DHL Inside Track Chooses Tensor for Complex Access Control & CCTV Surveillance System

Inside Track specialises in providing tailored sales and marketing solutions to the automotive sector, from event management, training and media services to vehicle preparation, refurbishment and distribution. Inside Track is a wholly owned product brand of the Deutsche Post DHL (DP DHL) Group, the world's largest logistics business and an integral part of DHL Automotive, providing services right across the automotive supply chain.

According to Ms. Christine Batson, Facilities Manager for Inside Track, earlier this year, the company started looking for a complete and comprehensive integrated access control and CCTV surveillance solution to be installed at its new site in Knowhill, Milton Keynes.

DHL Supply Chain, of which Inside Track is an integral part of, follows a very strict set of guidelines when selecting 3'rd party suppliers for various projects. For this reason, after being approached by Inside Track, Tensor engaged in a highly competitive tendering process, the customer also receiving offers from several other competitors.

Although Tensor was not initially listed as one of the DHL Inside Track preferred suppliers, our extensive experience in the field and the overall value of the proposal submitted by the Tensor team were decisive for securing a positive decision from the relevant stakeholders.

As it combines extensive access control and restriction with ANPR (number plate recognition) and CCTV surveillance components, the Tensor system installed at Inside Track was quite a complex undertaking, with some 3'rd party works also being involved — the customer required the installation of a separate, dedicated broadband Internet connection.

The smart card-based Tensor access control system features multiple T1488G network scanners, used specifically for granting users fast and easy access to the premises. The CCTV system installed at Inside Track's site is extremely complex, featuring multiple external IP surveillance cameras mounted in dedicated weatherproof enclosures, accompanied by several interior high-speed dome IP cameras. Raytec LED lights have been used extensively throughout the system in order to boost the CCTV cameras' performance in low-lighting conditions.

Plus, a network-connected 8TB Sharpview 32-channel NVR ensures that camera footage is easily accessible, even from a remote computer. Additionally, smart ANPR cameras have been placed near the rear sliding gate (also supplied by Tensor), allowing for faster (and easier) automatic access to the premises.

The whole system is controlled by Tensor's WinAC.NET suite, designed to offer users a superior experience and multiple useful features, including here CCTV integration. In fact, video clips retrieved from CCTV cameras, associated with access control activity, are available when CCTV is integrated with Tensor.NET.

Cameras are allocated to location entries created in Tensor.NET and locations are then linked to smart card scanners or push buttons in the Hardware Manager. Multiple cameras can be allocated to the same location, or multiple locations can be assigned to the same camera.

Additionally, lock sensors are connected directly to the CCTVs DVR and, as a lock is released, an alarm event triggers the recording of video footage for the event. This footage is then available for playback in Tensor.NET, either by location or as a link in an access control report. Screen displays are provided to report upon access events, including links to play the related video clip.

Despite taking a bit more time than initially expected, the entire installation process was ultimately successfully completed immediately. A few minor technical glitches involving the clocks and the site gates were recorded during the installation process, but Tensor engineers managed to sort them all out quite rapidly.

As the Facilities Manager in charge of the Tensor system's daily operation, Ms. Batson was trained on using the system, and she describes the quality of the process a "quite fine."

When asked by the Tensor reporter to describe what she likes most about the system, Ms. Batson replied that "It does exactly what we wanted it to do. Plus, we haven't had any major problems with it just yet, and hopefully, things will stay the same."

Despite being a complex solution, the Inside Track facilities manager believes that the Tensor system is "very easy to use, overall." Since she's quite happy with the Tensor solution and the relationship between the two companies, Ms. Batson answered "Yes, I certainly would," when asked whether she would recommend Tensor products and solutions to other companies.

Summing up, Ms. Batson commented: "We're quite content about our collaboration with Tensor plc. The company's very approachable, proactive and innovative, and also ready to do everything it can in order to meet the customer's demands."

Customer Information

DHL Inside Track Roebuck Way Knowhill Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire MK58HL

Website: insidetrackautomotive.co.uk Phone: 01908 246502 Email: insidetrack@dhl.com