Safeguard manufacturing processes with Intelligent Video Analytics

Safety is paramount at Latin America’s oldest active distillery, not only for all the international visitors roaming the premises on guided tours, but also for the company’s workforce and factory property. When Casa Cuervo decided to install a new video security and access control system, it needed to perform several tasks at once: First, keep tourists safe as they explore the production process from agave cooking to barrel aging. Second, safeguard internal processes from manufacturing all the way to truck loading. And third, limit access to sensitive areas only to authorized personnel. What’s more, the new system needed to blend into the environment without attracting attention, as not to disturb the positive brand heritage experience.

Considering these safety requirements, experts from Bosch Mexico installed an integrated security system at the Casa Cuervo factory. Video security is provided by over 150 IP-based cameras from Bosch, installed indoors and outdoors throughout the premises. As the model of choice, most cameras are from the Flexidome line of ‘smart’ cameras that can be mounted discreetly on ceilings and walls to keep a low profile. While delivering sharp images and wide viewing angles to cover expansive areas, the cameras also support security personnel with built-in intelligence: Thanks to Intelligent Video Analytics – using algorithms and image recognition technology – the Flexidome cameras leave no ‘blind spots’ unprotected and trigger alarms when security incidents occur.

The ‘smart’ video cameras also trigger alerts when doors or passageways in the warehouse area are blocked to protect employees from accidents. Each camera provides this level of intelligence by adding metadata to video images ‘at the edge’ via built-in capabilities, which saves cost by requiring no additional computing power. Aside from adding structure and meaning to recorded images, this metadata offers insights beyond security: Casa Cuervo can achieve process optimization by monitoring workflows and pathways for informed business decisions based on statistics.

Next to delivering full visibility of the premises and around-the-clock safety, the video security solution can also handle the rugged conditions in restricted parts of the Casa Cuervo factory. After all, alcohol distillery is an intensive physical process. That’s why explosion-proof and corrosion-free models from the Flexidome line are deployed in areas where high temperature distillation or excessive humidity occur. In order to prevent guests from accidentally wandering into these dangerous areas, the video security system integrates with access control solutions from Bosch. For an extra layer of safety, critical areas can only be accessed by authorized personnel with the right keycards and after cross-verification with the video image. Behind the scenes, user access rights and licenses are managed centrally via the Building Integration System from Bosch.