Security officers monitor the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system 24/7 from a central control room using the Avigilon Control Center Enterprise Network Video Management Software (NVMS) with High-Definition Stream Management™. The University of Sydney uses 100 Avigilon HD cameras ranging from 1 MP to 16 MP and Avigilon HD 360 panoramic dome cameras to provide coverage of its campuses and has installed more than 45 Avigilon analog video encoders to improve the performance of its existing analog-based cameras.
Challenge
Develop a campus-wide security plan to create a safe and open learning environment.
Solution
Security officers monitor the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system 24/7 from a central control room using the Avigilon Control Center Enterprise Network Video Management Software (NVMS) with High-Definition Stream Management. The University of Sydney uses 100 Avigilon HD cameras ranging from 1 MP to 16 MP and Avigilon HD 360 panoramic dome cameras to provide coverage of its campuses and has installed more than 45 Avigilon analog video encoders to improve the performance of its existing analog-based cameras.
Benefits
With superior image quality and zooming capabilities, the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system has enabled the University to install fewer cameras and to leverage its existing network infrastructure to save on installation and maintenance costs. Security officers have improved investigative capability and reduced investigation times. By integrating surveillance with an access control and intruder alarm system, University security guards are better prepared to respond to emergencies and the crime rate was reduced by 25 percent.
- 25 % reduction in crime
- Lowered installation costs
- Faster response times
University of Sydney Reduces Crime by 25 Percent Year-Over-Year with Avigilon High-Definition Surveillance System
Founded in 1850, the University of Sydney is one of the oldest universities in Australia, attracting students, staff, and researchers from all over the world to its state-of-the-art campus. Dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment in which staff and students can achieve their teaching, learning, and research goals, the University has deployed the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system as a key element of its campus-wide security plan.
Securing a Small City
With 32,000 full-time students, 16,000 part-time students, and 16,000 staff and affiliates, the University of Sydney faces the same security risks as a small city including theft, disorderly conduct, assault, and vandalism. “Spread across six campuses, more than 530 hectares of open space, and 640,000 m2 of indoor area, we actually have our own postal code,” explained Morgan Andrews, manager of the campus security unit at the University of Sydney. With an existing analog-based system in some of its buildings, the University decided it was time to expand coverage to all major open spaces including pedestrian corridors, athletic fields, and all entry and exit points. After undergoing a thorough review of seven high-definition surveillance system manufacturers, the University of Sydney selected Avigilon for its superior image quality, ease-of-use, and cost-effectiveness. “We wanted to find the best way to achieve our surveillance goals for the best value,” said Andrews. “It made more sense for us to deploy a higher grade system like Avigilon’s than one that involves more, less powerful cameras that require multiple installations.
The Avigilon Solution
A total of 100 Avigilon HD cameras ranging from 1 MP to 16 MP have been installed to date to provide coverage of the Camperdown/Darlington and Cumberland campuses, monitoring all entry and exit points, 24-hour learning areas such as computer labs and libraries, and most high use open areas. The University has deployed Avigilon HD 360 panoramic dome cameras to monitor smaller classrooms and labs. To improve the performance of its existing 190 analog-based cameras, Andrews deployed Avigilon analog video encoders.
“By dramatically improving image quality, the Avigilon analog video encoders have extended the life of our existing analog-based cameras, saving us a significant infrastructure investment,” noted Andrews.
Security officers monitor the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system 24/7 from a central control room using Avigilon Control Center Enterprise Network Video Management Software (NVMS) with High-Definition Stream Management, which was built from the ground up to manage high-definition surveillance video. The University stores 30 days of continuous surveillance footage on virtual servers that are located offsite.
Fewer Cameras; Less Infrastructure
According to Andrews, a key selling feature of the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system is that it delivers superior image quality with fewer cameras and less infrastructure. “Because Avigilon delivers exceptional image quality and zooming capabilities, we were able to install Avigilon HD 11 MP and 16 MP cameras on our buildings and leverage our existing network infrastructure, saving us the time and cost of having to dig trenches, install poles, and run masses of cables and electrical wiring,” said Andrews. By installing Avigilon 360 panoramic HD cameras in some of its smaller spaces, the University has achieved further cost savings. “We can monitor our classrooms and labs with just one Avigilon 360 panoramic HD camera instead of two or three analog-based cameras,” observed Andrews.
Usability for Greater Efficiencies
The search capabilities within the Avigilon Control Center software have proven invaluable for security officers, who have reduced investigations from days or hours to just minutes. “The Avigilon Control Center software is so easy to use, it has allowed us to improve the success of our investigations and also save time,” explained Andrews. For example, the University installed just one Avigilon HD camera to monitor its entire boardwalk, an area that would require up to 15 analog-based cameras. “With just one camera to monitor, we can track a person moving along the boardwalk for a seamless view of an incident instead of having to switch from camera to camera.” In fact, the University recently leveraged the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system to capture indisputable evidence of a robbery that occurred on the boardwalk, which resulted in an arrest and conviction. “We clearly identified the perpetrator from 200 meters out,” confirmed Andrews. The Avigilon high-definition surveillance system has played a key role in multiple investigations because the University can provide information to local police to finalize a criminal incident. “The image quality is so high that in some cases it is better than looking at a photo, helping police to positively identify offenders.”
Surveillance Integrates with Access Control
One of the key requirements for the new high-definition surveillance system was that it be able to integrate easily with the University’s existing Cardax access control and intruder alarm system to further assist in investigations. “By integrating the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system with our access control and alarm system, we can better assess a situation before we dispatch our guards,” stated Andrews. “Now we can determine the nature of the call and prepare our officers to handle the situation appropriately.” The integrated surveillance and access control and alarm system also helps save time, freeing up guards from having to respond to non-urgent situations, like when an alarm is accidentally set off.
Success: Reducing Crime
There is no doubt that the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system was a smart choice for the University of Sydney, which was able to enhance surveillance across its two main campuses, save money, and reduce crime.
“The Avigilon high-definition surveillance system has played a key role in our ability to reduce crime by 25 percent year-over-year since 2009,” concluded Andrews. “We plan to install several hundred more Avigilon cameras in high traffic areas across all our campuses to reduce the crime rate even further.”
To learn more, please register Avigilon webinars:
10th Sept, webinar in English – https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2336406502592911106
15th Sept, webinar in Japanese – https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5723546630031145985
17th Sept, webinar in Chinese – https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8375485113268978178