Simon: Why You Should Consider Video Verification for More than Intrusion Detection
Mike Simon, managing partner of Connected Technologies, explains other ways video verification offers value to companies.
Mike Simon offers uses of video verification other than intrusion detection.
Accountability and control
In this instance and more, video verification offers management the ability to know ‘who went where.’ Activity, an event or a motion detector can trigger cameras and send a clip or series of clips to the user — pre- and post-event video. Video verification offers simple-to-configure rules to capture video from multiple cameras per event. It features live event plus video viewing onscreen and the ability to send those images via email/text message to users or responsible parties. Cloud-hosted interfaces also offer the ability to view recorded snapshots concurrently with live video, through generated reports and via email when the event occurred.
Video can verify rules, regulations and expectations of employees. At one fast food restaurant, the back door was off limits after dark, because when opened it put the nearby office at risk from robbery, intruders or possible takeovers. A simple magnetic contact switch was configured at the door. When the magnetic switch opened, it sent a text message to the district manager who was alerted to the situation, but employees continued to deny they had opened the door. Now, with video triggered upon contact closure, when the door opens a video snapshot is relayed to the district manager, who can verify rule violators.
Other perks of cloud-hosted video verification include:
- Snapshots are acquired and stored in the cloud at the time of the event with flexible storage options.
- The event plus video can be viewed onscreen and also sent via email and SMS text message.
- Snapshot capture and live viewing works with compatible DVR, NVR and IP cameras.
- Customers can retrieve about 10 seconds pre-event and 45 seconds post-event all from the same screen without needing to log in.
- Depending on the security management platform, customers or central command centers have the ability to view live video on the same screens as security and access information. Pop out options open the camera view in a new window that can be placed anywhere on the desktop.
Of course, let’s not forget how video verification provides the necessary visual evidence and confirmation of an alarm sometimes required before responding authorities are dispatched. Dealers can verify intrusion at the protected premises, and even deliver instant video snapshots real time to users or law enforcement responders.
Dealers and integrators can expand their use of video verification and continue to add services to their specifications by thinking beyond core security and adding management and other simple tasks to boost the overall value and increase RMR that video camera installations linked to security and access control systems offer.
Bio: Mike Simon is the managing partner of Connected Technologies, LLC, Crystal Lake, Ill., a company he started after selling his long-running systems integration business in the Chicago area. Mike and his son Dan are the originators of Connect ONE®, the only security management solution dealers need for all their customer’s integrations, including security, access control, video monitoring, energy management and critical temperature monitoring. Connect ONE® video verification links alarm, access control or other events to cameras.
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