THE NEW AGE OF VIDEO SURVEILLANCE

THE NEW AGE OF VIDEO SURVEILLANCE: MORE THAN A SECURITY

Imagine this: a great mass wall of video monitors virtually checking the person in charge of scanning each one. Isn’t that quite impressive?

For companies of various sizes and Uplifting enlightenment, this explains the reality of video surveillance. But there might have existed a false sense of security gimmicks behind all that hardware. Because let us take a moment to think about this, how much can one person see or even process? What number of illegal, unusual, or nefarious activity will occur in a single set of eyes? Merely a concept in a few short years ago, the advent of new technologies is now changing the expanse of video surveillance. And they now have greater impact on how companies use video surveillance – and even those doing it.

THINK BIG

A popular North American bank having several branches needs to streamline its video surveillance and also monitor its access control. After some time, the bank joined the two function (more like a convergence).It hired out the work of monitoring the video and migrated from a traditional key system to intelligent access cards.

Now think small

The one who owns a dry cleaning business with three locations, one employee managing each site and a large cash business only cares about losses and security. He uses several cameras to make a close monitor each location just right at the corner of his home office.

Strategize before you digitize

Various companies of different sizes are reflecting on what they can – and can’t – do to secure, monitor, and grow their businesses with the strategy of video surveillance. But to achieve this, there are some important questions you can ask yourself and your organization: What exactly do I really want to accomplish with video surveillance? Is it to stop loss? Secure a perimeter? Or probably get more knowledge about my customer’s shopping behavior?

Am I professional enough to set up my own network? In fact the so called companies with IT departments may not have enough professionalism to evaluate, design, distribute and monitor an effective video surveillance system. Are my staffs dedicated enough to be effective?

WHAT WILL IT COST YOU TO SET UP VIDEO SURVEILLANCE? (AND WHAT IS THE PAYBACK PERIOD?)

A professional integrator is really required to evaluate the necessary technology and bandwidth to develop a cost-effective video surveillance program. For instance, is it necessary to keep all video onsite or maybe it will be better to send it offsite? And which ROI is rocking on the latest trend: is it IP video?

ANALOG VS. IP VIDEO: REALITIES AND BENEFITS

Any surveillance video related video must put into consider the value of analog vs. IP-based video, or most importantly, analog + IP. Analog is defined as the traditional video where the camera is a recording device. Analog can be networked, but it is restricted by the technology. IP video features great capabilities that can launch companies into the future. While IP is experiencing a vast increment in implementation, analog still remains the dominant technology. An expert estimation of the current market records about 80% analog and 20% IP.

In fact, there are debates among those experts as to how IP video surveillance is adopted. It is getting obvious, however that IP is becoming a replacement of analog, just as CDs replaced audiotape and DVDs replaced videotape.

You are not alone

The increment in the implementation of IP video depends more upon the telecoms just as it is on those who manufacture software application and IP boxes. Introduction of 4G networks promise better bandwidth and even a higher definition video. Of course, cost factor is important. After all, video is more bandwidth intensive when compared to data and hence costly to transmit. This is a reason companies nowadays are retaining their video files in house, while outsourcing alarm notification and event monitoring to integrator better equipped to handle that vital function.

Video analytics powers the move to IP

The attractiveness of IP video is made possible through its capabilities, most notably, video analytics and the combination of physical security and logical (data-based) security. Also the enhanced image quality and the capability of outsourcing and monitoring remotely through web-based applications! Video analytics, which is a part of video surveillance, allow companies to judge recorded events by identifying, for example, the mass of someone scaling a fence.

JOIN THE EVOLUTION

Switching over from IP video will be more of an evolution than a revolution. For most companies, the switching over will take place as analog cameras will be replaced with their digital cameras counterpart. The changing over to IP is already supported by new hybrid products that allow both analog and IP devices.

In times to come, this strategy will be less costly than adding expensive encoders that will ultimately follow the fate of analog video. So there will be varieties of choices to make as the unavoidable switching over to IP based video surveillance is on the increase. What is your capability? What should you outsource? It may not be necessary for you to jump on the bandwidth wagon now. But as your knowledge increases, the more effective your strategy and implementation becomes.