Computerised Security Guard for Gwynedd Shipping
Shipping Company deploys satellite security system from Netwatch
 

Gwynedd Shipping, the Welsh freight logistics company, based at Dublin Port, has deployed an advanced new security system, developed by Netwatch, which provides 24-hour security and remotely opens the premise’s electric gate throughout the night, negating the need for a security guard. With a fleet of over 700 trailers, Gwynedd Shipping ship consignments for Irish and multinational companies between Ireland and the UK.

Gwynedd Shipping has been in operation since 1984 and employs 10 people at the depot at Dublin Port who serve a team of over 30 drivers. The site incorporates offices, a maintenance garage, a fuelling facility and parking areas which are in constant use, 24 hours a day.

Austin Gilligan, Director of Gwynedd Shipping, took the decision to install the Netwatch System as part of his company’s overall review of security practise at the depot. The company had employed traditional methods of security in the past but felt that these methods were becoming both expensive and inefficient and no longer suited the requirements of the operation at the depot.

“We needed a system that would match two specific needs at our depot. The first was overall security. Traditional security measures act as a deterrent but because intruders can analyse the patterns of the security operation, it would have been all too easy for someone determined to gain access to the depot to do so,” says Austin Gilligan. “Our second requirement was for a secure system of access for lorries to the depot outside office hours. Up to this point a security guard had been employed to open the gates to let lorries into the depot and lock them after. This was proving to be very costly and was not efficient. The new system installed, Netwatch, is an interactive system employing technologies which allow our premises to be watched 24 hours a day with the added benefit of recording everything that takes place. Lorries wishing to enter or leave the depot now call Netwatch and the security gates are opened and closed from their remote command centre.”

 Netwatch is the first company in Ireland to use modern satellite and internet- based technologies to provide remote visual monitoring security systems to businesses throughout the country. The system incorporates advanced alarm technology with the most modern CCTV techniques to create an intelligent security system, which allows the command centre to watch in ‘real time’ any intrusion taking place at a premises, and, more importantly, to speak directly to the criminals before they commit a crime. Knowing that they are being watched and that the Gardaí have been notified is a huge deterrent – in 95% of cases recorded - the intruder leaves the premises without committing a crime. This technology can be adapted to provide the remotely controlled gate facility as is operating at Gwynedd Shipping.

Colin Hayes, Area Manager, Netwatch points out that the company’s security technology differs from standard CCTV systems in that it is event based. “When an alarm is triggered on a site, live pictures of the area where the security breach has occurred are sent to the command system. As a result, the control centre can check the premises first so false alarm calls are virtually eliminated and Garda time isn’t wasted”.

“Because Netwatch is a fully interactive system the cameras can be controlled remotely to focus on different areas of the site and so other functions can be provided, such as the remote access system. Once the driver requiring access to the depot makes contact with the command centre and credentials are confirmed, the security gates are opened remotely from the command centre in Carlow. This is both cost effective and efficient as the premises is still under total surveillance and the gates are secure, something one security guard is unable to provide”.

“All businesses are faced with stark choices when it comes to protecting their premises. Netwatch is truly cost-effective with a basic monitoring service costing as little as €15 a day – not much more than what you would pay for one hour of a security guard’s time”, he said.

“The Netwatch system offers Gwynedd Shipping a completely flexible security product totally suited to our needs. We have the peace of mind of knowing that our premises is secure 24 hours a day, being monitored by the Netwatch command centre but we are also able to monitor screens ourselves from our office during the day. If I want to review any of the night’s activities, I can quickly check the CD Rom for the events without having to watch a video of the whole night. The security system installed was specific to our needs and has been money well spent. I would recommend the installation of this system to any business with a need for 24-hour security”, says Austin Gilligan.