October 2005

IHBMA and Netwatch launch new security initiative for Irelands hardware industry. [IHMBA, Trade Journal]

 

Ireland's hardware industry has taken a major step in the fight against crime with the announcement of the new partnership agreement between the Irish Hadware and Building Materials Association (IHBMA) and Netwatch, the first security company in Ireland to provide an intergrated "voice and sight" satellite-based security system. The partnership will benefit all members of the IHMBA throughout Ireland.

REVOLUTIONARY

The revolutionary next generation security system provides 24 hour - remote security monitoring of premises. It is unique in Ireland in that the remote command centre can verbally warn-off intruders trying to gain access to a site.

In virtually every case, intruders leave without committing a crime once they are aware that they are being watched and recorded "live" on camera.Current static CCTV-based systems only record the event, they do not allow for intervention as the crime is happening.

Since its inception in 2003, Netwatch has prevented nearly 850 crimes against 300 businesses which have installed the system. The state of the art technology has already been installed in the headquarters of three hardware groups.

"Traditional security methods act as a deterrent but they do not stop intrusions from taking place. A 24-hour security presence on our 10,000 sq. ft premises in Ennis was too expensive but we needed a system that would give us the benefit of 24-hour protection. Since intstalling the Netwatch System almost two years ago, we have suffered no loss or damage at this site," says John O'Dwyer director of John O' Dwyer Hardware.

Watched

"This interactive system employing satellite technologies allows the five warehouses at our site in Naas to be watched 24 hours a day for a fraction of the cost of employing full time security men and allows us to be aware of any attempted intrusions immediately. Intervention from the Command Centre as an event is happening means that we are successful in preventing acts of vandalism or theft occuring," says Pat Byrne, managing director of Amalgamated Hardware, Naas.

"An added benefit of this system is the fact we can log onto the Netwatch intranet and immediately get details of any incidents. This information includes actual footage of any incidents and records are instantly available for weekly or monthly reports", added Pat.

"It is remarkable that a seven acre site such as ours with warehousing and offices can be protected so efficiently and cost effectively through the use of IT," adds Catherine Shiels, chief excetive of Associated Hardware Plc.

"Despite the use of traditional security measures, crime against the hardware industry costs our members thousands of euros every year in lost or damaged stock, not counting the increase in insurance premiumns due to claims. The Netwatch System is already proving its worth in premises throughout Ireland.

"A hugh benefit of this system is the fact that the System is always live, but there is no invasion of privacy, as the screens at Netwatch only become active when an alarm is triggered. By securing the Netwatch Partnership, IHBMA is delivering a proven solution against crime for our members in an extremely cost effective way." said Jim Copeland, Assistant Secretary General IHBMA.

"The experiences of IHBMA members are typical of businesses throughout the country who are faced with monetary looses through theft, vandalism and so on," said David Walsh managing director Netwatch.

"A recent report highlighed that almost one in two businesses (46%) has experienced crime in the past 12 months. Interestingly, only 16% of businesses said they had incurred no direct expenses as a result of crime while the remaining 84% still had direct costs to pay despite higher insurance premiums." 

"All businesses are faced with stark choices when it comes to protecting their premises. The Netwatch System is trully cost effective with a basic monitoring fee costing as little as €15 a day - not much more than you would pay for one hour of a security guard's time and in some cases saving customers in the region of €80,000," he said.

"Prevention is the name of the game as it is far cheaper financially and emotionally to prevent a crime than to solve one. With 9 out of 10 criminals leaving the premises before they commit the crime, Netwatch is unrivalled in this regard," he added.

Members wishing to avail of this new agreement can contact Jim Copeland at IHBMA office - 01 2980969.