Mission
UMC Utrecht wanted to upgrade its existing camera system to IP and at the same time adapt a new central camera platform, with the aim of integrating diverse systems to achieve a more efficient and effective security organization.
Solution
Axis partner VisiOn ISP installed a central, fully redundant video management system from Genetec at UMC Utrecht with both fixed and mobile Axis network cameras. The platform seamlessly integrates with the existing Company Registration and Information System (BREINS) and offers extended functionality in order to provide targeted and efficient protection of specific areas, situations and public streams. In addition to real time images, the platform also offers extended possibilities for rapid scanning of stored images.
Result
The central video platform offers UMC Utrecht a way of efficiently protecting an extensive organization with several locations. In addition to a complete overview from the alarm center, locations and public streams within the hospital are also adequately protected with the intelligent functionality of the Genetec platform and the Axis cameras. For this, central triggers can be set to send observers a signal if an anomaly occurs. By coupling signaling with procedures, security staff can assess situations better and improve response times. An extra benefit of the new environment is that information generated by the platform can be used to optimize security even further. Finally, the platform is sufficiently scalable to enable the seamless integration of new developments.
Optimized security with central camera platform
The University Medical Center of Utrecht (UMCU) is one of the largest hospitals in the Netherlands. Spread over several buildings, a staff of over 15,000 works around the clock to provide excellent care based on the building blocks of knowledge and people. For the safety of both employees and visitors, UMC Utrecht uses network cameras. This allows security staff to systematically monitor areas, situations and public streams. In the past, UMC Utrecht used various camera platforms and systems. To improve the efficiency of the security, central video management platform was chosen, based on Axis network cameras.
Retaining investment
The need to extend and replace the cameras in the AZU hospital and WKZ children's hospital led UMC to invite tenders for a central camera platform. Van Wandelen says, “We were looking for an integrated platform with a direct link to our Alarm Center Management System, Breins. To retain earlier investments, we also wanted to integrate some existing cameras into the new environment.” After an extensive selection process, system integrator and Axis partner VisiOn ISP appeared to meet all the requirements of UMC Utrecht. They offered a redundant platform based on a selection of Axis network cameras for interior and exterior use, including Axis video encoders for the analog cameras to be reused. The new Genetec video management platform is coupled to the Breins system. At the moment, UMC Utrecht has around 180 network cameras in use; this will be expanded to 250 in the future.
Extra eyes
According to van Wandelen, security cameras effectively give observers extra eyes. “Through the combination of an integrated environment and intelligent functionality, we can now make the cameras work better for us. With the functionality of the new cameras, we are better able to match the security level to the space concerned. By combining these options smartly, we can structure hospital security more efficiently.”
Fast search functions
Another advantage of the new video management platform is a shorter response time to incidents. Van Wandelen says, “Cameras are a very effective aid here. For example, on receiving an alarm from a panic button, officers can take a direct look from a distance to get a good assessment of the situation and decide on the required action accordingly.” To optimize the security process further, UMC Utrecht wants observers to have to look at screens as little as possible. “It might sound contradictory, but we have to observe and only act when anomalies occur. It's also easy to review images later; for example, by searching back on the basis of recorded movements. This can also be done from various locations. This is a practical benefit if we want to investigate an incident.”