SJUK speaks to Jason Boyce, Commercial Product Manager at Abloy UK, to find out more about the company’s latest product innovation.

Having started his career in the security industry over 20 years ago, Jason noted that he’s found no two days the same.

From being a Sales Manager in his early days, Boyce’s journey to Commercial Product Manager at Abloy UK has been unique, considering the different sectors he’s gained experience in.  

Recently, Boyce made the transition from an education sector role to a more product-focused position, which has channelled his attention to the needs of the end user. 

Boyce revealed, “This is ultimately where we add our value, we have customers that are system installers and system integrators, but the most important people in this equation are the users.” 

This ethos is synonymous with the reputation of Abloy UK, with its emphasis on high levels of customer service and its access control portfolio, often recognised for bringing flexibility to the movement of people in a wide range of building types and applications. 

Innovation  

With such an established reputation comes the constant need for innovation.

Staying ahead of the curve in the modern era of technology can be difficult, but sometimes the most complex challenges simply require a tweak to existing products.  

One of the key issues facing the security industry is finding a suitable way to present advanced software.

Without a modern graphical user interface (GUI), software can prove more difficult to use than it needs to be.

He also suggested that users will gain a more intuitive experience along with updated aesthetics to provide a flexible look. 

“It goes by the name of Primo, produced by our sister company Impro Technologies, and the new GUI is an extension of the Impro EAC solution that’s been around in the marketplace for a very long time,” he added. “It’s far more intuitive, far easier to use. It has a much more modern and flexible look to it.”

Boyce next spoke about some of the new benefits to developing existing products.  

A new direction 

He believes this new product launch has given Abloy UK a more resource-based view when going to market. “If we look at where the strengths are within Abloy UK, it’s in the world of Electric Locking. High security compliant Electric Locking has been our bread and butter for many years,” Boyce said.  

“The brilliant part about the Primo software is that it was timed with the introduction of a new iTRT-EL controller that had the ability to be able to natively take on board our electric locking range.”  

According to Boyce, when it comes to doors which are classified as life safe, compliance has always been business critical.  

However, question marks have surrounded whether users can get the same level of functionality compared to a typical wired access control door. “Because our range of Electric Locks has that functionality built-in the controller, it can present it within our software.”  

Boyce acknowledged that the concept may not be unique to Abloy UK for long, with any of its competitors having the capability to do so, however the idea just has not been brought to fruition yet.

“That might sound like our solution is not unique.

“But this is why I’m comfortable having this conversation with our competitors, because they’ve always had the ability to be able to do this.

“They just haven’t thought about doing it.”  

Finding the right solutions  

This solution also differs from any other products in the company’s portfolio, with Boyce going on to reveal that most Electric Locks have a key override that can be used if you need to lock down a site or in the event of an electronic failure.  

Despite it being an effective failsafe system to have, if someone approaches that door with the correct key, it means they are able to gain access without having to present a credential.  

This is one of the main challenges which the company hopes to overcome. “What we’ve done with the iTRT-EL controller is that our software would be able to say somebody’s used that door, opened it and just defeated the access control system.” 

The functionality of the product can be advanced even further, with Boyce suggesting that the controller can be linked with CCTV, providing crucial details on who went through the door with a mechanical key. 

Perhaps the most important aspect he explained is the fact that users will see the full effects of the controller immediately. “This incredible new controller has given us the ability to be able to achieve everything that we’ve always wanted to.” 

“The most important part is that it’s native.

“There’s no configuration, even if you don’t understand what that electrical lock does.

“As soon as you wire it in, the software takes over and it just presents all of that alarm functionality for you.”  

Maintaining a loyal customer base 

Looking ahead, Boyce would like to maintain a core value which has seen the company build a loyal customer base over the years.

Abloy UK puts a lot of emphasis on training and education for its clients which in turn means many in the industry see the company as trusted advisors.  

“We see a very distinct difference between education and training. Training is about our products,” explained Boyce.

“With our education, we are helping the market to understand very important messages unravelling complicated subjects like compliance.” 

He added that the company’s approach to these sessions is purely to provide the correct and most beneficial information for attendees, with this being a fundamental principle that will continue far into the future.  

“Even though the vast majority of products that we have are compliant with standards, we never take these educational sessions as an opportunity to become the selling tool. If we’re talking to people about their emergency escape door standards, we promise to never ever use these sessions to promote our own products,” concluded Boyce. 

This article was originally published in the September Edition of Security Journal UK. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.