contractors or clients may become CSCS IT Partners.

Biosite, a CSCS IT Partner since 2011, provides access control and workforce management systems designed specifically to address the complex challenges of the construction industry. It utilises state of the art biometric and wireless technology to provide a secure and reliable, yet flexible and affordable solution for today’s ever increasing health and safety needs on construction sites.

Benefits of Biosite’s access control system

  • Scan CSCS SmartCard chip and import CSCS SmartCard and photographic information
  • Access is only granted once biometric identification and CSCS accreditations are checked and verified
  • Site access based on accreditation information coupled with unique biometric information
  • Automatically lock operatives out of construction site if their cards are fake or their accreditations have expired
  • Ability to prove only inducted and accredited individuals have been granted access on to site
  • Accurate time and attendance reporting
  • Rapid biometric matching in less than one second resulting in faster throughput
  • ‘Near Miss’ data capture and ‘Toolbox Talks’ recording using biometric registration
  • Unique ability to de-duplicate profiles using biometric identification across multiple sites.


CSCS Communications and Public Affairs Manager Alan O’Neile said: 
“CSCS believes that for construction sites to remain safe and productive all workers should have the correct qualifications and training for the type of work they carry out. This was one of CSCS’s primary objectives when introducing the electronic SmartCard in 2010. The CSCS SmartCard provides a simple and cost effective way to tackle fraud and verify that workers hold the correct qualifications and training before allowing them on site.”

Surveys have confirmed many employers and contractors are still not taking advantage of the available technology, with many sites still relying on flawed visual card checks and time consuming paper based systems.

Alan O’Neile continued: “The technology embedded in a CSCS card is free to use and allows a site manager access to a wealth of information about each worker, including their qualifications. By simply placing the card in a reader or onto a compatible device such as a tablet or smartphone you can instantly check the cards validity and the qualifications held by the card holder.”


Biosite’s Managing Director adds,
 “Biosite’s biometric access control system, integrated with CSCS SmartCards, has completely transformed workforce management and security within the construction industry as site managers are now able to accurately monitor how many workers are on site at any given time and can also permit or restrict access more efficiently – ensuring only CSCS accredited and trained personnel are on site.”

Biosite’s integrated suite of products include: Biometric Access Control, Wireless Fire Alarms, Online Induction, Delivery Management, CCTV, Corporate Reporting and Manned Guarding.

The role of access control asset management

Posted:

How recommissioning and reusing products can add value for construction companies.

A recent report calling to reduce consumption-based emissions focused on the value of making products last longer. It’s estimated that better use of existing products could save G7 countries nearly 800 million tonnes of CO2 per year by 2030 – that’s equivalent to the annual territorial emissions of France and Italy combined.* When looking at this area, what role does access control asset management play?

Encouraging the reuse of products effectively requires a shift in attitudes and behaviours. It has become commonplace to routinely discard products that still work in a quest for something ‘new’ or ‘better’. But at Biosite we actively present customers with the option of reusing our access control hardware – via our asset management service.

Our approach to access control asset management

At Biosite we believe in the quality and longevity of our products and the value of repurposing goods. That’s why more than 85 per cent of our products are currently refurbished and reused as part of our recommissioning process, including access control turnstiles, PODs and cabins, time and attendance boards and fire equipment.

We also believe in delivering the best service for our customers in construction.

Our asset management service helps customers maximise their access control hardware portfolio and redeploy items across sites, as and when they need them. Each customer has an asset register managed by their Biosite account manager; assets are collected at the end of a project; refurbished and serviced as needed; stored in a designated storage area and redelivered to site when required. A monthly report allows customers to track the location and availability of their assets.**

Maximising investment and reducing waste

This approach to quality and service is possible because at Biosite we manufacture goods in-house and have the facilities available to store, service and redeploy assets. This reduces unnecessary production and waste (which helps the environment), whilst maximising our customers’ investment in access control hardware (which provides economic benefit).

Rebecca Sturgeon, Senior Account Manager at Biosite Systems Ltd, explains: “Asset management of access control hardware has many advantages for construction companies, with significant environmental and cost benefits, not to mention the convenience factor of having an asset ready to redeploy.

“As we manufacture products in-house, we have the ability to service and maintain them, along with the facility to store them for our customers. Our access control hardware has been built to last. We constantly evolve and refine our products to ensure they are robust and offer longevity. There simply is no need to purchase new equipment for every site if there is a perfectly good piece of kit already available in your asset register.

“Alongside the environmental benefits of making better use of existing products, it’s common for our asset management customers to achieve substantial savings across their portfolio, often in the tens of thousands of pounds. The cost of servicing an existing asset is significantly less than purchasing new and when you factor that across a volume of sites, it quickly adds up.”

Biosite Asset Management is included as an added value service for Framework and Enterprise level partners and available to all Biosite customers as an optional service.

For more information, contact your Biosite representative direct or email info@biositesystems.com.        

* WRAP | Seven Steps Towards Net Zero Summary

**Standard service, delivery and collection charges are applicable. Monthly report included for Enterprise level customers

Biosite ranked as a leading security provider 2023

Posted:

Biosite Security Ltd is now in the top 7% of leading security providers in the UK after reaccreditation by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). The company is also a member of the prestigious ACS Pacesetters register, reserved for the top 15 per cent of all SIA Approved Contractor Status accredited security companies.

Primarily known for its innovative biometric access control and workforce management solutions for construction, Biosite also offers a dedicated security service for the industry and for more than ten years has provided manned guarding and CCTV solutions tailored to site and customer needs.

This latest achievement follows a recent audit where the company was praised for customer and employee satisfaction levels, alongside innovations including a mobile app for officers to review risk assessments, complete incident reports and carry out patrols. As well as supporting real-time access to data and reporting, the app reduces the requirement for paperwork on site, which in turn reduces Biosite’s environmental impact.

According to the ACS Pacesetters, companies joining the register “have proved they are market leaders in the security guarding industry and are therefore capable of providing an excellent standard of service to their clients and a high degree of care for their employees.”[1]

Simon Oakley, Operations Director at Biosite Security Ltd, comments: “We pride ourselves on delivering a consistently high standard of policy and procedure, as well as exemplary service delivery. It is fantastic to be recognised as one of the top security companies in the UK and it reflects the hard work and dedication displayed by the entire team.”

To support construction security needs, Biosite provides a range of services across manned guarding and CCTV. Biosite operates a nationwide support network of specially trained and SIA licensed guards covering a variety of roles, including traditional guarding to support site access monitoring and night guarding, Gatemen and Marshalls, as well as Guard Dog Handlers. Biosite Security Guards are also trained in Biosite systems in use on site, to ensure optimum performance. To find out more email security@biositesystems.com.

  Find out more     Request a call back   

[1] The ACS Pacesetters – Welcome to The ACS Pacesetters – ACS Pacesetters

Mike Rimmington appointed Managing Director of Biosite

Posted:

Biosite Systems Ltd, the UK market leader in biometric access control and workforce management technology for construction, has announced the appointment of Mike Rimmington as Managing Director. Previously, Mike held the title of Chief Financial Officer, after joining the company in 2019.

Prior to his tenure at Biosite, Mike held senior positions in finance across the IT and engineering sectors, with a proven track record of delivering transformation programmes for businesses. During his time at Biosite, revenue has increased 27 per cent year on year.

Now, Mike will be focusing on international expansion and bringing Biosite’s unique offering to a wider audience. He comments: “My time at Biosite has been the most rewarding of my career so far and I’ve been inspired by the ingenuity and adaptability of the team and our ability to provide effective solutions for construction, which improve efficiency, safety and compliance on site. As well as performing consistently financially, we have also adapted to changing conditions and responded to the needs of the market – introducing facial recognition technology as a contactless method of access control, for example.

“We are proudly a leader in the UK but now is the time to take Biosite to the next level and I’m excited to bring our innovative proposition for technology-enabled solutions for construction to a much wider audience.”

The announcement follows the appointment of former Managing Director and Co-founder Li Wang to Vice President of Hospitality at ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, part of the ASSA ABLOY Group. Biosite was acquired by the global leader in access solutions in February 2020.

Li adds: “Since starting Biosite more than a decade ago, I have been passionate about our unique offering in biometric access control and as a solutions provider for construction. Our success to-date has been a result of our innovative approach, commitment and capabilities as a team.

“Mike has been instrumental in the progress the business has made in recent years and his financial acumen and tenacity – plus crucially his shared passion for the business and the team – make him ideally placed to champion Biosite on the next stage of the growth journey.”

Biosite recently expanded its production capabilities with a second facility in Wellesbourne, Warwickshire. The 9,582 sq ft site utilises 100 per cent renewable energy and is responsible for the production of Biosite access control hardware, including turnstiles, pods and cabins. Production of the rest of Biosite’s portfolio, including the Wireless Fire Alarm System, remains at the head office facility in Solihull, West Midlands.

As the UK market leader in biometric access control and workforce management technology, Biosite is known for its unique biometric fingerprint algorithm; developed specifically for the low quality fingerprints typically found in construction. Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, Biosite launched its innovative facial recognition technology solution for construction, to respond to increased demand for contactless site entry, along with a range of COVID-19 Response Solutions. Biosite develops a range of access control hardware and workforce management software in house, along with innovative solutions for fire safety, security and delivery management.

Robertson introduce Biosite Facial Recognition on UK’s first National Robotarium site

Posted:

 

Robertson Construction has deployed facial recognition technology on its prestigious National Robotarium project in Edinburgh to support contactless site entry for the workforce. The site will be the first National Robotarium in the UK and is due to open in 2022 as a world-leading research facility for robotics and artificial Intelligence.


Robertson have introduced Biosite Facial Recognition system at site entry and exit points to provide a non-contact biometric access control solution with mandatory fever screening. It means operatives will have their facial template matched against the workforce database and have their temperature checked before access to site is granted.

The system will enable Robertson to capture and monitor workforce data on site, in real time, to support health and safety, efficiency and compliance, as well as help manage coronavirus transmission risk. It is the first Robertson project to introduce a facial recognition system with integrated temperature measurement and the first live deployment of Biosite Facial Recognition in Scotland.

The non-contact facial recognition system requires no secondary authentication such as pin entry and has been developed to prioritise data security – no worker data is stored on the camera device and the facial matching process takes place remotely, which also improves accuracy. The facial matching process is completed in <0.2 seconds for efficient worker throughput*.

 

Why Biosite?

Richard Cairns, Senior Project Manager at Robertson Construction (Central Scotland East), explains: “We were looking for an effective access control system that would enable us to easily and accurately track critical workforce data. It was also crucial for us to have a non-contact system to comply with site safety guidance in Scotland, and that would meet our own stringent safe operating procedures in relation to the ongoing concerns around COVID-19.  We have used facial recognition systems previously, but Biosite’s solution means we can capture and monitor workforce information whilst providing a contactless entry system with the additional reassurance of fever screening.

“Biosite worked with us to make sure we had the right solution for the project, which is also proving popular with the site team, who have found it really easy to use and have been reassured by the temperature measurement feature.” 

Joe Gribben, Business Development Manager (Scotland) at Biosite Systems Ltd, adds: “Having a biometric access control system enables contractors to check health and safety and competency information, such as whether workers have up-to-date qualifications and have completed their induction training before entry to site is granted. The system also helps safeguard against issues such as modern slavery, as the use of biometrics means you can link a worker’s facial template to their qualified biographic profile and know who’s on site at any one time.

“It was also essential that we provided a contactless solution that would meet specific site safety guidance in Scotland. It was a pleasure to be able help the team combine the latest technology with a practical and effective approach to access control.”

The National Robotarium

The National Robotarium, based at Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh campus, is set to be the largest and most advanced facility of its type in the UK and is being developed as part of an objective to establish the city as the data capital of Europe. As part of the South East Scotland City Region Deal, the collaboration between Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh has been funded by both the UK and Scottish Government.

Robertson is one of the UK’s largest family-owned construction, infrastructure, regeneration, development and support services businesses in the UK businesses in the UK and is due to complete the National Robotarium project in spring 2022.

Biosite Facial Recognition has been developed in-house to provide a convenient, contactless access control solution specifically for the construction industry.

Find out more   Request a call back   

 

*dependent on the number of people enrolled and the specification of the purchased system

Biosite’s around the world challenge

Posted:

 

Whilst we might not be able to grab our suitcases and go on a trip of a lifetime just yet, Team Biosite is still attempting to travel the world, albeit virtually, as part of our 2021 fundraising challenge.


The challenge

Biosite’s around the world challenge will see Team Biosite attempt to walk, run and cycle more than 25,000 miles between now and the end of July 2021, in aid of our charity partner Ronald McDonald House Charities UK (RMHC). That’s an average of more than 830 miles a week! The route will include virtual visits to our partners across the ASSA ABLOY Group in Stockholm (Sweden), New Haven (Connecticut) and Willoughby (New South Wales). Finally, the team will travel back to our head office in Solihull (England). 

The challenge was initiated by Biosite’s Operations Manager, Simon Parr, to support RMHC whilst encouraging team camaraderie and providing a reason to exercise. He explains:

“COVID has presented many challenges for charities like RMHC, with  the limitations around physical fundraising events having an impact on the vital funds needed to keep the Houses running. A lot of our team are also working from home and I felt it was important to bring people together and set a challenge that would not only benefit RMHC but would also foster a feeling of team spirit and encourage more physical activity – as I’m a firm believer in exercise having a positive impact on mental health.

“Since we’ve started the challenge, we’ve had more than 50 members of the team join and it’s been fantastic to see how everyone is enjoying taking part and really getting stuck in. So many people are now taking part that we’ve created three internal teams, as a bit of friendly competition, which is causing some office banter! Of course, it’s the taking part that counts though and whether people are doing a few miles a week or 100+, we are all working towards the same goal and it’s bringing people together, which is great.”   

 

 

The target

Team Biosite is aiming to raise £2,500 for RMHC and we are asking our supporters to donate 1p for every 10 miles completed – that’s £25 – or whatever they can spare. A donation of £25 covers one night of accommodation at a RMHC House, to enable a family to be close to their sick child’s bedside. However, all funds raised will make a real difference to families who access RMHC facilities. 

To keep up to date with challenge news and to show your support for Team Biosite, visit our Just Giving page.

Our Just Giving page   

Biosite working with HS2 to implement project-wide health and safety passport

Posted:

New initiative to boost health and safety and competency insight across the HS2 supply chain

Biosite is working with HS2 and its contractors to take a major step in improving health and safety assurance across sites between London and the West Midlands by introducing a new digital ‘Health and Safety Passport System’ (HSPS). Initially, it will be used by all of HS2’s Main Works Civils Contractors to share vital health and safety information across contractors. The contract to develop and deliver the new system was awarded to Biosite – the UK market leader in workforce management systems for construction – following collaborations with multiple HS2 Joint Ventures (JVs).

HS2 contractors, and their staff, may be working across multiple sites and multiple contracts on the new high speed rail route and the new digital passport system will establish a central database of critical workforce information across the HS2 supply chain. The collection and synchronisation of data from local level to project wide will help to ensure consistency of standards and performance.

As well as ensuring only operatives with the correct credentials and skills are permitted access to site, this approach will allow HS2 to track workforce data around areas such as competency mapping, health and safety assessments and fatigue management across the whole project. Where supplier companies and operatives are working across multiple locations, the new system will flag fatigue risks across the project. The software will also de-duplicate worker profiles to establish a single record for each operative, including as they potentially move between contractors.

The workforce management software solution developed by Biosite will link biometric data directly to operative information and site access for real-time visibility and traceability. Operatives will be required to complete a central online pre-induction before undertaking a local site induction and provide biometric information to generate their global identification or digital ‘passport’.  It will be the first time that workforce data will be available to view across a major project via a consolidated platform. The data collated can also be anonymised and provide a learning legacy for future major projects.

The introduction of the HSPS is part of HS2’s commitment to become the UK’s safest ever major project, putting safety at the heart of everything on the project. This includes ensuring the safety and welfare of everyone working on the project, right through to protecting the health and safety of the communities where HS2 is being constructed and will operate.

Emma Head, HS2’s Safety and Assurance Director said: “Health and Safety is at the heart of everything we do as we build Britain’s new high speed railway. We aim to lead by innovation at HS2 and the new Health and Safety Passport System is a pioneering way for us to further our best practice approach to workforce health and safety management. We are pleased to be working with Biosite to deliver the initiative, bringing workforce management for complex projects such as HS2 to the next level.”

A project team consisting of HS2 Ltd, Biosite and HS2’s contractors is now working together to implement the system across HS2 contracts.

Li Wang, Managing Director at Biosite Systems Ltd, comments: “We were able to utilise our experience working across HS2 projects to-date to recommend a software solution that will bring together silos of data from JV projects in a central, cloud-based portal through a combination of online induction, biometric data capture through various access control points at site level, and business intelligence software. The solution will focus on ensuring data integrity and synchronicity at every point, to ensure the team at HS2 have access to accurate data that will deliver valuable insight and help support project safety, efficiency and compliance.”

The HS2 HSPS initiative is scheduled to go live in spring 2021 with HS2’s Main Works Civils Contractors working on Phase One. It will then be rolled out across the project including to the Station Construction Partner Contractors.


Biosite’s Workforce Management systems

biosite manager using workforce management systems

Biosite’s range of Workforce Management systems can help to give you full visibility of what’s happening on site. For more information click the button below. If you’d like to talk about Biosite’s Workforce Management solution or you’d like to know more about our partnership with HS2, please contact us.

Find out more  Contact us 

Biosite’s access control system launched on site near Stockholm

Posted:

A construction site in Nykvarn, south of Stockholm, is the launchpad for one of the first biometric access control systems within the Swedish construction industry.

With the application of biometric technology from Biosite, using a unique algorithm developed specifically to read the low quality fingerprints typically found in the industry, the construction company Betonmast can now ensure that only the right people are present on site, stop ID fraud and at the same time get accurate, real-time data on workflows that enables optimization of the way they plan and operate their projects.


Biosite is a leading supplier of biometric access control for construction sites in the UK. In its home market, Biosite’s access control system and workforce management solutions are installed on around 700 construction sites, with more than 650,000 workers registered. An average of six million biometric events are captured every month through the company’s system. In February 2020, Biosite was acquired by ASSA ABLOY to spearhead a new construction vertical and support global expansion, with Sweden being a core target market.

 

Now, for the first time, Biosite’s solution has been installed on a Swedish construction site. In Nykvarn, Betonmast is building 145 apartments for Bokoop. Everyone who passes in and out of the construction site identifies themselves through their fingerprints and can then pass the turnstile to the fenced area. An online induction software solution also completes pre-registration in advance, with all worker data collected on a central portal, for visibility and traceability.

Marcus Garheden, CEO of Betonmast Mälardalen AB, explained: “For us, it is an important safety issue to know who moves in our workplaces. This solution is both secure and easy to install and manage. We also get a good basis for developing our processes and our planning and a better grasp of the actual workflows in our projects.

“We know from the UK that this is a revolutionary technology that has spread very quickly.”

Behind the construction project in Nykvarn is Bokoop, the first large-scale investment in cooperative tenancies in Sweden in more than a hundred years. The goal is to build good quality, cost effective housing for young people. The houses are close to public transport, heated only with geoenergy and solar panels, will be environmentally certified, are equipped with an electric carpool and an e-commerce annex where residents can pick up packages and groceries. Extremely fast internet is included in the rent.

Olof Landgren, chairman of Bokoop Kooperativ Hyresrättsförening, commented:

“Our goal is to create sustainable innovation at all levels in the housing market. For us it is an obvious choice to work with responsible partners such as ASSA ABLOY and Biosite, who drive sustainability in an industry with major historical challenges.”

ASSA ABLOY’s Biosite solution now expects that more construction companies will follow the lead of Bokoop and Betonmast. Earlier this year, a collaboration was initiated with ID06; an industry-wide initiative with an identity card systems at the center, aimed to to make it easier to identify people in the workplace and connect each person to an employer. Already this summer, ID06 had delivered over 580,000 new cards to 75,000 Swedish companies.

Samuel Asarnoj, Head of the Construction Business Area, within the ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions division, concluded: “The system provides an easy and flexible way to secure both identity, documentation and compliance through accurate data. We see biometrics as a natural next step for the construction industry and are completely convinced that in Sweden we will benefit as much from the technology as we have in the UK.”