The Solution

In June 2007, Marco installed a March Networks DVR system with 16 cameras located inside and outside Northbound Liquor's building. "The system is so user friendly," is one of Baar's first comments about the new system. A large screen with multiple views of his building (inside and out) sits right across from his desk so he is aware of what is happening in his store at all times.

"It used to take us four or five hours on our old system to find someone on the tapes," explains Baar. "Now we can search by time period which saves us so much time."

He first heard about the March Networks DVR system at a seminar Marco conducted through the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce a couple of years ago. He also knows a couple of other Marco video customers in the area that recommended the system and Marco to him. "They both spent about an hour with me to show me their systems," says Baar.

One of Baar's requirements of the new system was to more effectively secure areas where an employee is not always present, like in their receiving area. "We do a lot of checking beer and liquor truck delivery people in and out and sometimes those deliveries can take up to four to five hours," explains Baar. "Our back door is open the entire time. We can now view activity in that area from my office on my computer screen without having an employee constantly monitoring that door."

Another way they use the system is to monitor the area where their employees count the money for their deposits. Employees feel more secure with the system while they are counting, especially when other people enter and exit the area. If they do find a discrepancy in the deposits, they have video proof of the counting process which makes employees feel more at ease if a shortage does occur. Cameras are located in all areas where employees handle money such as the cash registers and lottery machines.

"I look at it as a preventative system for theft," says Baar. "We have had customers that we suspected of theft and we can print their photos from the system and post them so employees can watch for them. Our night managers have commented that they feel much safer with the system in place."

Monitoring the front door and checkout areas allows Baar to know how many customers are in the store and waiting at the cash registers so he can increase staff as needed to better serve them.

Baar worked with Marco Technology Advisor, Steve Marsden, to recommend and implement their March Networks DVR system. "Everything went so well," he said. "Steve constantly checked in on us. Marco's installation guys asked us what we wanted and made recommendations to fit our needs. Everyone was so good to work with throughout the entire process. And they checked with us afterwards and made a couple of adjustments for us right away. They're follow-up is very good."

Baar went on, "I talked so highly about Marco to our police department, that they now have a 16 camera system from Marco."