Exclusive: Pioneering a new approach to efficiency and security

A powerful tailored solution from Quanika has strengthened security for a global logistics provider.

Disruption to global supply chains during 2021 highlighted the importance of efficient logistics operations and the need for adaptability. The way the sector has risen to a series of challenges over the last year – from COVID to staff shortages after Brexit – also underscores the efforts operators have been making to achieve greater security, safety, efficiency and resilience.

The sector has long faced big challenges from crime, with each link in the supply chain a point of potential risk from low level opportunist theft, steal-to-order organised gangs, internal fraud and shrinkage, cybersecurity threats, people trafficking and general crime.

In Europe, for example, most cargo theft is thought to be perpetrated by small-time gangs and low-level crime groups not linked to major syndicates. Recent estimates by the UK Home Office put annual losses at £250 million (€290m).

So it’s hardly surprising, given the risks faced, that this is a highly standards-driven sector.

TAPA (the Transported Asset Protection Association) has grown into a leading influencer over the last two decades. Its work in risk monitoring, threat intelligence sharing, training and security standards accreditation is helping build resilience among over 700 member companies and, through them, across global supply chains.

Recognising that cargo crime is one of the biggest supply chain challenges, particularly for higher value products, TAPA’s FSR (Facility Security Requirements) were developed as common global minimum standards for secure warehousing and in-transit storage (separate Trucking Security Requirements cover transportation by road).

Successful implementation of the TAPA standards depends on logistics services providers, buyers and auditors working together and robust oversight systems to manage people are essential at every stage.

Many of these challenges are the focus of solutions that Quanika specialises in: integrating security infrastructure with people management and sector-specific systems that are also designed to streamline operations and drive efficiency. That objective becomes even more important in the context of the staffing pressures that many in the sector have been dealing with. The ability to streamline operations and be more productive with smaller teams is becoming a priority issue.

“Since our launch 18 months ago, we’ve been closely involved with some major logistics operators developing seamless single platform solutions that are more efficient than stand-alone, siloed systems,” says Quanika Sales Director, Phil Campbell. “We have seen first hand how important efficient, seamless operating systems are in making sites more secure and collaboration between parties easier.”

Developing smarter systems

He cites one of the latest successful projects, developed for JAS Worldwide.

JAS Worldwide has grown over four decades to become a global leader in logistics, customs brokerage, air freight and sea freight. The company now operates a network of 38 subsidiaries, in the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe and the Middle East, serving customers in sectors from food, pharma and healthcare, to manufacturing and aerospace, with efficient, affordable delivery solutions. As well as continuing to expand its global footprint, JAS is also investing in the competitiveness of its established facilities and operations, developing smarter systems and new infrastructure to drive efficiency.

At its 110,000 square feet UK warehouse and offices, JAS is working with enterprise-level systems integrator NK Tech Line and integration software vendor Quanika. Together they are pioneering a ground-breaking approach which is transforming security and logistics operations, with streamlined visitor management and frictionless access control at the cornerstone of the solution.

Global supply chains are being tested as never before, with challenges ranging from labour shortages and air travel disruption, to increasing trade barriers, unpredictable extreme weather events and geo-political tensions. At the same time many businesses are navigating the shift to e-commerce, coping with shortages of materials and components and trading in increasingly competitive markets. Where valuable goods are stored and transported the risk of internal and external shrinkage and the threat of organised crime is always present.

At the company’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) approved bonded warehouse close to Heathrow Cargo Village, 12 loading doors are in operation 24/7. High value goods are often stored on site before being shipped onwards so senior logistics managers wanted to strengthen security with upgraded access control and automated visitor management leveraging the latest ANPR technology.

Bringing together systems and hardware

NK Tech Line worked with Quanika to develop a powerful tailored solution built around Quanika’s Enterprise and VisitorPoint software integrated with AXIS Camera Station VMS and Microsoft Active Directory and Microsoft Outlook. The system leverages the power of best-in-class equipment including the AXIS P1445-LE-3 ANPR cameras, AXIS A1601 Network Door Controllers, AXIS Door Station video intercoms, Axis Audio and QR code readers – all backed by industry-leading five-year warranties.

NK Tech Line constructed a new traffic island to combine new barriers, ANPR cameras, two-way video intercoms and QR code readers. The solution provides automated entry of pre-authorised staff to the car park using a time-limited QR code.   Once parked, the visitor presents either their staff ID credentials or the same pre-emailed QR code to an Axis video intercom to gain access to the secure main premises.

JAS staff simply schedule customer invites using Microsoft Outlook providing visitors with QR codes and relevant wayfinding information. At each stage a VIP customer is granted access – from parking to secure area entry – the JAS host is notified by email. This allows the host to welcome this visitor personally in the reception area, reducing pressure on reception staff at busy times and allowing a more impressive arrivals experience for the guest. Reception staff also monitor all visitors on and off site as an additional layer of security using an intuitive web interface and can support visitors as required.

The complete solution is operated from the Quanika Enterprise interface, which also offers seamless connectivity with the site’s existing Axis perimeter detection cameras, intruder, detection and fire systems. It significantly enhances visibility and control of access and related on-site activity, with intuitive maps, easily searched audit trails and a dashboard providing the real-time status of doors, controllers, batteries including system health monitoring.

Senior security and ops managers now handle all site management and control tasks through the Quanika Enterprise platform – including viewing cameras, monitoring doors and communicating through audio devices.

“Automation and digitisation is increasingly essential in the logistics sector and Quanika and Axis have provided a powerful platform to let us make immediate gains – in terms of operational efficiency, loss prevention and customer satisfaction – that gives us future adaptability too,”saysSteve Headland, UK Logistics Director, JAS Worldwide

Major solution expansion

Quanika and Axis’s offering of modular, out-of-the-box integration and flexible and customisable visitor workflows, resulted in a solution that was easy to implement and highly price-competitive. The solution is now providing JAS with efficient and secure visitor management and access for staff and increased situational awareness across the site delivering the following benefits:

• Deterring fraudulent activity and shrinkage and allowing managers to investigate safety and security incidents quickly and effectively
• Enabling frictionless and streamlined access and smoother visitor arrivals resulting in significant ongoing efficiency savings
• Promoting positive perceptions of the JAS brand with impressive, streamlined access for customers
• Improving staff productivity thanks to easy parking and building access and the simplicity of using Outlook to schedule customer and supplier meetings
• Providing compliant audit trails of ‘who, where and when’ traceability via at-a-glance dashboards comprehensive reporting tools.

JAS is now looking at further digitisation of the loading bays, with automated recording of driver check-in replacing labour-intensive paper systems. And having proved its value at the Heathrow warehouse, the Quanika technology will now be further embedded into the JAS operating systems and implemented by NK Tech Line at more of JAS Worldwide sites.

“Quanika has been highly responsive at every stage, listening to what this customer wanted and rapidly delivering the best solution. The project has been a real success – in addition to the maintenance and support service we provide, we are now working closely with JAS to develop streamlined solutions even further,” addsNicky Barker, Managing Director, NK Tech Line.

Together, secure visitor management and access for staff, plus increased situational awareness across warehousing sites, delivers many benefits, says Phil Campbell.

“It deters fraudulent activity and shrinkage and helps managers investigate safety and security incidents more effectively; it provides compliant audit trails of ‘who, where and when’ traceability via dashboards and reporting tools.”

Integrating ANPR gives warehouse operators a minute-by-minute audit trail of delivery activity, confirming when a vehicle enters the facility and how long it has stayed. With excess charges payable when drivers are kept waiting – £50/hour is a realistic current estimate – costs can quickly build. So it’s vital that claims can be verified and persistent inefficiencies tackled.

Looking ahead and helping logistics suppliers go further, Quanika is now developing practical digitisation solutions for loading bays, with automated recording of driver check-in to replace labour-intensive paper systems. These and other developments will help supply chains to build resilience against further challenges to come.

For more information, visit: quanika.com

This article was originally published in the February 2022 edition of International Security Journal. Pick up your FREE digital edition here.