Hippodrome Côte d’Azur
Built in the 1950s, the Hippodrome Côte d’Azur has continued to develop and improve its infrastructure and is now one of France’s most important racecourses.
Its 63-hectare site incorporates several tracks used for many equestrian disciplines. The racecourse employs around 30 full-time workers. During meetings it welcomes up to 1,000 horses and 3,000 participants, who may stay in one of 130 onsite rooms. Grandstands and spectator areas hold up to 11,300 people.
The key requirements of the Hippodrome were:
- Secure electronic access control to stop duplicate keys jeopardizing security for visitors and those working or staying at the racecourse.
- A solution for the lost mechanical key problem, which was wasting time, increasing workload and costing unnecessary money in lock replacement.
- Tough, durable locking devices that could be deployed cost-efficiently at different types of opening around the site.
- Easy credential management, including enabling fine-grained access to around 200 doors in six separate structures.
The racecourse chose a SMARTair® Update on Card access control solution for their complex site.
They now control and secure access points much more efficiently and effectively than with their old key system. Projected long-term cost savings and significant key management workload reduction convinced Hippodrome managers to choose this wireless solution.
With SMARTair® Update on Card, security staff encode user credentials directly for convenient access management. They can delete users or lost cards instantly and collect audit trails when needed.
During 2018, around 100 rooms and technical areas were equipped with SMARTair® wall readers and wireless escutcheons. Access to the accommodation building is controlled with a SMARTair® wall reader. In the past, people who had lost their key had forced their way in by kicking the entrance. Now, a SMARTair® wireless access device secures it.
The access control upgrade continues through 2019 and 2020 in racecourse offices and grandstands. Managers also plan to trial the SMARTair® Openow™ app. With Openow™, administrators can send virtual “keys” directly to a visitor’s smartphone - ideal for racecourse guest arriving late at night.