4 Jul 2013
Axis network cameras enable the NEC to deliver security and traffic management in real-time. Innovative solution helps deliver the NECs aim to become venue of choice.
Organization: The NEC
Location: Birmingham, UK
Industry segment: Stadiums/Venues
Application: Safety and security
Axis partners: Vindex Systems, Genetec
The NEC is located on a 610-acre site, eight miles from Birmingham city centre offering more than 186,000 square metres of covered exhibition space spanning 33 conference suites and 20 interconnecting halls, in addition to over 160 acres of hard standing ground and 75 acres of woodland. The venue welcomes approximately 2.1 million visitors each year to over 140 diverse trade and consumer events - including long-standing shows like BBC Gardeners’ World, BBC Good Food Show and
Spring Fair alongside specialist exhibitions such as Clothes Show Live and Festival of Quilts - plus over 400 live events and conferences. The NEC has stated that it wants to be the ‘venue of choice’ for the UK’s leading events.
Axis partner Vindex Systems led a proof of concept trial which included camera shoot-outs using various manufacturers’ cameras side by side onsite at the venue to see in a live situation which would be best for the challenge. The result being that Vindex selected Axis HD IP PTZ and fixed cameras to be installed.
Thanks to Axis network cameras’ ease of set up, highquality images and their ability to integrate with the Genetec Video Management Software platform, the NEC now has real-time high-quality information and the necessary communication tools to deliver ‘intelligence-lead safety, security and traffic management’.
“Our customers’ experience and safety is paramount. The fact that we are using a state–of-theart, future proof security and traffic management solution enables us to be confident that they
will keep on returning to our venue.“ Gary Masters, the NEC group security and traffic operations manager.
The NEC is located on a 610-acre site, eight miles from Birmingham city centre offering more than 186,000 square metres of covered exhibition space spanning 33 conference suites and 20 interconnecting halls; in addition to over 160 acres of hard standing ground and 75 acres of woodland. The venue welcomes approximately 2.1 million visitors each year to over 140 diverse trade and consumer events - including long-standing shows like BBC Gardeners’ World, BBC Good Food Show and
Spring Fair alongside specialist exhibitions such as Clothes Show Live and Festival of Quilts - plus over 400 live events and conferences.
The NEC has stated that it wants to be the ‘venue of choice’ for the UK’s leading events.
Paul Austin, director at Vindex Systems, an Axis gold partner, said: “We have worked with the NEC to deliver an integrated solution to improve the effectiveness of its security and traffic teams. We carried out a rigorous testing process of potential solutions to ensure an enhanced customer experience alongside increased safety measures. We chose to install over 200 Axis cameras within the fully integrated solution.”
The project was part of the NEC’s wider objective to become the ’venue of choice’. Security solutions are key to achieving this; if customers and exhibitors are confident of the security measures in place at the venue they will select it to host their events. Vindex Systems acted as the principal contractor and provided all civil and electrical works. There was a team of 20 working on site.
Paul continued: “The project was challenging as the site was continuing to operate during the installation. There were over 2 million visitors during the duration of the project so we had to ensure the work was well coordinated with the minimum of disruption. We also had to create a multi-point wireless network to ensure the infrastructure had the ability to support the new cameras and management software across the whole 650-acre estate.”
The Axis cameras selected by Vindex Systems were subjected to a camera ‘shoot-out’, alongside other manufacturer’s cameras on site to prove their effectiveness and quality in a live environment. The Axis cameras proved to be the best quality and most effective solution.
Vindex selected to deploy 168 Axis cameras made up of 130 fully functional AXIS P5534 indoor 720P HDTV pan/tilt/zoom cameras, five AXIS P3344 720P HDTV indoor fixed dome cameras, eight AXIS Q1755 720P HDTV cameras with integrated ten optical zoom lens. They also provided NEC with 25 AXIS M1054 HDTV cameras, made available to exhibitors to hire during exhibitions to provide them with real-time streaming of the event.
40 AXIS P3367-V fixed dome cameras were deployed to cover the exhibition centre’s main entrances in order to meet the challenging light conditions due to the amount of glass used in the lobby. Axis solutions were also deployed to enable seamless integration with the chosen Genetec VMS Platform, which is vital in centrally managing the security and traffic operations for the site from a newly created ‘Venue Operations Centre’. The integrated solution provides all operators with intelligent, high quality, intuitive information in order for them to make informed decisions based on the time of day and activity on site.
Gary Masters, the NEC group security and traffic operations manager concluded: “The centrally managed and integrated solution provided by Vindex Systems has already proven to be an effective tool. The high quality images that the Axis cameras provide are vital in our efforts to reduce incidents of crime and ultimately helped to improve the effectiveness of our security and traffic management team.
“Our customers’ experience and safety is paramount. The fact that we are using a state–of-the-art, future proof security and traffic management solution enables us to be confident that they will keep on returning to our venue.”
Axis Communications (UK Ltd)
Website
T: 01582 283760
1 Capability Green
LU1 3LU
Luton, Bedfordshire
United Kingdom
Axis offers intelligent security solutions that enable a smarter, safer world. As the market leaderin network video, Axis is driving the industry by continually launching innovative networkproducts based on an open platform - delivering high value to customers through a globalpartner network. Axis has long-term relationships with partners and provides them withknowledge and ground-breaking network products in existing and new markets.
“ Being able to view the footage on our phones in real time and flick between the different cameras in the café is great. We can zoom in on different areas and slow down or speed up the playback.” Jaya Da Costa, Owner of the Pause Cat Café.
“The Axis cameras have proved exactly the right fit for London Underground here at Canary Wharf station. As we move to 24-hour operation on London Underground stations in a few months’ time, reliability and ease of maintenance are all key operational requirements. Axis cameras have met all these needs and I anticipate they will be deployed in other Jubilee Line extension stations as they are upgraded over the next few years.” Dave Perry, Delivery Manager, Station Capital Expenditure, London Underground.
“ Chester Zoo now has a video security platform which is highly reliable, expandable and future-proof. We know that whatever our requirement in terms of security intelligence, video analytics and integration, it’s now possible with our new IP video system. Speed and appropriateness of response to threats is now assured.” Nigel Peers, Security Manager, Chester Zoo.
“Observit offers a turnkey solution that gives you complete control of the entire process, from simple installation to monitoring of the cameras in each bus and the collection of image material. The entire process is covered in a highly functional and quality manner.” Bram Lauwers, Product Manager Digital Services at Nobina.
“Our analogue system was no longer as innovative as it once was; upgrading to HD IP camera technology made complete sense to us as we strive to maintain our status as the leading event facility in Northern Ireland.” Brian Hughes, Group Head of Facilities at The Odyssey Complex.
“Today the new system is only used if there is a security incident. But in the future we expect managers in specialist areas like visual merchandising to access cameras to assess whether agreed store layouts for new lines are being observed and whether these are working for store visitors.” Lee Bingham, Head of IT, Paul Smith.
“Wireless cameras on the front of the buildings have proven to be a huge asset. Following the initial installation, we noticed an individual attaching a scanner to the cash machine. We’d never had this additional vision before and therefore would not have identified this fraudulent activity prior to the installation.” Phil Parker, Venue Operations Manager at Twickenham Stadium.
Smart, connected solution enable real-time tracking of crimes, better governance and civic administration
The top-of-the-line AXIS Q60 PTZ Dome Network Camera Series now includes models with features for improved performance and efficiency. Four of the new models include focus recall, a feature providing instant focus in predefined areas. The latest additions also offer versions that include an enhanced processor for higher analytics capacity, as well as higher light sensitivity. The new AXIS Q60 PTZ Dome Network Cameras all include Axis’ Zipstream technology that significantly reduces bandwidth and storage requirements.
25% reduction in crime at subway stations in the city center
ATrain secures and optimizes its rail service with Axis network cameras and laser-based perimeter control from Embsec
Axis cameras with built-in infrared (IR) provide images for new sleep study and several successful elephant births
360o multisensor
cameras provide effective HD monitoring of large areas in airports, railway
stations and public squares, negating the need for multiple camera
installations
New video analytics based solution is
designed to reinforce physical access control in demanding and large-scale
installations
Comprehensive AXIS Companion Line ‘out-of-the-box’ solution, combined with focused support program for local resellers and installers, delivers quality benefits of IP-based video surveillance in a complete, integrated, easy-to-use offering.
Axis’ Zipstream compression technology has been
developed specifically for video surveillance and lowers bandwidth and storage
requirements by an average of 50% or more without sacrificing important
details. It is fully compatible with the widely adopted H.264 compression
standard and leading video management systems (VMS). The new release has been
optimized for use with pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) cameras.
The new multisensor panoramic cameras provide high-resolution 360° and 180° video surveillance coverage. The cameras are ideally suited for monitoring large open areas or to cover several viewing directions.
AXIS Camera Station 5 is a full-featured VMS for mid-size installations comprising from 4 to 50 IP cameras. Together with the AXIS S10 Series of network video recorders and Axis’ IP products it offers a complete video surveillance monitoring and recording solution.
Create a business listing on the UK's leading security and fire directory
The latest security and fire news, trends and insights