Commercial real estate

Modernization of video surveillance technology with audio integration.

Organization: Karl Brand KG

Location: Gütersloh, Germany

Customer need: Operational efficiency, Process monitoring

Gütersloh, Germany, 2020

Specialist wholesaler focuses on maximum image quality in their logistics area.

Mission

In 2018, Karl Brand KG, a long-standing specialist wholesaler for housing technology and partner of the nationwide GC Group, was looking to modernize their video camera technology at their Gütersloh location in North Rhine-Westphalia. In the course of expanding the building complex with a new logistics center, they needed additional cameras that would also monitor incoming and outgoing goods as well as the access gates. The modernization was intended to not only increase security by expanding camera surveillance in the new area but also serve as a significant improvement in image quality and audio integration.

Solution

The well-proven Axis network camera system from 2012 was being replaced with a new one. Karl Brand KG once again chose Axis as their long-term partner based on their good experience with them. 38 new, powerful network cameras (including models AXIS Q3517-LVE, AXIS P3227-LVE, AXIS P3717-PLE and AXIS Q3505-VE) and eight AXIS C3003-E Network Horn Speakers and one 2N SIP Mic network microphone console were installed. An AXIS Camera Station S1148 Recorder, including the associated AXIS Camera Station video management software, was also integrated for the first time.

Result

Removal of the old products and implementation of the new ones in the existing infrastructure went smoothly. As a long-term Axis partner, Elektro Fastabend performed both installation and commissioning. A deciding factor in the choice of products was the excellent image quality of the new cameras as well as the simple management and control of the entire network system using the included video management software.

Goods handling in an ultramodern logistics center

As a long-standing specialist wholesaler of housing technology, Karl Brand KG is a specialist in installation, sanitation, heating, air conditioning and ventilation for local skilled trades. From their headquarters in Gütersloh, Karl Brand – as a partner of the GC Group – supplies 900 customers in the entire East-Westphalia area. Founded in 1935, the company now employs almost 350 people at 15 locations.

The GC Group, a network of wholesaler companies for all goods related to housing technology, electrical engineering, roof technology and civil engineering, comprises more than 100 partners and operates in a total of 17 European countries. The warehouses, ERP system and logistics all play an important role in enabling seamless and rapid trade in goods, and must, therefore, function precisely, smoothly and reliably. Modern camera and audio technology can help to document incoming and outgoing goods and unforeseen incidents or interruptions in the supply chain on the entire site, as well as to analyze processes. This makes it possible to optimize processes and make them even more efficient in the future. This is the only way to ensure long-term customer satisfaction.

The Karl Brand KG logistics center in Gütersloh underwent an extensive expansion in 2018. Due to the need for additional camera coverage in the area of the new buildings, the company decided to modernize and expand the entire network camera technology on the buildings and the site. It was important to those responsible that the existing infrastructure for the cameras was not changed, but rather reused and expanded with additional products. They also wanted image quality to be upgraded for improved viewing of details and simplification of general handling. “With our business development, the increased demands on logistics in recent years, and our constant strive for optimal and efficient process flows, modernization and expansion of the camera technology was inevitable to ensure the best possible service for our customers in the future.

Better image quality and seamless camera coverage can allow us to recognize crucial details in goods handling, enabling us to optimize existing structures in the long term. An additional audio system for quick communication with individual employees and departments was also important to us. We chose to go with Axis products again largely due to the simple management offered through the AXIS camera station video management software,” says Stefan Wenning, IT organization/ E-Business at Karl Brand KG.

Investment in future-oriented technologies

Due to the positive experiences from the long-term partnership and close cooperation between Karl Brand and Axis, products were chosen for the various areas of application rather quickly. The 28-camera Axis video system from 2012 was almost completely replaced with a modern system of Axis network cameras. Thanks to the support from Axis partner Fastabend ElektroGebäudetechnik GmbH & Co. KG from Bielefeld, the existing infrastructure (such as network cabling and PoE switches) could also be used for the new products, making implementation a lot easier.

Karl Brand had a total of 38 network cameras installed at all entrances, accesses, barriers and gates, enabling seamless documentation of all ingoing and outgoing transports as well as flows of goods and work processes on the site. The outgoing goods gates were equipped with the robust AXIS Q3517-LVE network camera, which delivers excellent, low-noise video recordings even in complete darkness. The incoming goods area received two AXIS P3717-PLE panorama cameras at each of the two ramps, enabling a 360° overview. An AXIS Q3505-VE in the exterior area now also controls the entry of suppliers in the gated area via a bell. The camera documents who is there and the employees control entrance using the video images on the connected screens.

“We wanted to have a precise overview of which work processes and goods processes take place on the site and at what time. This enables us to, for example, see where there may be delays in the process or waiting times, optimize processes in the future, and make staff planning more efficient. With the different camera models at different locations, we now have a very good overview,” adds Stefan Wenning. Karl Brand also implemented the AXIS Camera Station S1148 Recorder and AXIS Camera Station, video management software (VMS) with an intuitive user interface that enables simple management of the entire video security system. Remote monitoring, for example with the Axis Mobile Viewing App, is also possible at any time.

Communication with employees on-site has thus far been handled using mobile phones. To simplify and optimize this, the specialist wholesaler will be using a digital ELA system with network speakers in the future. The eight AXIS C3003-E horn speakers and the 2N SIP Mic network microphone console will allow announcements in specially selected areas or the entire site, thus ensuring faster communication between employees. This enables efficient coordination even in the event of short-term changes in plans without having to contact all departments or employees individually by phone.

The intuitive, expandable system from Axis was persuasive, provides increased flexibility, and allows us to make changes and optimizations in the future. We have also found that switching live images from camera to camera is quick and easy, and the network is no longer as congested as before.

Stefan Wenning

IT Organization/E-Business at Karl Brand KG.

An optimal system – today and in the future

Physically expanding the premises of a wholesaler company poses challenges when it comes to day-today operations – particularly for logistics. The installation efforts of the individual trades should, therefore, be kept to a minimum and performed quickly. The rapid implementation of the new network cameras on the Karl Brand KG site was guaranteed not only due to the use of the existing infrastructure but more so thanks to the simple commissioning of the products.

Image adjustment, for example, was performed in the network thanks to the WLAN enabled AXIS T8415 installation tool, which made it possible to optimally set up key basic functions such as viewing angle, focus and IP settings from a mobile device using the free app. “The amount of work required for installation was kept low because everything is very structured. A lot has happened since 2012 when adjustments were made by 2 people on a ladder using their best visual judgment. Thanks to the user-friendliness, it is a lot of fun to work with the Axis components,” says Enrico Schumann from Elektro Fastabend.

Given the current rate of development in this market, today’s Axis network solutions may need to be updated again in a few years. The compatibility of the entire Axis portfolio leaves a lot of scope for the future. Linking network video and audio is the next step in this direction. This expansion is planned for implementation on the Karl Brand KG site in 2020. In the next step, the horn speakers already in operation will be integrated into the AXIS Camera Station VMS and combined in the application. In the future, beeps can be triggered as soon as any of the cameras detects an unauthorized process or unauthorized access in a predefined area via the motion detection.

The integration of license plate recognition software for the company’s internal vehicles is also being considered to further simplify approach and access rights to the site for the company’s internal vehicles. Use of AXIS License Plate Verifier together with an Axis network camera and AXIS A1001 Door Controller will then regulate the admission of vehicles via the stored credentials of various license plates, and could thus relieve the employees of the complex admission control process.

Learn more about solutions for commercial buildings