Staff at the club's retail unit decided to invest in the latest digital video recording technology following problems with the quality of images from the old analogue system. A DS2 digital multiplexer has been installed in the club's on-site offices, housing the ticket office, the stock warehouse and the Reds' popular shop, selling t-shirts, rugby balls and other branded merchandise.
Ron Foster of system installers CCTV Systems explains, "Although security staff were already performing high level manual patrols of the site, the new system was supposed to be operated by non-technical office staff - so usability was a key issue. We specified the DM DS2 as it offers a straightforward, menu-driven operating system which can be learnt literally in a matter of minutes, even by non-security staff."
As club management wanted remote access to camera pictures from outside of the club, networkability was also a pre-requisite. "Adding the DS2 to the club's PC network and ultimately the Internet was a relatively simple process, yet it opened up the system's use to so many more people," adds Ron. "With a maximum record rate of 100 pictures per second and a disk size of 160GB, picture quality is excellent and a month's recordings can easily be accommodated out of the box."
Staff can now view images from any of the cameras from seven work stations, producing a much more efficient way of working, as Dave Tarry, Chief Executive of the club testifies. "The new system is very versatile - I often log in remotely from my home PC, just to check that everything is ok. Previously, we had to keep moving round the building to open doors and check visitors. Now office staff can see exactly when their appointment has arrived or if there are problems on the shop floor from the comfort of their own PC. Having access to pictures on your desktop has taken it beyond just security - we use it as a helping hand for general office management."
A further DS2, based in the Willows Variety Centre, is used to monitor the Salford City Reds stadium and grounds. Located next to the ground, the Centre is one of the North West's top entertainment spots and a key source of revenue for the club. 16 cameras, including three colour high speed Dennard domes, keep a watchful eye over the Willows pitch including the reception area and front of house. The system has been used to capture incidents outside the grounds and to provide images on CD Rom for potential prosecution to the police.