Nexus Security

Nexus approached us to design and develop a new custom system comprising of ‘Link’, a web portal solution central to Nexus’ operations, and an accompanying mobile app. The aim was to develop a system to facilitate Nexus’ processes and support key functions for all stakeholders: - Nexus’ operations team, Nexus’ clients, and the Network Partners. Whilst their existing platform was fairly robust, the new system needed to deliver improved functionality, usability, and performance.

CSI Media were also commissioned to design a new brochure website for Nexus to market their services and the new platform.

The new enterprise-level solution would represent a significant investment in Nexus’ digital infrastructure.

Given the scope of the project, we carried out discovery sessions with the team at Nexus to understand their processes and gather their specific requirements. Our team then proceeded to a Technical Specification where we planned the system architecture and implementation approach.

The platform is complex, incorporating multiple functions, components, and dependencies. Therefore, we started the design phase by creating wireframes to plan the UI. We then moved to conceptual design where we collaborated with Nexus to create a clean, minimalistic UI with a focus on intuitive user interaction to support the busy, diverse group of end users.

Attention was given to the finer details including hovers and icons to enhance the UX, whilst a colour scheme combining white with greys and gradients of blue reflected Nexus’ visual identity.

Built on .Net Core, 'Link' is a fully customised solution designed to support business operations. Incorporating an expansive set of features including interactive dashboards, advanced reporting, and location tracking, the system enables each stakeholder to perform role-specific tasks that facilitate the management of security activities for thousands of sites across the UK.

Specifically, Nexus’ operations team can add new sites and create activities for security officers to complete, for example, patrol the site and lock the building, with accompanying instructions and notes. Questions can be created for security personnel to answer via the integrated app, for example, do you have the keys, with the ability to add dynamic logic - if a security guard were to answer yes, they may be asked for supporting evidence; please take a photo of the keys. If they answer no, the system will raise an 'issue', and they may be asked where did you last see the keys. Nexus' operations team are notified of live issues to investigate as and when they happen.

Client management, commercials, and contracts are also administered via Link.

Link provides Nexus’ clients with visibility of their sites and security activities. They can view activity reports with completed assignments, questionnaires, and photographic evidence of completed activities. As a white-label solution, Link can be styled to align with the client’s visual identity for a fully branded experience.

The new app supports security officers in performing their day-to-day security role, almost like a job management tool. Developed for Android and iOS devices, the app is where security personnel view assigned activities for each site, for example, a site patrol at 19:00 followed by an alarm check at 20:00.

The app tracks security officers’ location en-route to site via geolocation tech, so Nexus can see where security personnel are located for ETAs and safety purposes. When onsite, security personnel record completed tasks and upload supporting evidence via the app; this data is fed back to Link via a .Net Core API for live tracking and reporting, representing a fully integrated, seamless solution.

The final part of the project was a custom-designed brochure website. The website is a standalone solution built with Umbraco, a CMS which gives Nexus the flexibility to create engaging marketing pages to promote their security services and the Link platform.