Swecold’s cold storage building has three tenants with high security requirements. A comprehensive security solution based on video surveillance secures stored goods and employee safety, while letting the tenants keep a close eye on logistics. Securitas and their business partner Viser have created a custom solution to fit the needs of all three tenants.
A few miles south of Helsingborg in southern Sweden, along the E6 highway is a new facility owned by Swecold Logistikcenter AB. This cold storage building covers 3,600 square meters and houses three tenants, all in the food transport and handling business. The open space in front of the building is filled with trucks and the whole area is a hive of activity. Inside the cold storage, Brazilian apples share floor space with oranges from Spain.
When wrapping up construction of the new facility in late 2007, Swecold faced the challenge of finding a security solution for all three tenants. Viser, a business partner of Securitas, was asked to map the needs of the tenants and propose a solution. Viser turned to Securitas, and together the two companies devised a comprehensive security solution for the facility.
As well as keeping tabs on all goods in the storage facility and ensuring that goods can be picked up and dropped off smoothly, the tenants wanted to guarantee the safety of the truck drivers who sometimes spend the night in their trucks in front of the building. It was also essential that immediate action be taken in case of burglary, fire, or a power failure affecting the cold storage room. The facility also had to be accessible to a number of people at any time, night or day.
The solution implemented is largely based on video surveillance, which constantly monitors all traffic on site. The system consists of 18 networked cameras, integrated with an access control system and a burglar and alarm system. The transmitters communicate solely via IP, so all communications are encrypted. The entire system is linked to the alarm monitoring center at Securitas.
“The security level of the Securitas video surveillance platform, in combination with our infrastructure, is a prerequisite for the solution used at the facility,” says Andreas Sparrenblad at Viser. “Securitas’ willingness to adopt leading-edge technology lets us create custom solutions that increase the level of security and added value for our joint customers.”
In case of an alarm, Securitas operators can monitor the facility in real time and ensure that correct measures are taken. To Eddie Mohlin at Mohlins Åkeri, one of the three tenants in the cold storage facility, this is an important aspect of the security solution: “I feel secure knowing that the Securitas operators can log onto the cameras at any time, and in real time see what is going on in the storage area.”
Not only Securitas has access to the material recorded by the cameras. The system also stores images and video on a local server, which lets tenants view the material. Since Mohlins Åkeri is a large business with approximately 80 employees, 40 trucks, and several business partners transporting their goods, it is important to Eddie that the new system gives him control over his goods and deliveries.
“If one of our business partners arrives late at night, I can easily check the next morning to make sure they picked up the right cargo at the right time,” says Eddie.
Thanks to the new security solution, many people can now access the facility even when staff is not there to help out. Disposable pin codes, valid for a single entrance, are given to the drivers. This lets them access the area and storage facility at any time, day or night.
“This gives us complete control over who can access the building and our goods,” says Eddie at Mohlins Åkeri.
The network solution used at the cold storage means the system is prepared for next-generation security solutions. This makes the system very cost-efficient for the customer.
“The system is scalable, so we can add or take away individual components without jeopardizing security for the customer,” says Andreas at Viser. “The system is under constant development, and fire alarm via the cameras and a technical alarm for the cold storage room will also be linked to Securitas.”
As well, outdoor surveillance to protect drivers spending the night in their trucks in front of the building will soon be in place.