One of Florida’s largest and fastest-growing deepwater seaports implements Siemens security solution

Siemens has implemented an integrated physical security solution throughout Port Manatee, which is located at the entrance to Tampa Bay and is the closest U.S. deepwater seaport to the Panama Canal. The system combines access control and physical security infrastructure management technologies─ helping the cargo-only port address its security needs, ensure compliance with federal TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) requirements, and support its overall business objectives.

The facility’s security solution has allowed Port Manatee to streamline its processes and increase efficiency by enabling officials to track the movement of goods throughout the port and establish workflows to manage different commodity types – making sure the right cargo is moved in and out properly. This is a considerable undertaking for a port that has approximately 8 million tons of cargo passing through annually, supports 24,000 jobs and contributed to more than $2.3 billion in regional economic activity last year.

“To address Port Manatee’s needs, we paired our extensive experience in deepwater seaports with two of our key security technologies – the SiPass access control management system and Siveillance Vantage command and control system,” said Dave Hopping, president, Siemens’ Building Technologies Division - Americas. “This winning duo created a single security solution that is flexible enough to address the wide range of activities and enhance port domain awareness and day to day operations that take place at the port.”

Using a combination of hardware and digital technology, the Siemens solution has established greater accountability and direct collaboration between port security and seaport tenants, with a one-to-one match for accountability of cargo released to trucks. This allows Port Manatee to better track and manage movement in the port and identify which escort and monitoring services are accessed by different users. The one-to-one match between users and cargo has given Port Manatee greater transparency into who is using which service, also allowing the port to recoup more of its own costs. Additionally, the port is now able to monitor more visitors via surveillance rather than by personal escort.

“The Siemens security solution has been very helpful in improving our compliance measures,” said David St. Pierre, director, Seaport Security, Port Manatee. “Before, we had a hard time keeping track of people and cargo, while maintaining an audit trail. The Siemens system is built around compliance, so from the time people come in and tell us what they’re doing, we can track them.”

The SiPass access control system allows Port Manatee security personnel to monitor who enters restricted areas of the port and when, via access cards. The system helps the port meet TWIC requirements while also helping ensure tighter control over cargo manifest releases for all truckers, whether TWIC cardholders or visitors requiring issuance of temporary credentials.

Integrating the access control system with the Siveillance Vantage command and control system lets port personnel also monitor employee and visitor movements via video surveillance. This physical security infrastructure management system provides a single interface to also manage other building systems such as security lighting needed for nighttime cargo operations. In addition, Siemens developed customized workflows within the Siveillance solution and integrated systems critical to those processes, such as monitoring of refrigeration alarms for perishable items.

Read more about how Port Manatee is making the most of its security solution.

SiPass is a registered trademark of Siemens and/or its affiliates in some countries.

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The Siemens Building Technologies Division (Buffalo Grove, Ill.) is the North American market leader for safe and secure, energy-efficient and environment-friendly buildings and infrastructures. As a technology partner, service provider, system integrator and product vendor, Building Technologies has offerings for fire protection, life safety and security as well as building automation, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and energy management. To learn more about the Siemens Building Technologies Division, visit www.usa.siemens.com/buildingtechnologies.

Siemens Corporation is a U.S. subsidiary of Siemens AG, a global powerhouse focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. One of the world’s largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a leading supplier of systems for power generation and transmission as well as medical diagnosis. With approximately 348,000 employees in more than 190 countries, Siemens reported worldwide revenue of $86.2 billion in fiscal 2015. Siemens in the USA reported revenue of $22.4 billion, including $5.5 billion in exports, and employs approximately 50,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

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