Sony’s 4K video monitoring helps document the loading process for steel in unprecedented detail

6 Sep 2016

The Austrian construction steel specialist SAKO has been using three SNC-VM772R 4K network security cameras from Sony Professional since 2015. The highly-sensitive 1.0” Exmor-R-CMOS image sensors with background lighting means even the smallest details—such as truck registration plates or the numbers on loading pallets—can be documented clearly and reliably. SAKO is planning to add more Sony Professional 4K cameras in 2016. 

Background

SAKO-STAHL, based in southern Styria, Austria, is a leading distributor of construction steel in the country since 1987. With a fleet of 21 trailers, the company prepares and distributed steel for construction across Austria from their base in South Styria. In 2014, SAKO was searching for a Full HD video solution that would be able to record high-resolution live images, recognize people and vehicles and archive images.

Challenge

SAKO approached their long-term partner ÖWD Security systems GmbH & Co KG to install a reliable video security solution that would identify and store details including registration plates or specific numbers for loading pallets in a comprehensible manner, both during the day and at night. This was to be done using a high-quality overview camera that would record sharp and in-depth production and loading images. The overarching goal was to be able to use the visual video archive to determine beyond doubt—particularly in the event of a complaint—whether and what material had been loaded and had left the site.

Solution

As early as 2014, ÖWD installed a video solution for SAKO using Sony Professional SNC-EB632R and SNC-XM631 and SNC-EM632R Full HD cameras. SAKO was extremely satisfied with the quality of the images but requested a higher resolution, specifically to cover the loading of products onto the trucks. At that time, however, it proved to be very difficult to find a suitable camera on the market that was both able to meet the customer’s requirements and be economically viable. When Sony Professional’s robust SNC-VM772R 4K-IR camera launched in 2015, the customer ordered three units as soon as a test construction was completed. In total, 25 Sony Professional cameras are now being used at SAKO.

Results

“SAKO has been impressed by the extraordinary image quality of Sony Professional cameras, and the Sony Professional SNC-VM772R 4K camera in particular", says Hermann Gutwenger, Account Manager and Project Manager at ÖWD Security systems GmbH & Co KG. In particular, SAKO was particularly impressed by this model because of the extremely high level of detail and sensitivity outdoors, as well as the fact that the camera and its high-resolution imaging device can cover a significantly greater area than the conventional Full HD alternative.

SAKO is expected to make use of Sony Professional cameras again this year, including the SNC-VM772R 4K, at a second location”, adds Gutwenger.