Dear Admin Building occupants,
The Associate Vice-President (Administration) unit received funding through the annual budget process to advance a card access initiative aligned with the unit's strategic priorities related to campus safety, operational efficiency, and modernized infrastructure. As a result of this funding, the University is launching a pilot project to begin transitioning from existing swipe card readers to Bluetooth-enabled smartcard readers. The pilot will support the development of a comprehensive, campus-wide access strategy and associated policies, and will inform future decisions regarding broader implementation. A select number of buildings and access points have been identified to receive upgraded readers as part of this pilot.
Staff will be issued new smartcards in advance of these changes. The new smartcards are compatible with both the existing swipe readers and the new Bluetooth-enabled readers, ensuring continuity of access during the transition period. Please note that these smartcards are separate from existing Staff ID cards.
What's happening this Wednesday, January 28
A small team will be onsite to conduct an initial walk-through during the day. They are aware that the building is occupied and will take care to minimize noise and avoid any disruptions. The rooms included are: 007, 100, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109A, 109, 110, 111, 200E, 200W, 200, 201, 202, 204, 205, 207, 208, 210, 309, 311, 312, 315V, 402, 404A, 405, 410, 504, 505ST, 508, 509.
If you have questions about this visit, please contact Tatjana Blazevska at Tatjana.blazevska(a)umanitoba.ca<mailto:Tatjana.blazevska@umanitoba.ca> or 204-474-8265.
Why this pilot?
This pilot was initiated to improve operational efficiency and enhance campus security. Currently, maintenance staff spend significant time manually unlocking and locking campus doors, and the use of physical keys presents both cost and security challenges, particularly when keys are lost, and re-keying is required. At the same time, the University's existing swipe card access systems are reaching the end of life and will need to be replaced in the near future.
The University is therefore advancing a card access strategy that supports more secure, flexible, and responsive access control, including the ability to rapidly secure or lock down buildings when required. This pilot will allow the University to test and refine smart cards and proximity readers, assess operational and security benefits, and inform a scalable approach for broader campus deployment.
Timeline for distribution of new smartcards:
Smartcard distribution will begin in late February. Timelines may shift as the project progresses, thanks for your understanding! While the Symmetry app is still available, it has ongoing support issues. If you use the app and need help, please submit a work request<https://umanitoba.iwmsapp.com/archibus/schema/ab-products/bldgops/common/co…>. If it's currently working for you, you may continue using it for now.
Thank you.
Tatjana Blazevska, MPA
Manager, Office of the Associate Vice-President (Administration)
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2
Phone: 204-474-8265
Email: Tatjana.Blazevska(a)umanitoba.ca<mailto:Tatjana.Blazevska@umanitoba.ca>
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