4th September 2008 - The most technically advanced shopping centre in the UK opened its doors on the 4th of September 2008. Leicestershire’s new ‘Highcross’ complex is a £350m refurbishment of the existing ‘Shires’ retail centre. The innovation at Highcross is the result of a collaboration between developers Hammerson, consultants AIB, construction firm McAlpine, and Redstone Converged Solutions, which used Cisco technology to implement the IP controls in the centre from the ground up.

Redstone Converged Solutions is leading the implementation of IP networks and applications across the UK’s flagship retail developments including Cabot Circus in Bristol and another opening soon in London. Redstone’s open-standards based ‘OneNET™’ approach to intelligent buildings is enabling centralized monitoring and control of communications, security, access, HVAC, energy and lighting in order to maximize footfall, improve service, increase profitability and control carbon footprint.

The culmination of 2 years of development, Highcross is at the cutting edge of retail construction technology and at the pinnacle of what is becoming known as ‘intelligent real estate’. A significant departure from the traditional construction method, the technology at Highcross provides a backbone to everything from the voice and communications systems through to third party elements such as footfall measurement, energy metering and ventilation. Highcross uses internet based IP technology that handles not only all normal computer applications and public WiFi access, but also the fundamental workings of the shopping centre.

With everything in the centre controlled through one centralised IP network, the development team behind Highcross adopted a collaborative approach that ensured the technology in the centre was complementary to the overall build, rather than an additional afterthought. Not only does this reduce the cost of implementing such a system, and ensure easy management of the entire centre, it also means that Highcross is effectively ‘future-proofed’, with developing technology easily added into the development’s network.

While this approach has obvious benefits in terms of cost management and adaptability, another positive behind the Highcross story is the environmental impact. Instant, up-to-the-minute energy metering makes it simpler than ever for residents and retailers alike to keep tabs on what they are using when. Climate management is also controlled centrally, with Highcross able to ‘think’ about when ventilation is required to control temperature.

Highcross offers one of the safest retail environments in the country via the largest ever IP controlled CCTV installation in the UK. Some 500 cameras provide the centre’s security team and the local authorities with data on every part of Highcross, allowing them to react instantly should anything go awry.

The network implemented by Redstone provides a secure and cost effective backbone for all forms of communication, thus ensuring easy and effective management of the building in line with its business objectives and security and environmental responsibilities.

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Notes to Editors

About Redstone Converged Solutions
Redstone Converged Solutions offers complete networking and communications infrastructure solutions that aim to enhance business performance, deliver real benefits and maximise the potential of new and existing ICT investments for private and public sector organisations throughout the UK. Redstone Converged Solutions enjoys a strong leadership presence in the following market sectors: enterprise, corporate, public sector, intelligent buildings and Building Schools for the Future.
www.redstoneconverged.co.uk