IP Surveillance, Choosing the Right System
Video analytics used correctly can have a huge impact on your end user. What integrators must know is not all IP Surveillance Systems are created equal! However when choosing an IP Surveillance System there are a few things to consider. Below are a few things to help make sure your Surveillance Installation is a success.
1. Is the system expandable? I s the system able to be cost effectively expanded? Will the system be able to grow with the needs of your customer, or will they have to start all over?
2. Will the new surveillance system be compatible with the existing video equipment? Are you sure that the existing video surveillance system will integrate with existing cameras? Don’t scrap your existing CCTV System investment, look at an Hybrid solution as an option.
3. Does your IP Solution provide Real-time monitoring and alerts through email or phone? Most systems today offer real-time monitoring and alerts through email or phone, just check to make sure yours does! IP Solutions today will monitor removed objects, motion detection, unattended objects, and many other behaviors.
4. Can the system differentiate between cameras and allow for customization of each camera? Is the system flexible enough to be used in multiple applications? Can the system function in a crowded parking lot environment, catch people loitering around a jewelry store, and look for unattended objects within the same system?
5. Is the system able to operate in variable environmental conditions? Can the same system fully function in both an indoor and outdoor setting? The software should be able to compensate for indoor and outdoor lighting conditions without any special configuration.
6. How reliable is your IP Software? Make sure you have tested and understand the ability and shortcomings of any system. The worst thing that can happen is a promise that a system can achieve a certain objective and find out, you were incorrect!
7. Is the Surveillance System fit within the clients budget? One of the biggest issues when looking at the cost effectiveness of a system is the camera-to –server ratio. If your server can monitor an unlimited amount of cameras, then your additional cost of adding an additional camera is minimal. If you need to add an additional server for every 8 cameras, then the system may become cost prohibitive for your client.
8. What camera options does my IP Software support? Not all IP Software are equal, some only support specific cameras, or only specific cameras within a product line. Make sure your software supports the type of camera you are proposing to your customer.
9. Is your system user-friendly? You may understand your IP Surveillance System, but after you leave the jobsite, does your customer understand and feel comfortable using the system?
10. Is the Surveillance System designed for your ease of use or your customers? Make sure the end product will solve your customer’s challenges. Nothing is worse than an expensive Surveillance System that does not work!
Ryan Temple is the Director of Operations for PCSurveillance.net. PCSurveillance has been serving integrators and manufacturing customized Surveillance Systems throughout the US since 2002. You can read more of Ryan’s articles at http://blog.pcsurveillance.net/ Ryan can be reached at ryan@pcsurveillance.net
