Background

PlaceB is one of Switzerland's premier self-service storage companies, delivering a contemporary and self-sufficient storage experience. They provide clean, dry, and secure storage units, granting customers 24/7 access through their app.

As the Head of Project Management, Nico Zürcher leads expansion initiatives and projects, including the deployment of modern technology at new facilities.

Why Verkada

“Our previous system struggled with poor stability and image quality. We sometimes lost connection to our sites which was not sustainable.”

PlaceB began their deployment with the Mini Series cameras, which provide the organisation with enhanced visibility from an intuitive software interface, enterprise-level performance, and edge-based analytics. They effectively resolved the challenges Nico encountered with the prior system. Built with reliable hybrid cloud architecture, the cameras have a resolution of 5MP, a decade-long warranty, and automatic updates for firmware and software.

Improve Visibility with Centralised Management

“With our former system, we needed to log in with a separate account for each one of our 45 sites. With Verkada, we can monitor multiple sites from a single platform."

Nico now effortlessly manages camera fleets across multiple sites from the centralised Command platform. Not only has he brought all camera feeds together in one place, but he also provides secure access and visibility to his team – regardless of their location.

Enhancing Operations Using Floorplans

"Floorplans have become an integral tool for our operations. They offer live video context for every call our customer support team receives, allowing us to efficiently guide customers throughout the facility."

The Floorplans feature in Command offers users a dynamic visualisation of real-time activity within their spaces. When a customer contacts placeB’s support team, this tool swiftly pinpoints their location within the facility, aiding in seamless navigation.

Simple to Scale

"With the ability to add an unlimited number of users at no additional cost, we've set up a Verkada account for every member of our customer support team."

Nico improves security and collaboration by customising access levels for Site Admins, Site Viewers, and Users. From an intuitive software interface, he can easily set role-based permissions (such as viewing, archiving, and link-sharing) to align perfectly with placeB's needs.

"Verkada's user-friendly platform and cost-effective scalability have been instrumental in enhancing both the user experience for our customers and the daily operations of our support team."

Faster incident resolution 

"Previously, we spent an average of 40 minutes resolving an incident on our sites. Verkada's search features have reduced that time to less than 5 minutes."

With Motion Search, team members can detect a person's trajectory over time. Visualised in Command as a path through a scene, this feature empowers teams to efficiently glean actionable insights without being overwhelmed by redundant information. In addition to time-savings, this helps ensure swift and accurate decision-making.

Looking Ahead

To elevate placeB's customer experience and operations, Nico has identified specific Verkada products to integrate into their future roadmap.

Intercom Calling and Receiving

Nico envisions using Verkada Intercom to open up cloud-connected communications and answer calls from anywhere. "In places where our customers struggled to reach out due to poor phone service, Intercom will be our solution, ensuring that every call reaches our support team."

Helix Enterprise Video Search

With the rise of self-service trends, Nico sees an opportunity to transform one of the storage rooms into a self-service shop with Verkada Helix. "With Helix, we can ensure transparency. Goods purchased through our app will be verified against what's taken from the shop.”

License Plate Recognition (LPR) Unlock

Nico also plans to add LPR unlock, integrating cameras with access control to automatically open gates when an authorised license plate is recognised. "Our vision is a seamless experience for our customers," Nico shares. "With LPR Unlock, they won't have to wait or go through manual processes. An authorised license plate will be all they need to access our facilities."

Beyond a system upgrade, Nico leverages Verkada as a strategic tool improve security and efficiency. By modernising their technology infrastructure, placeB has set a new standard for self-storage in Switzerland.

To see Verkada in-action, get a personalised demo or attend an upcoming webinar.