Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC)

The ASRC wanted to make sure all staff, volunteers and visiting clients felt safe when accessing the centre’s support services and working at the Footscray site. However, a new solution needed to not only address security, but also needed to be simple to manage. The ASRC needed a system that could flexibly manage a large number of staff, with different shifts and arrival times, that could be installed on internal pre-existing doors and would not impact the site’s ability to provide a welcoming space to its community – ultimately balancing a mix of safety, legal privacy, openness and inclusivity. Lastly, the solution needed to fit within a constrained budget. 

With a goal in mind, but unsure where to begin, ASRC reached out to the team at Secure Your World, a security marketplace site administered by LSC, Salto’s Australian distributor. LSC team member Josh Wilson handled the enquiry, and introduced ASRC to Salto Certified Partner, Sentry Locksmiths.

Shane at Sentry Locksmiths explains how they tailored their recommendation, “After understanding what ASRC needed from an access solution, we felt that Salto would be the best fit. We recommended the Salto Space solution, and walked the team at ASRC through what it could achieve for them.”

With the collaboration and assistance of Sentry Locksmiths, a Salto Certified Partner, ASRC equipped its facilities with Salto smart access solutions and locking technology. This included everything from the main entrances, rooms, reception area and other rooms requiring privacy and secure access control. 

The installed Salto Space access control platform has empowered ASRC to streamline access management and enhance security measures for increased safety and operational efficiency. By leveraging this user-friendly web-based access control management software, ASRC can secure premises, deter unauthorised entries, and optimise operations seamlessly.   

The platform offers fast, secure, and convenient management of users, doors, and sites through a centralised on-premise access control system. Utilising various locking functions for standard, timed, and office modes, ASRC benefits from the Database sync feature, which automates the integration of staff and volunteer data into the Salto system, reducing administrative burdens. The implementation of audit trail features has bolstered security and accountability, enabling the team to track access to different spaces and activities effectively. 

The intuitive management interface empowers administrators to efficiently oversee access control operations. Automated audit trails, access logs, and event reports simplify compliance tracking processes. Real-time insights into user access facilitate informed decision-making and optimised security protocols.  

Two secure staff locations were created at the rear of the facility for staff and volunteers, ensuring safety, separation and privacy from clients guest and the public common area. Shane explains, “A key achievement of the system is to allow different levels of separation and privacy throughout the facility”. 

The solution now includes the integration of a previously unused automatic rear door, adding an advanced and secure access feature to the building. This was achieved without the need for complex cabling, through the installation of a Design XS Reader connected to the wireless BLUEnet door access controller. The newly integrated door now serves as an alternative staff entry point, offering an additional layer of security in the event that the main entryways are considered unsafe. 

Finally, how visitors are welcomed at ASRC has also been enhanced. Previously, visitors could simply walk in. Now, they are greeted warmly by the ASRC team, who then provide access to the site via a software connected release button located at their desks.

Ultimately, the Salto solution has enabled ASRC to achieve their goal of balancing safety, privacy, openness and inclusivity, while continuing to provide a welcoming space to its community.