On Cruise Control
Rydell Automotive Group implements a full tank of network cameras to drive away fraud and keep their engines revving
- By Karl Radke
- Sep 01, 2016
Standing as the corporate headquarters for the Rydell Automotive
Group in Grand Forks, N.D., the Rydell Auto Center is comprised
of a multi-site campus with departments varying from sales centers
to a body shop and carwash. Rydell has 76 dealerships nationally, but
the central location in Grand Forks prides itself on its focus on technology,
even incorporating a team of developers to maintain a top notch network
and computer system.
While every department has differing needs and concerns, Rydell found itself
needing a new system after an old analog deployment lacking scalability continued
to drop offline. The first major feature of Axis network cameras that drew Rydell
in was their operability within ONVIF standards; with a development team in
place, being able to get into the data was a strong deciding factor in settling on the
Axis products fed into an Aimetis software solution.
SHIFTING THROUGHOUT THE GEARBOX
With more than 230 cameras in place, Rydell worked with High Point Networks to
distinguish the proper camera line that suited each targeted location. The resulting
system includes 30 different camera models.
“We buy the camera for the need we have to address,” said Justin Fetsch, vice
president of sales with High Point Networks. “Axis has a wide line of solutions to
give us a unique and proper fit for every application.”
Rydell has positioned a group of 5-MP fixed Axis network cameras to obtain a wide range of views. The main service area recently
added 24 of these to pair with two
panoramic view Axis cameras that results
in a broad view of the scene along with
specific shots in notable spaces.
“Our goal with the cameras is always
to have an overview to accompany
more specific shots,” Fetsch said.
The force of cameras throughout the
five-plus sites on the main campus plus
the formal retail storefront all stream
back to Aimetis VMS as they primarily
record on motion throughout the week.
The Aimetis VMS partnered with the
Axis cameras give Rydell countless opportunities
and flexibility to improve
their solution.
They implement a mobile bridge so
that staff can access footage on both
their both desktop and mobile devices.
Rydell also began using a popular analytic,
license plate recognition, not necessarily
for a security purpose but to
potentially identify customers as they
arrive to personalize service, which can
shorten their wait times immensely.
“Overall, everybody is really happy
with the Axis cameras on the Aimetis
software,” said Steve Symons, IT Manager
with Rydell Auto Center. “Especially
coming from the previous system,
which was just miserable from an end
user standpoint; we can configure it
how we like it on each computer and
that is why we love the system.”
SPENDING WISELY
TO SAVE ENDLESSLY
Though the Axis and Aimetis solution
assists Rydell in its security efforts, the
footage derived from the system has
proven essential to protect the dealership
from fraud and keep its employees
safe. Five cameras surrounding the entrance
to its car wash provide HD recordings
as a vehicle is coming through.
If a customer complains that Rydell’s
equipment or staff caused damage to
their vehicle, the company has hard
evidence to back up the claim. When a
customer exclaimed that the machinery
had ripped off their wiper blades, video
backed up Rydell by showing that they
had their wipers activated at the time.
“In the long run, it is helping with
our customer service because there is
no arguing with customers when you
have evidence,” Symons said.
In furthering their ability to drive
higher customer satisfaction, Rydell
has a set of four cameras broadcasting
to a television in the sales tower of their
Honda store. Showing views that cannot
be seen from inside, a manager can
send a sales consultant over to a potential
customer out in the lot that otherwise
may not have been noticed.
While the majority of Rydell’s customers
and visitors are honest and cause
no difficulties, the Axis cameras have
given the company a solution that settles
any concerns of fraud or deception on
the premises.
This article originally appeared in the September 2016 issue of Security Today.
About the Author
Karl Radke is a business area director, Midwest, for Axis Communications, Inc.