Car dealerships have millions of dollars in inventory, so security cannot be compromised, but manual security patrols raise operating costs significantly. To address this challenge, Hungarian car dealership CarNet FOR-TOP Ltd. (CarNet) has implemented an innovative, AI-powered perimeter protection solution from Hikvision. This supports far more efficient remote security monitoring, while also automating car-rental processes for further cost savings – all adding up to 100% ROI in under eight months.
The challenges of manual security processes and staffing costs are very familiar to CarNet, which is the official dealership and service centre for Ford and Peugeot in the country. The company, which operates four sites in the Győr, Sopron and Tatabánya regions of Hungary, and employs more than 100 people, holds millions of dollars-worth of vehicle stock, and also offers vehicle rental services.
To maximise site security and to increase efficiency, CarNet needed updated systems to improve and automate its security monitoring operations. Additionally, the company wanted to automate checks on rental cars being returned by customers to reduce reliance on manual processes and to reduce staffing requirements and associated costs.
To automate and improve site security and rental car checks, CarNet worked with local security partner Derik Hungária Kft (Derik Group) to implement a smart video solution from Hikvision.
The video solution incorporates Hikvision AcuSense fixed bullet cameras and an AcuSense Network Video Recorder (NVR), Hikvision DS-7732NXI-I4/4S, which automate monitoring of the site perimeter. These AI-powered products trigger ‘line crossing’ alerts when unauthorised people enter the CarNet site. In such cases, an alarm is sent to remote security staff at the Derik Group operating center, and guards are dispatched to the site immediately.
The Hikvision AcuSense cameras are equipped with DarkFighter technology, which enables crystal-clear video imaging, even in very-low light conditions, or at night. This ensures that security breaches are captured on camera in vivid detail – supporting investigations and providing evidence for later use.
As well as protecting the site perimeter, the Hikvision solution also helps automate and streamline CarNet’s car rental processes – including vehicle collection and drop-off. This is achieved with Hikvision video intercoms, which are used by operators who tell customers how and where to pick up and drop off their rental cars. Hikvision high-resolution Fixed Mini Bullet cameras and other Fixed Bullet cameras positioned at different angles are then used to check that vehicles being returned by customers are undamaged.
The Hikvision smart video solution, CarNet has eliminated the need for on-site security staff, significantly improving operating efficiency. What’s more, the company has increased site security with the ability to detect, verify, and respond to security threats in real time. With fewer false alarms, security costs have also fallen significantly. In addition, security teams at the operating center can focus more of their effort on responding to real security threats.
Hikvision was able to provide technical and local language support for the Derik Group throughout the CarNet installation, ensuring that all project quality, cost, and time KPIs were met.
Imre Mózes, CEO of CarNet, says, “Our intention with this project was to transition from manual, on-site security monitoring to far more efficient, cost-effective, remote security. The Hikvision solution, with its automated “line-crossing” detection, has helped us achieve our efficiency goals. Not only that, but we have also automated our car rental processes with Hikvision, which has enabled us to achieve even greater efficiency gains.”
Delivering major cost and time savings, CarNet’s smart video solution is expected to pay for itself in just six to eight months. Based on this outstanding ROI projection, CarNet has decided to implement similar remote security solutions from Hikvision across all four of its sites in Győr, Sopron, and Tatabánya.