Aimetis Symphony provides intelligent video surveillance at Volkswagen's manufacturing plant in Zwickau, Saxony, Germany, to promote safety and prevent and investigate vandalism and theft of automotive components and vehicles.
Summary
Aimetis Symphony provides intelligent video surveillance at Volkswagen's manufacturing plant in Zwickau, Saxony, Germany, to promote safety and prevent and investigate vandalism and theft of automotive components and vehicles.
Technology Used
- Aimetis Symphony Software: Enterprise Edition
- Video management
- Video analytics
- Network 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
Customer ProfileSaxony 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 has daily production rates of 1100 vehicles, producing a total of more than three million Volkswagen vehicles including the GOLF, PASSAT, PHAETON and BENTLY, and more than 9million engines. The manufacturing facility in Zwickau employs more than 6,000 people.
Surveillance Requirements
The security of the Zwickau manufacturing facility and safety of Volkswagen Sachsen employees has always been of top priority. As a result, Volkswagen Sachsen set out to completely modernize the existing video surveillance system so that they would be able to take advantage of the latest technology.
“Volkswagen Sachsen 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 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,” said the IT Security Manager. “It fulfills our requirements for reliability and accuracy, even in rain, wind and snow. It has become the backbone of the surveillance solution.”
The Solution
VST provided extensive consultation and prepared a well-thought out system design with the particular needs of Volkswagen Sachsen in mind. The first of three Aimetis Symphony systems was put into operation at the Zwickau car manufacturing plant.
A range of network 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 center 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.”
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 minimize false alarms in outdoor environments, Volkswagen Sachsen has been 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 has set up several automatic rules in response to common events. For example, when Aimetis Symphony recognizes 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 center, but can be accessed quickly by system operators when required for investigation.
Ongoing System SupportVST is well known for its quick service and comprehensive support. Following system design and commissioning, VST continues to provide Volkswagen Sachsen with ongoing system support. As an Aimetis Certified Partner, VST is extensively trained in the capabilities and administration of Aimetis Symphony. With remote VPN access to the Volkswagen Sachsen network, VST can respond to and resolve issues quickly.