De Rocker Logistics opts for the reliability of an Axis camera surveillance system.
Comprehensive camera coverage of a 15,000m2 semiautomated warehouse with room for 12,000 pallets.
Mission
Camera security is not new, but the available technology is developing rapidly. In its brand-new distribution center in Zele, Belgium, De Rocker Logistics wanted to secure its 15,000m2 semiautomated warehouse, which can accommodate 12,000 pallets, by installing a very extensive camera system. To make this happen, the organization contacted Compuserv, an Axis partner who they have been working with for years to meet their IT hardware needs. Compuserv is an expert in IT infrastructure, which was convenient when installing this smart camera solution.
Solution
Equipped with a detailed floor plan of the entire location, and supported by Axis, Compuserv set to work using AXIS Site Designer. This free design tool provided by Axis makes it easy to upload a map or floor plan and scale the dimensions before you start marking camera positions. Araani Fire Guard, a video app that can be installed on most Axis cameras, serves as a supplementary fire monitoring system on site, in addition to the required smoke detectors.
Result
Using AXIS Site Designer, Compuserv was able to give De Rocker Logistics a quick, efficient estimate for a realistic overview of the camera solution that would be needed for the location. AXIS Site Designer not only calculates how many cameras are needed, but also works out how much bandwidth and storage capacity will be required in various situations. That was very useful when designing a solution for such a large location. The biggest advantage, without a doubt, is that the camera feed can also be viewed from a different location. That flexibility was an important requirement from the start of the installation process.
“No blind spots were permitted, none at all,” emphasizes Frank Gysens, owner of Compuserv. “De Rocker Logistics wanted to install cameras for the whole location, making it possible to immediately identify the cause in the event of an accident or any damage. Surveillance capability had to be in place both within the warehouse and outdoors at the loading bays and docks.” Compuserv has handled IT management for De Rocker Logistics for over 30 years now, making it much simpler to integrate the camera system. “The customer trusts our knowledge of their infrastructure, and we have access to all the components,” Gysens explains.
This VMS solution offered by Axis makes it possible to view the camera feeds from wherever you are. Whether you’re accessing the footage from a laptop or a cellphone, you can easily look back as far as 30 days ago.
In 2020, the fully operational refrigerated warehouse used by De Rocker Logistics moved from Wetteren (Belgium) to a new distribution center in Zele. The new location was first fully equipped with a comprehensive camera surveillance system. Ensuring coverage of the large surface area and a number of different loading bays and docks required a considerable number of cameras.
Benefits of AXIS Site Designer
Equipped with a detailed floor plan of the entire location, and supported by Axis, Compuserv set to work using AXIS Site Designer. The free design tool makes it easy to upload a floor plan or map and scale the dimensions before starting to mark camera positions.
“AXIS Site Designer ensures that you can place cameras as effectively as possible, providing a clear visual overview of the entire location,” says Gust Coeckelbergs, Key Account Manager for BeLux at Axis. “To be sure that the entire location is covered, the web app takes the different features of each camera type into account. This prevents blind spots. You can also integrate the floor plan into the system directly during installation, which saves a lot of time.”
AXIS Site Designer not only calculates how many cameras are needed, but also works out how much bandwidth and storage capacity will be required in various situations. As a result, Compuserv was able to give De Rocker Logistics a realistic overview of how much data storage capacity would be needed for the location.
Comprehensive Axis solution
All the cameras were connected using the AXIS Camera Station video management software (VMS), a central platform for camera management. “The finishing touch was a large 65-inch display showing simultaneous feeds from all 32 cameras,” Gysens says. “This VMS solution makes it possible to view the camera feeds from wherever you are. Whether you’re accessing the footage from a laptop or a cellphone, you can easily look back as far as 30 days ago.”
The complete system is connected using 12 Zyxel routers, which supply connectivity and power to the cameras via a Power over Ethernet (PoE) cable. The cameras provide different resolutions, depending completely on the position and purpose of the camera, since there are always some areas that require more detailed surveillance than others. Without a doubt, the biggest advantage, according to De Rocker Logistics, is that they can also access the camera feeds even without being onsite. “Some of our employees can view the camera feeds remotely from their laptop, or even from a cellphone running iOS or Android,” Gysens explains. “That flexibility was an important requirement for us from the start of the installation process.”
Close-knit cooperation in the supply chain
The whole project is the result of close-knit cooperation between Compuserv, Tech Data and Axis. Johan Ledens, Sales Engineer at Axis, gave Compuserv technical support in choosing the right cameras, resolutions, settings and more, ensuring that all customer expectations were met.
Ledens also offered various tips and tricks for using the Axis video management software. As the distributor, Tech Data provided competitive pricing to make sure they got the project, while Compuserv handled installation and support for De Rocker Logistics. This close-knit cooperation throughout the supply chain delivered added value for the end user. “It is essential for the customer to have access to enough detailed forensic footage, so they can review what they’re looking for after an incident,” Coeckelbergs explains.
“In addition, the Axis network cameras are very appealing in terms of total cost of ownership (TCO). And we offer our business relations various free tools to simplify the work process for the installer or integrator. Our solutions are simple to install and ensure smooth maintenance processes throughout the camera’s life cycle. The end user also received a suite of tools that make it possible for them to start using the solution immediately, such as the System Health Monitoring tool that can be used to monitor the current status of the system. All in all, it resulted in an exceptionally successful project.”
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