Page 26 - Security Today, May/June 2019

ers. With an open platform VMS, integrators and users alike have the freedom to choose the best technologies to meet their specific budget and use requirements.
A Better Approach
With the previous video network, Dick Hannah Dealerships had a centralized server, but its recorded video retention time was limited, and the system had reliability issues. The Dick Hannah Dealerships team worked with REECE to design a new video network architec- ture.
Now, a Milestone Husky server has been installed in each loca- tion. This allows centralized, local video use and management, as well as robust network connectivity to the corporate command cen- ter. Saldana explained that with this number of locations, there is a lot of network traffic. Even with a robust LAN/WAN environment, the requirements of networked video can be demanding due to the volume of data.
Husky servers provide a powerful, efficient and scalable, plug- and-play environment with a built-in PoE switch and input/output panel where cameras and alarm devices can be easily connected with- out requiring additional equipment.
“We’ve moved toward a best-of-breed, open platform approach with the Milestone portfolio, and a mix now of about 300 multi- sensor cameras from Arecont Vision and Hanwha Techwin Ameri- ca, and new PTZ cameras from Axis,” Saldana said. “With the new Husky server network and a healthy set of best practices in place, we can now make sure everyone’s needs are met. Executive staff and store managers can access a global look or view individual stores de- pending on how permissions have been set up. We have also enabled remote viewing and management to allow for greater flexibility.”
The Milestone XProtect video management and Web Client have been installed at each location. The executive team also uses Mile-
stone Mobile, a free client interface that works with all XProtect vid- eo management software and Milestone Husky NVRs, and provides video system access via Wi-Fi, 3G or 4G connections.
From business hours to after hours, with remote monitoring and access control integration, Dick Hannah Dealerships uses its video surveillance system for a wide range of security and operational ap- plications.
Access Control Integration
“We were able to leverage the company’s existing Lenel access con- trol system and integrate it with the Milestone video system,” Sal- dana said. “Dick Hannah Dealerships now has some of the most cutting-edge technology in place. For example, they have Bluetooth card readers installed which allows the use of their phones to unlock doors and get card credentials while the Milestone system backs up the process with visual video verification.”
The integration with Lenel OnGuard is based on Milestone’s XProtect Access interface and enables operators to display Lenel access control events and alarms in the XProtect Smart Client. On- Guard Access is an advanced access control application including a feature-rich alarm monitoring module allowing users to view alarm events from OnGuard in real time in the XProtect Smart Client and acknowledge OnGuard alarms from the XProtect Smart Client.
Business-Hours Monitoring
“Our general managers like having cameras where they can see the staff and customers during the day. They check if people are on task, or how they are handling situations,” McKannay said. “The video is now an extension of management. Either on-site or through a smart- phone, managers can see what’s happening, and if they get a call that something’s not being dealt with properly, the manager can verify the situation quickly.
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