Keys and Tapes? What is this 1995? Part 2

As promised here is Part 2 of our discussion on video surveillance and door access. Last post we discussed door access and Taylored Systems’ partnership with Amano. Today we will discuss Axis Communications and their video surveillance products.

Axis is a Swedish-based company, operating worldwide with offices in more than 20 countries. They are the global market leader in network video, driving the ongoing shift from analog to digital video surveillance. Like I said before it’s an exciting time in the world of video surveillance. The shift into IP and digital video has opened up many new doors and has made video surveillance an affordable protection for any and all companies. With the video now being digital it allows for a more reliable method of storage using a DVR and hard disks rather than tapes and VCRs.

The technology has moved away from being just for security and is being used for a multitude of other applications. We have had clients use video recordings to develop “how to” and “how not to” videos for new employee trainings. Other clients record their sales meetings for ongoing training to better their sales staff. We have had clients use the video to settle workman’s comp. claims. Video is being used to settle disputes or incidents that happen in an area a manager cannot see. We have a client who will record all cars entering and exiting their car wash to help with liability claims from damages. The technology has been widely popular in the retail and bar/restaurant industry. Not only for loss prevention by customers but also as loss prevention from employees. Having a camera focusing on the point of sale has helped many businesses weed out untrustworthy employees. There is integration where the point of sale system superimposes all register transaction data onto corresponding video, allowing management to verify cashier activity. Also providing on-screen alarms of suspicious transactions. Integration, like with door access, is one huge benefit to moving from an analog video system to an IP system. The more technologies you have on the network the more you can use them in conjunction with one another. 

As with all IP technologies, IP video surveillance allows for remote management, reporting, and maintenance. It brings the on going costs to an affordable level and allows all business the opportunity use the technology to their benefit. As with anything there are concerns. Bandwidth requirements are a major concern with transferring video. Video requires a significant amount of bandwidth and the better quality of images and refresh rates you want, the more bandwidth you will need. If you have questions just ask…

This was Michael Martin's last conversation with Bill Taylor and Dean Reskevich

Keys and Tapes? What is this, 1995? Pt1

A few months ago Taylored Systems partnered with Amano Security Systems and Axis Communications to provide our customers more options for the growing need of door access and video surveillance products. We also determined after a request for more info on door access technology from our previous post that we should address this topic in a little more detail and add in the video surveillance aspect.

In the last five years, here in Indianapolis, we noticed virtually every new construction project has required either door access, or video surveillance, or both. The interest for these two technologies has increased due to various reasons; mostly technology convergence and upgrades. Our explanation will be done in a two part posting with today’s touching on door access and a video surveillance follow up in a few days.

Door access utilizes IP technology to allow more flexibility controlling enterprise locations. Before these devices were IP capable, if someone had multiple locations all of the changes would need to be done on each site. Today networking the systems together can result in one administrator for any and all locations, no matter their location. As we discussed before it is also reducing the cost of installation by limiting the necessary wiring and cabling, and because these devices are residing on a company’s network it allows for integration with other components and easier use. This provides more in-depth functionality including:

· Triggering cameras to focus on a particular event

· Associate an event with an image database to determine if the fob/card holder is the correct user

· Ability to provide temporary fobs/cards that only allow access to certain doors at certain times (i.e. schools that have different groups that meet after-hours, UPS or other deliveries, cleaning services, etc)

· Deactivated or “flagged” cards/fobs triggering events to show the person by camera or notify necessary individuals

· If a door is held open the access system can trigger an alarm notification

· Integration with HV/AC and machine controls to keep all notifications coming from one location

· Notification by virtually any form of communication including text message, email, Tweet, SMS, phone call, etc.

· Storage of information on the hardware level- SMS modems inside the units allow for redundancy. If the network fails the notifications can still go out

Taylored Systems saw adding Amano to our product line as a better way to provide our customers an all inclusive solution ranging virtually all aspects of technology for a business large or small. Our customer’s demands and suggestions are always leading us into another realm of technology…so keep the suggestions coming and thank you!

This was Michael Martin's latest conversation with Bill Taylor and Dean Reskevich. Please stay tuned for Pt 2.