Increasingly, users, monitoring stations and law enforcement agencies are asking for video verification when an alarm goes off, so they can determine whether an alarm is real or false. As a result, more and more solutions providers are offering their solutions to help users in this regard.
Increasingly, users, monitoring stations and law enforcement agencies are asking for video verification when an alarm goes off, so they can determine whether an alarm is real or false. As a result, more and more solutions providers are offering their solutions to help users in this regard.
Most of the solutions today are cloud-based which offers many benefits. “Our SPC Connect is a hosted cloud-based solution designed for installers to monitor, manage and maintain SPC remotely from any location. By removing the physical need to visit a site, it delivers them control while saving time and money that would otherwise be spent travelling to and from site,” said Ross Wilks, Product Marketing Manager at
Vanderbilt Industries, citing as an example the company’s installation in Odense, Denmark, where 36 buildings in the municipality are currently protected by SPC.
“With SPC Connect, end users can benefit from the SPC Connect app which provides them with an interface that contributes clearer arming and status information and allows for remotely carrying out tasks such as controlling doors, setting or unsetting an alarm, or isolating a zone,” he said. “For example, a janitor could be overseeing maintenance for ten or more buildings. If an alarm is triggered in one of the buildings and he happens to be working on the other side of the city, he can simply take out his smartphone, access the SPC Connect app, view the event and turn off the alarm. This saves huge time as it neutralizes the need to visit the site of the alarm and physically investigate the problem.”
Solutions primarily come in two forms: sensors and cameras that are integrated in some ways, for example in the cloud, or single devices combining sensing and video functions. “At IFSEC earlier this year, we announced the wireless Videofied Video Live Verification with Monitoring Systems. Our new MotionViewer PIR sensors are wireless and equipped with the Video Live function that allows the instant transmission of video to the alarm receiving center,” said Mark Thomson, Marketing Leader for Residential for EMEA at Security and Fire under
Honeywell Home and Building Technologies. “Wireless video-intrusion integrated systems, for example motion detection systems with a built-in camera, are relatively easy to install for homeowners. The process takes up very little of their time, with the added bonus that a wireless system cuts out the need for the drilling holes and channels for cables.”
Video alarm verification systems are primarily for smaller installations and can benefit homes and small businesses alike. “Our solution is designed for homeowners, but the potential for video-alarm systems generally is vast,” said Thomson. “It can be used in a number of retail enterprises, for example. Stores can suffer financially from false alarms and the fines that come from them. A video solution is a great way to both eliminate these fines and provide greater overall protection.”
Thomson goes on to talk about how Honeywell’s solution was deployed in a commercial supply company in Chicago, who was concerned about the rampancy of burglars in the area who cut businesses’ communications cables and broke into the facilities. Honeywell then installed a new Videofied wireless alarm with eight indoor MotionViewers in the front offices, shipping areas and the warehouse itself. “A few weeks after the installation, the premises was hit by yet another burglary. As before, the burglars cut the communications cables and entered the property. However, the Videofied technology enabled the central station to capture critical footage of the incident and police were subsequently alerted. Officers soon arrived and apprehended the burglar, resulting in a very satisfied customer,” Thomson said.
Valeri Filianov, International Sales Director at
Pyronix, also shared one of the company’s success stories. “Recently in Vicenza, Italy, there was a shop that was approached by intruders. The external detectors detected the intrusion in the perimeter and the user confirmed the intrusion with high-resolution real-time video on his mobile phone app after receiving the perimeters alarm push notifications. He called police who prevented the intruder to even enter the shop. This is great example of combination of good perimeter protection with high resolution video,” he said.