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From Keys to Ease for Illinois Trade School

Associated Builders and Contractors & ICT

 

As the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Illinois chapter expanded their construction trade school in Elk Grove Village, they knew their outdated key system couldn't keep up. With students and staff needing flexible and secure access, they sought a solution that offered better security, scalability, and reliability.

By partnering with Imperial Surveillance and implementing ICT's cutting-edge keyless entry system, they’ve achieved enhanced security, streamlined management, and future-ready scalability through a solution that has brought peace of mind and remarkable efficiency.

Project Highlights

  • Transitioned from traditional keys to a keyless system
  • Implemented scalable, future-proof technology
  • Equipped with multi-class readers for varied access
  • Improved facility security and operational efficiency
  • Seamless installation with minimal workflow disruption
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Illinois, USA

Location

Education
Education

Industry

Imperial Surveillance
Imperial Surveillance

Integrator

ICT provides peace of mind for not only me but my staff as well. It gives us the security we need and the confidence that we’re prepared for the future.

 - Alicia Martin, President, Associated Builders and Contractors Illinois Chapter

ICT provides peace of mind for not only me but my staff as well. It gives us the security we need and the confidence that we’re prepared for the future.

 - Alicia Martin, President, Associated Builders and Contractors Illinois Chapter

The Story

Security is a foundational element of any educational institution’s success. By partnering with Imperial Surveillance and adopting ICT’s integrated security technology, the ABC Illinois Chapter has transformed its trade school into a safer and smarter facility. With solutions that prioritize security, scalability, and efficiency, they’ve ensured a secure environment where students and staff can thrive now and into the future.

A Growing Campus, Pressing Problems

The ABC Illinois Chapter’s construction trade school became a vital hub for education and training. With hundreds of students attending weekly courses at varied hours, a dependable security system was crucial. However, as the school grew, the limitations of their key-based access system led to mounting challenges.

Alicia Martin, President of ABC Illinois Chapter, explained, “We had a key system, but it wasn’t meeting our needs. Students and staff come and go at all hours, and managing that level of access with physical keys just wasn’t reliable or secure.”

The system posed barriers in multiple ways. Physical keys were difficult to manage, gaining or revoking access required significant administrative effort, and tracking movement within the facility was virtually impossible. Additionally, the system lacked flexibility for growth, which was crucial as the school planned for future expansions.

Recognizing these issues, ABC prioritized creating a safer, more scalable solution that would accommodate the dynamic needs of their bustling campus.

The Move to Keyless Security

To move forward, ABC reached out to Imperial Surveillance, a trusted association member renowned for its expertise in managed security solutions. Imperial Surveillance’s Executive Vice President, Jason Ruggiero, helped identify a tailored solution using ICT’s advanced product range.

“ICT gave us all the tools we needed to design a solution for ABC’s specific needs. They’re flexible, scalable, and user-friendly, so it was the perfect match,” Ruggiero shared.

The solution centered around multi-class technology readers, giving users options for access through fobs or Bluetooth credentials. Unlike physical keys, the ICT system enabled precise control over who could enter specific areas and when. For instance, staff access was programmed for daytime hours, while students were granted limited evening entry for classes.

The ICT system also brought powerful administrative tools. Automated logging made it easy to track attendance and monitor facility use, freeing staff from manual tracking while enhancing overall security oversight.

A Seamless, Stress-Free Upgrade

Imperial Surveillance ensured the transition to the new system was smooth. The installation team worked efficiently, minimizing disruptions to daily operations. Once the system was in place, staff training sessions equipped ABC’s team with the knowledge to operate the system fully.

“It worked perfectly right from the start,” said Alicia Martin. “The system is intuitive and reliable, plus it offers the scalability we need as we grow.” ICT’s support included user training and integration certifications, ensuring the system met regulatory requirements and functioned seamlessly within the school environment.

The combination of Imperial Surveillance’s expertise and ICT’s advanced solutions offered a cutting-edge approach to security, ensuring the trade school could continue its vital mission without compromising peace of mind.

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The Outcome

Since adopting ICT’s advanced access control system, the ABC Illinois trade school has gained both peace of mind and operational efficiency. The cutting-edge system ensures that staff and students are safe while simplifying how the facility tracks and controls access.

Reflecting on the project, Jason Ruggiero emphasized the system’s flexibility and impact. “This solution gave ABC everything they needed to maintain control while providing a user-friendly experience. It grows with them and continues to perform exactly as intended.”

The scalability of ICT products means that as the trade school grows, their security infrastructure will grow with it. Beyond improved security, the seamless transition also allowed for uninterrupted learning and operations during installation.

For Alicia Martin, the results speak volumes. “It’s given me and my team peace of mind. We’ve got the security we need, and we know this system will support us as we continue to grow.”
The partnership with Imperial Surveillance and ICT has truly secured success for ABC Illinois, underscoring their dedication to delivering a top-notch learning environment.

ICT’s versatile and scalable solutions allowed us to give the school full control over their environment. And most importantly, it continues to work exactly as they need.

 - Jason Ruggiero, Executive Vice President, Imperial Surveillance

ICT’s versatile and scalable solutions allowed us to give the school full control over their environment. And most importantly, it continues to work exactly as they need.

 - Jason Ruggiero, Executive Vice President, Imperial Surveillance

ILLINOIS, USA

Imperial Surveillance

Imperial Surveillance is a US-based security company headquartered in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Founded in 2007, it specializes in providing a wide range of security solutions for residential, commercial, and government clients. Known for integrating AI and cloud technologies into their security systems, they offer real-time monitoring and proactive threat detection.

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