Video Storage and Recording – Past, Present and Future
In the beginning, digital video recorders (DVRs) were typically nodal (single site) devices that recorded, searched and displayed eight to 16 cameras on a standard computer video interface.
While IP video has made great strides in quality and affordability, it is not a panacea for all video applications. Price is still a barrier when you consider a small retail application that does not have significant expansion plans. There are environmental issues that impact the choice of IP video such as low lighting, availability of network connectivity at a reasonable cost and, of course, the additional technical expertise that is needed to configure and implement an IP edge device.
A key factor, which has fueled the cost of IP video, is industry convergence with IT. In the IT industry pricing margins can be razor thin and are typically transparent to the end user. The security industry is typically struggling with this lower margin reality to remain profitable. In addition, manufacturing is ramping up quickly with offshore offerings available by container load at significantly lower costs. For example, I recently had a conversation with a distributor of door hardware who was buying a container of IP, pan/tilt/zoom (p/t/z) cameras for about $200 a piece!
Interoperability, Flexibility and Scalability
Interoperability, while a great destination is a difficult journey for the real world. Do smaller systems under 16 cameras really need to be interoperable with other systems? Why? When you consider the results of a recent survey indicating that end users only used between 20-25 percent of software capabilities, does interoperability really make any sense? In reality Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) software suppliers take discreet data streams and make them interoperable to a large extent.
From my field experience flexibility and scalability are vital tenants to any IT department because they must manage and commission large systems, often from remote facilities. I am often asked, “How important is ‘Triple-Play’ (voice, data, and video) technology to enterprise and government customers?” This idea is important from a network justification and an return on investment (ROI) perspective in retrofit applications. It’s a no brainer from a green space project perspective. Most new buildings are designed with structured cabling as a standard element, while retrofit applications usually need a “lead” system, such as VoIP, to direct the charge. Once the idea of VoIP has been served up, then adding additional network size, i.e., more fiber strands for IP video applications is more palatable.
Guidelines for Potential Buyers
The first question is always cost, but is that the right question? Certainly it is important, but often it can limit the Return on Security Investment (ROSI) dialogue with senior management. The easy answer is let’s narrow everything down to the same manufacturer and model numbers and let the most price competitive win. In the past, this strategy held water; today, not so much.
Some key questions for po
tential buyers are these:
- What events have occurred that have a measurable financial impact on the company?
- Software feature sets need to be verified by actual users vs specification sheets
- Obtain references to understand how software features have performed
- Consider whether features actually reduce risk or improve response times?
- Will policies and practices actually improve with these software features?
- Do I need local video storage or will I need to remotely manage/view the video?
- What is the average time frame of video I need to review if an event happens?
- How will I work with IT to implement a solution and what concerns will they have?
Ask some critical questions about how the system will be used to provide a safer workplace, aid investigations, help the business operations and who will be the primary user of the system. After answering these questions, the end user can realistically look at software feature sets that address only what they are interested in and not overpay for software features that they will probably never use.
If it is anticipated that the system will only be accessed when an incident occurs, I would strongly suggest a careful look at how “intuitive” the software really is, otherwise the system will not be used effectively. While there are excellent advances in software analytics and features, be sure to have people with the skills to use them, or you are throwing money away.
The Future of IP Surveillance
Put on your sunglasses, as IP video has a very bright future! Having been an early adopter and developer of this technology, my team wrote arguably the first Linux based NVR software in the industry, and what I know is that the applications are really only limited by your imagination and ability to connect to a network!
Paul C. Boucherle, CPP, CSC, is the principal of Matterhorn Consulting LLC. A security industry innovator of more than 31 years, Boucherle has experience as an IP video designer and consultant, systems integrator, expert witness and IP video pioneer. For more information, visit matterhornconsulting.comor E-mail, [email protected].
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
Paul Boucherle, SSI Contributor
Paul C. Boucherle, Certified Protection Professional (CPP) and Certified Sherpa Coach (CSC), is Security Sales & Integration’s “Business Fitness” columnist. A principal of Matterhorn Consulting, he has more than 30 years of diverse security and safety industry experience including UL central station operations, risk-vulnerability assessments, strategic security program design and management of industry convergence challenges. Boucherle has successfully guided top-tier companies in achieving enhanced ROI resulting from improved sales and operational management techniques. He is a charismatic speaker and educator on a wide range of critical topics relating to the security industry of today and an accomplished corporate strategist and marketer whose vision and expertise in business performance have driven notable enterprise growth in the security industry sector.
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.
