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Safeguarding farmland with digital solutions

Marlenique Estate is situated in the Simondium area of the Winelands District of the Western Cape. The beautiful 190-hectare farm includes resident houses, function venues, and a farm that exports high-quality fruit. Marlenique Estate is owned by the Van der Merwe Family of the renowned Boplaas in Ceres. Boplaas, established in 1743, is the oldest family-owned business in South Africa.

Unfortunately, crime can affect even the most idyllic of settings, and picturesque venues are no exception. Marlenique Estate needed a fully automated security system that would rule out the need for additional personnel. The estate had security guards on 24-hour patrol, which proved to be both costly and ineffective. A system was needed whereby personnel would only be deployed in the event of an incident. In addition, the perimeter had to be secured with an early warning alert system.

Eliminating the need for physical guarding

With such an immense area to safeguard, Axis partner, Energize Technology Africa, designed a solution that ruled out the need for physical guarding and offered a very low false alarm ratio. The company has positioned itself as an expert in safeguarding agricultural, lifestyle and corporate segments.

“Boplaas 1743 approved the proposal from Energize Technology Africa to install a security system,” said Carl Van der Merwe, Owner of Marlenique Estate. “This was for our farm, Marlenique Estate. We did not believe it was possible to curb the endless security issues we were experiencing, but I am delighted to say that Energize has provided us with the perfect solution. The Axis products have been running perfectly. We are so impressed that we are currently rolling out the same solution to four more farms.”

As a first line of defence, Axis thermal cameras were chosen to detect any perimeter breaches. Large floodlights were connected to the camera I/Os. With the use of Axis Perimeter Defender, the analytics trigger the floodlights to switch on at night to deter potential intruders.

As an additional layer of deterrence, Axis network horn speakers deliver a pre-recorded message if the perimeter is breached. At the same time, armed response would be notified of the incident. Axis PTZ cameras allow for visual confirmation of any perimeter breaches. Thanks to Sharpdome technology, the camera enables the user to see as much as 20° above the horizon with the same sharp image quality as below the horizon.

Alarm monitoring and access control

A mix of Axis bullet cameras and fixed dome cameras were installed around the houses, pump houses, offices and function venues. They are used for visual overviews, but are also equipped with analytics for human detection. I/O modules were installed and connected to radio receivers and four-button remotes for the residents. With these remotes, the analytics on the cameras can be armed/disarmed and allow the owners to move freely in the common areas. The red button on the remote has been programmed as a panic button; when pressed, it activates all 20 horn speakers.

Entry and exit to the estate is controlled using Axis Door stations. The calls route through to the reception with failover to other lines. With the network video door stations, operators get clear communication, high-quality video surveillance, and convenient remote entry control in a single unit. They can see, identify, talk to, and then open the door to visitors directly or remotely from wherever they are. They can use their cell phone, IP phone or video management system (VMS). With the door stations connected to Axis Camera Station, the estate records all entries in and out. Axis bullet cameras with LPR software also allow the estate to manage the entry and exit of all authorised vehicles.

Achieving immediate results

Within the first two weeks of the installation, there were three perimeter breaches, of which two resulted in arrests. Vandalism has dramatically reduced, and productivity has almost doubled due to eliminating theft. The installation also provided the estate with the means to add a powerful solar farm that, before the system, may have been vandalised and subjected to theft. This was made possible by the early warning solution that Axis had to offer.

Since the initial installation, the system has been expanded, and the pack house now also uses network audio and multi-sensor cameras. A greenhouse is under construction, and an Axis end-to-end solution has already been designed for this.

Mike Pritchard and Jan Steenkamp, Directors of Energize Technology Africa, said, “As Energize Technology Africa, we decided to do the security rollout for Boplaas 1743 Estate in partnership with Axis Communications. We found the installation successful and met all the client’s expectations.”

“In our opinion, Axis is the only way to go. The products are world-class, and we have always received professional and courteous service. The system is so well put together that most, if not all, incidents are deterred before even happening.”

For more information, contact Axis Communications, +27 11 548 6780, terri.miller@axis.com, www.axis.com

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