How to Ramp Up RMR With Remote & Mobile Video
Learn pros and cons of available video surveillance platforms, what remote video services are most in demand, plus tips on partnering with manufacturers and monitoring centers.
DMP Executive Director of Marketing Mark Hillenburg is concerned about this approach. “[One company] actually has the alarm dealer send alarm signals from the alarm panel into their cloud-based servers, from which they retransmit them to the central station,” he explains. “But we think that this is a less-than-ideal way of doing it. We send all alarm traffic directly to the central station receiver where it needs to be and [our cellular service provider] SecureCom deals with the video side.”
From a security standpoint, Jones says the problem he sees with third-party clearinghouses is the middleman.
“If the man in the middle goes down, which they do on a consistent basis, signals can be delayed or even lost, and this is because these alarm signals go to them before they come to us,” Jones says. “I’m also concerned because of all these open systems where people use default users names and passwords. The burglar has almost as easy access to these systems as the user does.”
Sending alarm and video to a central clearinghouse, however, may have its advantages; the biggest one of which is a single point of programming for alarm technicians. It’s also an excellent way for customers to enter all system users, as-sign all of their PINs, designate certain individuals for the contact list, and manage all other aspects of signal management. This includes how data and video are pushed to their mobile app. Dealers and integrators have to decide which method will work best for their company.
Installing Security Contractors Can Leverage Support From IT
In commercial environments there usually are IT professionals to assist alarm dealers in the process of navigating the IP side of the remote video. In residential applications, this may not always be the case. Dealers that do not possess the necessary skillsets to deal with camera enrollment and other network issues should consider partnering with a local IT company. Requisite computer skills include a good knowledge of Internet routers, 802.11 wireless protocol, plus IP and MAC addressing.
“IT did not come along at our firm until recently and it was the best thing we ever did,” says Don Childers, CEO of Smoky Mountain Systems in Franklin, N.C. “We’ve always installed security, data, telephone, sound, video and intercoms. But IT is what I brought to the table because I can clearly see the direction and need of the security industry.”
The technology is not that difficult to master. Cameras come in wireless or hard-wired versions. Oftentimes both options exist in the same camera. Wireless units must be linked to either a dedicated wireless access point (WAP) or the client’s own Wi-Fi router. Using a dedicated WAP is the best course of action, however, because it always will be there and the end user will not be involved in its ongoing operation in the home.
Third-party processing centers typically provide the alarm dealer with a Web portal that the customer uses to enter their aforementioned information. Security technicians program the behind-the-scenes system data for each account as well. It is here in the subscriber portion of the security dealer’s branded managed video portal the alarm technician enters each camera’s MAC address or some other means of identification in association with the client’s monitoring account.
Through this portal central station operators are able to view related video clips, as well as the end user, all within a certain timeframe. In most cases, the clips that are made available relate to pre- and post-alarm, thus enabling everyone to clearly see what took place just before, during and just after the alarm event.
All monitoring and alarm communications remain discrete, so it’s done from the panel to the receiver at the central station, explains Hillenburg. Just the video service is connected over broadband, and actually there doesn’t have to be an alarm panel at all to make it work.
“What SecureCom does is attach an alarm event in the cloud in our servers to the camera at the premises. At that point we can do various things with it,” he says. “Not only can we send video verification
to the central station, we push the alarm with live video and pre-alarm clips to the user’s app so the user can actually cancel or verify the alarm based on what they see in the video.”
If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!
About the Author
Al Colombo
Al Colombo is a long-time trade journalist and professional in the security and life-safety markets. His work includes more than 40 years in security and life-safety as an installer, salesman, service tech, trade journalist, project manager,and an operations manager. You can contact Colombo through TpromoCom, a consultancy agency based in Canton, Ohio, by emailing [email protected], call 330-956-9003, visit www.Tpromo.Com.
Related Content
Security Is Our Business, Too
For professionals who recommend, buy and install all types of electronic security equipment, a free subscription to Commercial Integrator + Security Sales & Integration is like having a consultant on call. You’ll find an ideal balance of technology and business coverage, with installation tips and techniques for products and updates on how to add to your bottom line.
A FREE subscription to the top resource for security and integration industry will prove to be invaluable.
