"Thanks to the Axis video encoders, Digital was able to connect our old cameras to the new network, thus reducing costs in terms of new cameras. We can therefore dedicate the remaining budget to the project's second phase and equip the entire hospital."--Jacques Ferir, Technical Service Manager, Hornu-Frameries Hospital
Mission
Hornu-Frameries Hospital, located in Hornu, Belgium, only had analog cameras inside the building and in a few departments. This minimal system did not make it possible to optimally secure the hospital's patients, staff, and property.
Solution
Digital, an Axis Solution Gold Partner in Belgium and one of the market leaders in IT-based electronic security, developed a custom solution for Hornu-Frameries Hospital by adding to the existing indoor and outdoor surveillance system. Digital enabled the hospital to keep its existing cameras by connecting them to the new system via Axis video encoders.
Result
All the cameras are now accessible from a single interface, which makes it possible to quickly analyze events and act accordingly. By keeping the existing cameras, the Axis video encoders enabled Hornu-Frameries Hospital to save part of its initial budget which could consequently be dedicated to an expansion project. The hospital is particularly satisfied with the result.
“Thanks to the Axis video encoders, Digital was able to connect our old cameras to the new network, thus reducing costs in terms of new cameras. We can therefore dedicate the remaining budget to the project's second phase and equip the entire hospital.“
--Jacques Ferir, Technical Service Manager, Hornu-Frameries Hospital.
The Hornu site of the Hornu-Frameries Hospital was built in 1979. It is a general hospital with 391 beds, with standard specializations: surgery, medicine, pediatrics, maternity, intensive care, etc. “We already had surveillance cameras in radiology, maternity, and pediatrics. But they were obsolete, even broken-down, analog cameras. Following recent events that occurred in other hospitals – child abductions, equipment thefts, etc. – we decided to upgrade the network and install additional cameras,” explains Jacques Ferir, Technical Service Manager for Hornu-Frameries Hospital. Digital reactivated the old analog cameras in the radiology department and added Axis network cameras to supplement the installation, bringing the total number of cameras to around 40. Daniel Van Doveren, Digital Project Manager, adds: "Hornu-Frameries Hospital wanted in particular to secure the building's exit points. Therefore, we used different cameras so we can alternate views from inside and outside. If needed, we can follow the route of any person acting suspiciously. For certain areas, we also have a motion detection function on the cameras.”
To secure the inside of the building, Digital opted for AXIS 216MFD Network Cameras. Compact and discreet, they can be installed easily on walls or ceilings and offer effective protection against tampering. The building's exterior is equipped with AXIS 211 Network Cameras, which are specially designed for outdoor surveillance and remote monitoring. These two models are powered by PoE (Power over Ethernet), which reduces installation costs because the camera is powered using the cable that transmits data. Therefore, it does not require an additional electrical supply. In order to connect the reactivated analog cameras to the network of new cameras, Digital used Axis video encoders. These encoders make it possible to easily use the images from the existing analog cameras, transmit them and exchange them over the hospital's computer network without loss of quality. Beyond convergence, they provide advanced functions such as motion detection and event management.
For Hornu-Frameries Hospital, Digital selected AXIS 241Q Video Encoder, which manages up to four analog video channels.
The installation of the new network required two months of work. The Hornu-Frameries Hospital managers have been particularly satisfied with the result: “The main exit points of the hospital are now secured, which reassures both our staff and our patients. Aesthetically, the new cameras blend in perfectly with the landscape and are hardly noticeable. Thanks to the Axis video encoders, Digital was able to connect our old cameras to the new network, thus reducing costs in terms of new cameras. We can now dedicate the remaining budget to the project's second phase and equip the entire hospital.” concludes Jacques Ferir.