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Security ‘all sewn up’ for Royal College of Surgeons

Security ‘all sewn up’ for Royal College of Surgeons

11 May 2015

Axis Communications, the global market leader in network video, and partner Artur McKay, have implemented and efficient IP-based video and monitoring control solution at The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh during a time of major refurbishment works.

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (College) is one of the oldest surgical corporations in the world. Over 500 years old, it is an historic professional member’s organisation that pursues excellence and advancement in surgical and dental practices. The College is spread over a number of buildings around Hill Square and is home to the Surgeons’ Hall Museum s and Scotland’s oldest medical museum. In addition, the College boasts offices for a 150 staff, a modern surgical skills training facility and auditorium and even a four-star hotel providing accommodation for visitors and tourists.

With building refurbishment due to take place over a long period of time, a security system needed to be installed that was flexible and which included discreet cameras with excellent picture quality, whilst being aesthetically pleasing so as not to detract from the traditional make-up of the historic and Grade A listed buildings.

A state-of-the-art solution was developed, combining Axis network cameras with Milestone XProtect Professional software, as recommended by Arthur McKay. In order to effectively cover the numerous locations where refurbishment work was taking place, whilst providing secure coverage to hotel staff and guests, the initial surveillance set-up included 17 cameras, with the provision for a further 150 once the work is completed.

Atul Rajput, regional director, northern Europe at Axis Communications said: “This was a really exciting project and one that gave us the opportunity to work with such a prestigious institution and its beautiful, historic buildings. The solution featured covert Axis network cameras to ensure all buildings and corresponding outside spaces were covered, even in complete darkness.”

The project included a series of AXIS M30007-PV Network Cameras. These five-megapixel fixed mini dome cameras were discreetly mounted on either walls or ceilings and provided four feeds of detailed, high-quality panoramic views. Chosen because of their flexibility, they could be re-positioned to move along as the refurbishment progressed with few time or fitting constraints.

The AXIS P3364-LVE was fitted to monitor the hotel and its exterior. This fixed dome network camera produced high-quality, low-noise video even in a completely dark environment. It integrated Axis’ unique Lightfinder technology which makes the camera extremely sensitive to light while maintaining colours. Lightfinder-enabled cameras were strategically positioned in the hotel’s reception area, main entrance and car park where ambient lighting was poor.

AXIS P1204 Network Cameras were also installed as they were discreet and covert and could be easily integrated into very limited spaces.

Atul added: “The Axis network cameras can be easily re-positioned to correspond with the movement of the works from building to building, producing evidential-quality footage, whilst maintaining the safety of staff and visitors. Advanced system integration is already on the horizon as the magnitude of the refurbishment grows across the campus.”

The College has always been at the ‘cutting edge’ of surgical education, training and in setting standards both nationally and internationally. As adoption of any technology can provide challenges, it was imperative that system capabilities were discuss at length and understood. Kenny Ryan, IT manager at Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburg, commented: “We have been very impressed with the flexibility of Axis cameras and how unobtrusive they are. They have been a great benefit during a time of great change for the campus.”

Development works continue at the College and it is estimated that over 170 Axis cameras will eventually contribute to the safe and successful refurbishment of its iconic buildings.