ID Technlogy Group Helps Rank Gear up for Smoking Ban

June 2007

In preparation for the introduction of the smoking ban in England, Rank is putting measures in place to minimise the impact on its business.

As one of the UK’s leading leisure and entertainment companies, Rank is providing, wherever possible, smoking shelters at its 33 Grosvenor and G Casinos, and 103 Mecca bingo clubs in time for the July 1 ban.

The smoking shelters, which have been fitted with CCTV security systems, ensure that smokers affected by the ban can continue to visit the company’s many bingo halls and casinos while still being able to enjoy the freedom to smoke as and when they wish.

John Butler, director of security for Rank Group Plc, said: “We want to ensure that those of our customers who choose to smoke will still be able to do so in a sheltered and secure environment.”

The installation of the security cameras has been completed by ID Technology Group, a national security solutions provider who is responsible for the installation and maintenance of all Rank Group Plc’s casinos and bingo hall CCTV and security systems.

A selected number of cameras have been installed in each shelter, which are linked to the main system and monitored at one central location

Matt Allen, sales director at ID Technology Group, added: “The main benefit of having a CCTV system such as those we have installed for Rank is that the system can be adapted and extended in line with the company’s growth, meaning that cameras can be added and multiple sites monitored at all times without the need for a new system.

Rank was fully aware of the implications of the ban and the need for additional security coverage externally, and we are pleased we have been able to offer an appropriate, seamless solution to meet its needs at this crucial time.”

John added: “We needed a system which could be easily integrated into our existing one quickly and effectively.”

Rank and ID Technology Group have worked closely since 2000. As one of the UK’s largest independent providers of integrated electronic security solutions, ID offers a consultative approach to organisations aiming to maximise their commercial security. Clients benefit from a range of sophisticated security solutions including CCTV, access control and electronic article surveillance, otherwise known as electronic tagging.

ID comes up trumps with Luton's G Casino

April 2007

ID's most advanced casino security system is installed at Rank Gaming Groups latest casino

Play your cards right at Luton’s G casino and you could win big money, but play them wrong and you could end up being caught red handed, without even realising it.

For thanks to the very latest in CCTV surveillance technology, Grosvenor’s Flagship G Casino is one of the most advanced of its kind when it comes to deterring and detecting would be cheats.

The £6m casino's system was installed by ID Technology Group Ltd, with 72 of SANYO’s latest PTZ (pan, tilt and zoom) cameras, making it the most highly advanced Grosvenor casino to date and equipping it with a more sophisticated security system than many of its Las Vegas counterparts.

The CCTV system means that each and every gaming table is monitored continually from multiple locations using remote databases, giving security and pit staff complete coverage of all areas of the gaming floor to focus on suspicious play or unusually high winning streaks.

The cameras allow for much more clarity without needing to adjust the focus, and, according to ID Technology Group, the organisation behind the installation, the new cameras have set a significantly higher standard for the capturing of high quality images within a casino environment.

Matt Allen, sales director at ID Technology Group, said: “One of the challenges we faced when designing the CCTV system for the G Casino in Luton was the varying light conditions that we knew the cameras would have to cope with across the venue and around the gaming tables.

“The demand was for high quality, high resolution images in order to combat possible cheating and to monitor the gaming. The low light conditions had the potential to affect the way the cameras were set up and focused.

“As a result of using the new innovative Pan-Focus cameras, we believe we have provided the casino with a system that offers the best images ever in a casino to effectively monitor all activities within the establishment and on the gaming floor."

The G Casino in Luton is part of a nationwide chain of casinos operated by Rank Group Gaming Division and was opened at the end of February 2007. Rank and the ID Technology Group have worked in close partnership since 2000, during which time the partnership has led to the resolution of a number of technical challenges regularly faced in Grosvenor’s casinos.

John Butler, director of security for Rank Gaming Division said: “We have employed SANYO CCTV equipment for many years throughout our casino and bingo estates and have always been extremely satisfied with the performance.

“Working with high tech SANYO equipment, ID Group has been able to successfully deliver a first class security system on time and without incident, and one which meets all of our requirements perfectly.”

Matt added: “The beauty of the system at the G Casino is that we have been able to install cabling to bear in mind future expansion and so to minimise disruption should further surveillance be required later on down the line.

“A fully comprehensive maintenance contract has now been put in place to continually support the best interests of Grosvenor, offering a round the clock service. The ID solution fulfils Grosvenor’s objective of having a leading edge surveillance system.”

As one of the UK’s largest independent providers of integrated electronic security solutions, ID offers a consultative approach to organisations aiming to maximise their commercial security. Clients profit from a range of sophisticated security solutions including CCTV, access control and electronic article surveillance, otherwise known as electronic tagging.

About ID Technology Group

With over 20 years of experience, ID Group addresses the security needs of some of the UK’s leading organisations in the retail, leisure, public, commercial and industrial sectors.

For further information email enquiries@id-group.co.uk

ID solutions helping Wilkinson’s tackle store crime and operations

February 2007

Today Wilkinson’s has 276 stores and a policy of investing in its security. With expansions in the number of stores its security needs changed as it wanted to cover as much square footage as possible with CCTV. The retailer has altered its security needs in line with expansion plans and by changing all its security systems supplied by ID from analogue to digital, introducing dome pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) cameras, Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) tagging on products as an extra means of reducing shrinkage. This has caused a significant return on investment, with the average stores having less than 1% shrinkage as a percentage of turnover.

Mick Phipps, Wilkinson’s head of loss prevention told Retail Technology: ‘It’s very important to make sure the shop floor is safe for everybody. And since we introduced our latest security system we have seen a dramatic decrease in shrink levels.”

Wilkinson is also utilising its digital systems to a much greater extent to combat shrinkage reduction even more. The recent introduction of radio frequency ID portable podiums has proved highly successful, so now the security guard can go to any high risk area and be seen as a deterrent instead of being in the back room. The digital cameras are also helping with Health & Safety. For example, CCTV footage can explain how a customer tripped in-store and helps to avoid inaccurate claims.

Wilkinson will also use ID systems for store operational data and marketing information giving even greater ROI. Customer footfall counting, where managers/staff are notified if a store gets extra busy and can put extra staff on the tills, as well as ensure POS is displayed correctly, are all advantages Mick Phipps said the company wants to exploit further.

Contact enquiries@id-group.co.uk

TK MAXX trials new technology to secure stock

January 2007

TK Maxx is using the latest in leading edge technology and electronic security solutions to secure stock within a shared distribution centre at Park Royal, London. Working with ID Technology Group, the retailer is piloting a bespoke security solution at the centre, as it considers utilising further shared distribution centres around the UK.

“A shared user distribution centre brings about obvious cost reductions. Due to the nature of our stock, shrinkage and security are big issues and they have deterred us from using the shared model. We worked with ID Technology to design a security solution for the centre at Park Royal. This is acting as a pilot allowing us to review the potential for adopting further shared user environments around the country,” commented Luke O’Reilly, Technical Security Specialist, TK Maxx.

Working with ID Technology Group, TK Maxx has invested in developing the solution at the Park Royal site. The solution includes a perimeter protection system and cameras encircling the TK Maxx allocated stock area. It is acting as an invisible fence, where only pre-approved third party staff can enter the designated area.

The nature of the system means it can be monitored 24/7 from TK Maxx’s main distribution centre in Walsall. The immediate cost reductions are apparent, as employing security guards to monitor on each individual site would cost in excess of £100k.

“TK Maxx was more than aware of the cost efficiencies a shared distribution centre can bring about in terms of deliveries etc, but security was their big issue. If they could not guarantee a robust security solution within a shared environment they would not have considered the move at all,” said Matt Allen, Sales Director, ID Technology Group.

We worked closely with the team at TK Maxx to develop a solution that can be rolled out across further locations if they choose. The result being a scalable solution that can be monitored remotely, reducing costs for security and giving them the confidence to use the shared distribution centres and reap the benefits they bring.”

“In large cities such as London, the shared distribution centres are becoming a necessity with the delivery times restrictions etc. The nature of TK Maxx’s stock means there are inherent difficulties in tracking goods as the variety is huge. In order for us to move to third party distribution centres we wanted to be certain that we had security in place that would reduce shrinkage and also prove cost effective,” continues Luke O’Reilly.

Working with in partnership with our security partner, ID Technology we have a bespoke solution that meets our very specific needs. We are now aiming to move into 15 further shared distribution centres over time as we the solution has given us the confidence that our stock is secure.”