cohesion in design

Most retailers will tell you that losing stock and associated profits to theft is one of the more frustrating aspects of business. Mall developers have additional aspects to consider, including vandalism of the building and public injury on the premises.

A comprehensive security plan incorporating access controls, alarms and video surveillance will significantly reduce the impact of those issues, says Vision Security Systems general manager Peter Jeffries.

Jeffries' company was approached by Multiplex and the Sylvia Park owners, KIPT, in the very early planning stages of the mall to design a security system for the general areas of the centre and carpark areas. The company was then contracted to supply and install the system in those areas.

"We installed the very newest technology coming out of Germany, Japan and the US throughout the mall, targeting specific areas like directly outside elevators and access doors," he says. "In addition, The Warehouse, Foodtown and several smaller retailers contracted us to design and install systems in those stores."

One of the challenges the company faced was implementing a plan that would function from the outset of stage one and yet be flexible to extend to the opening of stage four, over a year later. Another was the necessity of running cables over very long distances due to the sheer size of the project.

Vision Security has wide previous experience in implementing large-scale surveillance systems, notably those throughout the country's leading shopping centres. The key, says Jeffries, is using the system as both a deterrent and as a means of identifying offenders.

"Investing in good security is vital to any retail business interested in profit protection," he says. "Video surveillance has proven its value and this is best represented by the number of our largest retailers investing in quality security systems."

For more details, contact Vision Security Systems, 18 Parkway Drive, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, PO Box 300 814 Albany, phone (09) 478 0963, fax (09) 478 0961.

Story by: Trendsideas