HD IP camera system secures Cheshire Health Club and Spa
With valuables and property to protect, Cheshire Health Club and Spa decided to invest in a high quality IP security system that would safeguard the club’s assets and its members’ belongings.
After assessing the club’s security requirements NW were commissioned to provide a CCTV network in and around the premises. A mixture of Axis and Lilin HD cameras were fitted, with the Axis cameras also providing a two-way audio communication facility for monitoring the reception area. Integrated PIR detectors, which detect heat, ensure that intruders are caught and the alarm is raised with management staff. 
Lilin HD network cameras with infra-red night vision and advanced detection software were positioned around the building to capture and identify security alerts at the earliest possible stage, giving staff the opportunity to act instantly, whilst high quality footage is being recorded to a securely fitted management server.
Installation cost were kept low by utilising the existing network infrastructure for branching out to the various camera locations. Using Milestone software for recording and managing the system, staff at the club can monitor the system from their existing PCs, whilst remote connectivity extends the system’s funcionality to the managers’ homes and mobiles.
The implementation at Cheshire Health Club and Spa is a typical example of how small organisations can benefit from integrating IP CCTV cameras with their existing computer infrastructure. Using existing computers and infrastructure for running the system makes it affordable, whilst the advanced alert features, high-resolution image quality and local and remote system access has improved security many times over.
Visit Cheshire Health Club’s website.
Sony and NW develop IP-based stadium CCTV solution
In partnership with Sony’s Venue & Stadium Innovation team, NW Systems has developed a network-based stadium CCTV solution that meets today’s high standards required by the Premier League.
To help manage crowd safety, Sony has a range of IP camera surveillance products designed to deliver optimum image clarity within challenging stadium environments. Packed with advanced proprietory technologies, Sony cameras are capable of capturing detailed video footage of individuals and incidents, allowing for close inspection and gathering clear evidence material.
This stadium-specific solution overcomes the challenge of capturing details of individuals within a capacity crowd by combining high resolution image sensors with state-of-the-art light and contrast enhancement technologies that will produce optimum quality surveillance footage of individuals at the (darker) back of the stands as well as those in the (brighter) front seats. Sony’s advanced View-DR technology also ensures that stadium floodlights do not affect the usefulness of the imagery.
Streamdays webcam allows rare view of DNSSEC root server
With a large portion of the population online, and an average internet use of 30 hours per week it has become apparent since its inception that the internet is a worldwide phenomenon.
Unfortunately, hackers are also now a large part of internet culture. Often finding new and more intelligent ways in which to dupe unsuspecting internet users. A popular hacking method involves changing DNS names to redirect users to an IP address of the hackers choosing.
DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extension) is designed to stop this, meaning if your intended site and system supports DNSSEC then you are guaranteed to land on your intended page.
Packet Clearing House is a non-profit research institute that supports operations and analysis in the areas of Internet traffic exchange, routing economics, and global network development. PCH installed three Axis mega pixel cameras alongside our live web streaming service Streamdays 2 to give visitors to their site a chance to see one of their DNSSEC root servers at their Zurich base in action. This server and others like it are the future of the internet and its progression. These cameras now allow viewers a rare glimpse of one of the key elements that keep the internet safe and stable.
Watch them at https://prefix.pch.net/applications/dnssec/zurich.php
Mainsgill Farm uses Streamdays to show live lambing this spring
With spring just around the corner Mainsgill Farm have invested in an Axis HD pan-tilt zoom camera alongside Streamdays 2, our live web streaming service. The IP camera has been placed inside the Ewe pen at the farm and Streamdays 2 allows visitors to oversee this year’s lambing take place via a live web stream on their site. Set to patrol, the webcam rotates to show different areas of the pen at set intervals without a staff member having to monitor and move it; allowing viewers to see the Ewe’s still waiting to give birth and those that have, alongside their newborns. 
Mainsgill Farm has been voted National Champion of the year by the AA Hospitality Awards. Popular with local residents and passing travellers alike, Mainsgill has something for everyone to enjoy. From a superbly stocked Farm Shop to locally produced fruit, vegetables and cheeses.
This time of year always provides a lot of excitement at the farm as the Ewe’s prepare to give birth to this season’s lambs, and now visitors to the site will be able to watch events unfold – live.
Watch the live lambing camera at http://www.mainsgillfarm.co.uk/html/lambing_live.html
Merthyr Tydfil expand their existing security system for greater peace of mind
With an existing security system containing over 40 Axis cameras, Merthyr Tydfil County Council wanted to perform a health-check on its system infrastructure as the Milestone-based CCTV recording system was not delivering the results required.
Our initial task was to check and reconfigure the system correctly and advise on an improved storage infrastructure to meet the Council’s requirement of a 31 day CCTV archive.
The council were also aware of a few security incidents at the leisure centre opposite their Civic Centre building, and despite a newly constructed analogue CCTV system being in place, it was failing to provide the cover required within the fitness suite. With data connection already in place between the two buildings we were able to expand the Civic Centre’s system to include new cameras spread across buildings.
Additional Axis megapixel cameras were deployed within the leisure centre. A new recording server was installed and the leisure centre security staff were given access to the CCTV system and all camera’s in the complex via their existing PC workstations.
Knowsley Community College utilises Paxton Access Control to secure sites
Knowsley Community College wanted to gain greater control over who entered both their Roby and Kirkby campus sites via vehicle. Like many colleges Knowsley wanted to make their sites more secure whilst limiting access to only those with permission to park on-site.
In order for us to provide a solution we integrated Paxton Access Control with Milestone software at the on-site barriers. Staff members were given access cards, which when swiped at the barrier would allow their vehicle to gain entry.
At each barrier we installed a comms box with audio facilities and an analogue camera coupled with a network video encoder. When a driver without a card requires access, a push button triggers Milestone recording software and allows reception staff to see and talk interactively with them. Staff can then choose whether to open the barrier. The Paxton software logs the recorded video clips for reference at a later date.
At the Roby centre we also fitted additional Axis IP cameras to point towards the barrier allowing for images to be captured from the rear of the vehicles for number plate capturing, enhancing site security and visitor management.
The existing barriers were a simple, stand-alone system. We integrated the barriers with Paxton control modules into a Milestone video management and recording system using Axis network cameras to provide the video feeds.
International Center of Expertise in IP Video open 15 hours a day
From our newly created International Center of Expertise we are now offering direct access to our unparalleled level of knowledge and support to customers worldwide.
As from this week, we have extended our center’s opening hours for network camera sales and support to 11pm GMT. We are now open to serve our customers from 8.00am to 11.00pm GMT Monday to Friday.
With this change we are internationalizing our Center of Expertise in IP Video, enabling us to better support our growing customer base globally, whilst the extended opening hours will also benefit our UK customers who can now access us late into the evening.
Flagship M&S store utilises RemoteManager to oversee build operations
In 2006 Simons Group and Marks and Spencer were given approval to create the largest M&S store outside of London. Based at the popular Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet the build would take approximately two years and would also be one of the largest sustainable retail spaces in the world.
Initially a video company were commissioned to capture the frame erection and main build on the site, unfortunately as this was an unsuccessful installation both Simons Group and Marks and Spencer felt a more specialist company should be brought on board.
NW Systems Group were then approached and appointed to install eight Mobotix high resolution cameras to oversee the next stages of the project which included the inside build and fit-up of the store. By utilising our RemoteManager system operatives would not only be able to oversee the project as it happens but would be able to create a time-lapse movie for promotional purposes upon the build’s completion.
In order for the cameras to link back to the site cabins we provided a wireless connection alongside the camera system. This not only allowed users to monitor the cameras on site but gave Simons Group the ability to connect their clients to the system allowing Marks and Spencer to remotely monitor the site from their office in London, providing real-time updates of progress on the project.
With the build nearing completion Simons Group and Marks and Spencer have been consistently impressed by the RemoteManager system. Ed Dixon for Simon’s Group commented “To date, the quality of service provided has been exemplary. A very impressive user interface, diligent installation operatives, excellent customer support and personable account management from key staff.”
St. Saviours School invests in camera system for improved security
A few months ago we installed a trial security system for St. Saviours Primary School in Birmingham as the school was unable to decide which cameras suited their purpose best. Like many schools St. Saviours were looking for additional protection from theft and vandalism at night whilst monitoring and protecting both staff and pupils during the day.
To help the school decide which system would be best we installed both a Sony SNC-DH160 HD network dome and a Mobotix M24 3 megapixel camera combined with Milestone Xprotect software. Both were fitted to overlook the car park and vehicle entrance. After a two week trial the school moved forward with a mixture of 10 Mobotix cameras as it was found that the high megapixel resolution with the 90 degree wide angle view provided more coverage of the grounds.
The Mobotix camera system has since been installed and commissioned.
The school have been impressed with the entire system. Shofi Alom, ICT Operations Manager at St Saviours, commented: “The cameras have been excellent and work flawlessly; the picture quality is superb and is so much easier to manage.”
Streamdays camera captures Vancouver’s beauty
With our video streaming service Streamdays 2 proving to be a successful tool for attracting more web visitors it has become a camera system with global demand.
The latest tourist authority to utilize our Streamdays software came from Vancouver, Washington. The City of Vancouver tourism board required an IP camera which would overlook the city and the Washington and Oregon border and a high quality streaming system that would allow visitors to their site a glimpse of what the city had to offer, along with a quality view of the iconic Mount Hood. This would also provide them with a vital marketing tool in attracting new visitors to the area.
We utilized an existing Axis Q6035-E which had been positioned on top of the City Hall, this outdoor dome camera offers protection in all weather conditions, 20x optical zoom and high definition footage at 25 frames per second; which alongside our Streamdays 2 service provides a clear and uninterrupted stream on the site.
Take a look at Vancouver’s streaming webcam