Page 33 - Security Today, April 2022

“These problems have a ripple effect on business operations, leading to disruptions like supply chain delays and labor shortages.”
tively, while disparate systems cannot.
Moreover, the administrative burden on security operations is
reduced when a single piece of software can be used to manage a multitude of solutions as opposed to running multiple appli- cations independently. Open platform management and control platforms enhance overall operations and enable easy integration of new devices and technologies to supplement core video and access products and applications.
Such technology integrations include visitor management, emergency communication systems, and biometrics and fire alarm systems. Integrating and managing these systems with existing access control and video surveillance is easy when one platform manages it all. In addition, the overall security system’s capabilities grow with each new integration.
Fire alarm systems are often stand-alone systems governed by local, state and national regulations. However, most commercial facilities are required to have their fire alarm systems integrated with their access control system to unlock secured doors in af- fected areas, enabling emergency egress for occupants and fast entry for first responders. Video surveillance allows responders to view the nature of the fire or emergency in real time.
After the evacuation, user data from the access control and in- tegrated visitor management system can be used to perform a roll call at designated muster locations. All these capabilities can be ac- cessed, managed and shared from one single source of truth — the open platform management software.
USING TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATIONS
TO PROVIDE BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
As technologies get smarter, so do the organizations that adopt them. Higher levels of system integration, with the addition of smart detection and analysis capabilities, allows organizations to transform physical security solutions into business intelligence. This means businesses can take advantage of the data gathered by the security system and accessible through the management platform to make smarter business decisions.
Video surveillance with open platform analytics offers the strongest case for using integrated technologies for business in- telligence. With hundreds of analytics available on the market, organizations can combine and customize them to meet their specific needs.
From facial recognition to vehicle searches, license plate rec- ognition, age classification, occupancy counting, hotspot detec- tion and more, businesses are able to automatically gather data that would be otherwise impossible to gather manually. This is also the case for integrated access control wherein visitor and em- ployee data can be pulled for business intelligence usage.
Organizations can now make informed business decisions us-
ing data that is already available to them via their integrated life- safety systems. There is no need to spend additional money on market research and consultants. New marketing campaigns can be launched to target the most popular demographics as identi- fied by video analytics. The layout of a manufacturing plant can now be adjusted to encourage social distancing and limit crowd- ing by using access controls.
The potential for new business intelligence applications is available across every vertical category ranging from retail mer- chandising to logistics and the supply chain to manufacturing processes.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN
EVALUATING AN OPEN-SOURCE SOLUTION
When searching for the right open-source video management and/oraccesssolution,securitypractitionerswillwanttoensure their choice is exactly that — open. Most manufacturers and solutions providers will tout their available integrations, but the first step to “future-proofing” a security system is to ensure the chosen devices and management software work well together., System integration may be possible but not without significant modifications.
When in doubt, directly contact the security integrator or manufacturer to confirm all new and existing systems are com- patible and make sure to understand the scope of work required to make them so.
Next, examine the key features offered by the solution. Do they meet the needs of the organization? What sort of features are already built-in that require fewer integrations down the road? Take a close look at the service provider or manufacturer. It is their job to help customers leverage their existing investments in manpower and technology while also delivering new innova- tions that are both backward compatible and forward-thinking. This requires a renewed balance of customer support and tech- nology innovation.
Finally, consider any hidden costs associated with each new solution. Some solutions may have additional costs for installa- tion, premium features and client or server licenses. Total cost of ownership will be determined by who directly manages the sys- tem. Where the solution is deployed, either in the cloud, on-site, or a hybrid of the two, also impacts costs.
New market influences will drive and continue to increase ex- pectations for physical security systems, and thus continue the cycle of new innovations coming to market to combat them. As physical security professionals face new and unexpected challeng- es across every vertical market, they will be looking for these new solutions to resolve them.
Having integrated video surveillance and ac- cess control technologies contribute to both risk mitigation and business development is how inte- grated system solutions can and should be used.
Adam Lowenstein is the director of product man- agement at i-PRO Americas Inc.
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