CITILOC SYSTEMS LTD.
P R O M O T I O N A L F E A T U R E
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WENTY-FIVE YEARS IN BUSINESS IS NO MEAN FEATfor any business, but Citiloc Systems Ltd. looks on its quarter-centennial anniversary not just as an accomplishment, but as a coming of age. “Twenty-five years truly qualifies us as a mature business,” says David Barrett, company president and founder. “It shows we’re reputable and here to stay.”
“It’s a milestone,” agrees Kevin Karlsson, director of operations. “We can rely on our past, but at the same time we want to take advantage of what’s available in the future. Like the industry itself, we’re evolving into the next generation of products and services, and we’re looking at another growth stage of the company.”
With 10 years’ experience in the locksmith trade already behind him, New Zealand-born Barrett started Citiloc as an electronic lock company in 1985. Today, it is recognized as one of the premier integrated security system providers in Greater Vancouver, employing 17 specialized staff members in the Railtown district near the Port of Vancouver in a 9,500-square-foot building that Citiloc purchased last year.
The Key to
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Security
With LeadinG-edGe technoLoGY
and cuStoMiZed SoLutionS,
citiLoc SYSteMS Ltd. PRoVideS
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New Zealand-born David Barrett started Citiloc as an electronic lock business back in 1985. Today, the company is recognized as one of the premier integrated security system providers in Greater Vancouver.
(ALL PHOTOS) ART OF HEADSHOTS
CITILOC SYSTEMS LTD.
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COMpLETE SOLuTIOnS
Karlsson credits much of Citiloc’s success to the company’s unique background and skill set, focused exclusively on providing all-encompassing security solutions. “We specialize in security, so we’re able to identify vulnerabilities. Moreover, we have a team of service technicians that are able to quickly respond to customer needs such as locksmithing or servicing existing systems, while the Systems Integration Group focuses on larger, new-construction or retrofit projects. We’re leading the way with more intelligent security solutions that incorporate sophisticated new technologies.”
Barrett echoes the sentiment, describing Citiloc’s approach to security as “holistic.” “We have the full package – when we’re doing integrated security, we do everything from supplying and installing the commercial locking hardware right through to the integration of the electronic access controls, video surveillance intrusion security, as well as the building automation and the computer network infrastructures. This is especially important for our customers, who range from large organizations with complex security challenges, to retailers and loss-prevention professionals with objectives to reduce risk and shrinkage.”
LOng-TErM parTnErShIpS
In addition to its wide range of expertise, it is also the company’s approach to client relationships that makes it stand out from the crowd. “We’re very much into building long-term relationships with our clients, and we look at them as partnerships,” says Barrett, estimating Citiloc’s current roster of clients at about 4,000 companies and individuals. And each of these clients receives a customized solution tailored to its security needs.
“One of the most important things we do when we meet with a client is try to get to know them and their philosophy for their
(Top) Each of Citiloc’s 4,000 clients receives a customized solution beginning with an in-depth planning session. The team assesses a client’s potential risks and threats, taking into account everything from architectural design to building automations. (Above) Citiloc can assist with the security design/build strategies for new construction projects as well as securing the site, which may include video surveillance and remote monitoring.
company so we can really figure out what the right solution is for them,” explains Barrett. “One of the things I learned a long time ago is that it’s never in our interest to try to match a product to the client. We always try to find out what the client needs and engineer a solution around that.”
Often this includes performing a thorough site survey to assess a client’s
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CITILOC SYSTEMS LTD.
potential risks and threats. Citiloc works closely with IT professionals within corporate organizations to ensure the solutions are scalable and utilize enterprise-class servers and networking hardware to adhere to corporate IT security policies for data communications and storage.
“Canaccord Financial has been relying on Citiloc’s expertise since the early ’90s,” noted Ross Kennedy, telecommunications manager at Canaccord. “Their solutions are leading-edge and complement our overall security infrastructure philosophies and policies.”
Just as important, Citiloc consults with clients to ensure the solutions complement the building’s architectural design strategies. Mark Ostry, prinicipal with Acton Ostry Architects, speaks from a wealth of experience when discussing Citiloc’s impressive track record, having employed the security experts on countless mixed-use residential projects since the mid-’90s. “They always work outside
MISSIOn aCCOMpLIShED
With a can-do attitude and a view to creating custom solutions, it seems no project is too difficult to tackle – and the wide range of projects for which citiloc claims success is no surprise. “We’ll do anything from a private residence to a 50-storey building,” says Barrett. “and we’re proud of every job we’ve completed.”
Recent pride-inspiring undertakings include:
• Securing the new expansion at deltaport for TSI Terminal Systems using PtZ
(pan-tilt-zoom) cameras, fibre optics, computer-based intercoms and custom-built pedestals to house the equipment;
• using a computer-networked security and intrusion-alarm system to secure York
House Schools’ major newly constructed and renovated buildings;
• designing systems for the gatehouse and automation of the gates and rail
crossings at the operations Maintenance centre in Richmond for TransLink’s
Canada Line SkyTrain;
• encompassing a full suite of integrated security solutions as well as visitor-entry intercoms and employee safety and panic solutions for Maxxine Wright
Community Health Care;
• incorporating an industry-leading electronic access-control solution for the
Salvation Army’s Gateway of Hope that works both on a network and in a
stand-alone operation, thus allowing a higher level of security for residents and employees.
of the box – they’re problem-solvers,” says Ostry. “They are always up to date with the latest, state-of-the-art systems – and that’s what we’re looking for. We always know we’re going to get the quality and standards of service that we expect.”
CuTTIng-EDgE TEChnOLOgY
It’s no secret that being able to provide such technologically advanced solutions is the future of the security industry, and Citiloc has maintained its position on the cutting edge of security innovations.“We attend seminars and conferences regularly throughout the year so we’re up to date on the latest trends and newest products coming to market,” says Barrett. “Citiloc was an industry leader to get into electronic locks, and we’ve never been afraid of pushing the edge and bringing in a new product to market.”
And as the company has grown, so has its competitive edge, notes Karlsson. “We’ve hired employees that are specialized in these fields, and they’re bringing in-depth knowledge, training and professional growth to our organization that allow us to implement the technologies that we’re seeing manufacturers produce and where the industry as a whole is going.”
But while security solutions are becoming increasingly complex, Citiloc is focusing on streamlining the client experience through system integration. “Our industry is maturing, and rather than having three or four separate systems operating in a building, we’re bringing them all under one software application for ease of handling, right from visitor management to photo ID cards to access control, camera systems and security intrusion alarms,” says Barrett. “We’re providing a much easier interface between the client and the equipment. It will all be icon driven, and the learning curve will be one-quarter of what it used to be.”
For those clients who do not have the resources in house to manage the security solution, Citiloc offers a full-service remote systems-management program. Property management companies can rely on Citiloc to support the implemented solutions with regularly scheduled maintenance, as well as remotely administer and monitor security systems to ensure they are always current and accurate.
Such high-tech, easy-to-use solutions are exactly what Salient Development Ltd. relies on Citiloc for, says president Robert Fung. Citiloc’s relationship with the developer dates back over a decade, notes Fung: “They did our first building and we’ve continued to work with them for almost every project.
Multi-tenant properties rely on Citiloc to install and maintain master key systems and integrated electronic security solutions.
P r o m o t i o n a l F e a t u r e They’re very well run, and very personal as
well. There’s a high level of service, and our working relationship has been exceptional over the years.”
Much of Salient’s work has been part of efforts to revitalize the Downtown Eastside, introducing market housing and office and retail space to the neighbourhood. “Security is a significant concern to our customers,” says Fung. “From the standpoint of the technology Citiloc represents, a lot of our residents, as well as our office tenants, are in the technology sector or the creative sector, and it makes a difference to know they’ve got
extremely modern, cutting-edge technology behind them on the security systems. They’re the sort of systems our tenants want.”
Commenting on the strength of Citiloc’s ongoing relationships with its clients, Barrett relates it back to the commitment that has carried the company through 25 years of success: “We’re very uniform in the way we deal with our vendors, the way we buy, the way we sell and the way we hire. We want to make sure we’re not doing just a one-off deal, and we don’t want people working here for just a couple of months. We’re here for the long haul, and that’s how we approach everything in our business.” n
This promotional feature was prepared for Citiloc Systems Ltd. by BCBusiness magazine’s Special Advertising Features Dept. Writer: Tiffany Sloan. For information contact BCBusiness VP of corporate features John Cochrane at 604-299-7311. Email: [email protected].
Citiloc’s specialized technicians attend seminars throughout the year, allowing them to implement the latest technologies as they’re brought to market.
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