A case study of Video Management Software (VMS) at two Harley-Davidson dealerships. Harley-Davidson of NYC Tribeca is a two-level space in the heart of New York City. The Manhattan dealership is run by Asaf Jacobi, President of Harley-Davidson of NYC, who also has responsibility for the Harley-Davidson of NYC’s main dealership in Queens, New York State.
With a requirement to deter would be thieves, as well as create a safe and secure environment for staff and visitors at both dealerships, Asaf Jacobi turned to New York based systems integrator, AISG, for a system to not only cover his security requirements with alarm and video, but also provide the media needs of the store with a monitor wall and sound system. Wavestore was selected for the video surveillance part of the project. Old analogue video in the Queens store was upgraded to a hybrid system, while the Manhattan dealership was equipped with IP network products.
AISG worked with the Harley NYC IT department to set up remote alarm and video monitoring, as well as local networks, whilst a Wavestore management and storage server was set up to support domes and 360 degree cameras from the Taiwanese network camera manufacturer, Vivotek. Configuring the cameras was seamless thanks to Wavestore’s open platform the developer adds.
Located in Long Island City for over 25 years, the main Queens store is a full service destination. Whilst both locations offer the authentic Harley-Davidson experience, when designing the Manhattan store, Asaf Jacobi took into account why customers flock to the Queens location. What visitors see is the world’s first and only Harley-Davidson Powerwall, with two multi-touch kiosks that let them design, view and save their custom bikes on a movie screen sized display. There is also a Leather Lounge Café and coffee bar, a Glass Bike Lift suspended from the ceiling, and a premium selection of accessories and apparel.
Asaf said: “With a lot going on at both locations, the ability to view the stores remotely, gives me mobility and more freedom to move around. The system is reliable and offers flexibility. Plus, it is easy to use, and as I learn more, the product gets consistently better over time. You can really tell the difference. The new system is more effective. I am able to zoom in and focus on one area and get a really clear image.”
The Wavestore solution deployed at the two dealerships is scalable and provides a platform for integration between disparate technologies. Asaf will therefore be able to deploy more cameras if and when required and, with Wavestore’s ability to support third party technologies, such as video analytics, he is planning to use the open platform VMS to capture valuable business intelligence and operational data. He is also considering integrating the stores’ access control systems, to obtain visual verification of who has entered restricted areas, such as staff and stock rooms.
