Frequently Asked Questions
Faq's
Fortecho FAQs for Smarter Asset Protection
Welcome to the Fortecho FAQ page, your comprehensive resource for understanding how we revolutionise the protection of your art and high-value assets. At Fortecho, we are pioneers in integrating state-of-the-art IoT technology to offer unrivalled art security and asset monitoring solutions. Our system provides round-the-clock wireless surveillance, ensuring that your treasures are safeguarded with the most advanced protection available worldwide. Here, you’ll find answers to common questions about our services, how we can tailor our solutions to meet your unique needs, and much more. Whether you’re new to Fortecho or looking to deepen your understanding of our cutting-edge offerings, we’re here to assist you every step of the way.
What is Fortecho?
Fortecho is an integrated art protection and environmental monitoring system designed for museums, private foundations, private collectors, luxury retailers and the superyacht industry.
Using active RFID technology, Fortecho continuously monitors individual assets for theft, unauthorised movement and tampering, while also collecting environmental data such as temperature, humidity and light exposure to help preserve sensitive collections.
The system combines wireless tags, RF readers and powerful management software into a single platform, giving organisations real-time protection, environmental monitoring and complete visibility of their valuable assets.
How does the Fortecho system work?
Each protected object is fitted with a discreet active RFID tag. Readers installed throughout the building continuously communicate with these tags and immediately detect movement or environmental changes. All information is processed by the Fortecho software, which provides real-time alarms, event logging and system management from a single interface.
What types of objects can be protected?
Fortecho protects virtually any valuable object, regardless of its size or material. Our systems are used to secure paintings, sculptures, archaeological artefacts, decorative arts, jewellery, historical collections, manuscripts, furniture and many other unique objects.
Can artworks be protected without display cases?
Yes. Fortecho was specifically designed to protect artworks displayed in open galleries as well as inside showcases. The system continuously monitors each object and immediately detects any unauthorised movement, allowing museums to present collections more openly while maintaining a high level of security.
Will visitors see the security system?
No. Fortecho is designed to be as discreet as possible. RFID tags are compact and can often be hidden on, behind or within the object, while readers are positioned to minimise their visual impact. Our goal is to preserve the aesthetics of the exhibition without compromising security.
Can Fortecho integrate with our existing security system?
Yes. Fortecho can be integrated with many existing security systems, allowing alarm events to be forwarded to third-party platforms when required.
This enables museums and other organisations to incorporate Fortecho into their existing security strategy without replacing their current infrastructure.
Is the system wireless?
Yes. Communication between the tags and readers is completely wireless, eliminating the need for cabling on protected objects. Only the readers themselves require power and network connectivity, making installation faster and less intrusive.
Can Fortecho protect artworks from being touched?
Yes. Fortecho offers integrated touch protection using laser scanners, LiDAR and volumetric detection technologies.
Invisible protection zones can be created around individual artworks to discourage visitors from getting too close. The system can issue an immediate local audio warning to discourage the visitor from touching the artwork, while simultaneously notifying security staff.
Fully integrated into the Fortecho platform, these technologies provide an additional layer of protection while preserving an open and welcoming visitor experience.
Can the system grow with our museum?
Absolutely. Fortecho is fully modular. Many customers begin by protecting a single gallery or temporary exhibition before expanding to additional rooms, buildings or entire collections. New readers and tags can easily be added as requirements evolve.
How much does a Fortecho system cost?
Every Fortecho system is tailored to the specific needs of each site, so there is no one-size-fits-all price.
The overall cost depends on factors such as the number of artworks to protect, the size and layout of the building, the level of protection required, and any integration with existing security systems.
Because RFID tags have a long service life and the infrastructure can be reused as your system grows, Fortecho provides a cost-effective long-term investment for protecting valuable collections.
If you would like an estimate, our team will be happy to discuss your project and provide a tailored proposal.
Can temporary exhibitions be protected?
Yes. Fortecho is ideal for temporary exhibitions. Objects can be quickly tagged, commissioned and removed when the exhibition ends, making the system flexible enough to adapt to changing exhibitions and loaned artworks.
What happens when an alarm is triggered?
When an alarm is detected, the system immediately alerts operators through the Fortecho software. Depending on the configuration, alarms can also be forwarded to security management systems, CCTV platforms, mobile devices or monitoring stations, allowing staff to respond quickly.
Can Fortecho monitor environmental conditions?
Yes. In addition to movement and proximity detection, Fortecho tags can monitor environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, light exposure and UV. This allows museums to protect both the physical security and the long-term preservation of valuable collections.
All environmental data is securely recorded and stored within the Fortecho software, enabling users to analyse historical trends, generate reports and demonstrate that objects have been maintained under appropriate environmental conditions.
How long do RFID tags last?
Fortecho active RFID tags are designed for exceptionally long service life. Depending on the configured "heartbeat" interval, battery life typically ranges from 8 to more than 10 years.
This significantly reduces maintenance requirements compared with conventional battery-powered tags, which often need replacing annually.
The extended battery life means artworks rarely need to be removed from display for tag replacement, reducing handling, minimising the risk of accidental damage, and helping preserve the integrity of the collection.
It also represents a substantial saving in staff time and maintenance costs over the lifetime of the system, particularly for museums managing large collections.
Does Fortecho require regular maintenance?
Fortecho is designed for long-term reliability with minimal routine maintenance.
Thanks to the long battery life of the RFID tags and the robustness of the infrastructure, day-to-day maintenance requirements are kept to a minimum. Routine health checks ensure the system continues to operate reliably for many years.
What support is included after installation?
Fortecho is committed to supporting customers throughout the lifetime of their system.
Our annual software licence includes access to the latest software updates, technical support from our experienced engineers and continued product improvements.
Whether you need assistance with configuration, troubleshooting or expanding your installation, our team is available to help ensure your system continues to perform at its best.
Why choose Fortecho over traditional wired security systems?
Traditional wired security systems often require physical connections to each protected object, making installation more complex and limiting flexibility as exhibitions change.
Fortecho uses long-life active RFID technology to provide wireless protection without cabling the artwork. This makes installation less intrusive and simplifies exhibition changes.
In addition to theft detection, Fortecho also offers environmental monitoring, centralised management and seamless integration with existing security systems, providing a complete solution for modern collection protection.
Is Fortecho suitable for loans between museums?
Yes. Fortecho is widely used to protect loaned artworks during temporary exhibitions. Objects can remain protected throughout the exhibition and easily be removed from the system when they are returned to the lending institution.
Is environmental data accessible to curators and conservators independently of the security team?
Yes. Fortecho provides a fully secure cloud platform that allows curators, conservators and collection managers to access environmental data independently of the security system.
Users can view real-time and historical measurements for temperature, humidity and UV exposure, create trend graphs, compare data from multiple sensors, and correlate indoor conditions with recorded outdoor weather data. The platform also allows data to be exported for reporting, analysis and long-term conservation records.
This enables conservation teams to monitor environmental conditions continuously while security teams focus on asset protection, all within the same integrated ecosystem.
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