A UK–based retail-printing company needed a modern access control solution for its factory car park, which sees a steady flow of large trucks and cars of staff members. The new system had to:
- Handle access for high-volume, heavy-duty vehicle traffic during operating hours
- Prevent unauthorized after-hours parking
- Operate without on-site personnel
Faced with tight space at the gated entrance and rising concerns over security breaches when the car park was unattended, the solution needed to be fully automated, highly reliable, and easy to integrate with the existing infrastructure.
A two-fold challenge
To tackle this upgrade, the company partnered with Oxen Installations, a specialist in access control and network infrastructure with experience in deploying smart systems. The project faced two major obstacles:
- After-hours parking intrusions
Unauthorised vehicles were accessing the car park after closing time. With no option for on-site gate staff, the new system had to run fully autonomously and be remotely managed. - Cramped entry layout
A tight right-angle turn at the entrance with minimal curb space ruled out the installation of proximity readers, intercoms or poles in front of the gate. Any solution needed to be able to operate properly from a distance, without blocking the wide-angle approach of incoming trucks.
The installer quickly determined that a contactless ANPR camera setup —using licence plates as virtual access tokens—would overcome both the spatial and operational constraints.
An integrated solution for full automation
Oxen Installations deployed a smart ANPR-based access control system built around the AVUTEC Gatekeeper 410X integrated with a Paxton access control system for automated access management.
Why this setup worked:
Onboard ANPR processing for instant recognition
The Gatekeeper 410X delivers powerful onboard processing and high-accuracy licence plate reads even in demanding, high-traffic conditions with varied vehicle and plate types.
Installation flexibility with uncompromised performance
With a 2–12 m recognition range and 6 m-wide field of view, the camera could be mounted directly on the gate, without extra poles, roadworks, or curb modifications needed.
Its wide viewing angle doesn’t require a perfect frontal plate view, giving further mounting flexibility without sacrificing recognition accuracy.
Straightforward integration with Paxton
Setup required only a Wiegand connection to the Paxton controller and PoE+ to power the camera, streamlining both cabling and configuration.
The fully remote connectivity of the AVUTEC system allows administrators to view license plate events or adjust camera settings from anywhere, without stepping on site.
Result and benefits of the installation
The new setup went live smoothly and immediately delivered results. AVUTEC provided remote configuration support, while Oxen managed on-site installation and integration, ensuring a seamless deployment with minimal disruption.
Even after an incident where a truck accidentally struck the camera, only the mounting bracket needed replacement, while the Gatekeeper unit itself continued functioning without issue.
The company now benefits from:
✅ Fully automated access control for staff, trucks, and authorized visitors
✅ Enhanced 24/7 security with no manual oversight needed
✅ Minimal maintenance and high reliability
✅ Proven durability in a heavy-duty, real-world industrial setting
This project demonstrates how AVUTEC ANPR systems, when paired with smart integration and expert installation, deliver uncompromised, fully automated access control—even in the most challenging environments.
Oxen installations
Focused on reliability and long-term performance, they provide tailored installation and maintenance services across diverse sectors—delivering end-to-end solutions, from initial design to ongoing support.
