IndigoVision was chosen to safeguard students and premises by replacing the old systems with a reliable and integrated platform that would make use of existing cameras, cover multiple sites, improve performance and allow new IP cameras to be added when required.
Background
Farnborough College of Technology was experiencing difficulties with its existing and non-compatible surveillance systems. A combination of factors was undermining system effectiveness and site security across the two large campuses, which are 6 miles apart and include old and new buildings, numerous entrances and large car parks.
Solution
IndigoVision was chosen to safeguard students and premises by replacing the old systems with a reliable and integrated platform that would make use of existing cameras, cover multiple sites, improve performance and allow new IP cameras to be added when required.
Panoptech, the local IndigoVision partner, installed IndigoVision's Security Management System, SMS4, which enables the integration of separate components of the security system. This allows the full solution to be managed in one place, removing the compatibility issues of the old systems. Three workstations were set up using control center, the user interface to SMS4.
The system upgrade consisted of a combination of IndigoVision encoders, connecting the existing analog cameras to the network, and HD Minidome cameras. IndigoVision's architecture allows any system component to be located at any point on the IP network, including cameras, NVRs and video workstations. The architecture removes the need for a central server, which in turn eliminates the risk of a central point of failure. Any of the control center workstations can view live footage from any camera on the network as well as recorded footage from any NVR. The system is fully expandable and scalable.
According to Stuart French, Deputy Computer Services, Funding & MIS Manager at Farnborough College, the new IndigoVision solution has transformed security: "The IndigoVision CCTV system is a robust and highly modular platform that allows for easy upgrades and expansion in the future. The system has also been very efficient in storing recorded footage, and I am impressed by how much video can be stored on the NVRs. The new HD Minidome cameras have amazing night vision video – it's impressive stuff."
Activity Controlled Framerate, a IndigoVision feature, has been used on the cameras to reduce bandwidth and minimize storage requirements. ACF regulates framerate according to the motion in a particular scene. The camera motion search feature has dramatically reduced the search time for finding incidents that have occurred. The improved review and playback features of the IndigoVision software mean that video can be pinpointed and accessed very quickly, allowing for a decisive security response.