How Northampton Saints Boosts Security with SimonsVoss Digital Locks
Northampton Saints Rugby Football Club, with roots dating back to 1880, has clinched seven major trophies, including the prestigious English Premiership (2014 and 2024), European Champions Cup (2000) and European Challenge Cup (2009 and 2014) titles. Operating from cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens, they needed a modern and reliable solution to streamline their access control and enhance security across their sprawling facilities.
Background
Prior to partnering with SimonsVoss, Northampton Saints faced significant hurdles managing numerous physical keys, padlocks, and rekeying procedures. They struggled with:
- Inefficient Key Management: Replacement keys were sometimes cut from non-original master keys, leading to keys that didn’t always work.
- Limited Access Control: It was challenging to keep track of who had access to which doors or rooms.
- Time-Consuming Match Day Operations: Staff spent excessive time retrieving keys and securing gates, adding to already lengthy workdays.
Our Solution
SimonsVoss introduced a digital locking system featuring SmartHandles, cylinders, and approximately 80 padlocks around the stadium’s perimeter. This technology provided:
- Enhanced Control: Administrators can easily grant or revoke access, ensuring only authorised staff and contractors can enter specific areas.
- Keyless Entry: Lost transponders are swiftly disabled, eliminating the cost and confusion of rekeying locks.
- Audit Trail & Logging: A comprehensive log keeps track of who accessed which areas and when, boosting accountability and security awareness.
Outcome
Adopting the SimonsVoss system transformed Northampton Saints’ security infrastructure and operational efficiency:
- Time Savings: With digital locks, match day setup is shortened by an hour, translating to a potential reduction of 15 man-hours each event.
- Improved Security: Padlocks and SmartHandles prevent unauthorised entry, and remote transponder disablement provides peace of mind.
- Accountability & Process Improvement: The audit trail has empowered the club to refine internal processes, communicating the critical role of security to all departments.
"We’re now entering a keyless world using the SimonsVoss transponder... The audit trail allows us to see who was where at what times, which has fundamentally tightened up our processes."
— Kristy Coates, Head of Operations at Northampton Saints RFC
Northampton Saints’ move to SimonsVoss underscores the impact a modern digital locking system can have on both security and day-to-day efficiency. By transitioning to keyless entry, they’ve saved valuable time, strengthened facility security, and cultivated a more robust operational framework.
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