Evans Transport

Client Overview

Evans Transport is a leading haulage company in the UK that specialises in transporting goods and selling concrete and aggregates. The company operates multiple sites across the country, each with unique requirements and security challenges. To maintain comprehensive surveillance and security management, Evans Transport required a robust, centralised CCTV system that could provide consistent coverage across all its locations while being managed from its head office in Bideford.

Project Scope

The scope of the CCTV installation varied across different locations due to the unique operational needs of each site. Key objectives included:

• Lorry Parks: Coverage of entrances and exits with Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras for comprehensive monitoring of vehicle movements.
• Warehouses: Internal CCTV coverage to monitor storage areas, entry points, and car parks to ensure the safety of goods and staff.
• MOT Bays and High-Risk Areas: Surveillance of areas prone to theft, accidents, or heavy machinery use to enhance safety and minimise risks.
• Concrete Plant: Installation of a CCTV system to assist with batching processes, along with an announcement system to improve operational efficiency.
• Centralised Monitoring: All separate systems have local footage recording, which is streamed to a central Network Video Recorder at the head office. This allows for unified monitoring of all sites from a single interface.

Challenges

The project faced several challenges due to the diversity and geographical spread of Evans Transport's locations:

1. Lack of IP Infrastructure: Many sites, particularly those with remote buildings, lacked existing IP infrastructure, complicating network connectivity for the CCTV system.
2. Distance Between Buildings: Some locations had buildings spaced far apart, requiring reliable network solutions to connect remote cameras to the main system.
3. Remote Connectivity Issues: Sites such as lorry parks often lacked traditional internet connections. In these cases, we had to implement alternative solutions like 4G or Starlink systems to establish remote connectivity.

Solutions Implemented

To address these challenges, we deployed a combination of advanced technologies and tailored solutions:

• Integration of Existing Cameras: In locations where Evans Transport had pre-existing cameras, we were able to adopt and integrate these cameras into the new system where appropriate. This approach allowed us to maximise the use of existing resources, thereby saving the customer significant costs while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
• Network Connectivity: For sites without IP infrastructure, we used a mix of fibre optics and Ubiquiti Point-to-Point wireless systems to establish reliable network connections between remote cameras and central hubs.
• Alternative Internet Solutions: At locations lacking traditional internet access, we deployed 4G and Starlink systems. Given these systems do not have static IP addresses, we utilised relay services to enable secure and stable remote access.
• Centralised System Integration: All installed CCTV systems, regardless of location, were configured to stream footage back to a centralised NVR at the head office. This setup provided Evans Transport with a unified view of all their sites from one central dashboard, enhancing their ability to manage security and operational efficiency.
• High-Quality Equipment: The installation utilised a variety of high-resolution cameras, including PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom), dome, turret, and bullet cameras. Most of these cameras were equipped with built-in microphones to provide greater context to recorded footage, enabling clear audio capture and, in some cases, two-way communication. This diverse selection of cameras ensured optimal coverage and functionality across all environments, from indoor warehouses to expansive lorry parks and high-risk areas.

Results and Outcomes

Since the installation of the CCTV systems, Evans Transport has reported several positive outcomes:

• Improved Reliability and Coverage: The robust network solutions have ensured reliable system uptime, allowing for uninterrupted monitoring and enhanced security across all sites.
• Ease of Use: The centralised management system has simplified monitoring for Evans Transport, enabling their head office staff to effectively oversee multiple locations from a single pane of glass.
• Operational Flexibility: The ability to customise the system for each site’s specific needs has allowed Evans Transport to address unique challenges at each location, from theft prevention in high-risk areas to operational monitoring at the concrete plant.

Client Feedback

Evans Transport has expressed satisfaction with the reliability, ease of use, and comprehensive coverage provided by the CCTV systems. They continue to roll out the system to new sites as they are acquired, demonstrating confidence in the solution's scalability and effectiveness.

Ongoing Maintenance and Support

To ensure the continued optimal performance of the CCTV system, we provide comprehensive maintenance and support services tailored to Evans Transport’s needs:

• Regular System Health Checks: We conduct scheduled maintenance checks to ensure all cameras, network video recorders, and associated equipment function correctly, checking for potential hardware faults and verifying footage storage.
• Firmware and Software Updates: We keep the system up-to-date with the latest firmware and software, enhancing security, introducing new features, and improving stability.
• Priority Support and Troubleshooting: Evans Transport benefits from priority support, with both remote and on-site services available to quickly address any technical issues.
• Customised Training: We provide ongoing training tailored to different user levels to ensure all staff can effectively use the CCTV system.
• Proactive Monitoring: Our team continuously monitors system performance to proactively address potential issues before they affect operations.

Conclusion

The CCTV installation for Evans Transport demonstrates our ability to deliver flexible, scalable security solutions tailored to diverse site requirements. By overcoming significant challenges related to connectivity and infrastructure and integrating existing equipment where possible, we provided a comprehensive surveillance system that enhances security and operational oversight across all locations. With ongoing maintenance and support, Evans Transport can rely on the system’s continued performance and adaptability as they expand their operations.