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As rapid business growth saw
an increase in the number of
high-value items passing through
the site , the global logistics and
distribution specialist chose
Acctive Systems to replace the sys-
tem and secure this large and most
important distribution centre.
Acctive Systems is one of the
leading privately-owned integra-
tors of electronic security systems
in the UK, with an extensive
experience within the logistics
sector. With support from their
trusted technology partner Axis,
they started developing what
would become a high security
solution which would also deliver
health and safety improvements
and substantial cost savings.
Advanced levels
of protection
The solution included installa-
tion of 180 Axis network cameras
across a large 300 x 200 metre site,
with onboard analytics used to
differentiate between people and
vehicles.
At the perimeter, automatic
number plate recognition (ANPR)
cameras serve to further enhance
vehicle identification, helping to
initiate smoother passage for au-
thorised delivery trucks. IP audio
speakers, triggered by cameras at
the site perimeter, are primed to
issue alarms or pre-determined and
real-time alerts to deter criminal
activity or trespassing.
"The system is very sophisti-
cated with cameras, analytics, IP
audio and access control all inter-
connected to guard against any
unexpected visitor. Our customer
runs an incredibly slick operation,
and this now extends to the secu-
rity provision employed inside and
out," states Andy Moseley, techni-
cal sales and technical designer at
Acctive Systems.
Guarding against loss
and insider threat
Inside the warehouse, cameras are
positioned above giant roller-
shutters for an ideal perspective of
the main floor while also monitor-
ing passage through the main
access points. Axis' open-platform
approach facilitates third-party
access-control mechanisms and
intruder alarms that seamlessly
link to Axis' network cameras, IP
audio solutions and centralised
video management system (VMS).
With internal theft being
of great concern, mini-dome
cameras, positioned to cover the
many packing benches, serve as
a tool for profit protection that
also doubles as quality control.
High-definition video of the pack-
ing of all goods can be retrieved
as required to solve any query or
dispute.
"Imagine a situation where a
truck goes to leave the premises
but is short of an order. Distribu-
tion managers can now check an
Axis recorder for video evidence
from the packing area relating to
that specific order, compare this
with footage from the loading
area, and quickly establish what
has happened. This serves to help
differentiate between a security-
related situation or a genuine
mistake, ultimately saving the
business time and money," com-
ments Andy Moseley.
Monitoring for health
and safety
With trucks arriving and departing
in quick succession, it is impera-
tive that the fast-paced environ-
ment of the delivery and collection
area is made as safe as possible.
Staff need to always remain alert,
which is where technology can
help. The combination of cameras
and IP audio technology helps to
drastically reduce the likelihood
of incidents occurring, and in the
unfortunate event that one does
occur, can provide vital evidence.
"On-camera analytics can be
configured to detect anomalies in a
scene and promptly address them,
with IP audio speakers configured
to warn of approaching vehicles
or any situation that might prove
hazardous," states Sean McNaboe,
Key Account Manager at Axis.
"This serves to remind op-
eratives of correct protocols and
further improves health and safety
standards across the site."
For health and safety, as well
as security purposes, audio can be
targeted towards relevant zones
to ensure that the right person
receives the message. When a fire
drill is conducted, for example,
an alarm sounds which can be ac-
companied by an audio announce-
ment, reminding the workforce in
a certain area of the number and
location of their muster point.
Pre-determined doors can then be
selected to open through the VMS
software.
At the designated assembly
area, operatives swipe their ID
cards against a third-party proxim-
ity reader to engage the automated
roll-call system which logs their
attendance. In this way, the entire
workforce can be accounted for
swiftly and accurately in an auto-
mated way.
The power of Axis
Site Designer
Acctive Systems has also utilised
the capabilities of Axis Site De-
signer. This innovative web-based
tool can simplify and streamline
the design of security and surveil-
lance systems, assist quotation
workflows and make projects
easier to specify, revise and imple-
ment. The application removes any
guesswork and allows cameras to
be virtually positioned and their
coverage visually demonstrated. It
helps to identify potential issues
such as blind spots affecting the
field of view and is also essential
to ensure that onboard analytics
function correctly.
At one of the UK's larger distribution centres, secu-
rity used to equate to a number of guards, backed
up by a network of analogue CCTV cameras.
Today, a cutting-edge security technology solu-
tion is protecting the site against both internal and
external threats, whilst also improving the safety
of the work environment.
Integrated security solution helps global
logistics firm work safer and smarter
Inside the warehouse, cameras are positioned above giant roller-shutters for an ideal
perspective of the main floor while also monitoring passage through the main access
points.
Special Feature: Perimeter Surveillance
Editor: Lennart Alexandrie