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| The new security surveillance system covers an area of approximately 300 acres |
Using Axis cameras and Milestone software, the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town embarked on a three-year project to upgrade over 1000 analogue surveillance cameras to the IP platform, while enhancing its ability to proactively manage security across its large mixed-use property.
When considering the implementation of a modern surveillance solution for an area the size of 80 rugby fields, one cannot simply opt for the cheapest solution and start installing cameras. It is a complex situation further complicated by the fact that the area already had over 1216 analogue cameras installed.
This was the challenge that faced the well-known V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. Deon Sloane, senior security manager at the V&A was faced with a security surveillance system that had to cover an area of approximately 300 acres, with over 16 000 people working on site in any 24-hour period and around 23 million visitors each year. In addition, there are some 10 kilometres of roads and 85 buildings within the Waterfront area – and that does not take into account future expansion plans.
Of course, Sloane understood that simply adding cameras and moving to an IP platform would deliver limited results in an area of the size and complexity of the Waterfront. If the new security system was going to be worth the time, effort and cost, it had to deliver more than video. At the recent Milestone Partner Open Platform (MPOP) event in Abu Dhabi, Sloane explained the final solution the V&A Waterfront wanted, and how it was achieved.
Due to the size and complexity of the project, the V&A and its system integrator, ITS Group, won the Milestone MEA (Middle East and Africa) award for project of the year for this multi-million Rand implementation. The award was handed out at the MPOP conference in May.
