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The security at each of its distribution centres had previously been entrusted to security solutions including CCTV and access control systems that were beginning to show their age and lack of flexibility. To remedy the situation, Sainsbury’s turned to ID Technology Group to supply an integrated, cost-efficient solution that would improve their operational surveillance capabilities to a number of their key distribution centres across the UK.

To secure the integrated security plan that was to be rolled out across Sainsbury’s distribution centres, ID Technology Group consulted Sainsbury’s logistics management, to identify their security concerns to be addressed at each site. With system specifications being flexible enough to meet the needs of individual facilities, the use of a Network Video Technologies (NVT) Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) camera video transmission network was specified for the large scale distribution centres.

Terry Baker, technical director at ID Technology Group takes up the story: “With over 200 cameras at certain sites, the scale of each system meant using an NVT UTP cable infrastructure would bring real performance and cost advantages. Using a ‘Campus Style’ system, we installed separate ‘pods’ of cameras, connected into a main UTP cable backbone. This gives Sainsbury’s management greater scalability with the option to tap into the multi-pair backbone to easily add more cameras in the future, without the need or cost of installing complete new lengths of extra cabling. This UTP based scaleable topology solution can provide the customer with massive cost savings over its lifetime.”

Each camera’s real-time video output is transmitted via NVT NV-214AM video transceivers, to NVT NV-862R and NV-1662R Active Receiver hubs located at the control room. “We liaised heavily with Sainsbury’s management around what they felt were the biggest issues at each site,” explains Terry: “From here, we used our technical expertise and experience to supply the best solution utilising the best equipment. Sainsbury’s management are very technically aware and knew exactly what they wanted from the specification of each CCTV system. Employing NVT technology helped ID Technology Group to realise the required quality of image performance whilst retaining a tight budget for our customer.”

Camera locations at the recent Allington depot installation are typical of each system specification, covering all internal and external loading bays, multiple gate houses, fuelling areas, bailing areas, site access/entry points, car parks, high value stock areas, plus lorry turning points and manoeuvring areas. This finite camera placement coupled to NVT UTP video transmission allows depot management to view high quality images of these areas from the on-site control suite, affording them an instant health and safety, as well as a security overview. With some of the camera-to-control cable distances up to 750m, the crystal clear NVT UTP pictures delivered for monitoring means possible issues can be highlighted and resolved instantly. Terry explained: “Sainsbury’s feel CCTV is an essential part of an effective Health & Safety program, and is the driving force behind some of the camera locations within the distribution centres. They also have a powerful tool to ensure correct health and safety procedures are being adhered to in the workplace, and find it beneficial to include CCTV video footage in regular staff training sessions.”