Public Access
The Kudelski Group's second mainstay
Security technology developed by the Kudelski Group goes beyond digital television to include applications that control the access of both people and vehicles to facilities and sites. These activities, which are grouped in the holding company Nagra Public Access, account for some 22% of the Group's revenues.
Nagra Public Access designs both hardware- and software-based solutions to globally manage access to ski lifts, parking lots, stadiums, amusement parks and sites such as hospitals, business premises and university campuses.
Our strategic approach to this segment is similar to our approach in Digital TV. The primary growth vectors in Public Access are:
1. Value-added through innovation and service
Millions of people around the world file through Nagra Public Access control systems with a maximum of ease and comfort. These systems are built around some of the most advanced technologies.
Nagra Public Access invented hands-free ski passes which enable skiers to spend less time queuing and more time skiing, thanks to the use of a contactless smartcard. This solution is based on RFID technology and is found in many applications.
Further developments have led to innovative solutions integrating multi-media and multi-network technologies.
Instead of using a smartcard, for example, people can use their mobile phone to get past a security point, to reload a ski or parking pass, or to pay and gain access to specific services. All these payment and reservation options can also be carried out via the internet.
These innovations contribute to the growth of Nagra Public Access and help drive the industry forward. Their strategic importance is undeniable, as they constantly improve consumers' day-to-day experiences and enable operators to manage and market their services more effectively.
To take advantage of new market trends, Nagra Public Access has broadened its scope in recent years. The division has honed its expertise in major multi-site systems that are managed centrally – such as parking lots at airports, or networked ski resorts within a region. The centralized management of a network of sites is one of the many service-oriented activities that this division has developed for its clients. In addition, services in the areas of consulting, project management and training are becoming increasingly vital, as the ability of operators to increase their revenues depends directly on their capacity to harness new technologies.
2. A unified and modular platform for all new products
With digital convergence, the eco-system of physical access solutions is much broader and more diversified than in the past. Interdependence within the sector has intensified, which gives rise to the need to integrate diverse technologies into one platform. Nagra Public Access has therefore focused on developing a unified platform offering the versatility and openness needed to configure all kinds of evolving, customized systems, from the simplest to the most complex. The shared-platform concept simplifies product development, accelerates the time-to-market and makes it possible to centrally manage combined applications (such as skiing and parking).
3. Expanding globally
In addition to growing on its core markets, Nagra Public Access actively seeks to expand its footprint around the world. Through these efforts, the division is building its business more and more rapidly outside of Europe, with a particular focus on high potential emerging-market countries in South America and Central Asia. The division was active in Africa as well, with major systems installed in South Africa and Angola in 2009.
By constantly expanding its footprint, this division has diversified its revenue streams, reducing exposure to one-off fluctuations that can happen in a given economic region.