Axis, together with Honeywell, implemented an ambitious project at Bancolombia's headquarters, located in Medellín, Colombia, in which a modern and efficient security system was put into operation.
by Santiago Jaramillo H.
In the project developed at Bancolombia's headquarters, a complete system was installed that involves the general security area and integrates access control with closed circuit television. It has all the technology for fire detection, automation of electromechanical equipment which allows to supervise the different elements of lighting, power, energy, hydraulic system and in general all the machines that are part of the systematization of the building.
Due to the magnitude of the building, we sought to harmonize its control through several concepts (convergence, integration, flexibility, scalability and standardization). In this sense, the solutions that were needed had to be below this level. Thus, Axis video surveillance cameras were the best solution because they include reliable features, are simple to operate, easily integrated with Honeywell's EBI platform and obtained the best results within technical analysis.
In addition, the implementation had to be quite practical and achieve an important contribution to security. "The biggest benefits obtained from implementing Axis video surveillance solutions were: simplicity, ease, flexibility, integration, quality and cost, which align with the philosophy of the building. Thanks to this, it was possible, in a simple way, to integrate the solution into the general management system of the building, allowing to keep track of the critical areas that the Bank considers should be subject to continuous control," said Diego Ómar Córdoba, project manager of the Bancolombia group.
Solution
After choosing Axis video surveillance solutions, 487 cameras were implemented as well; 448 of the Axis 211 model, 31 of the Axis 221 model and eight of the Axis 233D model. This solution is distributed in ten servers (1,500 Giga bits for each server) and work under a convergent and integrated network, which operates in conjunction with access control systems, evacuation, elevators, in addition to delivering images to an analytical video system.
The main building of the Bancolombia Group in Medellín, now has a proactive system of video surveillance cameras, which has improved the productivity of the control and surveillance equipment.
In addition, the solution provides additional information, which offers the opportunity to control various situations such as an open door or window and abandoned things anywhere in the building, among other aspects. The results have been as expected, because its easy integration stands out and that the company won in security.
The security system was installed in the Administrative Headquarters of Bancolombia, which has two towers each of 12 floors that add up to a total built area of 138,000 square meters, daily receives a working population of 4,200 people. The project had a duration in its construction of 18 months and an approximate cost of $ 180 million dollars.
Andrés Fernández, one of those in charge of the development of the security project, told us about the security conditions of the city where the installation was made, and the areas where the protected building is established.
"The Main Headquarters is located on Avenida Industriales in the city of Medellín, there was no history of criminal acts, the installation was carried out based on the experience of Bancolombia's staff, in fact, the recommendations of the installation, plans, location of the cameras and operating criteria, everything was generated by the Bank itself," assures our guest.
Regarding the changes in security legislation in this country and the motivation for the implementation of security systems of this type, Fernández affirms that "there have been no changes as such in the legislation regarding security, but Colombia has always had a barrier in terms of security; the installation of this high-tech system is a response to the current situation in the country."
Technical description
Andrés Fernández also told us about the technical characteristics of the security system and its operation: "It is a closed circuit television system over IP, all the cameras report to a group of servers where the information is stored redundantly, it has a series of operators that can track all the cameras and not only those operators but also administrative personnel entering the system through the network, they can make visualization of them, it has stored information of what has happened and all the alarm systems are in case there is an emergency, the system helps the operator to follow up, "he says.
Regarding the monitoring process carried out with this equipment, Fernández warns that "it is mainly a security system organized and planned by the Bank's security department and is mainly for surveillance."
On the other hand, and with regard to integration with other subsystems such as alarms or something else, our guest highlights that "the access control system is integrated with the Closed Circuit Television, if someone enters a clip is made with the moment, it has links in the entry control, people are tracked throughout the building; there is an integration of all systems, in general with the entire electromechanical system, access control, for example, turns lights on and off so that the cameras can see better."
When talking about the satisfaction of the end user in the face of this technology, Fernández indicates that "he is very satisfied with the system, even the second installation is already being implemented in another building in the same city that is part of the same Bank".
It also concludes that "regarding the closed circuit television the operation has been very good, the integration with the access control system and electromechanical elements, the functionality of the building as such has been what the client expected and sometimes they have exceeded expectations".
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Overview of the intervention
Overview: Axis video surveillance solution in which 487 cameras of the brand were implemented.
Integrative firm: Honeywell
Manufacturers involved: Axis and Honeywell
Contact: Andrés Fernández
Email: [email protected]
Company covered with the installation: Grupo Bancolombia
Installation dates: 2008 – 2009
The Bancolombia Group is a regional company, with operations in Colombia, Panama, Salvador, Miami, Peru and the Cayman Islands. It has a number close to 20 thousand employees and 6.3 million active accounts, it is defined as the seventh largest bank in Latin America.
During 2008 it completed the construction of its headquarters in the city of Medellín, Colombia, a building with a built area of 138,000 square meters, two towers, each with 12 floors, which receives a working population of 4,200 people. The project had a duration in its construction of 18 months and an approximate cost of $ 180 million dollars.
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Aspects to highlight in the project
High performance
Integration with other solutions
Simplicity in its use
Provides analytical video
Improve productivity
Future applications
Among the future projects, the company plans to implement new Axis video surveillance camera systems in other buildings in the city of Medellín, reaching a wider park of devices.
