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Special Feature: Intelligent Security Systems
The access control solution has
been delivered by Axis partner
Entryfy.
"In combination with Axis
network cameras and loudspeakers,
a cloud-based video management
system from Milestone Systems
have resulted in safe and secure
stores, extended opening hours
and increased revenue", says Carl
Staël von Holstein, Industry 4.0
Segment Lead, at Axis Communi-
cations.
Fully digitized solution
Crazy Candy has two confection-
ery stores and needed to reduce
costs and staff as a result of the
corona pandemic. The company
demanded a complete solution
with access control, camera and
sound to be able to have un-
manned stores. Instead of staff,
there is now a fully digitised solu-
tion with access control, speakers,
network camera and checkout.
Voice message
"Welcome to Crazy Candy!" The
pre-recorded voice message can
be heard from the loud- speaker
as visitors enter Crazy Candy's
unmanned bulk confectionery
store in Uppsala, just north of
Stockholm. The lights switch on,
the music starts. The new solu-
tion, with Axis A1001 Network
Door Controllers, Axis P3245-
V Network Cameras, and Axis
C1004-E Network Cabinet Speak-
ers, together with a cloud-based
video management system (VMS),
Milestone Xprotect Professional+,
from Milestone Systems has
strengthened Crazy Candy's brand,
improved the customer experience,
and led to increased sales.
Challenging beginnings
Crazy Candy opened the first of
its two stores just as the Coro-
navirus pandemic hit. After a
few, very difficult months, the
situation escalated to the point
where there were only two vi-
able options; close the stores or
find an alternative solution that
would improve store success and
ultimately revenue.
Damoon Mortezaie, founder
of Crazy Candy, says: "We found
ourselves in a desperate situation.
We wanted to stay open and to
win back our customers. We de-
cided to fully automate our stores
and stay open around the clock.
Transactions take place at a digital
checkout terminal where custom-
ers weigh and scan their con-
fectionery before paying. Clear
instructions are also printed on
the wall. If someone needs help,
there is an emergency telephone
number to call, and in one of the
stores there is during the day a
button to press if you need per-
sonal assistance. When the store is
empty, the music turns off and the
lights go out after a while.
Open standard
Store surveillance cameras are
monitored and operated remotely
from a central control room.
Recorded video material can be
processed and passed to authorities
when necessary, in accordance with
applicable laws.
"Axis network products are
based on an open standard, and
other types of products and soft-
ware can be easily integrated with
the solution and managed remotely
via a laptop. It is easy to add and
remove products. Central control
means easy handling, regardless of
whether it is one or more stores",
says Carl Staël von Holstein.
The cameras offer high-quality
light sensitive image capture with
wide dynamic range, so they can
produce sharp images even in
variable light conditions. In addi-
tion, Axis Lightfinder technology
allows image capture in almost total
darkness; highly beneficial when
used to protect a retail site such
as Crazy Candy where lights are
automatically turned off when the
last customer leaves.
Network audio for
increased sales
Furthermore, Axis' network prod-
ucts for sound are an important
support to help stores build their
brands, enhance the customer
experience and increase sales.
"The audio solution is a
complete all-in-one solution and
requires no additional hardware
and is simple to install, saving
time and money and reducing
the requirement for technical
expertise for fine-tuning", says
Carl Staël von Holstein.
Regarding plans for the future,
the next step is to introduce voice
messages using the speaker and
camera that are adapted to where
the customer is located in the
store. A person standing at the
checkout can, for example, receive
special offers for products that are
placed at the checkout.
Less problems
According to Damoon Mortezaie,
wastage and theft are not a
problem in the unmanned stores.
He says: "People pay and do the
right thing. In general, customers
behave better without staff than
with staff being present."
Crazy Candy is Sweden's first unmanned confection-
ery store. The customers scan a QR code using a mo-
bile phone and identify themselves via mobile BankID
and then a signal is sent to Axis' door control solution
and the entrance opens automatically.
Smart solution improves revenue
in unmanned confectionery store
Carl Staël von Holstein, Industry 4.0
Segment Lead, at Axis Communications.
Instead of staff, there is now a fully digitised solution with access control, speakers,
network camera and checkout.
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