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| Dallmeier not only provides its IP-based video systems but also operates its own company branch on the island for several years |
Macau – the Asian island state off the coast of Hong Kong, has emerged as the most popular gambling destination on the planet – and is one of the most important sales markets for Dallmeier. Not only has the German video surveillance technology expert designed and installed the most extensive IP-based video systems in the world here, it has also operated its own company branch on the island for several years.
Until 1999, Macau was a Portuguese colony, and its European heritage is still clearly on display in its architecture and street names. Today, the province is a Special Administrative Zone of the People’s Republic of China. Macau is also heavily influenced by its Asian identity, even though the city skyline is dominated by its enormous casino and hotel resorts.
Unlike in China, gambling is not forbidden in the special administrative zone of Macau, and has thus become one of the largest sources of revenue for the province. The foundation was laid for the industry by one gargantuan construction project: the two offshore islands of Coloane and Taipa were joined by man-made landfill. On a 1.8 mile stretch of artificially constructed land a skilfully planned gaming paradise of unimaginable proportions took shape – the Cotai Strip. Elaborate, imaginatively designed resort complexes now make gamblers' pulses race and have helped the Cotai Strip to surpass the magnetic powers of even its model Las Vegas.
The success story for the German CCTV expert Dallmeier, that has been active in the casino industry since 1997, began in 2003, when with an international tender the first foreign casino in Macau, the Las Vegas Sands, was looking for a surveillance system.
Konrad Hechtbauer, Director Project & Applications at Dallmeier, looks back: “Dallmeier established itself in Macau about 10 years ago, with the first digital video solution and about 1200 channels.”
But this first order from the Sands was only the beginning: just a year after it opened, the casino doubled its capacity – and of course this also meant that the surveillance system had to be expanded correspondingly. As the boom in Macau continued unabated, so the Sands Group grew too, and over time it acquired several more properties on the main island of Macau as well as on the Cotai Strip. By this time, the Sands, the Venetian and the surrounding hotel complexes had combined to form a single interconnected network. A staggering 15,000 cameras here are controlled from a main control centre!
"Dallmeier and C.R. Kennedy decided to join a joint venture in Hong Kong and later into Macau to provide Dallmeier systems to the new Western casinos that were going up rapidly" |
Many more projects, such as the City of Dreams with approx. 5,000 cameras, have followed over the years. And the end of the development is nowhere in sight yet: not just because new casino and hotel resorts are being built all the time, the existing casinos are constantly expanding their video systems.
Konrad Hechtbauer explains: “The systems are becoming bigger and bigger, and more and more complex. They now also incorporate a multitude of interface connections, such as card readers, slot machines or POS systems. The data from the peripheral systems is linked to the video images. The user is alerted to sensitive areas automatically by complex mathematical calculations, so the system functions proactively. Unusual situations at the gaming tables are detected and reported by means of intelligent video analysis. Our many years of experience in Macao are incorporated systematically in our development programme, and as a result Dallmeier is constantly able to present new innovations.”
In order to satisfy the many specifications by its customers in Macau, Dallmeier has founded its own subsidiary: Dallmeier International, a joint venture between Dallmeier in Germany and its Australian business partner C.R. Kennedy.
Stephen Beard, Managing Director Dallmeier International, says: “I remember the first discussions about our joint venture which really stemmed from the fact that C.R. Kennedy, our company in Australia, was instrumental in the first digital system ever in a casino surveillance system. The job went so well that Dallmeier and C.R. Kennedy decided to join a joint venture in Hong Kong and later into Macau to provide Dallmeier systems to the new Western casinos that were going up rapidly.”
From consulting and planning for the system to commissioning and including after sales service: Dallmeier attaches great importance to supporting its customers as a partner for the long term.
Craig Graham, General Manager Asia Region at Dallmeier International, explains: “In our office we have eight staff, seven engineers, we do repairing within the office and also at clients’ sites, we have our warehouse and store room here servicing our major clients. In total we service over 20,000 channels across Macau and also in the region.”
"Our many years of experience in Macao are incorporated systematically in our development programme, and as a result Dallmeier is constantly able to present new innovations" |
In a purposed built and equipped demo- and showroom, the latest developments can be tested and demonstrated to customers. One of the most radical new innovations is the patented Panomera camera technology, which offers hitherto inconceivable resolution and image quality thanks to a completely new lens and sensor concept – in real time and at up to 30fps.
From the office in Macau, all casinos can be reached in 20 minutes or less, so professional Dallmeier personnel can be on site almost immediately to assist with emergencies, to provide support and for all ongoing expansions.
Craig Graham recalls the beginning of the office: “I remember when we first opened the office Stephen said that the opposition told us that we would never ever get any business within Macau. And here we are ten years later with one of the largest presences within the CCTV industry in Macau.”
Video on YouTube
Video clip “A decade of success in Macau”: http://youtu.be/n6a6j56BJQg
