Mobotix video surveillance technology protects Vanstone Park Garden centre in Hertfordshire, UK

MOBOTIX AG, a manufacturer of digital high-resolution, network-based video security systems announces that MOBOTIX Partner Switchnet Systems has completed a successful installation at a well-regarded garden centre that combines video surveillance, day-night operation, number plate recognition and analytics to secure the site and enhance management visibility.

Vanstone Park Garden Centre

Vanstone Park Garden Centre is a family run business set in a beautiful parkland setting near Hitchin, Hertfordshire. For over 40 years, this popular centre has expanded beyond garden essentials to offer a café and even a miniature railway for kids and adults alike. The 60-acre site with two buildings and a car park welcomes over 3000 visitors each week and is part of a sector with over 2500 garden centres contributing to a garden retail industry worth over £4bn a year to the UK economy.

Having experienced several break-ins over the years which were not properly captured by its aging analogue CCTV system, owner Giles Groom approached local security expert Switchnet Systems for advice. “Our old system was nearly 15 years old, offered poor quality images and was starting to experience more failures,” explains Giles “Our aim with the upgrade was to not only improve security for our site, staff and visitors but also potentially improve the way in which we run our business through better visibility. We considered a number of installers but Switchnet not only gave us an innovative solution but the guys had a far greater understanding of our challenges along with unrivalled technical services and ongoing support.”

Mobotix system

Switchnet Systems conducted a full site survey and came up with an innovative solution that would both reduce the number of physical cameras along with discrete MOBOTIX hemispheric models able to cover larger areas in better resolution both day and night. The complete system also provides number plate recognition offering the centre better functionality and features when identifying vehicles entering the site.

In total, Switchnet Systems via their distribution partner NBM Technology, supplied and installed just 10 cameras to provide complete coverage of all public accessible indoor and outdoor areas along with main entrance, car park and key perimeter areas. The system uses the decentralised MOBOTIX architecture to allow all video to be stored on a single Synology NAS server and viewed from any location.

The system includes MxActivitySensor 2.0, a video motion analysis integrated into each camera that reliably detects moving objects and does not trigger any false alarms in the event of interference such as rain, snowfall or moving trees or poles. The centre also benefits from the MOBOTIX mobile application which allows senior managers to check any camera remotely via a smartphone or tablet in the event of an issue or alarm.

Great image quality

“The new system is perfect for what we need and provides us with great image quality without loads of obtrusive cameras or the need for a dedicated control room,” says Giles, “The team from Switchnet Systems were fast and professional and the fact that the MOBOTIX software didn’t require an ongoing licence fee made the solution much better value for us over the longer term.”

Gregg Pike, Managing Director for Switchnet Systems added, “In phase 1 we have installed and configured the security aspects of the solution and for the next phase, along with deploying additional cameras, the centre is planning on activating the built-in MxAnalytics solution to better analyse footfall and where customers go when they enter the site to help better plan the layout of its retail space.”

Trevor Holt, Business Development Manager, UK & Ireland for MOBOTIX added, “This is a great example of how our channel partners are able to use our technology to help solve security challenges and also add value to day-to-day operational activities of our customers.”