Residents at The Wayland by Common overlook downtown St. Pete, FL through the glittering wall to wall windows in their luxury apartments. They enjoy a variety of upscale amenities setting The Wayland apart from other local properties, such as a pet spa, putting green, and coworking spaces. In early 2023, the property owners updated their security solutions for the entire property, including surveillance and access control , with the help of Surveillance Technology, Inc. (STI).
The access control upgrade included the installation of a CellGate video entry system for the enclosed private parking garage. Residents can enter using a smartphone app or with UHF stickers affixed to their vehicle. When a visiting vehicle approaches the gate, drivers use the touchscreen to scroll to the resident’s name, which notifies the resident on their app. The resident can see and talk to their visitor and press a button to admit the guest. Residents can also proactively text a QR code to potential guests, which is valid for 24 hours, to facilitate hassle-free admission. Upon arrival, the visitor can scan the code at the call box without contacting the resident directly.
A key weakness of the previous parking entry system was the slow speed of the existing roll gates, which allowed unauthorized cars to tailgate or piggyback behind a resident, gaining entry to the garage before the gates closed without stopping at the call box. Surveillance Technology added a barrier arm, which closes more quickly than the gates, to deter tailgating and prevent unauthorized vehicle access.
A similar video entry system was installed to accommodate walk up visitors at the main entrance to the building, where you will find a 24-hour concierge. Visitors can use a directory to call residents for admission or use a valid QR code. Delivery personnel and service providers can use this system to talk directly to front desk staff, who can see and admit them. A third video door phone was installed at the leasing office, which offers two-way communication with video, which the staff can view on a tablet. They push a button on the touchscreen to allow entry to prospective residents.
There are five pedestrian gates on the perimeter of the building, which are now secured with CellGate card readers and locked around the clock. In addition, STI secured the bike storage area, the gate into the pool, and all eight points of entry into the building. They also secured various amenities areas, such as the common kitchen, yoga studio, and recreation spaces.
Residents are required to carry credentials with them to move from one area to another throughout the building, scanning their card at readers securing a total of 16 interior doors and 7 gates. The readers are connected by modem over The Wayland’s network, as it is difficult to get a reliable wireless signal in a concrete structure of this size. STI configured the network as part of this project, which required the installation of new microcomputers. In instances like this, Surveillance Technology is only the installer and is not able to program these microcomputers. STI often installs surveillance systems for clients a long distance from Tampa Bay; but they generally only offer access control solutions in St. Pete and locally, given the high-touch nature of the work and the necessity for timely, ongoing support following installation.
A project of this magnitude, which took a month to complete, is another example of Surveillance Technology’s ability to deliver a comprehensive security package of any size. The client’s unique needs are taken into account for every stage, from concept to completion, and executed to the highest standards.
