Software-driven video solutions are "open" and updates can be made over the network. Photo courtesy On-Net Surveillance Solutions

SecurityMagazine.com
Hot Buttons Future Bound
by Bill Zalud
September 1, 2007

IN USE: "Soft" IP Video

The move towards open, software-driven IPVS solutions is part of a transformation that is taking place in the basic building block of video surveillance - the video recorder.

The security industry first developed the digital video recorder (DVR) to overcome limitations of the VCR. However, DVR appliances typically use proprietary software and custom chip sets. Users are often locked into suppliers and manufacturers with proprietary components that can be expensive to repair or replace. Many PC-based DVR systems have similar drawbacks - proprietary hardware makes them costly to maintain and repair.

Because of these limitations, surveillance systems are now increasingly built using network video recorders. NVRs use standard computer components, operating systems and Internet Protocol technology to allow full control and management of IP video surveillance cameras over LAN, WAN and the Internet. The new digital technology has revolutionized the industry by taking the concept of digital video recording and making it a totally open-based network software application.

According to Gadi Piran, president and chief technology officer of On-Net Surveillance Solutions, "open" means easier integration.

An ecosystem has emerged to support the security industry in line with the increasingly open and software-driven nature of IPVS. Vendors of alarm systems, access control systems, biometrics devices, POS systems and video content analytics software are making it possible to access functionality and interconnect components via standards that have long been used in enterprise IT but are relatively new to security.

This allows security consultants and software developers to flexibly interconnect systems. System vendors have developed management software that processes inputs from other security systems and makes it possible to define event alerts. They tap into the processing and visual pattern matching capabilities of computers and help monitor alerts, evaluate threats and intelligently deliver video streams to the right security staff at the right time.

The intelligence built into soft IPVS systems provides for better detection of threats and more flexible delivery of security information. State-of-the-art systems make it possible to define security threat "signatures." Built-in content analytics monitor the video streams and other inputs and present the images that match the signature and thus indicate the presence of a threat or suspicious behavior.

When combined with intelligent delivery (i.e. the ability to share the right security information with the right people at the right time) these systems generate significant ROI. They make it possible to reduce staff size and overhead because one person can effectively monitor hundreds of cameras.

Taking advantage of existing networking infrastructure to connect the cameras makes it easier to upgrade systems. In the case of software upgrades, this can be done over the network. Also, there is no need to deploy coaxial cabling and point-to-point infrastructure required for analog security video or DVR-based systems

Since these systems intelligently monitor video streams, and can automatically detect threats, fewer people need to stay vigilant to the growing number of video streams. You get increased security because of increased coverage, and significant savings due to reduced operating costs and infrastructure.

About OnSSI

On-Net Surveillance Systems Inc. offers a comprehensive IP video surveillance control and management solution. Ocularis, OnSSI's IP Video Control platform, is designed to operate on a single platform with unprecedented levels of user-intuitiveness, open architecture and scalability. With core competencies rooted in both the IT and professional security markets, OnSSI's unique solution provides feature-rich camera management, sophisticated recording and archiving, automatic Push Live Video on event, control-room video-wall management and virtual matrix functionality. OnSSI's IP solutions can be found in a wide range of municipalities, federal and local government agencies, as well as enterprise, industrial, and educational settings. For more information, visit: www.onssi.com.

Certain statements contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934 and/or the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding business plans, future regulatory environment and approval and the Company's ability to comply with the rules and policies of independent regulatory agencies. Although the Company believes the statements contained herein to be accurate as of the date they were made, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.