La Aurora Cigar Company lights up operational efficiency with Milestone video technology

La Aurora’s main factory is the number one tourist attraction in Santiago. This prime tobacco growing region offers fresh afternoon breezes that cool the normally scorching daytime temperatures, luring many tourists away from the beaches to the lush, green valley. In 2016, the opening of a new location in the city of Puerto Plata led the physical security and technology team to evaluate changing their old video system to a more flexible, open platform capable of handling future expansions.

La Aurora was looking for a centralized video management system that was open, scalable and future-proof, for multiple sites to be interconnected, to help staff with operational efficiencies, enable integration with access control, and provide solid back-end protection of data.

After searching for a robust solution for physical security and cybersecurity, and one that could interconnect and manage all their different locations from one place, La Aurora selected Milestone XProtect^® video technology.

• Milestone XProtect Corporate open platform software replaced the previous proprietary video surveillance system.
• Cameras from Axis Communications, Hanwha Techwin, VIVOTEK, MOBOTIX, and Dahua were installed. Most of the IP-network cameras are 4K, multi-imaging devices that give 360° coverage of the manufacturing areas.
• Access Control from CDVI covered every building entrance. Servers from Seneca Data powered system performance and data storage. The Seneca NVRs store at least 90 days’ worth of video recordings.
• Aplex Security (form. AWM Solutions), a certified Milestone Partner, installed the new system and handle round-the-clock monitoring of the tobacco company’s properties.

With a consolidated video surveillance system, the security team can better monitor from one location the multiple sites and employees, resulting in more optimized operations and faster resolution of labor conflicts. Higher manufacturing standards are now possible, including preventing accidents.

With the Milestone video solution, security managers can see whether employees are following proper safety protocols in the warehouse, and employ better loss prevention strategies.

"We have many personnel who work directly in the manufacturing of our products, and sometimes there are discrepancies in what has happened. Our supervisors use the video to review and identify what transpired and take action."
- Iturbides Zaldivar, Director of Sales and Marketing at La Aurora

Thanks to the integration with CDVI’s access control system, security managers also receive alerts from movements in the buildings and warehouse, especially outside business hours.

With the new video technology, La Aurora received certification issued by the General Directorate of Customs of the Dominican Republic, which facilitates the exports of products globally. This recognition is granted by customs authorities for implementing security measures among companies in the world that guarantee safe trade. One of its requirements is to have a video surveillance platform that ensures at least 90 days of recording, achieves stability, and provides the necessary evidence to review any situation.

This was all made possible by the new video management system together with the 4K cameras, robust access control and updated servers.

Established in 1903, La Aurora is the first and oldest cigar factory in the Dominican Republic, with one hundred percent Dominican roots. Their handmade cigars are created with two main ingredients: tobacco and time. High quality knows no rush. With modernization, machine-made cigars were also added to the product line, with select cuts from the premium brands and demanding quality control.