Challenges
Several challenges came up during the deployment of the system. Many of the pavilions were greenfield projects. With such a vast area to cover and no supporting infrastructure in place, power supply and wiring were difficult to install. Since some of the pavilions will be torn down once the Flora Expo ends, the equipment used needed to strike a balance between being weatherproof and durable, while being affordable for a temporary installation.
While wireless transmission was considered, the urban areas were surrounded by broadcast towers and antennas that could cause interference. The final solution used fiber-optic cables, which provide superior reliability and longer transmission distances.
Collaboration
During construction, each of the building contractors for the 14 pavilions had different installers set up surveillance systems. Since there was no collaboration between the builders or installers at the time, Secom ran into inconsistencies during cabling and often needed to relocate cameras.
Secom consulted with the builders and suppliers about camera locations, to integrate them all into the central management system. On some occasions, the cameras' fields of view were no longer adequate, requiring the installers to adjust them.
The expo organizer required all video to be integrated into the same management system. Managing 400 video feeds was no easy feat. It required time and partnership to find a suitable VMS capable of integrating cameras from several vendors.
Highlights
The presence of security personnel was necessary, so the organizers could respond quickly to security events and false alarms. Secom uses technology to manage its security guards, allowing efficient coverage of the entire area. Only about 100 security guards are needed at any given time to secure the four major areas, manage entrances and exits, patrol the premises and handle situations.
This project showcased how system integrators (SI) go above and beyond. In addition to meeting the security needs outlined, the SI also threw in benefits such as the location-based services. An SI should be able to not only cater to the needs of clients, but also take a site's characteristics into consideration.