Staff and shoppers can shop in safety and security
The Valdichiana Outlet Village based near Florence in Foiano, Tuscany in Italy has invested in IP-based video solutions from JVC and Milestone Systems. 11 JVC VN-C655UB network IP PTZ dome cameras, 27 VN-C10U network IP static cameras with built-in web servers and Milestone XProtect software were installed by HESP Services in July 2005. Smau-Gfi, a HP Partner, assisted HESP Services in the provision and installation of an optical fibre network for the complete project.
Valdichiana is a newly built shopping centre that occupies an area of 200,000 square metres and receives an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 visitors each week of the year. It has 70 shops and a parking area for about 3,000 cars. It was officially opened by numerous local authorities and politicians including Rosy Bindi, former Health Minister and television personality, Mr Georgio Panariello.
In the decision making process, the management of the shopping centre required an easy-to-use system giving complete CCTV coverage of the external areas of the shopping centre including parking areas, loading and unloading areas, public squares, access points and exit doors.
The system is configured for future expansion and for outsourced external monitoring if necessary, without major modifications to the existing infrastructure. This was made possible by the investment of flexible software from Milestone Systems.
HESP Services and Smau-Gfi designed the system with an optical fibre network which leads to the main centre (HUB) which is linked with RJ45 1 Gb connection to a main server with 1 Terabyte of storage. The server is where the Milestone Network Management Software resides and images are digitally recorded. A 1 Gb bandwidth is available for each connected JVC camera. The cameras are connected to each optical fibre through a media-converter (100 Gb on RJ45/optical fibre). The system is controlled through a HP personal computer placed on the Security Operator’s desk. In the future it is likely that the system will be connected to the Security Headquarters via dedicated ADSL.
The JVC VN-C655UB dome cameras are excellent outdoor cameras and come with a 25x zoom, 360 degrees endless panning and record at 30fps in VGA mode ensuring that the frame refresh rates are more than ample. It has a powerful set of day and night features. The VN-C10U camera produces high resolution images and is switchable between MPEG4 motion and JPEG still image compression and has direct Ethernet connectivity using 10 Base-T /100 Base-TX. Both cameras have in-built web servers for operational control and functionality.
Giuseppe Brandini of HESP Services adds, “The system is so easy to use and each operator is able to create their own files with a list of cameras within the group. Furthermore, I noticed that operators mastered camera controls with no trouble. We are more than satisfied with the help and technical support from JVC. JVC was always available and the solutions to these problems were successful. The cameras and software run very smoothly.”
“HESP Services have worked with IP networked cameras and infrastructure in the past and understand their advantages in respect to the limits of traditional technology. A continuous video surveillance system that is configurable for the future is mandatory,” comments Giuseppe Brandini, Owner of HESP Services.
This European installation has demonstrated the new and exciting possibilities that can now be offered to emerging businesses by the way that IP acquisition and storage are being taken advantage of. It is a viable security option for now and for the future!
About JVC
JVC Professional Europe Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Victor Company of Japan Limited and is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of video and data-related products.
About Milestone Systems
Milestone is the world leading developer of open platform IP video surveillance software. The XProtect® products provide support for the widest choice of video hardware connected to a LAN, WAN or the Internet. Milestone solutions are in operation on more than 100,000 cameras globally, across a wide spectrum of industries from retail businesses to financial, educational and governmental institutions. Milestone Systems are sold through a channel of 170 partners in 55 countries.
