Resort surveillance

Marriott International Inc. is a hospitality company and the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Centre is a Marriott property in the world. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Gaylord Opryland offers visitors the chance to experience Music City under a single roof. The resort has a hotel with over 3000 suites and rooms and a smaller adjacent hotel with more than 300. Risk assessment Ryman Hospitality, the organisation that owns Gaylord Brand Hotels, decided to embark on a risk assessment of their properties in 2017. The third-party assessors discovered that CCTV systems were lacking in all of the hotels, including at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. According to Greg Pezzo, Gaylord Opryland Resort and Attractions’ Safety and Security Director, “The system consisted of old operating systems and cameras that didn’t all work. The security team could not get consistent playback from all of their cameras, and they were not able to store data for more than a few weeks at a time.” As a result of the risk assessment, ownership decided to invest in a complete upgrade of all its hotels and chose the Gaylord Opryland as its test case. Their strategy was to use Opryland as the model and then upgrade their other five Gaylord hotels following its success. Installation of multidirectional cameras Working with integrator Herring Technology, Ryman Hospitality designed a solution that features a new video management system (VMS) from Milestone Systems and 400 state-of-the-art cameras from Hanwha Techwin. The Resort purchased a variety of Hanwha cameras, including 145 XND-6010 full HD cameras with video analytics, 182 Q series indoor and outdoor dome cameras with IR, and more than 20 PNM 7000 and 9000 multi-directional cameras. Deciding where to place their cameras was a relatively simple process. Pezzo explains, “We added cameras where we had high volume, where we had experienced problems in the past, and where we didn’t previously have cameras at all.” They also looked at their own data relating to theft and other incidents to help determine camera location. High-quality imaging camera The surveillance system and the cameras are helping to protect the resort against liability from potential lawsuits According to Pezzo, one of the main functions of their upgraded system is protecting the resort against false claims. He states, “From a claims perspective, this surveillance system and, specifically, these cameras are helping to protect us against liability from potential lawsuits.” He explains, “Our older security camera images are grainy or black and white, which means we could not get the level of detail we needed. But, with Hanwha cameras, we are able to capture high-quality images in real-time that show us, for example, how a guest fell: whether there was an obstruction, water on the floor, an indentation, or whether the guest simply tripped.” The ability to protect the organisation against potential lawsuits equates to significant ROI for the Resort. Easy to keep track of movement As a result of the upgrade, security is easily able to track persons of interest clearly as they move throughout the resort. Says Pezzo, “With 3000 rooms and a million square feet of property, the ability to see an individual this clearly as they move through our spaces is incredible. In the past, we would lose people in uncovered sections. They would just disappear. But that doesn’t happen anymore.” For the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, the upgrade had an immediate impact. According to Pezzo, “On the first day after installing the new cameras, someone attempted a false claim, but we were easily able to prove that it was not our fault.” For 2021, the Resort plans to invest in more new cameras every few months as the budget becomes available.

hagebau is an association of some 360 trading companies offering building products at more than 1700 locations across Europe. Employing around 500 staff, the Schneider group of companies has its headquarters in Erlstätt and runs 13 hagebaumarkt stores around Traunstein, most of them in the Upper Bavaria region. Thousands of customers visit these stores every day to browse the wide range of products on offer. Busy day-to-day operations and a high turnover of goods pose significant challenges in terms of the safety of customers and employees, as well as on-site inventory protection. Cybersafe and 100% GPDR-compliant “Introducing digital solutions into our locations is one of our biggest challenges,” explains Martin Wohlmayer, Head of IT and Organisation at Jos. Schneider GmbH. “To do this, we need highly reliable solutions that are cybersafe and 100% GPDR-compliant.” User rights can be assigned, meaning that access to the video material is 100% GDPR-compliant" The in-store video surveillance system has an enormous amount to monitor on a daily basis. Theft, burglary and incidents in parking lots are just a few of the key sensitive issues. The company’s forward-looking strategy also means that any current investments need to be flexible, straightforward and expandable to tackle future challenges. Managed via MxManagementCenter The Traunstein store is the ninth hagebaumarkt in the Schneider Group to be fitted with MOBOTIX technology. 134 MOBOTIX cameras have been installed in total, 19 of them in Traunstein. Special MOBOTIX outdoor cameras monitor the outdoor area, delivering crystal-clear images at any time of year, day or night. This means that all incidents that occur in parking lots or in outside areas are captured. The cameras are managed via MxManagementCenter (MxMC.) Various levels of user rights can be assigned, meaning that access to the video material is 100% GDPR-compliant. MxMC also features an interface to the POS system so that any POS discrepancies can be immediately resolved. Customer counts and footfall analysis are also integrated to further optimise customer service and customer satisfaction. Monitoring the retail space Using just the MOBOTIX cameras that were monitoring the retail space in Traunstein hagebaumarkt, inventory discrepancies resulting from theft were able to be resolved. But MOBOTIX camera surveillance offers much more than anti-theft protection: The user can analyse the footage, allowing them to adjust the range of products as required and improve product positioning — an optimal approach for increasing sales potential.

Simple IoT systems can streamline everyday operations delivering real savings to companies and benefits to end-users. This is exactly what Axis partner SmartNet has achieved deploying its IoT platform for managing operations and security at Caruso Place Boutique & Wellness Suites in Naples, Italy. Internet of Things (IoT)  Caruso Place Boutique and Wellness Suites, located in the heart of Naples, is the perfect choice for travellers looking to mix Neapolitan style and culture with luxurious modern relaxation. Located next to historic the Galleria Umberto shopping gallery and the Royal Theatre of Saint Charles opera house, this independent luxury hotel offers its guests a stylish and charming atmosphere by using Internet of Things (IoT) technology to deliver superior guest services as well as streamline its own hotel administration costs. A luxury design for classic and modern tastes Modern convenience was one of the key requirements for the owners of what would become Caruso Place Boutique & Wellness Suites. The management wanted guests to have clear connections to the history and music surrounding this area of Naples – hence the hotel’s name, which is a tribute to the great Neapolitan tenor Enrico Caruso. Another, equally important priority was to provide superior convenience, services, and experiences to the guests. These objectives set their overall requirements framework. “We wanted to see if we could use technology to provide guests with smooth, comfortable services,” said Manuela Cicala, Hotel Manager at Caruso Place. “We chose Smartnet to put together the components and manage the IoT system.” Guest booking and check-in without staff Easy booking, convenient access control, secure video surveillance, and efficient hotel administration: all in one IoT system. That was the focus for Smartnet Srl, an Axis partner. One IoT system connects all the hotel management software with access control and video surveillance devices “We provided one IoT system to connect all their existing hotel management software with VoIP phones, access control, and video surveillance devices,” says Marco Pirone, Managing Director of SmartNet. “It handles everything: online guest booking with the immediate and secure provision of access control codes that grant guests access into the hotel and their individual rooms.” Using security and building access The SmartNet ConsolONE platform unites the hotel’s reservation and booking functions with hotel security and building access control. It all starts with integration to the Hotel4 hotel software from Ericsoft, which enables dynamic association of access codes for guest room doors as well as their automatic removal at the end of the room’s reservation period. PIN codes = No waiting time Customers booking online immediately receive their own Personal Identification Number (PIN) code for their room sent to them via email or SMS. This code is all they need to access their room during their stay, at any time – which means that there is no need for physical keys or plastic cards, which can be easily lost or stolen. Due to this system guests don’t have to wait in line anymore to do their check-in. “The use of a key or electronic badge at the hotel is now an old concept for the opening of rooms. In a world more and more based on new technologies, it seemed appropriate to give an additional service to our customers,” declares owner Cicala. Camera-based intercom devices ConsolONE is integrated with camera-based intercom devices  Further, ConsolONE is integrated with camera-based intercom devices — which provide audio/visual two-way communication and control. Everything is managed entirely over IP by either the hotel staff or remotely by SmartNet. Open IoT and IP technologies Through the installation of an open IoT platform, open IP-based technologies, and open standards, IP-based technology has enabled Caruso Place Boutique & Wellness Suites to reduce maintenance requirements by using a system that can be remotely controlled. “The open standard of Axis’ solutions allowed us to build a system that is functional, yet at the same time simple,” Pirone explains. “The solution was also appreciated by the suppliers of the hotel software, who were quite impressed with the system’s simplicity of integration, underlining that prior to this they had never been involved with such sophisticated and advanced systems.” Providing efficient services For Cicala it is simple: “Technology helps us provide more personal, efficient services to our guests – and keep our hotel and our guests safe and secure. This technology not only reduces our administration time and costs. It means we can focus on providing high-quality services to our guests.”

TETRA has been widely adopted by several commercial and utility companies across Europe and further afield, including in countries and regions famed for their arctic weather conditions and long harsh winters. With operational temperatures dropping to between -20°C and -30°C in many of the operational environments, Sepura’s rugged TETRA terminals can cope with the challenge of snow, ice, water and freezing temperatures. In particular, Sepura’s SC20 and STP9000 hand-portable terminals are often favoured for use in such environments for their IP67 environmental protection rating that ensures they continue to work after submersion in up to 1m of water for up to 30 minutes. TETRA hand-portable terminals Growth can cause a communications solution to quickly become insufficient and the requirement to implement a new one that is safe, reliable and scalable is paramount. SkiStar Åre were busy preparing for the Alpine Ski World Cup which would increase the need for a flexible system that can handle the capacity a large-scale event requires whilst remaining robust with uncompromised use in the dropping temperatures. Dispatcher system with TETRA base stations Safety and resource management was paramount and so a new dispatcher system was also implemented Safety and resource management was paramount and so a new dispatcher system was also implemented, enabling operator staff to easily monitor and communicate the location and status of users. The new system saw four TETRA base stations strategically placed across 4 Swedish regions, alongside the deployment of 170 Sepura SC20 hand-portable radios, praised by a control room user for sound quality and the ability to make individual calls. The terminals offer intuitive operation and outstanding RF performance and are Bluetooth and applications ready to match their safety and resource management requirements. Managing Safety & Operations at Ski Resorts As expected, daily challenges at ski resorts are often due to weather and environmental elements that have the potential to compromise the functionality and audio clarity of radios used as part of their critical communications solution. But another obstacle to consider is coverage across vast sites, especially if they are split, like the slopes of Tignes. The Société des Téléphériques de la Grande Motte (STGM) in the Rhône-Alpes region, France, replaced their existing analogue system with a TETRA communications solution comprised of mobile terminals and rugged Sepura hand-portable radios featuring the Man-Down safety feature from Sepura partner, Sysoco. SRG3900 vehicle-mounted gateway terminals Sepura’s SRG3900 vehicle-mounted gateway terminals allow STGM to extend coverage into mountainous areas, particularly those affected by ‘black spots’ and climate conditions which are not covered by the infrastructure. Interoperability between TETRA and analogue networks is allowed, permitting cross-network communication to maintain links with analogue users across the two sites. Read the full story here. Idre Fjall is a world-renowned, year-round ski resort that offers over 40 ski runs and 82km of cross-country trails to the 600,000 plus annual visitors. Alongside the challenges posed by weather conditions, environmental factors and keeping visitors safe around the clock, the resort also hosts international events and their critical communications systems therefore must not falter on reliability, usability, audio or connectivity even in prolonged usage. Lone-worker and man-down safety features Sepura and partner Swedish Radio Supply established a solution consisting of a trusted TETRA infrastructure With the Ski-Cross World Cup and Speed Ski World Championship under their belt, it was imperative to boost communications to optimise safety for staff and visitors. In order to achieve this, Sepura and partner Swedish Radio Supply established a solution consisting of a trusted TETRA infrastructure and a fleet of STP9000 hand-portable radios. The rugged terminals offer the resort exceptional battery life, IP67 environmental protection rating, lone-worker and man-down safety features and a minimum operational temperature of -30°C. They were found by users to be intuitive, easy to use and unbeaten for audio quality and overall reliability. Clear, uninterrupted communications Sire-Kvina, one of Norway’s largest power companies operates seven hydro-electric power plants using watercourses in the South-west Norwegian mountains. When implementing a new TETRA communications system, Sire-Kvina chose Sepura STP9000 hand-portable radios for their powerful and robust ability to keep connectivity across their 15-site network, continuing to operate in Norway’s typically harsh winters. The company has a strict 90% uptime objective for production facilities and must by law be able to maintain internal communication for 72 hours even if regular supplies are cut out, they therefore must ensure that their communication system is reliable and provides a lifeline for their teams in a range of demanding environments from mountain tops to tunnels deep inside the mountains. Company employees are now successfully equipped with high-performance radios that offer a front-facing loudspeaker for clear audio alongside large colour display screens; ideal for viewing images, maps and text in Sire-Kvina’s demanding operational conditions. Implementing TETRA radios Like Sira-Kvina, Sogn and Fjordane Energy (SFE) have a distribution network that extends over high mountains and deep valleys operating 26 power stations. Previously using analogue systems for decades, the energy provider sought an alternative robust communication solution to successfully take them through daily routine work as well as emergency situations previously experienced. Implementing TETRA radios, utilising Norway’s Nodnett TETRA network was a natural progression for SFE Implementing TETRA radios, utilising Norway’s Nodnett TETRA network was a natural progression for Sogn and Fjordane due to the applications offered with a digital connection, which the users so desperately needed. SFE have since been able to increase restored network capacity and availability which has in turn increased security for the company, with Kåre Teigland, Head of Information and Communication Technology at SFE endorsing the coverage as “very reliable”, so much so that they would not expect any issues during a storm. STP9000 hand-portable radios The Norwegian Road Administration (NRA), part of the Directorate of Public Roads, is responsible for maintenance, expansion and control of Norway’s public roads and relies on a robust communication solution to keep operations running smoothly and efficiently. The NRA previously relied on analogue communications which worked well overall but suffered in areas with limited signal range, mostly affecting areas such as tunnels, in which there was no coverage at all. Having upgraded their system and terminals through Sepura partner Wireless Communications AS, Sepura’s STP9000 hand-portable radios now provide complete coverage, even across the mountainous regions and extending to those all-important blackspot tunnels. Sophisticated communications system The sophisticated communications system is the first of its kind for the administration and with a radio installed in each car, the Haukeliester traffic centre now has direct contact with all the operating vehicles. Access to a co-channel used by emergency services has also been obtained, allowing communication between organisations in case of an emergency. Read the full story here. From the challenges of operating in extreme environments and sub-zero temperatures to coverage and capacity, Sepura’s hand-portable and mobile TETRA terminals continue to prove themselves as a rugged and reliable communications solution. Advanced safety features, advanced positioning capability and clear audio are intrinsic to every radio, meeting a range of business and mission critical user needs.

The largest ski and outdoor sports resort in North America required a high-performance HD video surveillance system that can ensure visitor and employee safety, protect company assets and reduce theft in its retail and rental division. Located just 125 km north of Vancouver, British Columbia, Whistler Blackcomb is a worldclass ski resort that accommodates over two million skiers and snowboarders annually. One of the main venues during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Whistler Blackcomb is the largest ski resort in North America and home of the world-record breaking “Peak 2 Peak” Gondola. Security personnel at Whistler Blackcomb manage the Avigilon high-definition security system from their control room using the Avigilon Control Center (ACC) 5 network management software (NVMS) with High Definition Stream Management (HDSM) technology. The resort uses over 100 Avigilon HD Dome and HD Bullet cameras, ranging from 1 MP to 5 MP in both indoor and outdoor settings, to monitor retail and rental stores, inventory locations, public loading areas, financial vaults, employee service areas, and numerous doors and gates. Whistler Blackcomb uses Avigilon video encoders to leverage the resort’s 100-plus existing analog cameras Whistler Blackcomb uses Avigilon video encoders to leverage the resort’s 100-plus existing analog cameras. The team also uses ACC Mobile to view live and recorded images remotely and Avigilon Network Video Recorders (NVRs) to store up to 30 days of continuous surveillance footage. Benefits Create a safe environment for visitors and staff Cost effective installation Prevent accidents and theft Meet insurance requirements Reduce investigation time Upgraded video surveillance In recent years, the resort had relied on an outdated, largely analog-based video surveillance system to oversee its security initiatives. But with 8,171 acres of skiable terrain along with over 100 buildings and facilities on the property, it was inevitable that Whistler Blackcomb would need to upgrade to a versatile, high-performance video surveillance solution that can efficiently manage the area. “Our video coverage for viewing was antiquated and not effective,” said Carl Rochon, IT Systems Administrator at Whistler Blackcomb. We felt that Avigilon offered the complete package of quality cameras at a good price" “The number of buildings, the terrain and the multiple business units that we operate certainly posed a challenge and made it difficult for us as a security department to analyse footage right away.” With the assistance of the Vancouver-based security integrator, BMS Integrated Services, the resort considered several surveillance camera manufacturers before ultimately selecting Avigilon. “We felt that Avigilon offered the complete package of quality cameras at a good price and an excellent interface to maximise the effectiveness of those cameras,” said Rochon.  600 cameras and NVR installation “We are continually impressed with this combination.” Whistler Blackcomb has been so satisfied with the Avigilon system, the resort has plans to install over 600 more cameras and 12 NVRs in the next few years. “We are moving closer to our goal of greater employee safety, external guest safety and the protection of company assets by utilising surveillance technology with better evidence,” Rochon said. “We are certainly moving in that direction with our Avigilon solution.” Security personnel at Whistler Blackcomb use the ACC 5 software to efficiently manage the resort’s HD surveillance system. Due to the scope of Whistler Blackcomb, the resort has multiple users within each business unit (60 in total) that have 24-hour access to cameras within their designated area. Whether security personnel are monitoring from their desktops or from their smart phones and tablets using ACC Mobile, they can quickly locate and assess certain incidents. HD video surveillance has enabled security officials at Whistler Blackcomb to monitor large outdoor areas with greater efficiency, which has been a key asset in locating lost skiers or assessing any incidents. Avigilon Control Center software “The Avigilon Control Center software is a tool that enables our security and management team to be more efficient in their jobs,” said Rochon. “Our staff can view video, both live or recorded, and immediately address situations.” Rochon attributes the software’s ease-of-use and advanced playback and search functionality as the ACC software’s key benefits. “We used to literally spend hours searching individual camera footage on local DVRs to hopefully find anything useful,” Rochon said. “Now, it takes less than a minute to achieve significantly greater evidence. The search capability is mind-blowing to say the least.” Given the vast terrain and multiple business units that Whistler Blackcomb is home to, ensuring the safety of guests and employees can be challenging for security officials at the resort. Each separate division within Whistler Blackcomb’s umbrella of operations has their own security and safety concerns. “Our Guest Services Division would cite employee and guest safety as their top priority,” Rochon said. The Avigilon solution has also proven to be a cost-effective surveillance solution for the resort HD video surveillance “It is from this perspective that we endeavor to leverage practices and technology to minimise these concerns.” HD video surveillance has enabled security officials at Whistler Blackcomb to monitor large outdoor areas with greater efficiency, which has been a key asset in locating lost skiers or assessing any incidents. “As we upgrade our cameras across our mountain operations, the only question I am constantly asked from the various business units is, ‘When can we get that new camera solution installed at our location?’” said Rochon. “It makes a much-needed difference for improved safety, security and protection.” Despite the size of Whistler Blackcomb, the Avigilon solution has also proven to be a cost-effective surveillance solution for the resort. “We were always told that Avigilon was too expensive to install for a site like ours,” said Rochon. “We found the opposite to be true.”  With over two million annual skiers and snowboarders, as well as 1500 full-time and 3500 seasonal employees, minimising theft was a challenging task for Whistler Blackcomb. Since deploying the Avigilon HD solution, the security team at Whistler Blackcomb has been able to effectively protect the resort’s retail and rental stores, inventory locations, public loading areas, financial vaults, employee service areas, and numerous doors and gates. The resort has also been able to use the high-definition footage to identify and prosecute individuals who commit theft Aid in crime-prevention The resort has also been able to use the high-definition footage to identify and prosecute individuals who commit theft. “With each camera installation, it gives us greater evidence to apprehend the culprits as well as deter those that may be contemplating such actions,” said Rochon. “Our local RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) detachment doesn’t hesitate to request video evidence anymore since we have installed our Avigilon cameras.” Almost immediately after deploying the Avigilon solution in the ski rental shop at the resort, the security team was able to catch two individuals stealing expensive snowboards and equipment. “Because of the clarity of the image captured, we were immediately able to clearly identify our suspects and push that picture out to all our managers in the area,” said Rochon. “The perpetrators tried to flee Whistler quickly and it didn’t work for them.” The Avigilon solution also positively impacts the resort’s ability to affect the costs associated with vandalism and theft. Once the resort completes its Avigilon camera expansion, Rochon estimates Avigilon’s end-to-end solution will help Whistler Blackcomb recover $250,000 worth of product per year. “All in all, we probably have half a million dollars worth of theft or damage to property that shouldn’t occur,” said Rochon. “Avigilon will not only help us cut that cost in half, but it will also lower our liability insurance cost.”

Siklu’s mmWave Gbps radios extend fibre reach for the municipal networkat the resort Siklu Communication Inc., the global market leader in millimetre-wave radios, recently announced that its 60GHz and 70/80GHz wireless radios were deployed to enable gigabit wireless backhaul and to cost-effectively extend the town of Vail’s underground fibre infrastructure for communication and surveillance. Vail ski resort One of the largest ski resorts in the world and a prime venue for concerts and music festivals, Vail, Colo., has almost 2 million visitors a year. Details such as security, capacity-rich Wi-Fi, and environmental aesthetics are of utmost importance, but also a tall order in this challenging geography with its advanced infrastructure. The town’s underground fibre optics connect the town buildings, facilities and surveillance cameras, and Ruckus Wireless access points deliver advanced, high-speed free Internet. Aspen Wireless sought a wireless solution to extend the reach of the municipal fibre network, as in many locations, terrain challenges made fibre laying a physical impossibility. The solution needed to provide copious amounts of bandwidth without congesting the Wi-Fi service. The town was also looking to add new megapixel cameras and to upgrade analogue surveillance cameras to IP. Siklu’s mmWave radios “Who cares about 100’s of megabits when everyone wants Gigabit,” said Jim Selby, Aspen Wireless Technologies, Inc., when considering a solution for the town’s wireless POPs that are connected to a 10Gbps backbone. Selby selected Siklu’s mmWave radios to deliver interference-free Gbps to future proof Wi-Fi and CCTV services, and enable speedy and foolproof recovery. Aspen Wireless deployed the links within days and were delighted with the ease and speed of installation “Siklu’s solution is just so easy to deploy,” added Selby. With its diminished latency, and interference-free Gigabit capacity, Siklu backhauled the selected cameras; SurroundVideo®, cutting edge, multi-sensor panoramic cameras from Arecont Vision, and HD megapixel dome cameras from Axis Communications, to provide high resolution video surveillance. Aspen Wireless integrated the new cameras with Milestone’s Xprotect® Expert version VMS to create a reliable surveillance network ready to handle today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. Wireless backhaul Today, the Vail network utilises 60, 70/80GHz frequencies for wireless backhaul, with the whole of the 2.4GHz and 5GHz spectrum free to service end-user Wi-Fi devices. The network reaches speeds and performance quality far beyond expectations. Wireless backhaul capacity has soared from 20-50Mbps to Gbps and the new cameras have improved video quality from low-rate standard resolution to multiple megapixels at 30fps. Ruckus ZoneFlex™ 7762 outdoor dual-band Wi-Fi access points and ZoneFlex 7782 Series carrier-class 3x3:3 2.4/5 GHz outdoor APs, featuring integrated antennas with patented BeamFlex™ technology for unprecedented performance in high-density, high-capacity applications, perform at top throughputs of over 100Mbps per end user device, while apps run without a snag.