General Motors Co., one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. The General Motors-China relationship dates back more than nine decades. GM China’s vision is to be the most valued automotive company in China. SAIC General Motors Co., Ltd. (SAIC-GM) is a joint venture between GM and SAIC. SAIC-GM has four major manufacturing bases — Jinqiao in Shanghai, Dong Yue in Yantai, Norsom in Shenyang, and Wuhan — with eight vehicle plants and four powertrain plants. SAIC-GM offers over 20 product lines under the Buick, Chevrolet, and Cadillac brands. Its products include luxury vehicles, economy, and premium sedans, MPVs and SUVs, and hybrid and electric vehicles.

Between manufacturing bases and plants, SAIC-GM employs a staff of 58,000. Until 2003, SAIC-GM was using a different system for access control. Identiv partner and SAIC-GM system integrator Jingqao/Eterna Shanghai proposed a migration to a Hirsch by Identiv integrated physical access control system (PACS), which, at that time, incorporated eight DIGI*TRAC Controllers. Since then, those eight controllers have expanded to over 300 Hirsch Mx-8 Controllers across China.

Previously, SAIC-GM’s physical access control system was operating on three separate servers, making the system and data difficult to manage, monitor, and maintain. By switching to Hirsch, SAIC-GM discovered the flexibility and scalability of a fully integrated system. Future expansion plans include another overall system upgrade and the addition of Hirsch Velocity Software for optimum compatibility.

Over the next five to 10 years, SAIC-GM intends to continue to grow its relationship with Identiv and plans an overall system upgrade, including the addition of Identiv’s Hirsch Velocity Software.