The Benefits of Network Video

SMBs interested in video surveillance may want to investigate Internet-based solutions.

By Robert Moore

Video surveillance systems provide businesses with an effective means to monitor the safety and protection of employees, customers, and corporate assets. While many companies rely on closed-circuit television (CCTV) to fulfill their security needs, newer technologies are driving wide-spread adoption of more advanced systems such as those found in network video or IP-based surveillance. Network video is ideal for small to mid-size businesses because it is easily scalable to fit the needs of a growing business, provides greater efficiencies, long-term cost reductions, and a higher level of confidence in corporate security planning.

What is network video?

Network video, also known as IP-surveillance, enables users to monitor and record video over an IP-based network. This includes a Local Area Network (LAN), wireless LAN (wLAN) or the Internet. While CCTV-based security systems rely on footage recorded to VHS tape or a digital-video recorder (DVR), which can become expensive to maintain, network video systems use a network for transporting information, and the footage is stored onto a regular PC server. Digitized video streams are transferred to any location in the world via a wired or wireless IP network providing greater flexibility. The added flexibility enables business owners to monitor and record information real-time from anywhere the network allows.

Network video consists of three main components: network cameras, video servers, and video management software. A network camera captures live images and delivers them over a network. These cameras surpass the performance of analog cameras by offering many more advanced functions such as improved image quality and higher resolution.

Video servers help bridge the gap between existing analog systems and more advanced IP-surveillance systems. They bring new functionality to analog equipment without the need for monitors and digital video recorders since recording can be done using standard PC servers.

Finally, video management software enables business owners to manage, monitor, analyze, and record video. Software can be run on a Windows or Unix/Linux server or through a standard web browser providing adequate viewing capabilities.

The added capabilities provided by network video systems are ideal for small to mid-sized businesses across a range of industries, including transportation, banking, retail, and industrial industries. For example, industrial organizations can monitor manufacturing processes, logistics systems, warehouse, and stock control systems. Retail businesses can leverage an IP-based system to remotely monitor different departments, parking lots, and cash register stations.

“Network video provides an appealing solution to small to mid-sized businesses owners,” said Bahman Motamed, CTO of Global Business Solution, a network video surveillance integrator in Toronto. “The flexible systems have easy scalability and provide long term cost savings for business in various sectors regardless of size.”

Good for businessWhen choosing an appropriate security plan, small to mid-sized businesses have a unique set of needs typically bound by cost and human resources. Network video addresses those needs; it is a cost effective, scalable, and efficient solution. Because network video has the capability to leverage an existing network, there is no additional wiring cost. Storage requirements are simplified because companies can use available server space to store surveillance data. In addition, cameras powered through an Ethernet connection or wirelessly eliminate the need for additional power outlets and cumbersome cables.

Network video also reduces costs and labor associated with storage and security. CCTV systems that use VHS tapes are storage intensive and require a person on-site monitoring footage. Video recording using VHS and/or DVR needs to be done on site, which network video allows for off site recording. On the other hand, network video enables information to be available at a moment’s notice and gives security staff and/or the executive team the ability to review live or stored footage from a remote IP-based location like a home computer or laptop during business travel. The added flexibility reduces the need for a large on-site security team and makes surveillance footage available at the touch of a button.

The combined benefits of IP-based surveillance systems are the driving forces behind the business’ migration away from CCTV systems to more advanced network video. These highly sophisticated, cost effective systems provide solutions to everyday security problems that bring peace of mind to business owners, their customers, employees, and partners