Location:
Denton, Texas

Project:
Replace VCR-based surveillance systems with digital technology.

Project Size:
Accutrack digital video servers installed in six branches, with plans to eventually replace all analog systems in the bank's remaining locations.

When First State Bank of Texas began installing Diebold's AccuTrack Digital Video Servers in their branches, they knew it would be a great tool for ATM and branch surveillance. What they didn't count on was the variety of applications they would find for the system, including the need to use AccuTrack to determine if one of their branches had survived a natural disaster.

"Digital imaging is the wave of the future," says Patrick Adams, senior vice president of First State Bank of Texas. "When we looked at taking our security and surveillance systems to the next level, AccuTrack was the obvious answer."

First State Bank of Texas, part of the Marquette Financial Companies, has 25 bank locations in fourteen market areas throughout the Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan area. The bank began installing AccuTrack in their branches in mid-1999 to improve efficiency by phasing out cumbersome tape-based recording systems. The switch to digital technology eliminated the need to hire staff to manage the VCR systems and allowed other personnel, such as those researching bad checks and different types of fraud, to do their jobs more efficiently.

The bank began by installing the AccuTrack servers in their branches in Ft. Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Garland, Plano and Terrell. "What we found," said Adams, "is that once AccuTrack was installed, the immediacy and flexibility of the technology opened up a whole new variety of applications."

A surprising use of this technology took place on March 21, 2000 when a series of tornados struck downtown Ft. Worth. Media reports showed a glass building that was located only blocks away from First State Bank of Texas's Ft. Worth branch shattering as a funnel cloud tore through the area. Following the disaster, police and emergency personnel completely closed off a 12-square block area of the city. Bank officials had no way of knowing if their vaults, PCs, safe deposit boxes and other bank property were scattered among the streets of Ft. Worth.

"Our branch president tried unsuccessfully to get to the branch that evening and the next morning, but for security reasons, they were not allowing access to anyone," said Adams. The president headed to the bank's Denton headquarters where he and Adams logged on to the Ft. Worth branch's AccuTrack server. "We looked at the teller line and saw that papers were in order and nothing had been blown around. We looked at the lobby camera and saw that the glass windows were intact. Then, we looked at the drive thru and saw that there was no structural damage to our building." Fortunately, the bank emerged unscathed. "The AccuTrack system was able to give us the peace of mind of knowing everything was fine until we were able to actually get into the building later that evening," said Adams.

Although this was an unusual use for AccuTrack, Adams is quick to point out that it is a good example of the expanded applications of the product. "AccuTrack has been a great tool for us. In addition to the many research and security uses, our supervisors log on to evaluate teller performance or monitor activity at the drive-up lanes. We're also considering adding cameras in our computer rooms to allow our technicians to visually diagnose problems and check configurations that differ between branches. The AccuTrack system is continually offering us ways to use cutting-edge technology to improve our overall productivity."

Product Description and Features
Diebold's AccuTrack video server captures digitally signed images and transaction data in real time from one to 24 cameras. The digital information is stored on a multi-gigabyte hard drive, with a removable drive that allows for archival of important investigative information. Live and stored images from the server can be retrieved online by authorized personnel, using any standard laptop or desktop PC loaded with a Web browser such as Netscape Navigator(R) or Microsoft Internet Explorer(R). The server's remote programming capabilities eliminate the need for system interaction with personnel at the surveillance location.

AccuTrack Features

• Eight alarm inputs
• Eight relay outputs
• Programmable camera sequencing
• Automatic e-mail messaging of text and images
• Image authenticity technology
• Built-in motion detection
• Robust NT-based operating system
• TCP/IP protocol
• Pre-alarm recording
• Watchdog timer that helps assure uptime
• Available local and remote diagnostics