A case study of software installed at a branch of the nationwide convenience retailer, NISA, pictured.
Axis Communications and partner, Defence Security were selected for the installation following an initial proof of concept trial. Axis led the trial at the NISA Local in Hockley where store owner, Rav Garcha challenged them to do more with his analogue CCTV – including remote central monitoring, mobile accessibility and the option to integrate retail analytics.
Daren Lang, Axis’ regional business development manager, northern Europe said: “What they needed was a small, cost-effective solution that was not only easy-to-use and set-up but one that was innovative and could grow with the business plans of the store – The AXIS Camera Companion system was perfect.”
AXIS Camera Companion is software running on standard Axis cameras, storage on SD cards or Network-Attached Storage (NAS) devices, software clients for PC and smartphones, and standard network equipment, for small systems up to 16 cameras. It offers the developers say digital HDTV image quality and optimised bandwidth usage with Axis Mobile Streaming.
Dave Brown, business development manager at Defence Security, added: “The store’s system often experienced faults and system failures and needed a wholesale upgrade. In comparison, the flexibility and image quality offered by Axis cameras is streaks ahead. Even its smallest camera achieves two-and-a-half times the picture quality of most analogue systems.”
At the store, Defence Security replaced 16 conventional cameras with Axis compact dome and fixed lens cameras. Variously featuring video motion detection, active tampering alarm, two-way audio and integrated passive infrared sensors, the cameras capture the store in full HDTV image quality. An inbuilt microphone and speaker lets staff to talk with customers from the point of sale area in the store. Footage is of evidential quality and certified for use in court, the video firm adds.
Using Axis’ Corridor Format, the cameras record footage in vertical aspect ratio, which is better suited than traditional landscape format for monitoring the narrow aisles in the store, it is claimed. The system is also open to software that uses surveillance data to analyse staffing, peak trading hours, customer footfall and buyer behaviour. Data can also be collated to inform staffing policy, store layouts and how well special promotions or offers work.
The Nisa Local store owner, Rav Garcha said: “The great picture quality and advanced audio detection features are incredibly important. In the past, we’ve experienced armed robberies and several incidences of abusive behaviour and threats being made towards staff. Axis’ cameras can be relied upon to not only see these incidents in perfect detail, but they can also hear and record what is being said.”
Despite fewer cameras in the store, the new AXIS Camera Companion system has increased surveillance coverage, as measured against the retailer’s historic analogue system. As a result of the installation at the Hockley store, a network video encoder has been installed at Nisa Broadway. Rav added: “We’ve been incredibly impressed with the entire AXIS Camera Companion package – from ease of installation, right through to the end product. We now have a bespoke surveillance system setup and analytics capability that will make a real difference to business profitability.”
The AXIS Camera Companion was voted the ‘most innovative’ solution available by a panel at an innovations showcase for the Association of Convenience Stores recently.
Visit: www.axis.com.
