Case Studies

Physical Security

23.6.2009 - Hemel Snow Centre Ltd - Mobotix & Excel

Customer - The Snow Centre Hemel Hempstead
Location - St Albans Hill, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP3 9NH
Requirement - A completely new building which required a capable network along with providing maximum security both internally and externally.
Equipment - Mobotix Cameras, 211 Excel Category 6 points, 16 fibre cores, 28 voice pairs and Overland storage products.
Customer's View - "The centre is a state of the art leisure facility which demanded the highest quality network and security system to be installed. This is exactly what we got. I am delighted with the results." David Surrey, Commercial Director, Hemel Snow Centre.

The Snow Centre is Britain's premier indoor snow sports destination. Visitors to the centre not only find ideal snow condition's day in and day out but are also able to experience the best après snow and adventure retail experience all under one roof.

Designed to deliver the alpine conditions every skier and snowboarder dreams of, the main slope is joined by the largest indoor lesson slope in the UK. Both slopes are over 30m wide and maintained with the perfect snow surface. The 160m, main slope is kept covered in fresh snow generated by the latest snow canons, whilst four lift systems allow visitors to maximize their time on the slopes.

As the centre was an entirely new development a complete networking infrastructure system needed to be installed along with a large number of high end security surveillance cameras. The network needed to run the entire centre which incorporated the slopes, retail facilities including shops and cafés, a high end phone system and secure monitoring. These demands required a network which was flexible but it also required a high bandwidth connection to connect all media.

Hemel Snow Centre The venue needed an experienced installer to manage all of the different aspects of the centre's requirements.

Switchnet Systems, a leading networking service integration company was chosen for the job of providing the centre with a comprehensive network and security system. The company was established in 1996 and has built up an enviable reputation for providing innovative, cost effective networking solutions and support services.

Gregg Pike, Operations Director of Switchnet Systems explained, "This was a great project for Switchnet to win, but was also a highly complex one to work on. We initially had to plan our camera locations from architect's drawings alone, being involved from such an early stage meant that the building didn't even exist."

After the centre had been built Switchnet Systems had to review the camera locations once all of the walls, lighting and internal fittings were in place. The products used in the installation were Mobotix cameras, Excel cabling infrastructure and Overland storage solutions.

The MOBOTIX digital surveillance camera is world renowned for its image quality, technical specification and cost effectiveness when compared with traditional CCTV products. The cameras come without any moving parts, which makes them extremely robust and keeps maintenance to a minimum. The cameras operate using 3.1 megapixels which provides exceptional image quality.

The unique temperature range from -30° to +60°C (-22° to +140°F) made the Mobotix product range an ideal candidate for the locations required within the slope area's, as temperatures range from -2C to -6C. The Mobotix camera's are positioned to actually provide live coverage of the slopes in the bar area via 40" Samsung LCD screens for spectators to observe their friends and family participating in a lesson or general skiing experience.

The Mobotix cameras record onto an Overland Storage Snap Server, which was chosen because of its legendary ease of use and "set it and forget it" reliability. The Overland product minimizes the demand for IT resources and therefore lowers the total cost of ownership (TCO) for the snow centre. The data stored is readily available and easy to retrieve as and when required.

Hemel Snow Centre Switchnet Systems chose the Excel structured cabling system to run the underlining infrastructure within the snow centre. The Excel Category 6 and Excel fibre installation has provided a reliable and quality solution from which all of the networking, security products and phone system now run across. Further more the Excel solution provides a future proof platform to meet the ongoing requirements of the Snow Centre.

All products for the installation were sourced from Mayflex. Mayflex is a successful distributor with a respected name and a proven track record in partnering installers and integrators. Switchnet Systems had an established relationship with Mayflex and working alongside their dedicated account manager, Switchnet were able to get the products they needed in the timeframes required.

The install has been a huge success with the centre opening on time on 6th May 2009. Over 10,000 visitors have already visited the centre and experienced the slopes for themselves. Centre managers have the peace of mind that their premises are monitored to maximum effect both internally and externally including visitor car parking area's and staff and delivery entrances.

Result - The Snow Centre has a state of the art monitoring system which operates via a comprehensive network.
Benefits - The premises are monitored internally and externally providing peace of mind.

Why Mayflex?

"Mayflex were able to supply the products we needed in the timescales provided. Both the internal and external sales teams kept us fully informed throughout the entire project".
Gregg Pike, Operations Director, Switchnet Systems

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