Using Wireless Security to Protect Warehouse Assets

Recently a large national consumer electronics retailerbuilding. If pressure was detected on the roof near
needed a solution that would protect the airthe air conditioning units, or if the connection
conditioning units on top of its two distributionbetween the sensor and the transmitter was
warehouses from copper theft, as well as protectsevered, the transmitter would signal the head end
the products stored inside the warehouses. Thepanel to alarm.
original proposal the customer received was for anTo secure the products on the warehouse floor, the
expensive CCTV system that was priced well abovetechnician suggested using two different motion
the retailer's budget.detectors. Ceiling mount motion detectors with
The warehouse buildings were 680,000 square feet360° radius coverage were placed throughout
and 400,000 square feet, and employed an 802.11the facilities to monitor open areas, while wall mount
wireless product tracking system, along withmotion detectors with a long range lens accessory
mechanized conveyor belts, large metal storagewere used to look down alleys between the large
cages, product shelving, and multiple electricalmetal storage racks. The entire facility was secured
generators and transformers. The retailer needed aafter hours without the need for expensive CCTV
solution that could provide complete protection forcameras.
two different applications without interfering with itsHigh power repeaters were then placed to propagate
existing wireless product tracking system, and thatthe radio signal throughout the large floor plans, and
could perform in an industrial warehouse setting.to ensure coverage through the abundant radio
The customer knew that wireless securityobstacles. Only three repeaters were used in the
technology has advanced to the point that it can680,000 square foot facility, and only two were
operate in challenging commercial environments. Asneeded in the smaller 400,000 square foot facility.
such, they requested a second proposal from aThe wireless solution provided the complete
technician that specialized in wireless securitycoverage that the retailer needed for roof mounted
solutions. The technician conducted a site surveyair conditioning unit protection, as well as for
using a wireless survey kit to determine the bestwarehouse asset protection, at a price they could
product array and locations for each device.afford. The wireless solution also meant that there
To protect the air conditioning units on top of thewas little disruption to their operations when the
building, the technician recommended a single-inputsystem was installed.
universal transmitter that accepted NO/NC contactsBefore your next security installation, take a few
with end of line resistor protection be used with aminutes to understand how wireless security
weatherproof pressure sensor. The pressure sensorsproducts can help you lower installation costs, boost
were mounted on the roof-top air conditioning unitsprofitability, and increase your customer's satisfaction.
and the transmitters remained inside the roof of the