| Installing CCTV? Read this |
| Friday, 25 February 2011 04:02 |
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Why IP CCTV is an attractive option to SMEs.
Why IP CCTV is an attractive option to SMEs. Over the last 12 months the effectiveness of CCTV has been hotly debated within the UK press. Some advocates of the technology point towards an increase in the amount of criminals caught as a result of advancements in camera and video analytic technology, whilst those opposing CCTV often cite instances where outdated technology has hindered criminal investigations.Most recently, figures released by the Met office have shown an increase in the number of suspects identified by CCTV cameras, rising from 1,970 in 2009 to 2,512 in 2010. Is this rise down to more security solutions being installed, cameras being deployed more efficiently, or technological advancements in the CCTV industry? Iain Cameron, Managing Director of Mirasys UK looks into the reasons behind the developments in CCTV efficiency and the possible challenges associated with implementing security solutions which take advantage of these new technologies. The CCTV industry has seen the introduction of Internet Protocol (IP) and PC based CCTV solutions, which move to replace the more traditional low performance analogue equipment. PC based solutions offer users a more efficient style of video recorder and cameras than was previously available, providing improved image quality through higher resolution whilst also offering advanced monitoring features such as digital zoom for post event forensic investigation. PC based solutions take advantage of improved mobility for users, also offering wider accessibility of data. These devices also use an increasing range of video analytic solutions, such as object detection and tracking. However, despite the advancements such technologies can bring, organisations need to be aware of some of the common mistakes which are made when implementing these solutions. Improvements to image quality and surveillance monitoring have undoubtedly resulted from increased use of IP technology, however, the cost of ‘rip out and replace’ solutions which see IP taking the place of traditional analogue implementations has acted as a barrier for adoption. In addition, improvements in image quality offered through new HD camera’s has meant full IP systems require a large amount of network bandwidth meaning CCTV is increasingly becoming a concern for IT staff, as well as business managers and security staff. With this in mind, more and more customers are looking at introducing hybrid solutions which allow users to ‘mix and match’ analogue and IP to utilize existing infrastructures while achieving the required picture quality in the parameters of IT capabilities. PC based CCTV platform software from vendors like Mirasys can help companies to make the most of hybrid systems, avoiding the need to make drastic alterations to IT infrastructures. Coupled with this, organisations will now need to understand how to manage PC and Server based video management and recording solutions. This means a stronger IT approach to both the management of stored and transmitted data is essential. Appropriate IT infrastructure and support needs to be considered and both of these elements will need to be considered in the light of high-volume video data. IT infrastructures are generally designed for sporadic bursts of data, whereas CCTV video data tends to require a system designed to support constant high-volumes of data. Alongside these infrastructural complexities, future proofing through open-platform based, highly scalable solutions is also crucial. The flexibility offered by CCTV platforms which can allow for infinite growth without the need for major changes to the existing surveillance environment can be hugely valuable in the long term, and hybrid systems supporting multiple camera technologies further empower the end-user organisation, meeting security and IT needs as they continue to evolve. IP CCTV has proven to offer major benefits in surveillance monitoring for both small and large businesses and as the correlation between increased adoption of IP and CCTV successes continues to rise, the technology will become more widely adopted by both private and public organisations of all sizes. For small businesses in particular, the opportunity that hybrid solutions bring through enabling the benefits of IP while utilizing existing CCTV infrastructures is an attractive option, and one which will assist the gradual migration to the digitalised work place.
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