NS Centralized Video Surveillance for European Beauty & Personal Care Retail Chain

Highlights

• NS designed and deployed a headquarters-centric architecture that consolidates NVR functions for 500+ stores across France.
• Centralized NVR deployment via the NS VMS platform enables HQ to remotely manage, adjust and monitor every camera—driving higher operational efficiency and stronger security.
• Intelligent IP cameras with facial-recognition capture and motion-detection recording allow blacklisting of suspects and real-time cross-store alerts.

Key Stats

• Each store is equipped with 8–10 intelligent IP cameras; HQ runs an NS VMS platform, NS IPSAN 40 TB storage array and NS DisplayControl units.
• Branch-level NVR equipment eliminated—O&M costs cut by 30% and deployment complexity dramatically simplified.
• All video streams are centrally stored for up to 90 days, with full support for instant playback and forensic search.

Overview

Retail chains often contend with vandalism, shoplifting and fraudulent claims. A leading beauty & personal care chain in France—with over 500 outlets—struggled with fragmented equipment management, security blind spots and inconsistent reliability as it expanded.

NS partnered with this client to implement a unified, HQ-managed video surveillance solution—ensuring consistent security policies, rapid incident response and mobile-app access for managers.

Challenges

1. Scale & FragmentationHundreds of standalone NVRs created maintenance overhead, inconsistent configurations and high hardware costs.
2. Intelligent Monitoring NeedsStaff needed to pinpoint shelf-theft incidents quickly: identifying lost items by time, location and person requires intelligent motion detection and face capture.
3. Cross-Store AlertingThe client required a facial-blacklist system: when a suspect is identified in one store, alerts must propagate immediately to all others.
4. Mobile VisibilityWithout remote-viewing capability, district managers couldn’t monitor live feeds via smartphone—hindering real-time oversight.

Solutions

1. Centralized NVR at HQNS deployed an NS VMS (Video Management System) at HQ, eliminating branch-level DVR/NVR devices. All camera streams flow into a 40 TB NS IPSAN storage array, managed centrally.
2. Intelligent IP CamerasNS-CAM301-DN Dome Cameras (5 MP) at entrances for facial capture and blacklisting.NS-CAM360-FX Fisheye Cameras (5 MP) in sales areas for 360° coverage and object-motion alerts.NS-CAM204-PTZ PTZ Cameras (4 MP) for perimeter intrusion detection, auto-tracking and audible/visual alarms.NS-CAM701-BU Bullet Cameras (8 MP) focused on high-value display shelves and stockrooms.
3. Unified Management & AlertsNS engineers configured the VMS to auto-detect and onboard new cameras remotely. Motion-detection events trigger instant recording and push notifications. Facial-recognition matches feed into a centralized blacklist—propagated to every store.
4. Mobile-App MonitoringA secure Mobile Viewer app allows authorized managers to view live or archived video on iOS/Android, complete with event search by date, time or camera.

Results

• 30% O&M Cost Savings: Eliminating branch-level NVR hardware and streamlining maintenance.
• Improved Incident Response: Motion- and face-based alerts cut investigation time by 40%.
• 90-Day Video Retention: Central storage of all 500+ stores’ recordings, with easy playback for up to three months.
• On-Demand Mobile Access: District managers now monitor any store from their phone—increasing oversight and peace of mind.