Customer: Arden Academy School
Location: Solihull, West Midlands
Requirement: To upgrade the school’s CCTV system
Solution: Avigilon HD CCTV Cameras, Avigilon Control Center, Avigilon HD Network Video Recorder, Avigilon Encoders
Services: Design, Installation, Ongoing Support & Maintenance
Customer’s View: “Our existing CCTV equipment wasn’t fit for purpose.” Andy Hinsley, Business Manager “The new system has made a massive difference.” Youssef Hennous, IT Network Manager
Arden Academy is a High Performing Specialist Academy for 11 – 18 year olds in Knowle, Solihull. The school prides itself on doing the very best for every pupil, helping them achieve their full educational potential as they develop into happy, well-rounded young adults.
The school had an analogue CCTV system, but, as Andy Hinsley, Arden’s Business Manager said, “It wasn’t fit for purpose and needed to be replaced.” Youssef Hennous, Arden’s IT Network Manager added: “We couldn’t guarantee playback of images. It meant that if we needed to watch footage of an incident that had occurred, we couldn’t.”
One of the biggest reasons for upgrading the system was an unusual concern in relation to the school’s grounds. The school has a public footpath running through it. It is closed during school hours to protect students but is open out of hours, something that presents an obvious security risk. The school also wanted to provide a better level of overall safety and security, as well as safeguard students more effectively and improve behaviour between lessons.
Ecl-ips installed the new system in the school summer holidays to avoid any disruption to everyday school life. Both Andy Hinsley and Youssef Hennous were impressed with the installation process. Andy commented: “It was a very good, efficient installation,” while Youssef said: “The engineers were very good and very professional. Like everyone at Ecl-ips, they’re happy to go the extra mile.”