MOBOTIX AG, a leading manufacturer of digital high-resolution, network-based video security systems has released details of a project at Specialized Bicycle Components in the UK to secure access to its headquarters, workshop, and showroom protecting high value engineering tools and concept models.

Specialized is one of the most famous cycling brands in the world, with its iconic ‘S’ favoured by professional road cyclists and mountain bikers the world over.

With headquarters and design teams in California, the company’s UK head office in Chessington includes extensive workshop and engineering expertise as well as a collection of high end models and concept designs within its showroom.

As part of a continual assessment of its security and procedures, in late 2014, Operations and Logistics Manager Ken Butler began a process to strengthen its general security and access control. “Although our UK headquarters are within a secured business park, we felt that with the prominence of our brand and value of some of the items within the showroom, our security could do with improvement.”

The UK site includes finance, sales, and HR departments alongside a showroom and engineering workshop.

The site also has extensive car parking and welcomes high profile figures from the cycling world for meetings within its well-equipped boardroom.

“As an engineering focused company, we are very conscious of using the right technology for any task and this ethos also extended to our choice of access control and CCTV system.”

Butler sought recommendations from another trusted supplier for a specialist able to advise it on strengthening its security posture.

“Switchnet Systems came to us highly recommended as knowledgeable and highly skilled security specialists and at our initial meeting introduced us to the MOBOTIX technology which fitted well with our requirements for a powerful system without the complexity, maintenance or reliability issues that legacy CCTV has traditionally experienced.”

Switchnet Systems proposed using a MOBOTIX decentralised CCTV and access control system across its headquarters building.

The system removes the need for a central control room and allowed Specialized to set up flexible access control and monitoring options at multiple location as well as mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones.

Working closely with MOBOTIX Award Winning distributor NBM, Switchnet Systems undertook a site survey and rapid implementation project over a 6-week period.

Using the existing local area network with the addition of just a single additional network switch and NAS for archiving video footage, Switchnet Systems installed 11 MOBOTIX CCTV cameras, providing 13 individual video streams, plus a T25 video door station.

The system is also integrated with multimedia phones at several places in the building with handsets to allow rapid verification of visitors and remote door opening.

The majority of the system comprises of MOBOTIX Q25 cameras offering a 360° all-round view to capture an entire room, a panorama function, and a quad view to show images from four different angles simultaneously.

“The solution proposed by Switchnet Systems uses far fewer cameras than we expected while still monitoring every inch of our ground floor and entrances with exceptionally high quality video,” says Butler, “We were also impressed by the attention to detail and ability to meet some of our technical requirements demonstrated by Switchnet Systems and the MOBOTIX technology.”

Butler points to one example where the front door is connected to the MOBOTIX T25 and sensors provide an alert sent to the multimedia handsets to warn that a door has been wedged or left open for an extended period of time.

“The CCTV cameras are virtually undetectable and the functionality and features of the system are simple to operate yet extremely powerful without requiring a dedicated security guard.”

The system has performed flawlessly since installation and Butler is now evaluating the use of MOBOTIX to upgrade its 35,000 sq/ft equipment warehouse.

“This has been a successful project that matches our ethos of innovation and engineering excellence while protecting our staff and visitors without obtrusive cameras or obstructive access controls.”