Let There Be Security
Victory World Church near Atlanta receives a scalable security solution that allows the megachurch to upgrade its legacy system over time while providing remotely managed, IP-based CCTV and access control for its satellite facility. The project highlights the specialized needs and opportunities in the houses of worship vertical.
Each weekend more than 8,000 parishioners attend services at Victory World Church where personnel in an onsite security command center monitor life-safety systems.
“Essentially what we did is put the same platform at the new satellite location so that all they have to do is add that DVR to the existing software and they can now look at the cameras at that particular location,” Hightower says. “This is basically like adding a node onto their existing security network.”
Referred to as Victory @ Hamilton Mill, the Buford facility has been outfitted with a pair of centralized data closets. One of the closets serves as the primary source for the Internet connectivity necessary to remotely manage and view the cameras, as well as manage the access control system. The second closet serves as a kind of head-end where the DVR and a Vista-128FBP combination fire and burglary control panel reside. While the fire alarm was installed by an electrical contractor, technicians from Remote Protection Systems connected it to the panel so that the panel serves as the communicator for the fire alarm system.
A security feature Hightower touted to church administrators about the new solution was the capability to conduct real-time, video monitoring similar to remote guarding tours. For example, if an individual needs to enter a building afterhours, they can simply call the security command center at the main campus to be granted access. Using the remotely managed system, security personnel can then call up a camera view at the door and confirm identity, then proceed to log into the access control system and grant right of entry.
“They can follow the person through on the camera to make sure that person gets what they need and exit the church. They can then relock the door and rearm the security system,” Hightower says.
Remote Access Control Made Easy
Powered by Win-Pak management software, the card access control for the new facility resides on servers at the main campus. Again, Internet connectivity between the existing IT infrastructure and the Buford site is used to communicate with and manage the onsite NetAXS four-door access control panel. Additional installation features included outfitting doors and other entrances with OmniProx card swipe readers, a 125kHz HID compatible
proximity reader, and request-to-exit (RTE) sensors.
The intuitive Web interface with the NetAXS controller allows security personnel to remotely manage access for staff and volunteers. As a result, migrating to the new system has provided a momentous upgrade: Although Victory’s legacy system allows for card access on individual doors, it does not have much flexibility for putting schedules on doors or giving people different access at different times.
“With the Web interface I can remotely go into the system and set levels. It allows me to have a lot more control,” James says. “We have different ministries that meet on different days and times. So, for example, our ministry for teenagers only needs access on Wednesdays from noon to 10 p.m. After that, the building goes on automatic lockdown. If they need to extend the time, then someone needs to get in touch with me so I can remotely handle that.”
Remote Protection Systems’ technicians trained James and his staff to facilitate their own access control card administration. The integrator does, however, maintain a service agreement with the client. “We are always providing expertise and support. We have tools to log into their computers remotely and see what they are seeing or be able to take control of their computer, and be able to show them how to do certain things,” Hightower says.
Remote Protection Systems committed about 200 man-hours to complete the latest project at the new site. It is the firm’s intimate knowledge of the marketplace and a committed personalized touch that has won over Victory World Church administrators.
“They helped me to cut my teeth, if you will, on a lot of issues and a lot of things I didn’t know about security systems,” James says. “The support has been tremendous. I can’t say enough about that.”
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About the Author
Rodney Bosch, Senior Editor
Although Bosch’s name is quite familiar to those in the security industry, his previous experience has been in daily newspaper journalism. Prior to joining SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION in 2006, he spent 15 years with the Los Angeles Times, where he performed a wide assortment of editorial responsibilities, including feature and metro department assignments as well as content producing for latimes.com. Bosch is a graduate of California State University, Fresno with a degree in Mass Communication & Journalism. In 2007, he successfully completed the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association’s National Training School coursework to become a Certified Level I Alarm Technician.
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