With rapid expansion achieved mainly through acquisitions, the Danish De Sammensluttede Vognmænd (DSV) company is one of the largest and most profitable transportation and logistics companies in Europe. Its commitment to sustained expansion has recently been underlined with the construction of a major new distribution hub, secured using a NVT UTP video transmission-based CCTV system.
From the expansive facility located in the Belgian city of Ghent, DSV’s European distribution is handled by a fleet of specially equipped trucks, transporting a myriad of commodities.
Comprehensive coverage
Securing a facility with such a high daily throughput of freight, often with a high commercial value, was critical to the long-term success of both the distribution centre and the company as a whole. Addressing this, DSV’s management wanted a best of breed security solution that was both high-performance and economical. Turning to installer Egemin ECS and working closely with security products distributor ARAS, a comprehensive 56-camera CCTV system was specified using NVT UTP realtime video transmission.
With 56 cameras covering both the inside and outside of the distribution building, including its perimeter, operators now monitor the entire facility from the on-site control room and retrospectively investigate any incidents on or off site via high-quality images supplied to the system’s digital video recorder (DVR).
NVT solution
In order to provide operators with as much critical surveillance information as possible, camera placement within the vast building was vital. Alain Sartel of ARAS explains: “To gain the level of coverage DSV required, it was important that we could provide the best camera positioning possible. By installing a network of UTP cable bundles instead of the more traditional coax, Egemin ECS was able to complete this part of the installation quickly and easily. The comparative time and labour saving also meant we were able to minimise any impact on the daily running of the depot, in addition to passing on the related cost savings.”
Using Camtec CTB120 cameras with NVT UTP video transmission built-in, Egemin ECS engineers were able to establish a comprehensive network of cameras, transmitting video over Cat5e UTP cable to four NVT NV-3272 DigitalEQ active receiver hubs in the control room. These NVT receiver hubs continuously compensate for cable attenuation, ground loops and wiring polarity. This means no manual adjustments are necessary to gain perfect video images, again saving installation time and costs. Because the units continuously monitor the images and adjust levels accordingly, they can compensate for changes in lighting conditions or an adjustment in camera position.
Sartel continues: “Using the DigitalEQ NV-3272 reduced the installation time of the system even further while providing the flexibility that allows modifications to scene content and coverage.
“The DigitalEQ’s instant set-up capability also makes the NVT-based realtime video system much more user-friendly than an IP network, as an IP system can be labour intensive and awkward to set up initially.”
Effective surveillance
The comprehensive camera network covers all internal package process and external service yard areas, in addition to vehicle and pedestrian entrance and exits where it is used as a visual confirmation to the access control system.
In the service yard areas, the system is used to monitor all vehicular movements, ensuring health and safety remits are strictly adhered to while providing an instant managerial overview of the large amount of traffic in and around the DSV depot. Similarly, inside the building the images can be used to enforce DSV’s strict health and safety regulations and if necessary, retrospectively investigate a violation or incident via DVR playback footage.
Providing secure transport for customer freight is a key priority for DSV. Sartel notes: “The CCTV system protects freight from any external or even internal threats. The system can be used to identify any unauthorised on-site presence that could pose a security risk. In addition, although DSV works hard to ensure a low turnover of staff, the nature of the short-term contracts employed during the firm’s busy periods means the company also requires a cohesive deterrent from internal losses.”
For more information contact Steve Proctor, sales director, Network Video Technologies, +44 (0) 20 8977 6614, [email protected]
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