ONOFF is one of Sweden’s largest retailers in consumer electronics. In total, there are 70 ONOFF stores all over the country – stretching from Luleå in the north to Trelleborg in the south. Customers are offered to have their purchases delivered to their home and installed by a professional. The vans used for this purpose transport expensive TV sets and computers and could be an attractive target for criminals. Because of this potential threat, the transports are monitored by Securitas via a GPS system.
The system is based on a GPS service, which is connected to a map and web application. The map application covers all of Western Europe and large parts of Eastern Europe as well, which means that the transports can be monitored in detail throughout most of Europe. Both the operators in Securitas alarm monitoring center and ONOFF can follow the vans and pinpoint their exact location in real time. The system also sends an alarm if the van crashes or is hit by another car, if the windows are broken or if it is subject to heavy vibration, and when needed, the operators at Securitas can quickly make sure the correct action is taken. The driver also has access to an emergency button in direct connection to the alarm monitoring center.
In 2006, ONOFF installed another GPS system in nine of their vans used for home delivery. Since the result of this trial was unsatisfactory, ONOFF turned to Securitas. Now, they have decided to install the surveillance system all over the country, equipping all 29 vans that are used for home delivery.
The implementation of surveillance systems in their vans is due to ONOFF noticing an increase of theft and hijacking among other companies in their business and the implementation was a preventive measure.
“We wanted to make sure that our employees and our goods would be safe,” says Carl Forsman, Head of Security at ONOFF.
The preventive effect is of great importance to Carl Forsman and ONOFF.
“We always have to be a more difficult target than our surroundings. The purpose of the equipment is to discourage anyone to even try,” says Carl Forsman. “Information always leaks one way or another, so by spreading the information among all employees about how our goods and our cars are being protected, we can prevent a whole lot of trouble,” he continues.
The technical solution used by ONOFF in the vans was developed by Franklins, a partner of Securitas. The collaboration between Franklins and Securitas involves several different services and together the two companies supply a number of customers with similar solutions.
“We always recommend our customers to connect their alarms to the Securitas alarm monitoring center,” says Ann Franklin, CEO of Franklins.
Following the success of the GPS monitored deliveries, ONOFF is now expanding the collaboration with Securitas. A project with the aim of equipping all ONOFF stores with video surveillance connected to Securitas has been initiated.
“We want our employees to feel safe in knowing that the operators at the alarm monitoring center can see them and take appropriate action in case of an incident,” says Carl.
In equipping the stores with video surveillance, ONOFF has started with those stores most subject to crime. They have selected about one third of all stores and shortly, more ONOFF stores will be included.