Counting on Each Other
A chance encounter between two local businesses has led to the development of a new product for counting people.Circad Designand Plescon Security Products are both based in the Sterling Complex off Farthing Road in Ipswich. Following a meeting of the Sterling Complex management committee, which was held in Plescon's conference room, Circad director Rick Hamilton enquired about one of the product photographs on the wall.The product in question was a unit for counting the number of people entering or exiting a building or room.Now, following further discussions between Mr Hamilton and Nick Hunt, managing director of Plescon, the two firms have launched a new technologically advanced people counting product which has already been bought by Surrey County Council for use in each of its 54 Libraries.The new product, KWIK Count Global, involves a SIM card - as in a mobile phone - and two infrared sensors. When a person passes in front of the sensors the data is held in the unit and, at specified times during the day, the data is then transmitted to a dedicated website via the SIM card.Mr Hunt added: "It can be used in a whole variety of locations."Plescon which was established in 1979 was previously based in Hadleigh and Chattisham before moving to Ipswich, has been providing people counters, predominately to the library market, for more than 20 years.Circad, formed in 1999, has used communication technology on wireless autodialers for the alarm industry, and produced vehicle tracking solutions for use in caravans and motorhomes.