05/09/2012
Resort access improved with Brivo
Bethesda, Md
Starting in 2008, video surveillance was installed at one of the Barefoot property’s clubhouses. At that time, all of the Barefoot communities under Omni Management relied on standard lock and key and telephone access systems for common amenities such as clubhouses and pools, as well as residential homes and condos.
Around this same time, Pam Basilicato, Community Association Manager at Omni, began investigating a better way to manage access for the many properties she oversees. During the course of her search, Joey James of Stop Security introduced her to the Brivo cloud-based access control system. “This was something we were looking for—a web-based system.” Omni decided to install Brivo at the Barefoot Resort Club and at the Clearwater Bay condominiums. Basilicato experienced the power and flexibility of her Brivo system and when James proposed installing Brivo at additional properties also in need of upgraded security, “I was thrilled, we were used to the Brivo system; we liked it. We didn’t hesitate at all to install Brivo at additional properties.”
To date, Brivo cloud-based access control has been installed at the Barefoot Residents Club, the Clearwater Bay Condominium Clubhouse, The Havens condominium pool and at six secured residential buildings, and at both the Willow Bend and Heron Bay complex pools. Omni utilizes Brivo to manage 24 access points across these five properties.
Basilicato has created groups for residents of each of the separate properties, for vendors who need 24/7 access, for management, a host of other vendors, and for those working on temporary projects within the resort. Each group is programmed for specific day, time, and location access, based on their needs. “For temporary projects, I can activate a card or a fob corresponding just to the length of the project. When the project is completed, that access is deactivated—that’s another great thing about Brivo,” Basilicato explained. Omni controls access for over 3,000 residents, vendors, staff, and temporary visitors to clubhouses, pools, and residential buildings.
In addition to standard access control, Basilicato and her team run activity log reports to see who is going where after hours and identifying instances when residents are attempting access where and when they should not be doing so. “If I’m told someone is in the pool at 1:00 am, I can see whose cards were used or were attempted to be used. The system is very user friendly and it’s accurate; I love it. It gives me all the info I need to take proper, informed action. I’ve used the reports function quite a bit,” Basilicato said.
“Without the Brivo system, I simply could not effectively manage this number of people. Our telephone entry system was too time consuming and inefficient. Now, we have control from one location. It makes my day to day easier, and I’m much more productive. We are constantly getting called by our residents and guests, and now it’s easy to take care of their access needs. I’ve had no difficulty over the years convincing any of my Boards to adopt the Brivo system. They ask me, ‘Will it make your job easier?’ Yes, of course, I respond. It’s a win-win for everybody and especially for our residents. They’re thrilled we’re more efficient and meeting their needs,” Basilicato concluded.