Mission
50 Axis network cameras monitor more than 30 bars and tobacco shops in the city of Prato
The small merchants of Prato in Tuscany provide services on behalf of the municipality by acting as collection centres. To increase the level of security in and around their stores and facilities, they required the involvement of the local administration. The pressure for increased security led the city of Prato to analyse the possible solutions and technology options.
Solution
To satisfy the merchants' requirement, the city of Prato decided to implement a video surveillance system that could run on the IP network deployed in the city. The municipality commissioned MultiCore Sistemi for the overall implementation of the solution. MultiCore Sistemi, an Axis partner, was already a consultant and point of reference for the city in similar technology projects. The solution chosen and installed by MultiCore Sistemi is based on 50 Axis network cameras deployed in more than 30 tobacco shops and bars in the City of Prato, and Cammy and Smart Vision video management platforms developed by MultiCore Sistemi.
Result
Thanks to the Axis video surveillance system, MultiCore Sistemi was able to meet the security needs of the merchants of the City of Prato. The whole solution is considered to be a significant example of the successful development of a municipal security project.
The T-Serve project provides the foundation for improved security
The security project, created with the sponsorship and supervision of the Data Processing Centre of the city of Prato, was intended to support the operators better and ensure their tranquility by using an effective IP-Surveillance system. Additionally, the project aimed to establish a unique, integrated security standard for all those merchants who, by adhering to the T-Serve project (central payment system), move money on behalf of the municipality.
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| Axis video surveillance system secures tobacconists and bars of Prato in Tuscany |
To that end, all members of the project - who are also operators of the system - were provided with an IP video surveillance solution which allows them to monitor their facility both locally and remotely, and which includes an alarm system. They now have a reliable solution at hand featuring high performance and excellent video quality. To date the project includes 30 operators, but the number is expected to grow as new requests for membership are received every day. Thanks to the scalability and flexibility of the Axis solution, and the fact that it is based on open industry standards, any new immediate need can be easily answered and the system expanded seamlessly.
Remote access to indoor and outdoor Axis Cameras
Axis network cameras are positioned in strategic points of tobacconists and bars for the video surveillance of sensitive areas. The system records 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and the images remain in the recording server for 3 days before being overwritten. A variety of Axis cameras were installed, and different models were chosen according to the area to be under video surveillance and the video surveillance purpose: The AXIS 221 Network Cameras were installed outdoors, while the AXIS 212 PTZ and AXIS 207 Network Cameras were selected for indoor video surveillance.
AXIS 221 is ideal for monitoring outdoor areas of bars and tobacco shops. Featuring remarkable light sensitivity, it provides high quality images even under varying city lighting conditions. It is used both to monitor the entry of the shops, as well as provide round-the-clock surveillance of the tobacco vending machines.
AXIS 212 PTZ, thanks to its 140° field of view, is able alone to monitor a large area of the shop, and if necessary, to instantly switch from a complete overview of the scene to a detailed image.
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| The outdoor camera constantly monitors the vending machine at the bar |
In case of danger, a day alarm is activated by pressing a button connected to the alarm centre, while at night the video motion detection function embedded in the camera automatically triggers the alarm.
The system is fully accessible remotely. Authorised users can access the recording server and cameras in real time from any location with an Internet connection, using a standard computer or mobile devices such as handhelds and cell phones of the latest generation. Authorised users include the operators who can access video from their homes as well, and the security officers, who monitor all premises involved in the project from the central control room or from their vehicles.
"The quality of the recorded images allows us to easily identify individuals and quickly resolve any dispute," Tobacco Shop "Il Cantaccio".
"The outdoor camera allows us to constantly monitor the vending machine. Since the camera was installed, the machine has not been subject to any act of vandalism," Bar Moderno.
