Genetec announced the Wind Creek Casino and Hotel in Alabama has completed the installation of an integrated security solution which includes both Omnicast video surveillance and Synergis access control. Wind Creek Casino and Hotel was recently rebuilt as a top-of-the-line entertainment and resort complex, and Genetec's IP-based unified solutions were chosen to manage more than 85 doors and 650 cameras at the new state-of-the-art gaming facility.
Genetec announced the Wind Creek Casino and Hotel in Alabama has completed the installation of an integrated security solution which includes both Omnicast video surveillance and Synergis access control. Wind Creek Casino and Hotel was recently rebuilt as a top-of-the-line entertainment and resort complex, and Genetec's IP-based unified solutions were chosen to manage more than 85 doors and 650 cameras at the new state-of-the-art gaming facility.
The original casino that had been torn down for the rebuild project used an outdated, coaxial-based analog security system, from which no components were spared for the new construction. Instead, Wind Creek Casino and Hotel wanted a truly IP-based system that would afford them the possibility to take advantage of the latest innovations in security technology, and lower their total cost ownership by reducing the amount of wiring required for access control readers and video cameras. To achieve these objectives, Wind Creek Casino and Hotel reached out to Security 101, an Alabama-based integrator and certified Genetec reseller, for their experience in security projects.
Both Sony and HID, long-standing Genetec technology partners, were also chosen for the installation. Wind Creek Casino and Hotel selected Sony PoE Series fixed and PTZ dome cameras and HID Edge ES400 Plus readers as they integrated seamlessly with Genetec products.
“By running CAT-5 cables to IP Edge controllers throughout the new facility, we were able to save significant installation cost by limiting wiring requirements typically seen with traditional access control,” said Ed Hendrickson, Executive Director of Information Technology for PCI Gaming. “This was critical to our decision. Omnicast and Synergis' IP-based open architecture really gave us the possibility to design a system that met our needs.”
After considering other IP-based systems, and utilizing the combined design and implementation services of Security101, Wind Creek Casino and Hotel opted for Omnicast and Synergis as they offered the most seamless integration between video surveillance and access control. The Genetec solutions also possessed an extensive feature set which gave them additional scalability and hardware flexibility, as well as tools for bandwidth optimization and support for various video resolutions, which are highly sought-after benefits common to the gaming industry. Genetec's integrated IP solutions complemented Security 101's pro-active approach to security at Wind Creek Casino and Hotel.
“Ultimately, Genetec's solutions have allowed both the security and surveillance departments of the casino to be more efficient at watching over the massive 225,000 square foot facility,” said John Gibson, Co-Owner of Security 101, Alabama and Louisiana Office. “These solutions are also very user-friendly, so they required very minimal training before for everyone to get familiar with the system.”
The intuitive nature and user friendliness of the integrated system were not the only product characteristics that Wind Creek Casino and Hotel enjoyed. With video pop-up on every card swipe, the integration between Omnicast and Synergis has given the security team the ability to see exactly who is entering back-of-the-house areas and other sensitive cash areas within the casino, and validate it with the credentials of the cardholder instantaneously.
Wind Creek Casino also leveraged the open architecture of Synergis which help to support key crossover with the hotel's keycard system. Even though the readers are managed by two completely different systems, employees only have one multitech card that works for both personnel-accessed rooms within the hotel, as well as those within the casino, offering Wind Creek Casino and Hotel additional savings.
“When the opportunity came up, we were thrilled to help Wind Creek Casino and Hotel leverage the features of our integrated video and access control solution,” said John Joyce, Director of Business Development for Synergis at Genetec. “Their unique application showcases how other casinos can raise the bar by developing cutting-edge security solutions with cost-saving benefits.”