This is the story of a brainwave that became a revolutionary concept. Instead of making a better mousetrap, Integrated designed and perfected, marketed and sold what we call our Access Control System.

Like most good ideas, this one was very simple. One of our founders was determined to improve access control in a completely different branch of an old family company. He discovered that existing systems of access control came in all shapes and sizes. The only common features seemed to be their built-in obsolescence and the fact that sooner rather than later they would let you down.

He dreamed of one-touch electronic system to control access. It should fit any type of doorway, combine function with durability, look elegant and it should be modular, capable of infinite upgrade and expansion of functions as dictated by changes in the working environment or other factors. It should be suitable for large and small companies, and it should withstand heavy duty use.

By chance a software genius heard our founder expounding about his dream system. Something clicked with the technical man and before long he had created the software to make the whole system workable.

Now good ideas and software geniuses are not exactly 10-a-penny, but many of them never get any further. Surely this idea was not destined for the scrap heap.

But what about the hardware?

They desperately needed workshop space for their ideas to bear fruit. It turned out that on the roof of their office building someone had long ago erected a little hut. Technically it was an illegal structure, but it was tailormade for a workshop. And it was cheap.

Two scientists joined the team later and soon a designer was roped in to ensure that the end product would look as attractive as possible. The workshop was terribly hot in the summer and cold in the winter. And you had to watch out for the leaks in the roof when it rained. But the team barely noticed, as they worked day and night, like creatures possessed.

Only after the idea was first mooted, the first Access Guard system was sold to a telecom company. That was in 1997. Business increased tremendously last year, and this year's results are expected to be even better. At the most recent count, the company had over 100 corporate clients and the list continues to grow fast as more of the world's most famous corporate names are discovering how the Access Guard System can save them money, time and resources.