Panama Ports Company: MOBOTIX Upgrades Video Surveillance With 54 Cams

Another 400 Cameras Intended To Install Over The Next Months
Panama Ports Company (PPC) operates two ports in Panama 24 hours a day, all year round.

Port of Balboa Container is located at the end of the Panama Canal over the Pacific Ocean. Port of Cristobal Container is located at the other end of the Panama Canal over the Atlantic Ocean. Working together with local integrator Multitek, specialized in system level-integration, PPC was able to find the right system to upgrade its video
surveillance cameras.

The new system would have to be virtually maintenance free, provide high-resolution image quality, and be able to withstand the weather conditions of an ocean environment. Moreover, each individualcamera should be capable of monitoring larger areas with greater detail.

Multitek and PPC became convinced that MOBOTIX could provide the system to meet their high-performance requirements:high resolution, integrated intelligence, cost-efficient recording, analytical software and extremely robust design - to better protect their ports, employees, and cargo.

There were three main areas of concern: theft and injury
prevention as well as protection from acts of terrorism.

Installation
During the initial phase, 54 MOBOTIX M12 IP video cameras were installed at PPC, typically at 300 feet (90 m), with 2 cameras on each crane. The multiple configuration possibilities with the MOBOTIX network cameras, including single or dual lens, wide-angle or telephoto, day or low-light, provide the flexibility to deploy the same basic camera type into a wide range of specific viewing requirements with varying lighting conditions.

Image Quality
One of the things that impressed PPC most about MOBOTIX was the exceptional image quality of the video surveillance cameras. “We were used to the grainy, blurry images of the original surveillance system,” said Michael Hernandez, CIO of PPC. “When we first saw MOBOTIX camera images, they were so clear it was like watching a DVD. That sort of quality has become an absolute necessity in our industry.”

Weather Conditions
PPC had particular concerns related to the weather conditions of a tropical coastal environment: salty air, frequent winddriven rain, intense heat and humidity. MOBOTIX cameras are built to withstand extreme environmental conditions: from -30° to +60°C (-22° to +140°F). There is no worry about deterioration due to salt air, camera lenses fogging up or the system getting rain or heat damage.

Audio Features
The fact that MOBOTIX cameras have both audio and video features is a big advantage for PPC. “We don’t just need to see what’s going on, we need to hear it as well,” said Michael Hernandez. “Our overall security and safety is dependent on having both these features.” MOBOTIX cameras can also trigger audio alarms that warn individuals to
stay away from dangerous areas.

The audio feature also allows PPC to communicate directly with an employee, if they are spotted in danger. The dual lens feature of MOBOTIX cameras serves PPC’s need to cover very large areas.

It is essentially like having two HiRes mega pixel cameras for the price of one with the added advantage of being able to see a much wider area.

Saving Costs
For PPC, using MOBOTIX technology means not only a much higher level of safety and security, but the reduction in the number of cameras required combined with reduced storage requirements and the fact that MOBOTIX systems need no additional software and are license free also add up to a substantial overall cost savings to PPC.

Thanks to the high level of satisfaction with the MOBOTIX cameras, Hutchison Port Holdings intend to install an additional 400 over the next few months.

Mobotix AG
Security Vision Systems
www.mobotix.com

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