CMAC CCTV Ltd Case Study: Pride Watch Events

The implementation of an IP camera solution for two sites with remote viewing from 3rd location and also by mobile phone.

Pride Watch Events are one of the UK’s largest independent marquee contractors, specialising in weddings and special occasions, operating within the South of England delivering a vast stock of marquees exceeding 400,000 square feet. Pride Watch Events, a leading supplier of traditional style marquees and clear span structures, required a high quality security solution that both protected their substantial investment in aluminium frames and allowed managing director Mike Botrill access to both company depots, located miles apart, from a single location. As neither of these requirements were met by their “relatively cheap analogue system”, which offered them very little in image quality at a cost very similar to a Y-cam system but could not be watched online, or remotely. Taking action, Pride Watch Events Managing Director Mike Botrill actively searched for solutions that met his demanding requirements at a cost which was suitable to his budget. Throughout searching Mike came across CMaC CCTV; initially interested in Y-cam cameras and CMaC CCTV’s installation service, it wasn’t long before Mike took the leap into IP security and had two Y-cam White SDs and shells installed within their Luton depot, “The cameras caught somebody the first night they were in operation so the client was very pleased,” Rachel Livingstone, from CMaC, CCTV explains.

This success led to Mike installing a further four cameras at their Chichester office and, due to the timing, were offered the Y-cam Bullet due to its recent release. Now with a fully optimal security system in place, Mike was safe in the knowledge that when anything untoward happened within his business he would know.

The solution also opened opportunities up to Mike that would change the way he ran his business, forever.

Remote Control

Working in a unique field and trying to maintain control of two locations left Mike in a vulnerable position. “I am the boss that works a lot from their home office, so I need to keep any eye on the two places and see what is happening.” By implementing a Y-cam system, Mike was able to achieve this goal immediately; he was provided the option to check in on his business whenever he felt necessary, even unsociable hours, which due to the nature of their business happens frequently, as Mike explains:

“During Summer my employees can come back late or have to start very early in the morning, 5:30/6:00am. I can log into the camera and see that what needs to happen has occurred or if there is a problem,” offering Mike an advantage, “I can see if there is a problem at an earlier stage, I wouldn’t have that option if we didn’t have the cameras ... I could call them on their mobiles, like I used to, however this disrupts them at work, this way is much less intrusive.” The system allow Mike to keep an eye on the warehouse, even when he is not there, “Sometimes you want to now where your staff are and that they and the equipment are safe and working as it should be… I can see it all, so if necessary I can give them a bell; it’s a tool for communication.”

Smooth operator

Pride Watch Events cameras are able to act as a portal between Mike and his team, as well as between the two depots.

Mike explains that a simple, yet highly useful function was that they were able to use the cameras to “assist sign lighting the lorries. We have looked at the camera from our other depot and told them where to put the logo.” A simple use but previously it could lead to phone calls, emails and pictures been thrown about before everyone was happy.

Expensive and custom-made equipment can be a target for criminals. Mike has found additional ways to use the cameras to strengthen the links between the two depots, “We have looked a pieces of equipment, either damaged or if there is a technical issue on a piece of stock, and then we have a member of staff at the Luton depot working on it in front of the camera and someone from Chichester depot with more experience can instruct them on what to do. It is a big help and a huge selling point as it is much better than over the phone as you an see what is going on.”

An excellent example of this link working seamlessly for Pride Watch Events was when there was a malfunction of some expensive equipment and, with the assistance of their cameras, they were able to effortlessly fix the issue: “We had some heaters that were not working and our expert was in Chichester, so the guy who was working on the heater placed it in front of a camera and our experienced technician could guide him though, step by step.”

Peace of mind

Pride Watch Events utilises their cameras to assist with the day to day running of the business, however when an issue arose, Mike and the rest of the team had the cameras to fall back on: “In the early days the camera did aid in identifying some issues we had with a member of staff.”

Mike was able to resolve this quickly and the staff were grateful for the cameras. “Our staff realised that they too were being let down by this member of staff and they now know that it will not happen again... The system provides significant piece of mind.”

All round insurance

If peace of mind and an eye in all the time wasn’t enough, Mike’s tight security allows him to save year on year with his insurance premium – a huge benefit for most independent businesses. “Insurers are extremely happy that we have had these cameras installed, it helps with the premium and as we are with an independent insurer they take all of these aspects into hand and any discount is valued ... we pay around £25,000 on our premium, so a reduction does help.” It is expected that the cameras bring the premium down by 5 to 10%.

With all the benefits; remote access, operational control and a reduction to insurance cost, it is not surprising that Mike finds the system “very good value”. Combining the solution with support and expertise via CMaC, it’s great that Pride Watch Events have “just want was needed.

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