Kodak Theatre, Home Of Academy Awards, Ramps Up Security With Brivo Technology
Brivo Systems recently announced that the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., has chosen Brivo Systems to substantially upgrade security at the famous venue. Tech Controls Inc., is the integrator for this continuing project.
Prior to selecting Brivo’s ACS OnSite Aparato, the Kodak Theatre relied on standard locks and keys to manage access in and around the venue.
“We wanted to create a much higher level of security,” said Sergio Ruezga, director of events at the Kodak Theatre. “We are the home for the Academy Awards, so security must be a top priority. In addition, we recently signed a deal with Cirque du Soleil to jointly create a new show called IRIS, which will be here for 10 years beginning on July 22, 2011. That will mean 700 new employees, a lot of coming and going, and the need to secure a $120 million production.”
In addition to the Brivo access control system, Ruezga worked with Tech Controls to install integrated video surveillance (a Dedicated Micros DVR), which will provide theatre staff with greatly enhanced access control combined with video verification.
“With this new integrated system, not only are we helping to ensure a lot of expensive equipment doesn’t walk away and that staff are using the right doors, we’re also working hard to make everyone feel comfortable,” Ruezga said. “This new partnership is like a marriage. We’ve got staff from 14 different countries, and we want to make them feel at home.”
Because of the theatre’s high profile guests and the premier events staged there, Ruezga and Tech Controls selected Brivo’s ACS OnSite Aparato for its ease of use, highly secure database, and so management could maintain all data in-house.
Ruezga and staff have completed enrolling all the new employees and they have created separate access groups to correspond to all the different functions and entities that work in and serve the theatre. This ensures that each staff member has access privileges -- specific doors, days and times -- that correspond exactly with the needs of their function and responsibilities.
“So far, the Brivo system is very user friendly,” Ruezga said. “The training from Tech Controls has been fantastic, they really know the system. The system has performed very well, exactly as it was initially demonstrated to us and the management team. In addition to the ease of specifying and controlling access, I am able to run reports that give me visibility as to who came in, who went out, and who was in the vicinity of what equipment. Here at the Kodak Theatre, we now have a higher standard of security. The Brivo system is a great tool, it serves as an effective deterrent, and it provides us with a welcome peace of mind.”