CCTV control room – upgrading, extending or integrating security systems?

Controlware’s extensive experience, knowledge of IP based systems and background in CCTV enables us to assist with CCTV control room upgrades, systems integration and refurbishments.

Controlware can work with you to develop a phased approach for

• Upgrade of analogue CCTV to IP via encoders
• Camera upgrades and recommendations
• Integration of existing systems
• Consolidation of systems
• Development of C4i (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) management
• Management of alarms
• Resilient RAID video recording options
• Refurbishment of furniture
• Upgrade to LCD video wall screens

The principal behind a CCTV control room upgrade is to improve security management and the operating environment for staff. This can be achieved in many ways including implementation of an IP based Intelligent IVMS system as a stepping stone to developing a full C4i (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) solution for the growing needs of managing multiple security systems through a single platform.

The use of an open protocol and non‐proprietary system enables users to not be tied to individual vendors or support structures and can grow the system as both operational and budgetary requirements are identified.

If you are looking at getting more from your control room, improving operations and integration of security systems why not give Controlware a call to discuss the options available on +44 (0)844 225 9 225 or email video@controlware.co.uk.

Growth anticipated for UK CCTV sales

CCTV sales in the UK is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of around 14.5% during 2010 – 2013, RNCOS acknowledged.

The CCTV/video surveillance market has been witnessing exponential growth for the past few years on the back of rising concerns for security and safety across the globe. The UK is one of the world’s topmost destinations in terms of development and maturity of CCTV market. As far as the number of cameras installed is concerned, the UK represents the most mature market in the world. With the government endorsement of public-area video surveillance, and emergence of other growth areas like, home security and wireless transmission of CCTV, the research report “Global CCTV Market Analysis (2008-2012, anticipates that the country’s CCTV sales will grow at a CAGR of around 14.5% during 2010 – 2013.

As per the RNCOS study, the UK market is predicted to witness sustainable growth (in terms of both value and volume) for the design, supply, installation, and maintenance of CCTV systems. The need to update legacy systems, new construction, and public security will drive this growth. Therefore, it is anticipated that digital systems and Internet Protocol (IP) cameras will dominate the market by 2013. A plethora of opportunities has emerged with the advancement of technology. We have analyzed the UK CCTV market in our research report along with the information on key players and other details about the country’s CCTV market.

The research also reveals that currently, the analogue CCTV market dominates the global CCTV market, but the scenario will change by the end of 2013. In future, network IP technology will emerge as the leading CCTV technology. Various factors that will drive the IP technology market in coming times have also been covered in the report. It also details the potential growth areas for the CCTV market along with the major roadblocks.

Find out more about SV-16 Genetec’s all-in-one CCTV management system

Genetec’s powerful SV-16 powered by Omnicast CCTV software is now available from Controlware UK. Find out the main benefits SV-16 can provide below.

Speed Up Your Installation

The SV-16 operates as a stand-alone recording system, allowing you to benefit from Genetec’s video surveillance system, Omnicast, even with 16 cameras or less. Since the SV-16 comes pre-loaded with Omnicast, you can have your system up and running in no time.

The SV-16 can also be easily integrated into any existing Omnicast installation for local recording in remote locations or for the management of distant cameras over wireless network.

Choose The Cameras You Want

With Omnicast’s open architecture, you get the ability to select best-of-breed hardware from a long list of manufacturers. You can even preserve existing hardware, whether IP or analog cameras. And as new hardware is released, you can take advantage of hardware integration packs to benefit from the latest technology.

Install An Energy-Efficient NVR

Weighing only 13 ounces, the SV-16 is one of the smallest network security appliances on the market. The SV-16’s compact and fanless design gives you the recording power you need with low 6W power consumption. The aluminum casing of the SV-16 ensures durability, no matter the environment.

Opt for A Future-Proof Solution

Since camera licenses are obtained on a per-camera basis, adding a new camera on the SV-16 is as simple as acquiring another license. You can also benefit from new releases of Omnicast with simple software upgrades. And when the system grows beyond 16 cameras, you can trade in your licenses to easily move your system to traditional server-based storage.

SV-16 is now available from Controlware UK. To find out more about SV-16 click here or call Controlware UK on 0844 225 9 225 for expert advice and great product deals.

Find out more about Omnicast Enterprise CCTV management platform

Genetec’s powerful Omnicast Enterprise CCTV software is now available from Controlware UK. Find out the main benefits Omnicast Enterprise can provide below.

Scalability

Omnicast Enterprise is designed to reach the heights of system scalability. This advanced IP video surveillance system supports up to 50,000 video cameras, and an unrestricted number of client workstations and other system components. With Genetec’s Federation feature, you can scale your system across all your facilities, whether in a campus environment or across multiple geographical locations.

Flexibility

Omnicast open and distributed architecture gives you ultimate system flexibility. You can set up your video system over the network the way that suits your organization best. You can leverage existing hardware and infrastructure investments and cut costs. You can even choose from a myriad of third-party solutions to enhance your video surveillance system.

High Availability and Security

High-end redundant and failover archiving features in Omnicast ensure that your system is online and recording at all times. You can count on having live and recorded video available to your team when you need it most. Password-protected logins, encrypted communications, and other security features ensure there is no threat of system or video tampering.

Ease of Use and Installation

Because Omnicast Enterprise was made specifically for large-scale applications, installation is simplified. IP unit discovery tools and setup wizards ensure deployment is quick and upgrade downtime is minimal. Simplicity also extends to the user interface. Being part of Genetec’s Security Center unified security platform, Omnicast offers avant-garde operator tools for quick decision making and a smooth learning curve.

Remote Site Expansion

For your smaller remote systems with 16 cameras or less, the SV-16, Genetec’s compact network security appliance, can easily integrate with your Omnicast Enterprise system. The SV-16 provides you with a cost-effective and energy-efficient option for local recording in remote locations. The SV-16 network security appliance can also be used to manage distant cameras over a wireless network.

Omnicast Enterprise is now available from Controlware UK. To find out more about Omnicast Enterprise click here or call Controlware UK on 0844 225 9 225 for expert advice and great product deals.

Omnicast Pro advanced CCTV management software – Find out more…

Genetec’s powerful Omnicast Pro CCTV software is now available from Controlware UK. Find out the main benefits Omnicast Pro can provide below.

Maximum Flexibility

Omnicast is an open-architecture video surveillance system. You can choose your preferred hardware or even re-use what you currently have. And, with Omnicast’s distributed architecture and archiving, you can configure your video surveillance system to adapt it to your current network environment.

Customizable

Omnicast Pro comes with the added option of a mature software development kit (SDK). This gives you the ability to customize your video surveillance system to your business processes. You can also use the SDK to fully integrate other key systems within your organization.

User-Friendly

Omnicast is part of Genetec’s unified security platform, the Security Center. For this reason, Omnicast Pro provides operators with a one-of-a-kind interface. Single-click widgets, intuitive tasks, and quick commands make it easy for operators to make fast and informed decisions. The user-friendliness of the video surveillance system also means lower training and operating costs.

Future-Proof

When you choose an Omnicast Pro video surveillance system, it is a long-term decision. As the latest versions are released, you can easily upgrade to benefit from new features. And, if you outgrow your system or decide to expand to other facilities, getting the Omnicast Enterprise package is a seamless process.

Omnicast Pro is now available from Controlware UK. To find out more about Omnicast Pro click here or call Controlware UK on 0844 225 9 225 for expert advice and great product deals.

Secret CCTV cameras INSIDE people’s homes – a step too far?

Croydon council in south London has taken the step of trialing CCTV surveillance in people home’s to monitor anti-social behaviour.

The £1,000 security cameras have been installed inside private properties but are monitoring the streets to gather evidence of anti-social behaviour.

This type of CCTV would be less expensive than erecting external street cameras because internal cameras are much cheaper and no complex install or street furniture would be required. So the council is obviously saving money.  Each camera is linked to a laptop computer and accessible online by police and council officials 24 hours a day.  The big question for me is how solutions like these can be legal without the signage required to alert the public that they are being filmed?

The trial that is taking place inside two homes in Croydon,  south London has sparked new fears about the invasion of privacy in Britain today and the growth of what has become known as the  ‘surveillance society’. Many commentators have argued that there are too many CCTV cameras today and that Britain is beginning to resemble George Orwell’s novel 1984 where the state had a controlling influence over the populace.

So how do you feel about this?

Are there too many CCTV cameras today?

Do you think they help fight crime?

Have you been a victim of crime where CCTV has not helped or where it has lead to a prosecution or the return of stolen items?

Does CCTV make you feel safer?

A new study from the University of Hertfordshire appears to undermine one of the key justifications for Britain’s network of 4.2 million surveillance cameras: that they provide reassurance to the public.

The study also finds that people are no more fearful of crossing a street with a young male skinhead in it than they are with a smartly dressed woman present, unless, a CCTV camera is overhead.

120 participants – shoppers in Hatfield – were presented with pictures of a fictional town centre street scene. When the scene contained both a skinhead and a CCTV camera, the participants, aged between 18 to 70 years, reported raised concern about walking in the scene, compared with when the same scene was either empty, contained a woman with or without a CCTV camera, or a skinhead without a camera. In other words, it was specifically the combination of a skinhead and CCTV that provoked fear – neither had any effect on their own.

Having read the research findings I disagree.

The  study says more about our association of CCTV cameras with crime and their use as a deterrent for crime than it does about CCTV cameras not reassuring the public.

Initially looking at an urban street scene the study subjects think – this is a place I have never been to before but it looks ok. When a CCTV camera is added the perception of the neighborhood changes and subjects think – hold on the CCTV cameras must be there for a reason. Then when their fears are confirmed by the addition of a perceived negative image (the skinhead) that creates a potentially threatening situation, so we cannot be surprised with the findings of this research.

You could achieve the same results as this study by showing a group of people a picture of a castle (for example) in daylight, then showing them a picture of a castle at night. In daylight the castle is an interesting historical building that the subjects might want to visit. Show them the same scene at night and it produces an entirely different effect. Most people are frightened and wouldn’t want to go there.

The study shows nothing about how people feel about CCTV all it proves is that the majority of people in the study associate CCTV cameras with crime,  the more dangerous parts of town and the fight against crime.

To read the research paper click below

The relationship between antisocial stereotypes and public CCTV systems: exploring fear of crime in the modern surveillance society

To discuss this study visit the CCTV group on linkedin SIGN UP TO JOIN HERE. Or add a comment below.

Study Abstract

Situational crime deterrence measures like CCTV are not always associated with reductions in fear of crime. This study explores this unexpected finding by investigating the interaction between target type and the presence of a CCTV camera, in order to test the effect this has on impressions of the target and corresponding fear of the location the target was shown in. Participants (n=120) were shown either a picture of a male ‘skinhead’, a ‘studious’ female, or no one within an urban setting in which an obvious CCTV camera was either present or absent. Participants then rated the scene using scales estimating crime frequency, worry and target activity. Estimates of location safety fell for the male ‘skinhead’ target and activity impressions were more negative, but only when a CCTV camera was also present. Ironically, in some circumstances, public crime deterrence measures may prime pre-existing negative stereotypes about others and so foster suspicion, undermine trust in others, and increase fear of crime.