Video systems as process enhancement | redcoon

Video systems as process enhancement | redcoon
The rapidly expanding internet retailer redcoon has been using a Nihat Ademoglu, redcoon’s project manager for the Erfurt centre recalls
GEUTEBRUCK integrated video solution since early 2013 when its distri- that the company initially saw video only as a security measure, in partibution operation moved to its new purpose-built logistics centre in Erfurt. cular for monitoring of the loading and unloading processes. “However,”
he admits, “as the project developed it became apparent that the chief
This 53,000 square metre facility holds over
benefit of the video system was in controlling the
400,000 items at peak periods and is equipped
materials handling systems and the processes.”
with all sorts of technology. For data processing
The link between process data and video system
alone12 kilometres of glass fibre cable and 55
data makes the documentation of liability transkilometres of data cable had to be installed, as
fer much simpler and provides protection against
well as 1000 data connection sockets to serve
legal claims by third parties. It ensures that each
PCs, printers, WLAN access points, scanners
shipment is accurately documented. “It means we
and cameras. The fully automated small item
can ship up to 30,000 packages per day and the vistore, the automatic control of the conveyor
sualisation system helps us to keep track of it all.”
system and a pick-by-light system using towers all provide for maximum efficiency in
Given that the Erfurt centre serves seven other
the dispatch process. More than two million
European countries as well as the Germany,
euros were invested in IT infrastructure, serthe systems were designed to comply with the
vers and productivity monitoring – all with
German BV (Bekannter Versender) and AEO
the aim of same day shipping 99% of stock.
(Authorised Economic Operator) regulations.
With entertainment electronics, computers, household gadgets and
other compact, high value items featuring strongly in the company’s
offering, the requirements for the centre’s security system were very
high. Protecting against intruders and theft was a priority from the
start. Hence the company chose a VdS class C intruder alarm system
with access control functionality, a comprehensive IP video solution and a top level management system to visualize all the functions.
“From our experience of the technology,” recommends Ademoglu,
“I can only advise other companies to exploit every possible advantage from visualisation technology. A modern video system
doesn’t just record pictures, it offers many other benefits:- it supports searches and preserves evidence; lets you manage events,
flexibly and cost efficiently. And this transforms video surveillance
from being just a security system into an important tool for logistics.
– At one time camera pictures were only of interest to security guA key aspect of GEUTEBRUCK logistics solutions is that they ards but now they are important for supply chain professionals too.”
have the ability to pair up video data with warehouse processing data when goods are handled and scanned. This integration converts them into powerful management tools.