VMS for effective campus security
February 2018, Education (Industry), CCTV, Surveillance & Remote Monitoring

IP video surveillance systems are one of the most popular and effective security systems on the market today, gaining traction in various markets across the globe and particularly in educational institutions such as schools, campuses and universities.

This is according to Gus Brecher, MD of Cathexis Africa, who says that video management software (VMS) systems are the key component to maximising IP surveillance security to keep learners, students, visitors and educators safe on campus.

VMS solutions need to be proactive and results-oriented, providing a safe and secure environment, but also an infrastructure management tool. IP surveillance can assist in managing protest action, managing discipline challenges and even vehicle traffic flow when it comes to parking areas and the flow of students between classes. VMS systems should also be easily integrated with a broad range of third-party security solutions, such as alarms, access control, intrusion detection, video content analytics, licence plate recognition and other operation systems to provide police, security professionals and administrators the information they need to safeguard their campus and make informed decisions.

Cathexis Technologies offers CathexisVision, a fully customised solution offering fast and efficient set-up, seamless integration and a return on investment.

Having completed a wide variety of successful surveillance installations, at educational institutions around the world, Cathexis Technologies says that the true power of an effective video management software system lies in its ability to offer speed, efficiency and effectiveness.

Key features of CathexisVision:

Flexibility and scalability: Monitor hundreds of IP cameras, often across multiple sites.

Video analytics: The analytics feature provides triggers to the system, which enables the system to take user-defined actions depending on the specific trigger received. With its open platform and ability to customise to specific industry requirements this is ideal for managing vast estates.

Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) enhancements: ANPR software can be used to cross-reference licence plates against law enforcement databases to identify stolen or non-roadworthy vehicles, as well as criminals that have had their vehicles flagged in the system. ANPR is therefore a key access control consideration.

Adjacent Camera Mapping: The Adjacent Camera Mapping feature provides a powerful enhancement to the control room environment, particularly for larger sites, which require hundreds of IP surveillance cameras. It enables customers to ‘map’ cameras together so that operators can view all cameras adjacent to the camera currently in view. This makes it possible to follow people or specific incidents taking place on site.

Additional third-party system integrations: CathexisVision is integrated with various third-party systems from leading brands, including access control, alarm panels, fire panels, analytics, building management systems and more.

Enhanced search features: Speed and efficiency are critical to security and these vastly improved search features fast track the time it takes to review recorded footage and pinpoint specific events.

• Motion-Search enables users to easily search for motion on recorded video in user-selected areas.

• SnapSearch uses snapshots or thumbnails to zone in on specific events.

• Motion Trails use past event overlays to rapidly navigate back to the time of last motion activity.

Improved hardware efficiency: Improved hardware efficiency allows clients to leverage the power provided by CathexisVision and less of their own hardware resources, gaining improved results.

“In today’s education environment, developing video management software solutions, means that the final product must provide optimal security, combined with the management of complex systems, providing comprehensive control of the entire educational facility and maximum return on surveillance investment,” concludes Brecher.