26
THECOMMSISSUE
THE DORCHESTER DELIVERS DISCRETE IP SECURITY
T
he Dorchester near Hyde Park in Andy Sloan, security and risk manager at
London has completed the ½ rst The Dorchester said: “We’ve kept most of
phase of an internet protocol (IP) the analogue cameras but we’ll replace those
video management project, which will scale as they reach end-of-life, installing more of
to include two more new hotels next year. the Axis IP megapixel and dome models,
TM Security, a certi½ ed partner of open putting the superior network cameras in
systems IP video software vendor Milestone the more highly sensitive areas. In this way,
Systems, designed and installed a new we continually build up the system over the
system at The Dorchester using Milestone years. The new system was also strategised
XProtect Enterprise IP video management to take into account the extra phases of the
software with ACTi video encoders, to project: the 45 Park Lane and Coworth Park
digitise data from a mix of analogue camera hotels in construction, due for operation in
brands throughout the hotel, and new Axis 2010 – just in time for the Olympics here in
network cameras in the spa, which runs London.
solely on IP network technology. “Internally the new system helps us
The ACTi encoders are fed through comply with the hotel’s policies and
Cisco network switches into ½ ve servers procedures. It’s handy in resolving issues
running the Milestone software. Previous [and] there’s no dispute when it’s all
investments in analogue cameras are recorded and it helps us keep things
leveraged by the ACTi encoders, while running ef½ ciently and smoothly, ensuring
newer technologies can be easily added, optimal operations,” concluded Sloan.
like the Axis H.264 compression-standard “With the technology we have now, we
network cameras that give better system are both more discreet and more
utilisation. secure.”
POUNDSTRETCHER INVESTS
SPAR HOLDING
IN WAREHOUSE COMMS
INTRANET
Instore Plc, trading through 326 stores under
COMMS GO
the Poundstretcher brand has chosen a
LIVE
personal digital assistant (PDA) based, voice-
directed warehousing system to help reduce Centric’s StoreWorld IntraStore has
costs and increase ef½ ciency in its 350,000- been up and running at Spar since 1 July
square-foot warehouse. 2009. The IntraStore solution is part of
The new system, which will include 60 Sparnet, the intranet for Spar franchise
MC3090 PDAs from Motorola, to be used holders and the supermarket chain’s
by 60 Poundstretcher operatives across holding company.
three shifts, will integrate in real-time with the company’s existing Warehouse Management Spar uses StoreWorld IntraStore to
System, Aldata G.O.L.D Stock, which went live in May 2008. This will give Poundstretcher ensure ef½ cient communication between
complete visibility of stock levels across the warehouse and the status of any pick process. the head of½ ce and the different stores.
It will also enable Poundstretcher to run an automatic replenishment process, resulting in a Spar proprietors can, for example,
faster turnaround in getting the right product out to its stores and on to its customers. consult goods ¾ ow information online.
“When we trialled Aldata’s G.O.L.D Vocal PDA solution, we saw that it delivered They can also consult electronic packing
improved pick accuracy, to the extent that we fully expect the new system to reduce lists to ½ nd out what exactly a certain
the number of pick gaps to less than 1%,” said Fran Gledhill, IT change manager at shipment contains.
Poundstretcher. “The Aldata solution will also deliver real-time updates and automatic Currently, around 350 Spar
allocations for picking lists, which will signi½ cantly reduce manual administration time. proprietors are using the retail solution.
“With our current paper-based system, it can take around 40 minutes for a picker to Both Spar proprietors and the head
pick an order, which means that problems aren’t ¾ agged with a supervisor until the pick is of½ ce are highly enthusiastic about the
complete,” Gledhill continued. “With the new system, replenishment can take place as soon ease of use the solution offers, as well
as an out of stock is ¾ agged up on the PDA. Ultimately, we know from the trial that this as about the clear user interface and
technology will enable us to cut costs, and that directly supports us in our efforts to run a reduction of paper ¾ ow, thanks to the
tight, low-cost operation so we can pass the best prices on to our customers.” use of StoreWorld IntraStore.
RETAIL TECHNOLOGY AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2009
23-32 The Comms Issue.indd 26 18/9/09 9:06:37 am
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