The introduction of open platform IP video management software at Bulgaria’s two Black Sea airports, Varna and Burgas, has led to “improved security and operational excellence”, said in a statement its developer, Milestone Systems.

RAD Group has installed Milestone XProtect Enterprise software, operating several hundred Axis network cameras in both airports, with IBM servers and Cisco network infrastructure, announced the company Milestone Systems.

At the end of 2006 the German-Bulgarian consortium of the airport operator Fraport AG and the Bulgarian logistics company BM Star won a bid for the operation of both Varna and Burgas Airports - gateways to the popular Bulgarian Black Sea tourist region, including the country’s two largest resorts – Sunny Beach and Golden Sands – for a 35-year concession period.

Milestone Systems explains that prior to 2008, Varna and Burgas Airports had individual systems for different tasks, and analog surveillance cameras; this analog technology had limitations in quality like the inability to monitor remotely between the two airports, to expand the systems, or to integrate with other security solutions.

RAD Group, a Milestone Certified Partner in the Solytron distributor channel, has installed Milestone XProtect Enterprise software, operating several hundred Axis network cameras in both airports, with IBM servers and Cisco network infrastructure. Retention of the recorded video is set to the required 30-day regulation.

Control rooms at each site with 12 37-inch display screens each show the Milestone Smart Client views of both live and recorded video, which provide overview of the customs area, baggage claim belts, arrival and departure areas, shops and gates.

Varna and Burgas Airports are said to be using the Milestone surveillance not just for security but also for operational excellence. Officials monitor aircraft taking off and landing on the runways and on the apron to ensure proper servicing of the planes including baggage and food supply movements, vehicle traffic and operations around the tanks for refueling.

The Milestone surveillance system can be viewed and managed centrally by Fraport personnel for both of the airports or locally at each airport, depending on the user access given.

“With the implementation of Milestone XProtect Enterprise at both airports, Fraport gains the following improvements: unified video surveillance systems at both airports and centralization of the software, hardware and communications; surveillance and control of technological processes in airport servicing -- runway, apron, fuel farm, security checks, passenger and baggage flow,” Hristo Botev, head of IT for Fraport Twin Star Airport Management, is quoted as saying.

In 2008 the airports set up the Milestone IP video platform, learning the system thoroughly and fine-tuning it.

Milestone says with respect to the plans of Fraport Twin Star to build new terminals at both airports. that with the Milestone IP video open platform, it will be no problem to expand the system for this coverage, including management of activities during the construction phase.

Milestone Systems explains that airports in Varna and Burgas want to add other innovations in the future through video analytics, and these could be applied when they make entrance and exit lanes for passenger movements in the terminals, especially in the customs areas. Uni-directional flow will make it easier for analytics to alert when someone is going in the wrong direction. They also are looking into left baggage analytics and tripwire solutions to help prevent people from going to unauthorized areas. Tailgating alerts could detect improper access by people who try to enter on someone else’s card.

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