Locks and Security News: your weekly locks and security industry newsletter
17th April 2024 Issue no. 701

Your industry news - first

We strongly recommend viewing Locks and Security News full size in your web browser. Click our masthead above to visit our website version.

Skyguard announces lone worker protection collaboration with VSG

Skyguard, one of Europe's premier personal safety service providers has announced a distribution agreement with VSG in providing lone worker protection across the UK and Ireland.

Skyguard will supply personal safety devices, mobile phone software and client administration tools to link directly with VSG's 24 hr manned alarm receiving centre.

VSG is one of the UK's leading security services suppliers, offering solutions that encompass guarding, systems, remote monitoring, training and background screening. The company is part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, a leader in the supply of food and support services across 10,000 sites including workplaces, famous sports and leisure venues, hospitals, schools, oil rigs and much more in between.

VSG have now added the MySOS personal safety device and Skyguard for Smartphone applications to their already impressive range of services. With its ever expanding blue-chip client base and outstanding reputation, there's no security organisation better placed to promote lone worker protection across the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The MySOS - Europe's smallest personal safety device and Skyguard for Smartphone applications have been exclusively developed by Skyguard. With one button alarm activation, GPS tracking and locating and two-way audio communications, the devices and handsets give users the ability to call for help quickly and easily in the event of any emergency.

All lone worker connection tools purchased through VSG will connect to VSG's own alarm receiving centre (ARC), accredited to NSI Cat II ARC Gold standard. As soon as an alarm is raised, Controllers at VSG's ARC will know who is calling and where they are, listen in, assess the situation and send the appropriate emergency response.

Organisations purchasing the service via VSG will also have full access to Skyguard's Customer Service Centre (CSC) - a secure, online interface that allows client administrators or end-users to create and update their account details in real-time. This information is instantly available to Controllers at the alarm receiving centre upon the activation of an alarm. The CSC also allows personal alarms to be assigned to different users at the click of a mouse - this is ideal for clients who share a pool of devices for shift workers or those who share job roles. The CSC further empowers client administrators with access to a full suite of activity reports, which can exported for further analysis.

Speaking about the partnership, Skyguard's CEO, James Murray said "We're thrilled that we're partnered with VSG, who have so much experience and expertise in delivering world-class security solutions. VSG's mission falls perfectly in line with our own and we're both passionate about delivering first-class safety, security and personal protection across the UK and beyond. This agreement enables both Skyguard and VSG to further expand into the lone worker protection market."

VSG's Head of Remote Monitoring Services, Chris McNally also spoke keenly of the collaboration. "We're pleased to add Skyguard's personal alarms and mobile phone software to our range of services. We wanted a reputable, robust solution to integrate into our ARC. Skyguard's excellent work with the Police, NHS and the wide array of industries that trust them, demonstrates that they are, by far, the best choice for VSG. It's a relationship that I'm confident will not only benefit both businesses but lone workers across the UK and Ireland."

About Skyguard

Established in 2000, Skyguard provides Europe's premier personal safety service for lone workers and people at risk. Skyguard offers a range of state-of-the-art personal safety devices linked to our own purpose built, UK based, 24/7 Incident Management Centre certified to the highest lone working industry standards (BS 8484, BS 5979 Category II). It was the first single purpose Alarm Receiving Centre in the UK to receive these certifications by NSI's ARC Gold Approval scheme. Skyguard is the UK's only wholly owned end-to-end service provider, with each component fully certified to all elements of BS 8484.

One of the few companies in the industry to have both devices and ARC accredited by ACPO's coveted Secured by Design, the Skyguard service is used by over half the UK's Police forces to protect the most vulnerable in society.

In August 2011, Skyguard launched the world's first and only localised emergency response service operating in 36 countries across Europe, the Russian Federation and South Africa.

For more details visit the company website at www.skyguardgroup.com

About VSG

VSG, part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, is a leading supplier of quality security services to over 1,500 national organisations - many of which are blue chip companies. It offers a holistic security service with award-winning expertise in manned guarding, background screening and vetting, mobile security services, secure event solutions, security systems and remote monitoring - tailored to each client's needs.

Established in March 2000, VSG set out to raise standards within the security industry, for both customers and staff. Through a commitment to this founding principle VSG has become the fastest growing company in its sector, establishing itself within the top four in the industry.
For more details visit the company website at www.vsg.co.uk

19th February 2014