Overview#
A facilities manager at a government complex receives an alert at 07:30: an access card was used three times in 90 seconds at two doors on opposite sides of a classified wing, which is physically impossible for a single person. The system has already flagged the anomaly, cross-referenced the card holder's active duty status, and queued a security review. That kind of situational awareness requires building operations and physical security to share the same data, not live in separate silos.
Argus Facility Management and Physical Security unifies access control, maintenance scheduling, space utilisation monitoring, energy consumption tracking, security monitoring, and compliance tracking into one platform. It serves government complexes with classified spaces, healthcare campuses with regulatory requirements, utilities with critical infrastructure, emergency management facilities, and local government estates operating across multiple sites.
Open Standards#
- ONVIF (Open Network Video Interface Forum Profile S/T): Security monitoring integrates IP cameras via the ONVIF protocol for device discovery, stream configuration, and unified surveillance management across the facility.
- RTSP (RFC 7826, Real Time Streaming Protocol): Video feeds from surveillance cameras are transported over RTSP, with configurable port and path parameters exposed per camera registration.
- SCIM 2.0 (RFC 7643 / RFC 7644): Automated access provisioning and deprovisioning connects to HR and identity management systems using the System for Cross-domain Identity Management standard.
- LDAP (RFC 4510): Directory-based identity lookup and group membership evaluation is supported for access control, with configurable server and base DN per organisation.
- FIDO2 / WebAuthn (W3C Web Authentication): Strong multi-factor authentication for staff and contractor access to the platform is implemented using the FIDO2/WebAuthn specification.
- IEC 62443 (Industrial Automation and Control Systems Security): Compliance tracking for operational technology systems, including HVAC, energy management, and utility monitoring, maps controls against the IEC 62443 series.
- ISO/IEC 27001 (Information Security Management): Audit trail generation and access control documentation are aligned to ISO 27001 controls, supporting evidence packs for regulatory inspections.
- GeoJSON (RFC 7946): Spatial data for floor plans, site boundaries, and asset locations is stored and exchanged in GeoJSON format, enabling interoperability with mapping and planning tools.
Last Reviewed: 2026-02-05 Last Updated: 2026-04-14
Key Features#
Access Control and Security#
- Access control management providing a complete picture of who enters, when they access specific areas, and space utilisation patterns
- Security monitoring integrating access control, video surveillance, alarm systems, and incident reporting in a single operational view
- Tiered access zones with classification-level controls for sensitive and restricted areas
- Visitor management covering registration, badge printing, escort tracking, and automated access expiration
- Emergency lockdown with zone-specific or facility-wide access restriction capability
Building Operations#
- Automated building operations monitoring with equipment performance tracking and predictive maintenance
- HVAC, lighting, elevator, and infrastructure monitoring to maintain operating conditions and reduce energy costs
- Energy management with consumption monitoring, cost analysis, and efficiency reporting
- Preventive maintenance scheduling with automated work order generation and service history tracking
- Vendor and contractor management for maintenance services with access credential control
- Capital improvement planning with project tracking, budget management, and contractor coordination
- Janitorial and cleaning schedule management with inspection tracking and quality verification
Space and Portfolio Management#
- Space utilisation analytics for optimising workspace allocation and planning
- Multi-site portfolio management with centralised oversight and site-specific configurations
- Floor plan management with interactive maps showing real-time occupancy and asset locations
- Move management and space reconfiguration planning with impact analysis
- Lease management tracking for owned and leased properties with cost allocation
Compliance and Emergency Preparedness#
- Compliance tracking for building codes, fire safety, ADA accessibility, and environmental regulations
- Emergency preparedness with evacuation planning, mustering, and occupancy tracking
- Fire and life safety system monitoring with inspection scheduling and documentation
- Regulatory audit preparation with automated compliance evidence generation
- Emergency generator and backup power system management with testing schedules
- Insurance documentation management with asset valuation and incident history reporting
- Sustainability tracking with energy efficiency metrics, carbon footprint reporting, and environmental compliance
- Tenant and occupant satisfaction surveying with facilities feedback management
Use Cases#
Government Facility Security. Implement tiered access control with background verification, visitor management, security monitoring, and compliance documentation for classified and sensitive facilities. Maintain complete audit trails of all access events and security incidents.
Healthcare Facility Operations. Coordinate maintenance, access control, and environmental monitoring to maintain patient safety, regulatory compliance, and operational continuity. Track compliance with Joint Commission, OSHA, and equivalent regulatory requirements.
Critical Infrastructure Protection. Monitor and secure utilities, data centres, transport hubs, and other critical facilities with integrated physical security, environmental monitoring, and incident response. Ensure continuous operations with redundant systems monitoring.
Multi-Site Estate Management. Manage access control, maintenance, space utilisation, and security across multiple buildings from a centralised view, with automated workflows and real-time monitoring.
Integration#
- HR and identity management systems for automated access provisioning and deprovisioning
- Video management and surveillance systems for unified security monitoring
- Building management systems for HVAC, lighting, and energy monitoring
- Visitor management and contractor credentialing platforms
- Emergency notification and mass communication systems
- Financial systems for facility cost tracking and budget management
- IoT sensor networks for automated environmental and equipment monitoring
- Procurement systems for maintenance supplies and equipment ordering
- All records scoped to the organisation with role-based access control and a full audit trail on every access and maintenance event