Implementing Coram at North Coast Testing Laboratories

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In an industry as regulated as cannabis testing, ensuring compliance with state security regulations is critical. North Coast Testing Laboratories faced a significant challenge when their existing security system fell short of new regulatory requirements. This case study explores how North Coast Testing Laboratories partnered with Coram AI to upgrade their surveillance system, ensuring compliance, and improving operational efficiency.

Background

North Coast Testing Laboratories is dedicated to testing cannabis for state compliance, ensuring that products are safe and accurately labeled for cannabinoid content, terpene content, and other meaningful details. As the Compliance Director and General Counsel, Adam Scavone is responsible for overseeing the laboratory's adherence to state regulations; including stringent security and surveillance requirements.

Challenge

The rapid expansion of the Ohio cannabis program and the legalization of adult-use marijuana introduced new security regulations. The existing Hikvision NVRs at North Coast Testing Laboratories could not meet the new requirements, which included remote access for state regulators via a public-facing website.

Adam explained, “Our existing systems were not handling new regulatory requirements, and we were at risk of losing our ability to operate in the recreational market, which would have been catastrophic for our business.”

Solution

In search of a solution that met the new regulatory criteria and offered advanced features, North Coast Testing Laboratories evaluated several options. Coram AI stood out for its:

1. Regulatory Compliance: The ability to provide remote access through a public-facing website, ensuring that state regulators could log in easily.
2. Advanced AI Features: The AI-enhanced search functionality was a significant differentiator, promising to streamline operations and enhance security.
3. User-Friendly Interface: A clean, intuitive design that made navigation and monitoring straightforward.

Implementation

The implementation of Coram AI’s surveillance system was atypical. An issue with the Lab’s legacy infratructure had the Coram team on the phone for over 10 hours with North Coast’s implementation team as they narrowed down the issue together. 

“The onboarding process was one of the most adventurous we've ever done, but it went smoothly, and we got our compliance check passed with flying colors.”

Results

The transition to Coram AI brought immediate benefits:

1. Regulatory Approval: North Coast Testing Laboratories passed their compliance check with the state regulator, securing their ability to operate in both medical and recreational markets.
2. Operational Efficiency: The web-based interface provided a user-friendly experience, eliminating the need for cumbersome IP address logins and making remote access straightforward.
3. Advanced Monitoring: Features like facial recognition and motion detection zones enhanced security and operational oversight. Adam noted, “The facial recognition feature is pretty wild and adds a significant layer of security.”

Benefits

Enhanced Compliance and Security: The new system met all regulatory requirements, ensuring North Coast Testing Laboratories remained compliant and could continue operations without interruption.

Operational Improvements: The advanced features of Coram AI’s system, such as AI-enhanced search and facial recognition, streamlined security operations and improved the efficiency of monitoring and reporting.

User Satisfaction: The intuitive interface and reliable remote access capabilities received positive feedback from the team, who appreciated the ease of use, enhanced security features, and responsive support.

Conclusion

The partnership with Coram AI has been a game-changer for North Coast Testing Laboratories, ensuring regulatory compliance and enhancing security.

Adam Scavone enthusiastically recommends Coram AI, stating, “Coram AI has made it tremendously easy to meet compliance needs and has been there to help us think through and fix any technical issues.”

By choosing Coram AI, North Coast Testing Laboratories not only secured their compliance with state regulations but also improved their overall operational efficiency and security. This case study demonstrates how advanced surveillance solutions can support compliance and enhance security in highly regulated industries like cannabis testing.