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Hospital Management and Security |
Patient Care In A Secure Hospital
In Good Hands
Nobody really likes to be in hospital. But knowing that you’re in good hands makes everything a little bit easier. The patients at the Maria Hilf Clinics in Mönchengladbach can be sure of that. After all, each hospital that the clinic operates, Maria Hilf, St. Franziskus and Kamillianer, has a very thorough approach patient care.
The Whole Person
“We aim to provide each and every patient with the most modern medical treatment available,” said Stefan Bahun, head of security, while explaining the concept behind the Maria Hilf Clinics. “But we don’t really want to focus on just the illness, we want to look at the whole person – along with the illness. That’s why personal attention plays such an important role.” This has been their motto for more than 150 years now, since two Franciscan monks from the Netherlands came to Mönchengladbach on July 24, 1854 to care for the sick and to take over the administration of the Catholic orphanage.
The city hospital, with a total of 800 beds, admits approximately 28,000 patients and treats another 100,000 outpatients a year, making it the largest Catholic hospital in the bishopric of Aachen. Close to 1,600 employees, including 190 doctors and 800 employees in nursing service make sure that the patients are well taken care of. As an academic teaching hospital belonging to the RWTH Aachen, the Maria Hilf Clinics also train medical students.
Most Modern (Medical) Technology
Patients are treated according to the latest scientific findings and using the most modern medical technology. To improve the security of the patients and employees, the clinics have also put a particular focus on high-tech: since the summer of 2004, MOBOTIX cameras have provided constant monitoring of the gates and other critical points on the clinic premises.
Working Profitably
"Personal care cannot be covered by usual medical insurance. But, in order to meet the standards of our humanitarian, personal approach, we have to work as profitably as possible in other areas”, said Stefan Bahun.
One area that was not operating economically in the past was the night-time gates. With lower visitor frequency and fewer emergencies or patients requiring transport compared to daytime, the night shift was not working to full capacity. That’s when the idea was born to take advantage of technology and to centralize the night personnel at one of the three locations. The capacity that would be freed up this way could be invested in the day shift, which has had to master an ever-increasing number of tasks.
High-Tech Gate
“You seldom find the traditional desk clerk in clinics any more,” explained the head of security. “Anyone who wants to work in the field of the ‘gate/information desk’ nowadays is required to have good qualifications and a lot of experience: he/she has to be communicative, competent, friendly, able to work under pressure and also has to have computer skills.” In addition to the telephone system, this work also involves managing the parking guidance system, camera surveillance and patient information. And this is also where all the alarm messages end up, whether it is a stuck elevator, problems with the oxygen supply or even a fire alarm. These functions also had to be taken into consideration for the centralization of the night gates. With respect to data communications, it is also an advantage that all three hospitals are connected by a point-to-point radio system.
Controlled Access
Access control at the locations without a gate-keeper in the night hours remained a problem. “It is still necessary for emergency services and patients to be able to enter the clinics at night. But we cannot simply leave the buildings open to anyone. And communication via an intercom system alone just doesn’t do the job.” Stefan Bahun realized that this problem could only be solved by installing a powerful digital camera system. “Although we already had video technology, this analog system proved unsuitable for what we really needed. And because the buildings were already equipped with a good computer infrastructure with a powerful network, we decided to take advantage of that for the camera solution.”
And so the search began for a system able to transmit optimum images with low data requirements. “This condition was a prerequisite because the point-to-point radio system is not able to accommodate larger files,” explained the head of security.
Easy Operation
Then someone happened to stumble across MOBOTIX in the trade press. “I was fascinated by the many different features the cameras offer,” remembered Bahun. “And of course, we were particularly interested in cameras that allow excellent images even at night. This made the MOBOTIX network cameras the ideal solution.”
“Another important factor influencing our decision,” continued the head of security, “was easy operation. In this respect, MOBOTIX already offers all the features we need, along with camera control via an Internet browser. But we also wanted to make things as simple as possible for the desk clerks.” This is where, at the suggestion of the Kaiserslautern-based manufacturer, uniserve Internet & Multimedia GmbH (www.uniserve.de) came into play. Uniserve developed "WINSTON", a camera management software solution that can be operated ergonomically, extremely easily, quickly and intuitively. This software solution also includes a floor plan as well as a camera overview and allocates special functions, such as a door opener, directly to the appropriate camera image.
Central Monitoring
Obviously, this solution was a big hit with the customer. Today, there are a total of 14 MOBOTIX cameras in operation at the three Maria Hilf clinic locations, thus providing central monitoring for all the entrances and access points. Other critical points, such as the cash desks and banking machines or the waiting room in the emergency room, are also under the watchful eye of the front desk staff.
Thanks to event control, which can be activated via the predefined fields in each camera image, it is possible to identify and record specific events. For reasons of security and documentation, these images are stored for 72 hours and can only be viewed if further investigation is required. Consequently, each of the three locations has been equipped with its own image server, which takes over the storage function of the cameras.
“The Kamillaner Hospital has not been staffed at the front desk for ten hours at night since August 2004 and everything has been working perfectly,” Stefan Bahun summarized. “We also plan to introduce the concept at St. Franziskus soon to complete the centralization project. On the whole, we are very pleased to say that this camera technology has increased the security level in our clinics. The investment has certainly paid off and I am very happy.”
Hardware Used
Cameras: 6 M1D-Sec, 3 M10M-Sec, 2 M10D-Sec, 2 M1M-IT, 1 M10D-Night
Server: 3 file servers for image storage, 1 WIN2K server with an MSDE SQL server and IIS for the WINSTON management software
Control stations: Server and client PC with a standard web browser as well as visualization applications in the WINSTON management software
Power supply: Power supplied via Ethernet
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Waste Water Treatment Facility Security |
Cost Savings For Public Services
New Advantages For Communities
Low Costs Long-Term
What can communities do to avoid increasing costs of public services? As most communities are struggling to maintain balanced budgets, this is not an easy question to answer. And yet, there are promising concepts and solutions. Consider the WVE (Westpfälzische Ver- und Entsorgungs-GmbH) that has been founded in the Kaiserslautern area in 1994 as a public services company. The WVE provides fresh water, sewage treatment and zoning/development services for the communities in the area. The communities, in turn, are able to efficiently outsource expensive tasks. “Our efforts are based on economic and entrepreneurial thinking”, is a quote from the mission statement of the WVE, a subsidiary of the Kaiserslautern technical services company TWK (Technische Werke Kaiserslautern AG) in Germany. As a result, other communities benefit from market-oriented pricing, high quality, efficiency and flexibility. As these communities and cities pay only for services that they actually use, they can minimize their HR-related and other fixed costs.
Example: Sewage Plant
The WVE is able to provide all required services regarding the sewage plant operation at short notice. For tasks like these, the WVE uses its own employees, its special equipment and equipment of other communities. In the process, the WVE cooperates closely with the Kaiserslautern city waterworks and the TWK. These WVE services are particularly attractive for the small surrounding towns and communities that have a strong interest in reducing their costs. One of these small towns is Hochspeyer – about 7 miles east of Kaiserslautern – with its approximately 7,000 inhabitants.
Always on the Ready
The three sewage plants of the Hochspeyer community are located in Hochspeyer, Frankenstein and Waldleiningen. Three WVE employees operate and maintain all three plants locally. Since an on-site 24/7 presence would be too costly, an electronic monitoring system reports possible malfunctions occurring after work hours to the permanently manned control center at the Kaiserslautern central sewage plant. Here, the necessary measures are taken. Because the government requires the installation be checked once a day, the WVE employees have to perform these on-site checks even during the weekends.
Weekend Problems
WVE wastewater manager Michael Theis describes the situation as follows, “these weekend shifts cause our work plans to be quite complicated and are also creating extra costs for the community, as an on-site check at all three locations amounts to around 250 EUR. Additionally, driving to the individual locations on ice and snow in the winter time can be quite dangerous – just to check the sewage plant for 15 to 30 minutes. This prompted us to look for an alternative”, Michael Theis adds.
A Network Camera Is the Key
Dieter Burkey, electrics manager with the Kaiserslautern city waterworks states, “at about the same time, we were testing a MOBOTIX network camera for monitoring the security of our central sewage plant.” Michael Theis adds, “next, we started wondering if this camera could solve our weekend problem as well.” Indeed, it could. Not only is this reliable and weatherproof camera equipped with a large number of required features, but it is also easily operated using a standard Internet browser. In close cooperation, MOBOTIX and the WVE have developed some additional features that were necessary for operating at the sewage plant. “The result is a customized solution that completely meets our requirements,” concludes Michael Theis.
24/7 Surveillance
With minimum effort, the camera has been installed at the Hochspeyer final clarifier for a pilot project. From there, it sends a tele and a wide-angle image twice a day via ISDN to a server. In the control center at the Kaiserslautern central sewage plant 7 miles away, the operator on duty compares the current live images to the stored images of the target situation. If the images show signs of abnormal operation, the operator on duty immediately informs the emergency crew.
Secure Operation
A second MOBOTIX camera installed at the main entrance reports any cases of unauthorized access. On weekends, this camera is switched to event control. Once it detects unusual movement in the image window, the camera immediately sends an alarm email to the control center. As an alternative, the control center could also be notified through an automatic, PIN-protected phone call. If desired, the live images can be viewed from the control center at any time to check the plant’s current status. Also, a process control system provides for regular measurements of the PH value. Thus, regular checks are now implemented remotely, resulting in even more secure sewage plant operation.
An Investment Worthwhile
Thanks to the introduction of camera remote monitoring at the Hochspeyer facility, the expensive weekend shifts are history and the use of on-site manpower has been optimized. Soon the two other locations will also be equipped with MOBOTIX cameras. “The MOBOTIX camera comes with all required features,” Dieter Burkey summarizes. “A very reliable, high-quality support and a reasonable price for what you get – we are very satisfied with the entire package,” he adds. Michael Theis sees another service feature in the cameras. “Other sewage plants can use this inexpensive remote control service as well,” he points out. “We can provide the entire range of services – from planning and starting the official approval process via installing and maintaining the cameras to 24/7 monitoring. And this means less problems for the communities,” Michael Theis concludes.
Hardware Used
Cameras: 2 M1D-IT (dual cameras)
Control center: PC with Windows operating system and standard web browser
Connection: Cameras directly connected to the ISDN telephone network, in the control center via ISDN network router using PPP protocol
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Timely Information To The Passengers
Attractive and Safe
Arrival and departure, welcome and farewell, staying and shopping – a train station is not just a traffic hub, a building or a site of transition. It is quite a complex operation designed to serve numerous interests, desires and functions. About 5,800 active train stations are located in Germany. Since Deutsche Bahn (DB, German Rail) was privatized in 1994, DB Station&Service AG has been in charge of operating the German train stations. In order to provide high-quality service, DB Station&Service AG has developed the SST program. This concept is based on the main aspects of Service, Safety and Tidiness and is dedicated to making the non-transportation part of your travel activities as pleasant as possible. In other words, the goal is to accompany the train travelers in an attractive and safe manner from the moment they drive up and park their cars in front of the station, during their stay in the building, up to the moment they board the train. This also includes arrival assistance in the form of city information systems and optimized links to public transportation systems.
Extraordinary Pilot Project
This customer-oriented approach is put into practice in a decentralized fashion by approximately 70 station management units throughout Germany. In the German federal state of Saarland, the Saarbrücken station management unit is responsible for 73 local train stations. Similarly, it is the prime goal for the 50 employees to make the travelers’ stay at the stations as pleasant as possible. Helpful information at the right time is one aspect of this concept. In order to improve this service to its customers, the station management unit in the Saarbrücken central station has initiated an extraordinary pilot project.
Out of Sight
"Dear ladies and gentlemen on track 12, welcome to Saarbrücken central station. After a short stop, this regional train will continue its journey to Trier. Your transfer options are as follows: regional train to Pirmasens Nord via St. Ingbert, Zweibrücken ...” Such announcements would sound strange if the train had not arrived yet or had already departed. In order to start the announcements properly, the announcers need direct visual contact with the train in the station. Until the end of March 2003, this was not a problem in Saarbrücken as the announcers’ workplace was in the switch tower from where they could view the tracks. On April 1, 2003, however, the Saarbrücken switch tower was closed. Instead, tracks are managed remotely from Karlsruhe, some 100 miles (150 km) away. Worse yet, the new announcers’ office does not allow seeing the tracks directly. As switch tower activities are centralized all over the country, more and more stations are facing a similar situation.
Precise Images
Hartmut Fries, head of the Saarbrücken station management unit explains, “we could have moved the announcement service to Karlsruhe as well. But the announcers there wouldn't know exactly when the train doors were opening. And on top of this, we would not have had any influence on the announcements any more.” Nevertheless, the station manager’s top priority is to provide customers with competent and accurate information. “As a result, we have created the position of a Regional Announcer and have installed nine cameras that provide precise images of the trains on our ten tracks,” he says. With more than 420 trains arriving and departing at Saarbrücken central station every day, such a solution was desperately needed.
Centralized Announcements
“Additionally,”Hartmut Fries continues, “this solution will soon enable us to provide on-time announcements for the stations in St. Ingbert and Homburg/Saar – from Saarbrücken.” These two towns are located about 10 and 22 miles (15 and 35 km) away from Saarbrücken. Future plans have developed even beyond that. “By the year 2010, we want all announcements for all train stations in Saarland to be made from just one announcement center so that travelers will be informed not only competently but also efficiently”, Hartmut Fries explains. For the Saarbrücken pilot project, Deutsche Bahn uses network cameras made by MOBOTIX. Using a server, these cameras provide live images of the tracks to the announcers’ office. In order to protect the travelers’ privacy, the cameras’ extended image storage features are not utilized. Instead, the system is used exclusively for detecting when the trains are stopping.
Individual IP Addresses
The nine cameras are password-protected and they are integrated into the internal network of Deutsche Bahn using individual IP addresses. Thus, only the Regional Announcer can access the camera images. Thanks to a customized menu, the Regional Announcer can switch between a tiled view of all tracks and the view of an individual track by a simple mouse click.
All Requirements Met
Uwe Lebeck of the station management unit explains why the company has decided in favor of the MOBOTIX system. “When drafting the new position, we worked out a list of requirements covering all major aspects. The MOBOTIX network camera fulfills all these requirements: it is small, it can be installed easily and it has an individual IP address. Also, the cameras’ features and the low price compared to a CCTV system has made this decision an easy one,” he adds.
Future-Oriented Concept
Since March 28, 2003, the system is operating. “So far, we have not experienced any problems,” summarizes Hartmut Fries “For our present situation, this solution is more than sufficient. And I am convinced that it will continue to be so for future installations as well,” he adds. “As compared to the switch tower situation of the past,” his colleague goes on, “our announcers now have a much improved overview and can react to a lot more details.” Chances are – bearing the train travelers in mind – that this pilot project will be transformed into a future-oriented station management concept.
Hardware Used
Cameras: 9 MOBOTIX cameras
Server: Existing server within the German Rail network
Modems: One VDSL modem per camera
Switches: 1 VDSL switch, 1 Ethernet switch
Power supply: One external MOBOTIX power unit per camera
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City of Dillingham, AK Surveillance |
City of Dillingham, Alaska
Network Cameras Save Lives
Dillingham is a busy coastal community located on Alaska‘s Bristol Bay. With a population of 2,300, the “Sockeye Salmon Capital” is best known for the abundance of salmon and its commercial fishing industry. From May to August each year, between 5,000 and 8,000 fishermen and tourists arrive in Dillingham to work the summer fishing season.
Additional Security Concerns
The large transient population in Dillingham during the summer also creates additional security concerns for the city authorities. Over the last three years, the community has experienced a growth in the crime rate with an unusually high number of deaths and frequent cases of assault posing a problem for public safety. Although Dillingham has the only police station in the region that is staffed around the clock, the seven patrol officers on duty are no longer able to cope with the onrush of tourists and fishermen in the summer. Richard Thompson, Dillingham’s Chief of Police states: “One of the problems was that people frequently fell into the cold water in the harbor and were unable to get out on their own. We had to find a solution to monitor this and other areas. And we wanted this solution to be not only viable and affordable, but also to reflect the principles we live by here in Dillingham.”
Serving The Citizens
Dillingham is a friendly, caring community that offers its inhabitants a good quality of life and an open path of communication with the authorities. City administration upholds such traditional core values as fiscal responsibility and self-sufficiency. The prudent use of resources by living within the community’s means is among the most important objectives of the city authorities. Alternatively, increasing the local police force to address the safety/security concerns would have proven too expensive, particularly because this expenditure could only be justified during the relatively short summer season.
Highly Detailed Images Even Under Extreme Weather Conditions
The city decided to install a video surveillance system to enhance public safety in specific public locations and in areas where the risk of accidents is high. City officials determined that this was the best solution for the city because it balanced the need for increased security while utilizing minimal resources. A number of different factors were considered in the selection and implementation of the surveillance system. On the one hand, the customer wanted a digital system, which significantly simplifies the installation and the temporary storage of the images. On the other hand, the cameras would have to be capable of withstanding the extreme weather conditions that prevail in this region – average temperatures from November to March often lie far below the zero degree Celsius mark. The system also had to be easy to operate, eliminating the need for special training courses for the system operators.
“We knew that MOBOTIX cameras were already being used here in the area and that they had proven to be very robust, even under our difficult climatic conditions here,” explained Thompson. The MOBOTIX systems proved to be superior to those of other suppliers in many respects. In addition to easy installation, these systems place a very low load on the network because the data is already compressed in the cameras. TecPro Ltd, a MOBOTIX system partner in Anchorage, was commissioned to deliver and install the cameras and the corresponding network infrastructure in September 2005.
Customized Solutions For An Individual Project
To connect the cameras positioned at different outdoor locations around the city and in a number of public buildings, TecPro Ltd installed a secure network with sufficient bandwidth for the solution. The company utilized an encrypted wireless Ethernet solution to transmit and feed the data to the network at police headquarters. This effectively eliminated the need to install expensive data cables over long distances, thereby simplifying the installation and the subsequent system operation.
The security system is now in operation and consists of total eighty MOBOTIX M10 and D10 network cameras. The system monitors activities at specific public locations in the city of Dillingham such as the port facilities and its container dock, the small boat harbor and public buildings like the Public Safety Building and both the community fire halls and other areas.
Security Even During Power Outages
Two to six cameras each were combined in clusters for the outdoor locations to provide different viewing angles of the areas being monitored from the same vantage point. Although these “clusters” require several cameras each, they have an advantage over rotating or swiveling cameras with moving parts because they maintain functionality reliably even under extreme weather conditions.
One of the most significant challenges faced during this project was the necessity to design a mounting system enabling the cameras to be installed on 150’ light poles. At other outdoor locations, the cameras are installed on wooden power and telephone poles or attached directly to existing structures. The mounting system was designed to incorporate the battery backup system and camera power supplies. The battery system keeps a cluster of cameras (ranging from two to six) operational for several hours on battery power. This mounting system was also designed to incorporate attachment of the wireless modems and antennas.
TecPro Ltd installed Esteem Ethernet wireless modems for the wireless connection within the system. Software for image retrieval, viewing and management from IPVision Software completes the solution.
Cameras With An IQ
The most important functions of the MOBOTIX network cameras include their ability to detect motion in user-defined image windows, thus automatically triggering the recording function to record safety-related events as well as their ability to send messages or alarms. As Richard Thompson explained: “This makes it easy for our staff to focus on tasks other than monitoring the security system. We are automatically notified only when necessary, allowing officials to multi-task and fill a number of roles and functions for the city. In addition to the ease of operation, the system guarantees that critical points around the city are monitored consistently, allowing officers to intervene quickly in any situation to specifically handle any problems that arise.” Selective recording, which is controlled by the cameras with integrated intelligent software, also saves storage space, reduces network load and functions without requiring constant monitoring by the staff in the control center.
No, Big Brother Is Not Watching You
The city openly addresses the possible conflict of interests with regard to citizens‘ right to privacy that using cameras for public safety have the potential to create: “It was never our intention to set up a system for comprehensive surveillance anywhere, and that is certainly not what the citizens want,” said Thompson. This was another reason for choosing these cameras: MOBOTIX technology is able to use a very low image resolution to produce fogged out or “pixilated” portions of an image that are irrelevant to security surveillance, including distorting images of people recorded unintentionally by the cameras to protect their privacy. This function proved to be an important point for city administration to allay any fears the citizens had for their privacy. “The MOBOTIX cameras really fit the bill: they not only make security surveillance easier, they also protect the privacy of persons who are not associated, but adjacent to, areas under security observation,” Thompson continued.
A section on the Dillingham website (www.ci.dillingham.ak.us) is specifically devoted to providing the citizens with comprehensive information on the purpose and location of the cameras as well as on the project‘s financing. Users can also take advantage of a function to retrieve current images of the harbor and the docks at any time.
Brought In By Bush Plane
Another issue that the project leaders had to address before the final installation of the system was ensuring the safe transport of the camera assemblies and tested component groups, including the wireless modems and power supplies. But here too, they came up with a very unique solution. To leave nothing up to chance at this stage of the game, the technicians packed the camera assemblies in lightweight crates and chartered a bush plane from Paul Claus of Ultima Thule Outfitters, the best bush pilot and outfitter in Alaska. They hand-loaded all the gear into the DeHavilland “Turbine Otter”, Paul’s plane, and then met the plane in Dillingham to off-load all the gear themselves as well.
Richard Thompson is happy with the results: “We are delighted at how high the quality and the detail of the images are. Now, we have a much higher likelihood of successful investigation, which saves us a lot of costs. Thanks to the reliable cameras from MOBOTIX, we can now guarantee the security and safety of our city, even during the peak season, without having to hire additional police officers, which would certainly increase our costs in the long term.”
Hardware Used
Cameras: 73 MOBOTIX M10, 10 MOBOTIX D10, 2 MOBOTIX V10
File Server: Nixsys 20 TB Storage Server
Server operating System: Web Server: 2003 Windows Server; Storage Server: SUSE Linux
Software: IP Vision Systems
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Production Management and Security |
Automation and Remote Maintenance
Extensive Products And Services
Solid structural timber, boards, planks, wedge boards, floorboards, plywood, dimensional lumber, rough boards … – each day, approximately 300 cubic meters of cut lumber leave the some 45,000 m2 factory premises of Dickel-Holz in Schmalenberg-Bad Fredeburg in eastern North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The sawmill is able to respond quickly to even the smallest orders and special customer requests. Finishing processes like heat treatment, drying, impregnation and planing as well as cutting entire construction lumber lists are just some of the services the company also offers.
Modern And Fully Automatic
Dickel-Holz is one of the most modern sawmills in Europe. All the production processes are fully automated and computer controlled. The control software is able, for example, to convert customer orders into production instructions for the log storage site. Based on the construction lumber lists stored there, the wood is cut to order completely automatically in the saw line according to the delivery deadlines and order volume or even according to individual customer specifications.
After the wood has been cut to size, the computer identifies the wood and assigns it to the correct customer orders. Sorting, packaging and labeling the cut lumber are also computer assisted, up to the order filling in the lumberyard. No wonder that the sawmill is well-known for its reliability, precise delivery times, strict observance of delivery dates and high quality.
Production Control In Real Time
In a sawmill, you really have to keep a close eye on everything or install a camera monitoring system that does the job for you. At Dickel-Holz, eight MOBOTIX cameras have been installed to monitor the production process in real time.
State-Of-The-Art Equipment
Dickel-Holz was first formed as a carpentry company in 1948. The sawmill was built eleven years later and was expanded again and again over the years. But even buying more property and building new halls in 1987 was not enough to cope with the rapid expansion in the long term. Consequently, a completely redesigned sawmill
was built on the outskirts of town with state-of-the-art equipment and started operating in 1996.
From Analog …
State-of-the-art technical equipment: For many years, this term was also used to describe an analog camera monitoring system that delivered images in real time. “Only three employees work in the large production plant. And there are areas that they are not able to look directly into. That’s why we needed a system that keeps a close eye on what is happening at any given time,” commented Christian Dickel, Managing Director at Dickel-Holz GmbH & Co KG. For many years, there was no alternative to analog video technology, so it was necessary to put up with the disadvantages involved. For example, the camera images are not available everywhere, they can only be viewed on special monitors in the control centers. By today’s standards, the image quality is not acceptable, the viewing angle is limited and the entire system is rigid and inflexible. “We shopped around for alternatives on the market, but were unable to find a solution to satisfy our requirements,” said Christian Dickel. “Most of the time, we found cameras that offered only a few features for a lot of money, so we didn’t think we were getting our money’s worth.” The Managing Director talked about his problem to Theodor Schmidt, the owner of Elektro Schmidt OHG in Schmallenberg. His business had taken care of all the electrical installations when the sawmill was built. Theodor Schmidt then consulted one of his former employees, Stefan Junker, about the problem, and he had the answer. The master electrician now works for ADS Networks GmbH, a MOBOTIX partner company (www.ads.de) specializing in data networks, telecommunications and security with head offices in Bad Homburg.
… To Digital
Stefan Junker knew that MOBOTIX was planning to launch the M22M, a new network camera model at CeBIT 2006. This camera is able to transmit up to 30 live images per second, with a resolution of up to 640 x 480 pixels. In comparison, a movie at the cinema shows just 24 images per second.
Thus, the M22M combines the advantage of a higher frame rate, which only analog systems were able to achieve so far, with the wide range of features of a digital network camera, and provides real-time images in high resolution for reliable production monitoring.
Everything Important At A Glance
“The concept had me convinced,” said Christian Dickel, summing up the situation. “Now we can access the cameras almost anywhere. To be more concrete, this means that I don’t have to be in the control center in the production plant. I can keep an eye on production from my workplace in the office, via a VPN connection on my laptop at home or using an MDA when I’m on the road, in real time of course. Because several cameras can be switched on screen at the same time, the employees can see everything that’s important at a glance and do not have to constantly monitor five or six screens simultaneously.”
Remote Maintenance Included
Christian Dickel sees another significant advantage in the new system: the Austrian manufacturer of the saw line is allowed access to the network for maintenance work. “While the manufacturer was able to track the program flow of his machine from Austria via the Internet, he was unable to get a really concrete impression of the situation directly on location. We always had to explain what was actually happening at any given time over the phone. Now he can see for himself exactly what is going on.” This was important because the processes in the sawmill are optimized and the machines reprogrammed approximately once or twice a year. “A couple of days later, the system often needs some fine-tuning and then the technician is already back in Austria. The new camera system simplifies that fine-tuning process significantly.” Eight Mobotix cameras are currently in operation to monitor the entire plant. They include two dome cameras with day/night function and the super wide angle lens to monitor the outside area. Six M22Ms cameras keep a close eye on all the production stages, from debarking the logs, over the conveyor, the circular head saw, the edger and the out-feed belts. All the cameras are connected with one another on their own network via Fast Ethernet. Because it is necessary to cover large distances on the spacious factory premises, the network includes fiber optics in the backbone.
Great Benefits
“I think that using this new camera system is of great benefit to our company,” continued Christian Dickel emphatically. “It not only significantly improves working conditions for the employees, but it is also extremely important for us to be able to access the images from outside the control center and to look at them in real time.”
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