Vale: Don Hartley

 

Metra Australia is saddened to report the death of co-founder, director and industry entrepreneur Don Hartley who died on Tuesday 8th March, at the age of 63, as a result of cancer.

A pioneer in the contract management of aquatic, recreation and sport facilities in Australia, Don will be remembered as an industry innovator whose low-key management approach inspired many in the industry.

Prior to Metra Australia, establishing in 2014, Don co-founded Leisure Management Services in 1995, which continues to operate facilities today. His experience with the technological needs of facilities, led him to co-found Links Modular Solutions in 1999.  Links then went on to sell their market-leading software company in 2016.

Looking back on Don’s achievements, longstanding business partner Nick Ciccarelli and current director of Metra Aus, highlighted that Don started in a time where community leisure provision was an outdoor pool and a community centre and the concept of a ‘leisure centre’ was in its infancy.

It was from humble beginnings as a Duty Manager at the East Keilor Leisure Centre, that Don perfected his entrepreneurial skills. Ironically, the redevelopment of East Keilor Leisure Centre was one of the last projects he saw Metra Aus technology be installed at.

The introduction of Compulsory Competitive Tendering by the Jeff Kennett-led Victorian Government of the 1990s provided the catalyst to take the next step in leisure management, and Leisure Management Services was born. The company grew from managing one facility, to at its prime, operating a wide range of facilities across multiple states.

Through Don’s business instincts and innovation Metra Australia became the natural progression of LMS. Always being one step ahead and predicting changes within the technology space, Metra Aus became the leading electronic locking and access control solution for leisure centre personal storage lockers.

Don’s vision didn’t stop there. He knew the locker business didn’t stop at leisure facilities and it wasn’t long before his vision became a reality with Metra locking technology now featuring in End of Trip facilities, corporate offices and schools and universities around Australia.

For those who have had the privilege to meet and work with Don, they will always remember his humour, endless stories, enthusiasm for business and life, and his ability to ‘think outside the square.

“As his long-term business partner and friend of 35 years, he has left a huge hole in the lives of myself and the wider leisure community and will be greatly missed.” – Nick Ciccarelli

Metra Aus Ongoing Support

Customer satisfaction is a high priority for the Metra Aus team. We pride ourselves of providing each of our customers with exceptional support and service from the initial enquiry and purchasing stages, through the installation and configuration process and then for the many years following.

All new installations of the Metra Electronic Locking technology include a 1-year warranty period which commences on the date of the project handover. We provide each site complimentary quarterly servicing during this initial warranty period.

Our support and service does not end at the expiry of your warranty however, we have the option for you to choose from one of our three Service Agreement Plans. Not only do you continue to benefit for Metra’s VIP service other benefits can include:

  • Continued quarterly service and preventative maintenance.
  • Additional priority callouts.
  • Remote investigations if required.
  • Annual UPS Service.
  • % Discount on RRP on parts replaced due to damage.
  • % of faulty locks replaced each year.

 

If a Service Agreement Plan is not suitable for your busines our tech team are available 7-days a week for support and ongoing maintenance. A support call can be logged via our support page on our website or by calling 1300 638 722

 

To find out more about what is included as part of our quarterly servicing and service plans, contact a Metra Aus team member today.

Battery vs Hardwired locks

Metra Australia’s hardwired locker locks are easy to use and manage. Our web-based locker management software offers a real-time audit trail, reports, and the possibility to assign lockers from mobile devices. The locking solution is hardwired, does not use batteries, and is extremely environmentally friendly. It streamlines locker management, reduces ongoing operational costs, and is the ideal locker lock for fitness club changing rooms, end of trip facilities, or the modern office environment.

Are hardwired locks actually more expensive than battery-powered locks?

The perception in the marketplace tends to lean towards yes, that hardwired locks are more expensive. But whilst looking at the lifespan of the locks, and the required ongoing maintenance and replacement, you will quickly learn that hardwired locks can actually be less expensive than battery-powered locks.

As we also look to address environmental and climate considerations it is a business’s responsibility to take these concerns into account in all aspects of business, including minimizing their own ecological footprint. A facility with 1,000 lockers would require approximately 3000 batteries to run.  That is approx 70kg in batteries that would need to be replaced and properly disposed of annually.

How long would it take to actually replace all of those batteries?

Let’s break this down: Each lock has screws holding on cover plates to protect a total of 3 -4 batteries — so it is safe to assume 2 – 3 mins per lock to change the batteries.

 

For 1,000 locks

At the low end, we are talking roughly 2,000 minutes,

On the high side of our experience, 3,000 minutes.

=

33 hours – 50 hours

of labour time alone to replace 3,000 – 4,000 batteries

 

In summary, by considering the time taken to replace the batteries, the associated cost with new batteries (some battery locks on the market will have proprietary batteries in them that are only sold by the lock manufacturer) and labour, as well as disposal on the old batteries, all on a yearly basis – the move to hardwired locking solutions is a great business decision.

Call Metra today to discuss how a networked operating system can improve your business 1300 METRAAUS

 

5 benefits of using RFID technology

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags that contain electronically stored information. RFID chips can be incorporated in wristbands, key tags, fobs, the paper passes, and plastic cards. Each unique RFID tag can allow timely access through doors, turnstiles, and lockers.

See below 5 benefits to using RFID technology in your next locking solution. 

1) Data tracking

Because a person carries an RFID card with them, a smart-card system records her movements. For example, when a person enters a locked room with the card, the system notes the person, the date and time, and the activity.

2) Ease of use

Where a lost or stolen physical key can require you to replace the whole lock, an administrator can simply delete the lost/stolen tag’s access and program a new one.

3) Security

RFID key cards are much harder to copy than traditional keys, so offer peace of mind where unauthorized users are concerned. Key cards can also be deactivated to prevent an unauthorized user from gaining entry to a building or access to a storage locker.

4) Increased revenue and profits

For applications where access is required for a large number of people, for instance, gym members, getting traditional keys cut can be very expensive. With an RFID key card, replacements and cheap and easy.

5) Flexibility

RFID cards can be programmed and reprogrammed as the aspects of security requirements change. If an employee leaves, the card can be deactivated or reprogrammed for a new employee. It also allows changes to areas that personnel can access as their permissions grow and change.

Jobs we have recently completed utilizing RFID technology. 

– Transport for NSW Macquarie Park

– Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs

– SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre

Use the below form to enquire about how Metra Australia can assist your next project with RFID technology.

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    RFID cashless payments

     

    RFID wristband technology offers seamless access management and improves on-site security such as facility entry and open/closing of personal locker storage.

    RFID is considered more secure than paper tickets due to the chip found inside the wristband or access card that is uniquely tied to the holder of the card, which ensures it can only be presented once.

    With our RFID cashless payment solution you can offer an enhanced user experience.

    Our solution works by assigning a RFID wristband to a locker along with a cash credit amount. The credit can then be used towards food or beverages, or other products or services.

    Apple Watch® locker access

    Utilising the HID® Mobile Access app with METRA Australia lockers offers a smart, user-friendly and secure locking solution for personal locker storage.

    The HID® Mobile Access app means personal storage lockers can be accessed via your Apple Watch®!

    Watch the demonstration video below to see the operation in action:

    Like the idea of managing personal storage lockers via a smartphone? If you haven’t seen our MyMetraKey smartphone App yet, have a look here.

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