IFSEC

IFSEC is going to be very interesting this year as it will prove to be the year that suddenly propels IP CCTV into the market place as the dominant CCTV player over a traditional analogue solutions. Integration between Access control, intruder alarms and IP CCTV will be the main theme that people will take away with from the exhibition. Many of the big Security suppliers will try to promote IP CCTV as the way forward and begin to discontinue analogue cameras and recording solutions.

Image Quality.

IP cameras have now begun to prove their worth and better image quality and the way this can be manipulated by VMS CCTV software can only help installers pursued customers to upgrade from older less flexible camera systems. The ease of installation will be used together with the high definition that IP cameras can produce and in addition to this the CCTV software is becoming far more popular over a standalone DVR.

More powerful camera solutions.

The reasons for this is that as the IP cameras become more powerful and software more advanced it makes sense for business to install a system that can be upgraded through a simple remote download rather than be saddled with a black box solution that is severely restricted in terms of the number of cameras that can be recorded at any time.

IP camera licence.

Licences seem at first sight to be expensive when an IP solution is first presented to an end user but because with most software the number of cameras is unrestricted it means customers only need buy what they need at the time . It is then very  easy to add more for a minimal cost once the need arises.

Conclusion.

Flexibility, picture quality, FPS is so much easier to achieve with an IP CCTV solution that after IFSEC this year very few punters will walk away with the view that analogue is the future and as a result we believe that a huge expansion within the security market place is now just around the corner.

CCTV in data centres.

We have recently been asked to look at IP CCTV solutions within Data centres. This is one of the fastest areas of expansion for security solutions within the country at the moment. The reasons behind this expansion are simple. Paranoia when it comes to the protection of company data and information. In addition demands from users when it comes to accessing this information are unparalleled they do not accept down time.Therefore there is always a  requirement for off site storage and redundancy.

IP camera solution.

Quite simply IP cameras are the only real option. The network is always going to be in place and most data centres understand the benefits that HD IP cameras can offer.When dealing with playback it is essential that the pictures give both quality and a frame rate that will mean anything that goes on inside the data centres does not get missed. The ability to record using a VMS solution is also now being viewed as crucial , storage on a server is what data centres do anyway and with VMS CCTV software you have the ability to zoom in without losing image quality and suffering from the age old issue of pixelation.

Remote access.

The ability to remotely access any recordings is also crucial because we find that most managers are off site and data centers tend to be lightly manned.

Conclusion.

In conclusion Data centers are growing at an incredible rate in the UK and IP CCTV is going to be used more and more for the protection of the building and storage infrastructure. If you require more information please click here.

New CCTV regulator appointed.

Andy Rennison has been appointed by the home office as the interim CCTV regulator. His role has been defined as one that will set standards and regulation for contemporary CCTV systems.

What is involved?

The job will include setting up a quality standards framework that will ensure that images are delivered that improve security, reduce crime, and create safe environments for the public and the business community.

Why now?

Essentially to enable CCTV to be used in the public domain it must be treated in the same way forensic evidence is processed by the police and the courts and to this end the aim is to ensure quality images are recovered and these are processed correctly during the  enhancement and analysis stage.

A modern standards framework.

The new regulator will also work towards a modern standards framework to guide us in the responsible use of CCTV and set regulation that will suit the public interest. With IP CCTV bringing new installers into the market place standards are crucial to ensure experience and high standards of installation are rewarded

Complaints process.

A complaints process will also be put in place to ensure the public feel that CCTV is being used correctly and this will also enable them to appreciate the benefits that the use of CCTV systems brings to us all. The interim process will take up to 12 months and its hoped will have the wide support of the public , police, courts and of course the government.

Much awaited detail and clarity.

As we all know business drives the CCTV market and the market place is moving quickly to embrace new IP camera technology and integrated CCTV systems. This brings us much awaited detail and clarity but also this change brings many new challenges especially from a forensic and evidential point of view . So to allow us all to go forward we need to take stock now, set standards and regulation that can be implemented and used by all to ensure CCTV continues to drive crime and unsociable behaviour away. This will give the public, police and courts the utmost confidence in this new IP world.

Integrated CCTV in garden centres.

Garden centres are notoriously difficult to protect. They are generally sited out of town and as a rule tend to back onto country side. As a result lighting is pretty much non existent and boundaries are easily accessible. Add to this the nature of the stock, easily moved, easily sold and generally quite expensive.

Lots of work  going to waste.

Some of the stock can take many months or years to reach a maturity where it can be sold so is very difficult to replace. A major break in at a garden centre especially externally can be a substantial setback to the business. So historically what type of security measures has the industry taken? Well in truth probably less than most businesses that store the majority of their value externally.

CCTV security in garden centres.

CCTV Cameras have always had a duel purpose within garden centres, they act as a deterrent for shoplifters during the day and give added security at night when being used for monitored CCTV. But what about lighting and how do false alarms affect the system on those hot summer evenings after the site is closes? You have plants and trees blowing about in front of the sensors sending an untenable amount of activations through to the central station. To be honest none of these issues have ever really been solved properly. Now however there is a product that will work in all situations and it is starting to become an affordable solution.

FLIR thermal CCTV cameras.

FLIR thermal CCTV cameras can now solve the problems of lighting and false alarms when combined with intelligent analytic technology. Now its not cheap but when you consider the on going cost of lighting, increasing light pollution issues and the reliability which means false alarms are essentially eliminated then it does become an attractive prospect. FLIR are confident that within 3-5 years prices will compete easily with high end spec analogue cameras and also the prices of HD and mega pixel IP camera solutions.

Conclusion.

So in conclusion security will always be required at garden centres and now after many years of false dawns a real security solution is on the horizon that  could be both affordable, reliable and stable.

An IP camera that is easy to install.

The Cisco WVC210 PTZ camera is the ideal tool to watch your pets at home while you are working or away from the house . Because the camera has both two way audio and the ability to be controlled remotely it makes the task of viewing and listening a very easy one. This IP camera is affordable and easy to use. Simple installation means that people with just a moderate amount of IT knowledge can install this IP solution.