Equipped with an enterprise system of both Axis fixed and PTZ network cameras on a Genetec VMS platform, Soldier Field maintains coverage of their facility on an ongoing basis, needing security 365 days of the year with a full schedule including football season. Soldier Field takes advantage of the PTZ capabilities by relying on cameras installed high up with a wide spectrum of coverage.

“Security is the most important thing that we oversee here,” said Moira O’Connor, Director of Operations at Soldier Field. “We’ve got 63,000 fans that come into this stadium to have a good time and enjoy themselves; they need to feel safe and know that they are in a harmless environment. The Axis cameras allow us that opportunity to provide a secure environment. We felt they were the best cameras on the market and we are glad that we moved forward with this system.”

In implementing the upgraded IP camera system, Soldier Field required that many cameras be deployed while keeping the aesthetic look of the building. The venue, originally constructed in 1924, contains many new features and modern improvements but maintains the original visual appeal of the facility and its history.

“Soldier Field is an iconic lakefront property in the city of Chicago; we needed to make certain that any additions to the security system did not take away from the historical structure of the building,” said Greg Kubacki, Vice President of Convergint Technologies. “The wide selection of Axis cameras allowed us to meet every specific need at the stadium.”

Security staff at Soldier Field is responsible for the entire seating bowl of the stadium along with unrestricted concourses and over an acre of parkland, both of which are open and accessible to the public year round. There are also ticket booths, offices and sensitive areas not open to the general public but in need of camera coverage. Varying weather conditions of Chicago, especially in the winter, provide additional challenges to oversee the safety of patrons when sheltering from storms and other elements.

“The breadth of products that Axis offers was a key factor for Soldier Field,” said Mark McCormack, National Accounts Manager, Axis Communications, Inc. “We worked with Convergint to design the system to make sure there was ample coverage to address the needs of the security staff at the stadium.”

Axis worked with Convergint on this project to select and deploy the most efficient security system for the environment, utilising Genetec software and a Brocade switch system on a fibre network to keep processes well-organised and effective.