Volkswagen manufacturing facility gets intelligent video surveillance from Aimetis

Aimetis Symphony video analytic algorithms are designed to minimise false alarms in outdoor environments

Customer profile

Saxony has a 100 year history of being home to automobile and automotive component manufacturing. Volkswagen began manufacturing the Polo model in Zwickau, Saxony in 1990. In 1992 they expanded production to include engines and other automobile components. Today, Volkswagen Sachsen GmbH has daily production rates of 1100 vehicles, producing a total of more than three million Volkswagen vehicles including the Golf, Passat, Phaeton and Bentley, and more than nine million engines. The manufacturing facility in Zwickau employs more than 6000 people.

Technology used

• Aimetis Symphony Software: Enterprise Edition - Video management & Video analytics
• IP Day/Night cameras

Results

• Enhanced security against vandalism and theft with real-time video alerts
• Controlled and accurate response to events with automated workflows
• Improved quality control

Summary

Aimetis Symphony provides intelligent video surveillance at Volkswagen's manufacturing plan in Zwickau, Saxony, Germany to promote safety and prevent and investigate vandalism and theft of automotive components and vehicles.

Surveillance requirements

Aimetis' Symphony fulfils Volkswagens' requirements for reliability and accuracy, even in rain, wind and snow

The security of the Zwickau manufacturing facility and safety of Volkswagen Sachsen GmbH employees has always been of top priority. As a result, Volkswagen Sachsen GmbH set out to completely modernise the existing video surveillance system so that they would be able to take advantage of the latest technology. "Volkswagen Sachsen GmbH required a future-proof, flexible video surveillance system with maximum efficiency and reliability to meet our specific security needs," said the IT Security Project Manager, Volkswagen Saxony. They turned to Aimetis Certified Partner, VST GmbH for advice on the best solution to meet their needs. VST recommended Aimetis Symphony intelligent video surveillance software. "Aimetis Symphony was exactly the type of intelligent video surveillance solution we were looking for," added the IT Security Manager. "It fulfils our requirements for reliability and accuracy, even in rain, wind and snow. It has become the back-bone of the surveillance solution."

Solution

VST GmbH provided extensive consultation and prepared a well-thought out system design with the particular needs of Volkswagen Sachsen GmbH in mind. The first of three Aimetis Symphony systems was put into operation at the Zwickau car manufacturing plant. A range of IP cameras were installed to monitor the loading docks for delivery trucks, the car lot for post-production vehicles, the customer-service centre, and other critical areas. Video is transmitted to a remote monitoring centre for real-time observation. "Stable image transmission is of critical importance to protect our facilities, vehicles, employees and customers. We are able to use the intelligent video analytics algorithms included with Aimetis Symphony to be alerted to suspicious activity, like loitering, or people in restricted areas," said the IT Security Manager. "Not only are we alerted in real-time so that response can happen immediately, but we can also search through video for particular activity in only a few seconds. This is of particular value when providing recorded images to the police to aid in their investigation of events."

VST GmbH is extensively trained in the capabilities and administration of Aimetis Symphony CCTV software

Because most of the cameras are located outdoors, the accuracy of video analytics was initially a concern. However, because Aimetis Symphony video analytic algorithms are designed to minimise false alarms in outdoor environments, Volkswagen Sachsen GmbH has been extremely pleased with the results. "Even with rain, snow and strong winds, Aimetis Symphony provides us highly accurate results with virtually zero false alarms," said the IT Security Manager. Volkswagen Sachsen GmbH has set up several automatic rules in response to common events. For example, when Aimetis Symphony recognises a person in a restricted area it will automatically tell a PTZ camera to zoom-in on the person and follow them as they move through the area. The software also has the capability to turn on lights or sound an alarm to scare would-be perpetrators away. Video from the entire plant is archived within the monitoring centre, but can be accessed quickly by system operators when required for investigation.

Ongoing system support

VST GmbH is well known for its quick service and comprehensive support. Following system design and commissioning, VST GmbH continues to provide Volkswagen Sachsen GmbH with ongoing system support. As an Aimetis Certified Partner, VST GmbH is extensively trained in the capabilities and administration of Aimetis Symphony. With remote VPN access to the Volkswagen Sachsen GmbH network, VST GmbH can respond to and resolve issues quickly.