A Scottish networking specialist expects to create 20 jobs after winning a multi-million-pound contract to supply a sophisticated monitoring and access control system for the new South Glasgow Hospital.
Boston Networks will provide an intelligent network of CCTV cameras and security controls to monitor the movements in what will become one of the UK's biggest acute hospitals.
The Glasgow-based company expects to lay more than 1.5 mil-lion metres of cabling for the system, which will link CCTV cameras and access control devices such as swipe card units with a central control room.
Directors of Boston Networks believe the system will provide "unrivalled levels of security" in the new hospital, which is scheduled for completion in 2015.
The contract win will provide a significant boost to privately owned Boston Networks, which maintains the network.
"This is a very exciting project to be involved in," said managing director Scott McEwan.
The win highlights the value of the work that is being generated for small and medium-sized enterprises by the National Heath Service at a time when local authorities are cutting spending and when activity in the private sector construction market is muted.
In February the Dieselec generator business backed by Glasgow-based Nevis Capital won a contract worth around £5 million to provide a standby power system for the new hospital in Glasgow's southside.
Mr McEwan said the contract would allow Boston Networks to contribute to the local economy by creating around 20 jobs including 12 apprenticeships.
Founded by technology entrepreneur Keith Anderson in 2000, Boston Networks is on course to double employee numbers to around 100 in coming months.
The group is to add another 20 staff to the payroll after agreeing to buy Glasgow-based Tough Systems, in what is believed to have been a six-figure deal. A specialist in fire and security systems, Tough has annual turnover of around £1.5m.
"We are very excited to further strengthen our portfolio to fully incorporate Public Space CCTV, Fire Safety Systems, Intruder Detection Systems and Monitoring & Response on a larger scale," said Mr McKewan.
Tough's managing director Hugh Hamill is joining Boston Networks.
Mr McEwan said Boston Networks has made good progress against a tough backdrop.
The company is on course to grow turnover in the current year to £6m, excluding the Tough acquisition, from £5.5m in 2011.
"We started off in a recession in 2000. We have been used to the tough times but we have been profitable since day one," said Mr McKewan.
Mr McEwan said builders have increased investment in the technology they incorporate in buildings.
He welcomed indications that conditions are improving in construction and other private sector markets, noting: "The pipeline is gradually improving. Customers are making faster decisions."
Mr McEwan confirmed Boston Networks will bid for work connected with the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Mr Anderson has a majority shareholding in Boston Networks and is an investor in a range of technology firms.
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