Mobile Video App Critical Feature for Credit Union
Equity Credit Union in Ajax, Ontario, deploys a March Networks video solution
When Tom Dimson, CEO of Equity Credit Union, in Ajax, Ontario, Canada, receives a call from his alarm monitoring company at three o’clock in the morning, he no longer has to get dressed and drive to the credit union’s location 45 kilometres (30 miles) east of Toronto, or incur the expense of dispatching a security guard unnecessarily.
Instead, he can simply reach for his smartphone, launch the March Networks Command Mobile App and review live or recorded video from the credit union to make sure everything is okay.
“More often than not, it’s a false alarm triggered by a heavy wind, or someone trying unsuccessfully to open the door,” said Dimson.
“Being able to access video remotely was very important to us. We also wanted a system that was reliable and would serve us for a number of years. March Networks was highly recommended.”
March Networks ‘highly recommended’
The Command Mobile App allows March Networks users to view video from 8000 Series Hybrid NVRs, 9000 Series IP Recorders, and RideSafe GT Series NVRs, as well as from Command Recording and Command Enterprise servers, and is available for free from the App Store and Google Play. It’s just one of multiple tools and features that helped convince Equity Credit Union that the March Networks solution was the right fit for its security needs.
The credit union began looking for a new video surveillance system in the summer of 2017 and installed its March Networks solution in September, opting for Command Client software and an 8000 Series Hybrid NVR capable of accommodating both analog and IP cameras.
“It was time to upgrade and get a better video surveillance system because our previous system was outdated,” said Dimson. “Being able to access video remotely was very important to us. We also wanted a system that was reliable and would serve us for a number of years. March Networks was highly recommended by our security systems integrator, Stanley Security, so we took their advice.
“The system is very convenient,” added Dimson. “It’s very easy to use and, living in Toronto, I don’t have to make the 30 to 35 minute drive out to Ajax for a false alarm.”
Equity Credit Union, one of the oldest credit unions in Ontario, has been in business for 75 years. Formerly known as the Unilever Employees Credit Union, it changed its name and relocated from downtown Toronto to Ajax in 2010 when Unilever Canada downsized.
“The options were to die a slow death, merge with another credit union or be proactive and transition from an employee-based credit union to a community-based financial institution,” said Dimson. “We looked at various locations around the Greater Toronto Area and decided Ajax would be a good fit for us.”
The vast majority of members stayed with the newly rebranded organization because of the close relationship they had with the credit union’s employees.
Before the rebranding and the move to Ajax, the credit union had assets of $35 million and 1,900 members. Today, assets have almost quadrupled to $115 million and membership has grown to 2,900.
Flexibility of a hybrid solution
With the installation of its March Networks solution, the credit union was able to continue using existing analog cameras covering teller stations, the ATM vestibule and other strategic locations. And because the hybrid NVR supports both analog and IP cameras, it will enable the credit union to transition to high-definition surveillance cameras in the future more cost-effectively.
Fortunately, there have been no serious incidents at the credit union, but in the unlikely event of a robbery or a case of suspected fraud, the financial institution is confident it will have the clear video evidence it requires for additional investigation or to share with law enforcement thanks to its March Networks solution.