Munich Airport Enhances Centralized Management through Axis Encoders

Terminals 1 and 2 of Munich Airport are equipped with an elaborate video surveillance system with a total of 1,800 cameras

Munich Airport is the 2nd largest airport in Germany and the 7th largest in Europe in terms of passenger growth (2009). With about 400,000 takeoffs and landings and approximately 33 million passengers per year, first-class security is a matter of prime importance. To enable the system to be controlled via centralized management software, all of the cameras must transmit digital images. Munich Airport therefore equipped about a third of its cameras with Axis video encoders.

The European-wide tender for the project was made in mid-2007, and Alcatel and Lucent were awarded the contract. As Alcatel's partner, Lucent contributed 800 AXIS Q7406 Video Encoders in AXIS Q7900 racks. “We had no problems installing the encoders. We had a telecommunications company that was already working for us perform the installation. Alcatel Lucent then took over the task of integrating the hardware into the Aimetis Symphony software,” recounts Michael Fr?hlich, Munich Airport's project manager for closed circuit television.

The new digital video surveillance system simplifies many processes at the airport. On the one hand, it's a matter of ensuring compliance with the Aviation Security Act, which covers border surveillance, support for the security authorities and passenger checks. On the other hand, it's also about the simplification of work processes. “We're very proud that our encoders have been integrated into such a prestigious project as the Munich airport. The cooperation with our partners Alcatel Lucent and Aimetis was flawless,” recounts Edwin Roobol, Regional Manager Middle Europe, Axis Communications.