Equipment Theft & Rising Insurance Premiums
After experiencing an ever-increasing volume of theft, Capital Tractor, Inc. started looking for new solutions to prevent theft of small and medium-sized tractors, mowers, and similar equipment on its retail yards. Fences, barriers and lighting had not stopped brazen thieves from driving onto the dealership lots and loading up trailers with equipment, then driving through or around the barriers.
Rising insurance costs due to theft was a big problem for the Alabama-based Kubota dealer. Online research in 2019 led Capital Tractor to Vulcan Security Systems, LLC, a Mobotix partner based in Birmingham, Alabama. Jason Maddox, president of Vulcan Security Systems, made a visit to Capital Tractor’s locations and developed a customized video security system proposal to meet the specific needs and goals of Capital Tractor.
We were looking for solutions to reduce our losses and save on insurance….I really liked Jason’s proposal and they used some of the highest quality cameras available [Mobotix]. We chose Vulcan and a monitored system. It wasn’t the least expensive of my two quotes, but some of the best equipment.
John Bobo, President, Capital Tractor, Inc.
“I really liked the layout of Jason’s proposal and how to implement it,” explained John Bobo, president of Capital Tractor, Inc. “Jason listened to what I wanted and provided that, but he offered advice on what we didn’t need vs. what we did. He laid out a well-designed system and quote to fit our business needs. It was not a one-size-fits-all solution.”
Vulcan Security Systems installed a number of MOBOTIX M26 cameras around the premises of Capital Tractor’s locations and set up an event-based monitoring package for after-hours monitoring by VSS’s monitoring service. At the time of the original installation in 2019, Capital Tractor had two locations. In 2021 the company expanded with the addition of two new locations (another in Alabama and one in Mississippi), and management asked VSS to install Mobotix cameras at the new locations.
Capital Tractor, Inc., an Alabama-based equipment dealer, is one of the largest Kubota dealers in the U.S. and also represents a wide range of other equipment manufacturers for sales, rentals, and parts. Capital Tractor has three locations in Alabama: Montgomery, Brundidge and Mobile, and one in Lucedale Mississippi.
“We’re 100% satisfied,” Bobo said. “Jason did what he said he was going to do.”
MOBOTIX M26 Cameras
The all-purpose MOBOTIX M26 cameras, 6MP resolution, are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and feature digital pan and zoom capabilities. Multiple lens options are available and lenses can be swapped out, as needs change, without having to replace the entire camera. Cameras support two-way communication with built-in microphones and speakers.
In addition to visual motion detection through the 3D Motion Detection and analytics capabilities, the M26 can track ambient temperatures and be programmed to trigger alerts based on ambient temperature changes or integrated with control systems for more sophisticated operational needs.
Event-Based Security Camera Monitoring Services
MOBOTIX cameras can be programmed to send alerts to an off-premises monitoring site if the camera detects activity in the defined fields of concern. The monitoring service can remotely view the activity to determine if it warrants action.
The ability to engage in two-way communication allows the monitoring agent to deliver a verbal warning to an apparent trespasser or intruder, or make further inquiry as to the reason the person is on the premises. Depending on client preferences–and based on the needs of the situation–the monitoring station will notify company personnel and/or law enforcement.
“If it’s 10 a.m. on a Sunday, and I get an alert, I can remote in and check it out, identify as probably just a browser, and ask the monitoring station to just monitor until they leave,” Bob said. “On the other hand, if it’s at 10:30 at night when we have someone looking at equipment that might be handled differently.”
“Operationally, we have confidence that someone is watching when we’re not physically there,” Bobo said. “We’ve had no incidents of theft since installation.
The Takeaway
The MOBOTIX M26 cameras are performing as designed and, combined with the system monitoring package, Capital Tractor has solved its problem.
