HMSHost is by far the largest operator at the airport. The company has gained a long track record with running food and
beverage operations at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. HMS Host is rapidly expanding its business and gains and active role at multiple airports without previous activity of the organization.
The owner of the airport: NV Luchthaven Schiphol has high demands in term continuous level of quality and in conjunction with HMSHost tracking the quality though regular audits. These audits are targeted towards quality of the goods, price level, convenience, speed and accuracy of the treatment of customers experienced by the travellers.
The last audit reported that HMSHost scored 75%. To maintain the high level of customer satisfaction employees of HMSHost are challenged to meet customer demands every day.
Fast and accurate logistics and availability of drinks and foods is organized through a well organized logistical back-office system. Suppliers are receiving orders every day through the fax and are delivering products on outlet level. Its own logistics department is handling the internal distribution. Dennis Hoogreef,
Manager Facilities & ICT: "Our whole business process of purchase, sales, logistics and cash handling is integrated in our ICT solutions. There a only a few companies globally that are so automated as we are. This provides us the ability to integrate
additional systems and optimize the investment in available resources".
HMSHost has deployed a camera surveillance system that is connected to the data infrastructure. There are cameras installed in the cash handling area to secure this process.
"There are a few primary business processes that are crucial for us such as logistics and cash flow" continuous Dennis Hoogreef. "The cash handling area is the first area where we started to install the newest network based camera surveillance system.
The cameras are all connected to the data network and the video images are recorded through the Griffid Monitoring Station software at a central location.
We are using the video motion detection possibilities of the software so we are efficiently utilizing our data storage capacity. The Griffid software Griffid offers us a flexible and scalable platform for our video surveillance needs.
HMSHost originally started to scan the market a few years ago and searched for a replacement of the camera system that was ready for an alternative. The company worked with a system containing analogue cameras that were connected to a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) locally.
In conjunction with TNO HMSHost started to search for a new system working with the latest technologies. The DVR based system was not scalable and did not offer the ability to grow along with changing demands and needs of the organization. Dennis Hoogreef: "We at the time visited several trade shows and organized meetings where we presented our ideas and requirements.
One of the key things was the need to utilize the IT infrastructure and a system that had the ability and flexibility to grow along with continuous
changing needs of the organization; an airport is a turbulent environment.
We finally decided to use a digital video surveillance system with Griffid software as fundament to manage the camera system".
HMSHost has designed a rollout plan with predefined steps. The efficient logistical machine and the fact of a 24-hours operation is demanding an efficient planning for implementation of enhancements and growth of the surveillance system. The plan foresees additional cameras installed at the distribution center.
Furthermore additional cameras will be installed at other locations at the airport.
"The video streams will be recorded at a central server location where the camera system is initiated to increase safety of our colleagues, cameras have a preventive character. In case of a event took place we can use the Griffid client to search the database for video material and use it to make an evaluation of the situation. We are continuously communicating with Griffid about new features in the software and implementing them when possible" finalizes Dennis Hoogreef.