Page 34 - Campus Security & Life Safety, April 2017

SURVEILLANCE SOLUTIONS
HIGHER EDUCATION REQUIRES
HIGH-DEFINITION SECURITY
Medical school received surveillance makeover By Randy Brem
LIKE MOST SCHOOLS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, THE WEST VIRGINIA SCHOOL OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDI- CINE ( WVSOM) TAKES THE SAFETY OF STUDENTS AND FACULTY VERY SERIOUSLY. PROVIDING A SAFE AND SECURE ENVIRONMENT TO EVERY PERSON ON CAMPUS IS OF UTMOST PRIORITY FOR WVSOM. THE CURRENT VIDEO SURVEIL- LANCE SOLUTION AT THE MEDICAL SCHOOL WAS LIMITED IN CAPABIL- ITY AND DID NOT PROVIDE COVER- AGE FOR NEW FACILITIES, SUCH AS THE BRAND NEW $22 MILLION STUDENT CENTER.
Further, the current system did not allow for efficient multi-client viewing. So, when it came time to upgrade and enhance their out- dated video surveillance solution, WVSOM reached out to five different video surveil- lance suppliers to ensure they had compiled the leading contenders for their next genera- tion video surveillance solutions. WVSOM has an added luxury of having the West Vir- ginia State Police, who occupies space within the campus, as its main security force.
At the end of the evaluation, WVSOM con- cluded that the Speco Technologies, Inc. SecureGuard family of products was best suited to handle the expansion and coverage necessary to facilitate its growing environ- ment. The decision to implement Speco Tech- nologies, Inc. was based on functionality, ease of installation and use, as well as price point. Speco Technologies, Inc. SecureGuard VMS comes pre-loaded on SecureGuard Servers at no cost to the customer, offers free software updates, and no license fees, providing a greater cost savings to the end user.
"Safety of our student population, faculty and visitors is paramount to WVSOM. Due to our intense and highly-rated medical educa- tion program we have activity 24/7, which requires a rigorous and expandable video sur- veillance solution, which Speco Technologies, Inc. provides,” said Kim Ransom, CTO, WVSOM director of Information Technology.
The next goal was to find an experienced integrator to install the Speco Technologies, Inc. solution. After much assessment, WVSOM
brought on Spencer Surveillance Systems, Inc. as the integrator of choice. This decision was due in part to Spencer Surveillance Systems, Inc.’s understanding of IP surveillance solu- tions, particularly as it applies to schools of higher education, which John Spencer is famil- iar with. Spencer Surveillance Systems, Inc. installed the system on time and on budget.
“I was happy to hear that Speco would be providing the camera system for the new stu- dent center. I have been installing Speco Technologies, Inc.’s intensifier IP cameras for many years and absolutely love them. Their resolution, warranty, longevity and Speco’s Technical Support are second to none,” said John Spencer, president, Spencer Surveillance Systems, Inc.
Speco Technologies, Inc. SecureGuard offering is currently deployed throughout the campus with a control center being monitored by the West Virginia State Police. Complete video coverage will be expanded this year to include the newly constructed Student Center, Founders’ Activity Center, the Technology Center, Clinical Evaluation Center, and parade field, along with associated parking lots.
Of note, especially to the West Virginia State
Police, was to have video coverage in the WVSOM clock tower, which is the highest point on the campus as well as the city of Lew- isburg. In doing so, they would have a superb vantage point for surveillance on a broad scale.
At this time, approximately 40 Speco Technologies, Inc. cameras have been deployed uploading video to a SecureGuard SG315 server. Of particular interest was the deployment of the Speco 360 degree pan- oramic camera in the Clinical Evaluation Center, which enabled WVSOM to replace four existing cameras with one. Plans are in place to expand the coverage by adding Speco Technologies, Inc. cameras to other buildings and parking lots as needed, along with additional servers. The joint coopera- tion from the WVSOM, Spencer Sur veil- lance and Speco Technologies, Inc. has ensured the WVSOM
has the best of breed and all-inclusive video sur- veillance solution.
Randy Brem is the direc- tor of business develop- ment at SecureGuard.
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