Ryman was established in October 1893 and over the years has grown and extended its offering to include office supplies, technology and office furniture as well as stationery. The company, now chaired by Theo Paphitis, has over 220 stores throughout the UK. 

In addition to deterring and detecting shoplifters, Ryman required a solution that could help them better understand the buying patterns of their customers and the effect of advertising and other promotions activities. Ryman also wanted authorised staff such as marketing and merchandising personnel, as well as regional Loss Prevention Managers, to be able to access live or recorded images of any activity at the stores.

Axminster, Devon based Selec Systems, one of the UK’s leading specialist providers of integrated retail security solutions, was awarded the contract to install the new systems. “The key to the success of any video surveillance installation if of course the careful selection of the most appropriate camera for each element of the project,” said Ray Self of Selec Systems. “With such a wide range of models to choose from, including both analogue and Open Platform IP network cameras, Hanwha Techwin Europe were ideally placed to support us on this type of intricate project. Although we had to design a solution which would help Ryman achieve all its objectives within a limited budget, the keen pricing of the Samsung cameras meant that we did not have to compromise on quality.”

Depending on shape and size of each store and in order to deter, detect and record any incidents of theft, the 51 stores have been equipped with a number of Beyond Series SCV-5083 1280H dome cameras together with a four channel SRD-476D or eight channel SRD-876D DVR.

In addition, a WisenetIII SND-6084 Open Platform dome camera with the Foxcounter people counting Application from Foxstream on board, has also been installed at each store to provide Ryman’s management with an accurate analysis of customer footfall.

An SCP-2270 PTZ dome has also been installed at each store. This enables Ryman’s Loss Prevention Managers and marketing personnel member to remotely view any activity via the Ipolis Mobile app. The SCP-2270 PTZ has a 27x optical zoom capability which can provide authorised users with the option to view close up detail of people and objects. In order to fulfil the requirements of this project, a bespoke firmware upgrade version of the iPOLiS Mobile app was developed specifically for Ryman. The upgrade allows for a large number of sites to be remotely monitored by a smartphone or tablet. Hanwha Techwin Europe’s design engineering colleagues in Korea were able to respond quickly to this requirement to the complete satisfaction of Ryman and the award of the contract to supply the cameras and recorders was not delayed.

Following the successful completion of the installations at the 51 stores by Selec Systems, who sourced the cameras and recorders from Akess, a Hanwha Techwin Europe distribution partner, an order has been received to provide a further 132 Ryman stores with the same tailor made solution.