Idis delivers security boost for Dutch Postal service

IDIS announced the delivery of a unified surveillance solution that is enabling PostNL, the Netherlands’ postal service, to step up security across its estates while protecting its existing investment and reducing running costs.

Like all national post services, PostNL has had to adapt fast to keep a competitive edge in a constantly changing market. Having transformed its business to meet the challenges of online retail, it provides all-in-one solutions to support international logistics services, including goods handling, storage and the entire administrative side of the online buying chain. It has also enhanced tracking and protection for a growing volume of high-value parcel deliveries.   

Having made significant investments in security systems to reduce manned guarding while running a lean security operation, PostNL wanted to drive additional efficiencies and further minimise specific risks. It therefore needed to improve monitoring at six post sorting centres, eighteen parcel depots and several key facilities. Dutch systems specialist Beveco Gebouwautomatisering integrated these disparate systems. Combined with IDIS Solution Suite (ISS), a security management platform was developed to unify all surveillance, alarms and alerts and reporting. 

Equipped with the new ISS, PostNL is benefiting from the powerful functionality of a cost-effective, server-based security management solution that includes features for monitoring, recording, streaming, backup, redundant recording, failover and video wall services. As well as accommodating IDIS DirectIP full-HD cameras to upgrade surveillance in critical areas, the ISS offered the flexibility to integrate legacy IDIS analogue digital video recorders (DVRs). Although more than twelve years old, they will offer first-class functionality for years to come, so avoiding the need for a costly rip and replace that would have required high capital investment.

Around 3000 cameras from multiple manufacturers, with the majority from IDIS, have been integrated onto the centralised security management platform. The user-friendly ISS interface makes it easy for security operators to manage and control everyday security events in real-time, from opening gates across the estate to being fully prepared to respond fast to suspect behaviour or a full-scale emergency. 

Monitored 24/7 by two operators and overseen by a security manager, PostNL has improved security measures both across its workforce and facilities. At the same time, by ensuring the highest standards to safeguard all goods, it provides a premium quality service for online retail customers. In parallel with this, Post NL has significantly increased operational effectiveness.

Commenting, one of the operators, said: “The IDIS solution does exactly what it says on the tin. In our line of work, it often comes down to detecting the smallest level of detail.” Marc Marc Kleiberg, Service and Operations Manager, PostNL Security said: “The new IDIS full-HD, networked cameras provide crystal clear images with little to no latency, allowing operators to detect the slightest level of suspicious behaviour. The solution also gives us a staged, affordable migration path from our existing analogue systems through to full-HD networked surveillance across all our sites, with upgrades already underway.”

He continued: “With IDIS technology, we knew we were guaranteed reliability and high-quality performance. The fact that our 12-year-old IDIS recording devices are still functioning well is testament to IDIS quality. This long lifespan also makes IDIS the logical and reliable choice for all our future surveillance requirements.”