With rapid expansion achieved mainly through acquisitions, the Danish De Sammensluttede Vognmænd (DSV) company is one of the largest and most profitable transportation & logistics companies in Europe. Their commitment to sustained expansion has recently been underlined with the construction of a major new distribution hub, secured, using a NVT UTP video transmission based CCTV system.
From the expansive facility located in the Belgian city of Ghent, DSV's European distribution is handled by a fleet of specially equipped trucks, transporting a myriad of commodities. Ideally sited, the Ghent facility allows rapid distribution across Europe, and forms an integral key to DSV's worldwide distribution & warehousing network.
Comprehensive surveillance
Securing a facility with such a high daily throughput of freight, often with a high commercial value, was
critical to the long-term success of both the distribution centre, and the company as a whole. Addressing
this, DSV's management wanted a "best of breed" security solution that was both high-performance and
economical.Turning to specialist installer Egemin ECS, and working closely with security products
distributor ARAS, a comprehensive 56-camera CCTV system was specified using NVT UTP "real-time" video transmission.
With 56 cameras covering both the inside and outside of the distribution building, including its perimeter,
operators now monitor the entire facility from the on-site control room and retrospectively investigate any incidents on or off-site, via high-quality images supplied to the system's digital video recorder (DVR).
NVT is the key
In order to provide operators with as much critical surveillance information as possible, camera placement within the vast building was vital, as Alain Sartel, of ARAS explains: "To gain the level of coverage DSV required, it was important that we could provide the best camera positioning possible. Using NVT video transmission technology helped us to this, by installing a network of 20-pair UTP cable bundles into the building, instead of the more traditional coax. Installer Egemin ECS were able to complete this part of the installation quickly and easily as the UTP bundles are a fraction of the size, and much easier to work with as a result. The comparative time and labour saving also meant that we were able to minimise any impact on the daily running of the depot, in addition to passing on the related cost savings."
Using Camtec CTB120 cameras with NVT UTP video transmission built-in, Egemin ECS engineers were able to easily establish a comprehensive network of cameras, transmitting camera video over Cat5e UTP cable, to four NVT NV-3272 DigitalEQ™ Active Receiver Hubs in the control room.
This advanced NVT receiver hub continuously and automatically compensates for cable attenuation, ground loops, and wiring polarity, independent of video signal image. This means no manual adjustments are necessary to gain perfect video images, again saving installation time and costs. Because the units continuously monitor the images and adjust levels accordingly, they can even compensate for changes in lighting conditions or an adjustment in camera position. Alain Sartel continues: "Using the DigitalEQ NV-3272 reduced the installation time of the system even further, whilst providing the flexibility that allows modifications to scene content and coverage."
| NVT's CCTV surveillance covers vehicle entrances and exits, where it acts as a visual confirmation to the access control system |
"The DigitalEQ's instant set-up capability also makes the NVT based real-time video system much more user-friendly than an IP network, as an IP system can be labour intensive and awkward to set up initially. NVT DigitalEQ™technology displays great images from the moment the system is connected, with video performance second to none."
Effective surveillance
The comprehensive camera network covers all internal package process and external service yard areas, in addition to vehicle and pedestrian entrance and exits, where it is used as a visual confirmation to the access control system.
In the service yard areas, the system is used to monitor all vehicular movements, ensuring health and safety remits are strictly adhered to whilst providing an instant managerial overview of the large amount of traffic, in and around the DSV depot. Similarly, inside the building the images can be used to enforce DSV's strict health and safety regulations, and if necessary, retrospectively investigate a violation or incident via the high- resolution DVR playback footage.
Providing secure transport for customer freight is a key priority for DSV, with the comprehensive surveillance system forming an integral component in ensuring the security of the building, as Alain Sartel explains: "The CCTV system protects freight from any external or even internal threats. The system can be used to identify any unauthorised on-site presence that could pose a security risk. In addition, although DSV works hard to ensure a low turnover of staff, the nature of the short-term contracts employed during the firms busy periods, means the company also requires a cohesive deterrent from internal losses."
Monitored and recorded by DSV staff 24 hours a day, the high-resolution CCTV footage available from the system is invaluable to the day-to-day running of the business, whilst the utilisation of NVT UTP video transmission technology has ensured the system is as economical as it is effective.