New generation Internet Protocol (IP) based technology is being planned for the R1billion, state-of- the-art Novate Property Investments Triple Point mixed-use development in East London.

Triple Point is the Eastern Cape’s first mixed-use development, and includes residential, commercial, office and leisure facilities.

The development is scheduled for completion in 2010. Described by technology experts as a “leap for East London”, the new technology will replace the current analogue communication system common in most homes and businesses.

The 23ha Triple Point development will offer tenants an IP-based security system. The features include IP-based cameras, face recognition, broadband Internet, access controls, alarm system and television, which all run on a centrally managed converged network.

Tenants will be able to get videos on demand, downloaded from the system, which they will pay for later.

“This is forward-thinking technology, which is used in the Melrose Arch mixed-use development in Johannesburg, and it means that the era of having to install new lines every time you add on a new service is coming to an end.

“It is a plug-in service, which means every time a tenant wants to add on a service, it will be plugged into a cable and the service will be pulled through from a central control room,” said Dimension Data solutions manager Clint Hansen.

Novate strategic development manager Grant Wheatley said a fully-manned control room will monitor the system to react swiftly to security breaches. It will also feature back-up power supply in the event of a power failure.

Wheatley said they are considering new-generation biometric sensors that control access to certain areas for certain people.

“We want to make the building as keyless as possible, because there will be many tenants coming and going,” Wheatley said.

According to Hansen, this new generation technology is a major selling point in similar developments in places like Dubai, and he said he is not aware of any other place in the Eastern Cape that has this system. — DDR

Source: Daily Dispatch