Client
Ballito Junction Regional Mall is the home of fabulous shopping in the vibrant heart of Kwa-Zulu Natal’s Dolphin Coast.

Featuring 200 carefully sel ected stores and six anchor tenants including Pick n Pay, Woolworths, Checkers, Edgars, Game and Dis-Chem, Ballito Junction Regional Mall combines convenience with a world-class shopping experience.

The new Ballito Junction Regional Mall opened on 23 March 2017. It offers three magnificent shopping levels with a full range of retailers including fashion, footwear, wellness, health and beauty, home décor, cellular services, banking and more.

Challenge
The purpose of CCTV products in the retail sector such as shopping malls is primarily to keep the public and their belongings safe. Petty crimes and organised violent crimes such as armed robberies are all a reality at malls. Parking areas have a reputation for drug deals and illegal trade.
It is vital to use only equipment that meets a high standard and to provide comprehensive training for operators regarding both the product and procedures.

Cameras should be of high quality to ensure that facial detection can be used to at least perform a valid identification of suspects. Static and PTZ cameras need to be used in surrounding areas such as open parking areas, where most criminal activities take place. In addition, the VMS must be user-friendly in order for the operators to use the PTZ functions and switch between views quickly and easily.

Immediate access to footage must be available in the event of situations unfolding and if there are any queries from patrons.

Solution
Ballito-JunctionOne benefit of using the Axxon Next platform is the ability to use a large variety of Onvif cameras as well as integrated cameras. This solution uses a variety of camera brands, including panoramic cameras in certain areas with multiple entrances and exits. Axxon Next allows the full functionality of the Panomorph lens as a digital PTZ, access to cre ate views with multiple areas selected, and perimeter views (a full 360˚ view).

The mall is well-covered with megapixel cameras for different applications, such as watching fire escapes. Using Axxon Next Analytics to monitor fire escapes allows the mall management to set a line-crossing alarm on doorways that primarily function as fire escapes. When the alarm is triggered, it shows the operator a popup view with alerts and sends notifications via email.

The easy–to-use PTZ functions play a major role in this solution, since parking areas are generally a place of concern, and Axxon Next allows for a wide variety of functionality on the PTZ cameras.

176 channels are active on site with 1 server. The operators each have a station running Axxon Next 4.0 Professional with 16 monitors allowing for multiple views at any time.

Results
Axxon Next provides easy, no-fuss access to various functions, which is a great help for operators new to the system. The overall VMS can watch all areas and provide assistance to ground personnel fr om operators who are monitoring the system at all times.

The opening day of the mall was marred by threats of protest action, which resulted in putting both the mall security forces and the local police service on high alert. With the Axxon Next system in place, security personnel were able to allow Security Services, with SAPS in attendance, to use the video management system with ease, capturing each moment as it unfolded. No injuries or violent activities were reported, and all damages to the property were captured and noted on the system.

Software
Axxon Next 4.0 Professional

Hardware
Servers: CAPSULE DR2460

Cameras: Sunell static domes, bullets and PTZ’s

Network: Dell and IFS Networking