Airports choose non-conforming security system


Port Macqaurie Airport goes against tradition, in favour of 'future proof' technology

In search of a new video surveillance system, Port Macquarie Airport first downloaded a tender schedule from the Department of Transport and Regional Services' (DOTARS) website. However, they found that the tender schedule only specified an analogue based close-circuit television (CCTV) security system – an outdated technology, comprised of analogue cameras, coaxial cabling with a digital conversion server. The airport understood that an analogue to digital DVR system was dated technology, they wanted something completely digital.

During the tender process, the airport allowed vendors to submit non-conforming tenders, as long as they gave full details of their non-conformance as well as a clear explanation of why this would better suit their needs.

QOLiT submitted a non-conforming tender, and recommended an IP Surveillance system made up of TCP/IP digital security cameras and IP-based video management software. This was the winning tender response.

There are many reasons the airport selected QOLiT’s tender, Simon Hall Area Manger of QOLiT explains, "We were the only security company in the tender process who specialised in IP Surveillance Systems, everyone else specified analogue to digital DVR digital system."

Seamless integration with existing infrastructure and a ‘future proof’ platform were high on the list of priorities for Airport Manager Lane Dechaineux, “From the outset I had decided we would not deploy a system that was analogue based, such as a DVR system. I wanted the latest technology.”

Mr Dechaineux said it was clear to him that IP-based digital security camera technologies were the future of CCTV. He didn’t want coaxial cables and other analogue components; he wanted a pure TCP/IP based system.

Another important factor for Port Macquarie Airport was that large Australian companies, including one of Australia’s largest energy supply companies, were already using this technology for the protection of their critical sites. “It gave us considerable confidence that not only was it cutting-edge technology but, it was recognised by the big end of town as being a state-of-the-art system,” he said.

In conjunction with the IP Surveillance camera system installed at Port Macquarie Airport, QOLiT have also installed another layer of security - QOLiT Infinity – which is a video analysis solution. Instead of just recording an event as the with standard CCTV systems, the QOLiT Infinity provides instant security alerting and recording of specific events such as - Intruder Detection, Slip and Fall Detection, Illegal Parking, Accurate People and Vehicle Counting, Suspicious Behaviour Analysis and Tracking, Graffiti Detection, Theft Detection and Abandoned Object Detection in a Crowd.

Simon Hall of QOLiT believes the addition of Video Analysis intelligence means critical events won't be missed due to human shortcomings and constraints, he said, “A typical surveillance system gives a user the ability to review footage that has been recorded, by adding the video analysis technology to Port Macquarie’s security system, they get immediate forewarning to prevent potential disaster! The system will only raise an alarm only if a specific event should occur and will, ignoring any background movement.”

The Video Analysis system at Port Macquarie Airport also includes Slip & Fall detection and People Counting.

For more information about this installation please contact Simon Hall simon@qolit.com.au or 0411 804 954

Author Credits ::

Simon Hall QOLiT simon@qolit.com.au
Lane Dechaineuz Port Macqaurie Airport laned@pmhc.nsw.gov.au