IndigoVision’s IP Video technology is increasingly being used for applications outside mainstream video security. The CLCX locomotive is just one example; others include remote diagnostic systems, mobile robotic vehicles for law enforcement and audio-visual medical training solutions.
Livestock Poultry Health Program upgrades security and productivity
Special access privileges are needed to get into Clemson University’s Livestock Poultry Health Programs in Columbia, SC. The facility is secured by Brivo’s ACS WebService to ensure full access control of four agricultural departments that see upwards of 200 staff and visitors a day. ADT Security Systems of Columbia assisted Clemson staff in their search for a new access control system introducing the Brivo system and its many benefits and helping to write the bid specifications. Since many of Brivo’s features are unique, no other access control system qualified during the bid process.
Prior to Brivo, the Livestock Poultry Health access control system was a DOS-based, magnetic stripe system installed only on exterior doors. The system had to be run from a dedicated PC, and was unreliable and non-user friendly. “Our last system was run on one PC and if that person wasn’t there, you were out of luck,” states Michael Edwards, information resource consultant for Clemson University Livestock and Poultry Health Programs.
Once in the market for a new system, Edwards’ criteria included a system with a Web interface that could be controlled from anywhere and one that did not require the maintenance of servers or other IT infrastructure.
The Brivo system controls five exterior doors and several interior doors to divide access areas within the building. The Livestock Poultry Health building is a research and testing facility but does not conduct live animal research. Nevertheless, Edwards is able to ensure full lockdown of the lab and effective control over which personnel groups have access to the lab, where, and during what hours. In addition, the new Brivo system enables staff to funnel all visitors to the main entrance lobby, facilitating visitor monitoring and proper routing, and ensuring improved control and audit trails for deliveries and samples sent to the laboratory.
Mike Edwards is the main administrator for the system, but he also has two back-up staff. He hasn’t really needed them. “The only time I don’t manage the system is when I’m on vacation—it’s great I can jump on a PC anywhere and do whatever needs to be done,” he said.
A Smooth Learning Curve
Edwards ran extensive reports of system activity during the first several months of operation, but found over time that staff learned what they can and cannot do and his familiarity with the system grew so fast, he only runs reports on demand now. One system feature he does rely on is automatic alerts. Alerts are sent, for example, when personnel act outside of privileges or when the system may be experiencing a problem. But alerts aren’t always an indication that something is wrong: on one occasion a temporary employee was made permanent, but his privileges had not been updated. Upon request for entry, Edwards received an alert while on a business trip. “I had his privileges updated in two minutes from my remote location; it’s really a great system.”
When Edwards went shopping for improved access control, he was met with a lot of information and choices. “Brivo set me up with a test and I could see, and actually operate, the system I could have installed—that did it, I was sold on Brivo.”
The system’s ease-of-use and effectiveness have been proven time and again. Recently, the Columbia area was hit by an ice storm. Employees were told to report two hours later than usual. Edwards simply implemented lockdown of the building from his home and instituted a new open time for that day—no one had to take a dangerous ride to the building to get the job done.
Bob Mosler, Brivo’s Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, said, “The experience Mike Edwards has had with his Clemson University installation epitomizes what the Brivo system offers beyond the extensive features and ease-of-use: Clemson has freed resources for other projects, improved employee safety, and increased efficiency.”
NUS Museum Exhibits the Latest Technology
IP Video Currently on Display Nextan, a system integrator in Singapore, successfully enhanced the security system for the NUS Museum using ACTi IP equipment. NUS Museum, established in 1997, was formerly called the National University of Singapore Museums and is located in the University Cultural Center in scenic Kent Ridge campus. NUS manages a growing number of collections housed under-one-roof. To the existing Lee Kong Chian Art Museum, Ng Eng Teng Gallery, and the South & Southeast Asian Gallery, coming soon is a new annex for contemporary art.
NUS museum decided to use IP surveillance solution to enhance their existing analog security system. The ACTi IP surveillance solution provides a high quality install, according to Sean Tan, sales director at Nextan. Furthermore, the ACTi NVR offers full function for central recording and management.
"The ACTi video server is a cost-effective solution,” Tan comments. “Also, the compact design and excellent video quality of the ACM-3111 camera makes it the best choice for museum.”
Security Overhaul at Port of Greater Baton Rouge
Establishing reliable security systems at our nation’s ports is no easy task. Significant challenges pertaining to both the port’s physical location and set up, as well as access to security data from remote locations, can complicate the installation and operation of security systems. Personnel at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge now have a complete picture of the Port’s facilities, data sharing and access capabilities.
The Port of Greater Baton Rouge in Louisiana, one of the top 10 ports in the United States and ranked 32nd in the world in total annual tonnage, recently looked to update internal security operations. Situated 230 miles from the Gulf of Mexico on the Mississippi River and the U.S. Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, it covers multiple facilities that span 85 miles of the Mississippi River and encompasses Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville and West Baton Rouge Parishes in its Port jurisdiction.
Officials from the Port of Greater Baton Rouge hired local systems integrator Vanguard Technologies, Inc. to provide a solution that would conquer the logistical issues of the Port’s main Mississippi River Terminal and Inland Rivers Terminal. Due to the distance between locations, Vanguard Technologies recommended a hybrid wireless-based IP communication and fiber-based system.
To meet these equipment needs, Vanguard Technologies turned to Bosch Security Systems, Inc. “We were working within some very specific restraints, namely to provide a cost-effective system that would allow key personnel access to security data from a number of locations,” Jerry Jones, President of Vanguard Technologies points out.
“There are two separate terminals—the main Mississippi River Terminal and the Inland Rivers Terminal—that needed to be connected via a network,” continues Jones. “By using video over IP-enabled equipment from Bosch, we were able to provide a reliable, cost-effective video surveillance system. That solution features live video over an IP network, data access to all field devices and remote power management tools that enable Port executives and facility security officers to manage the installed devices from the internal network or through secured Internet access.”
The installation comprised more than 50 fixed and PTZ cameras, with Bosch VideoJet MPEG 4 Encoders strategically located throughout each location. Connectivity to the cameras and Bosch encoders were provided via an IP network including both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint wireless devices, as well as more than a mile of multi-mode fiber optic cable. The MPEG 4 solution enabled the Port to manage bandwidth across a large IP network.
The system uses long distance video data packet transfer to address distance, terrain and logistics without compromising data integrity or security. It also provides the capability to archive video data for retrieval in the future. Another important feature is the ability to continuously monitor security devices and network links via powerful network monitoring tools to ensure 24/7 uptime as well as fast problem resolution. The result is that each authorized operator has instant access to live video from all cameras, as well as any new camera that may be added to the system. The archived video is stored centrally on four Network Video Recorders (NVRs) utilizing several terabytes of fault-tolerant RAID 5 storage.
Vanguard Technologies also installed Bosch’s VIDOS Video Management System to provide the Port of Greater Baton Rouge with video surveillance, security and alarm management software capability. The solution offers intuitive site map graphics, sophisticated video play back and many other advanced video functions.
The surveillance solution in the museum includes four SED-2610 8-channel video servers and ten ACM-3311 IR IP fixed dome cameras. They are installed in exhibition rooms, reference rooms and the main entrance. In the control room the ACTi NVR (64 channels management software) records and manages some 50 channels throughout the NUS Museum complex.
Clemson University Secures Animal Research Facility
