Video Monitoring Platform

Video Monitoring is an integral part of the IP Suite of software components for Central Stations. Video capability is provided by software applications that reside on your server and communicate with the Virtual Monitoring Platform residing on a managed server. The platform is a fully automated alarm and video monitoring solution that provides a web browser interface to both your subscribers and operators alike. Subscribers can maintain their own Contact lists seperate to those in your automation system and control how and when email or text alerts are sent when their alarm or cameras are activated. Operators are provided with single-click access to stored snapshots and live video. In its simplest form, the platform can be used by Central Stations as a tool to filter out non emergency events - which in turn frees up valuable operator time. In its most advanced form, it is a powerful Alarm & Video Verification Platform that requires very little initial investment from Monitoring Companies and even less ongoing maintenance from their I.T. staff.

Video monitoring is most effective when triggered by one of our supported IP or GPRS alarm panel adapters, however, even your existing PSTN & Cellular subscribers can benefit from integration to the Platform - albeit at a disadvantage due to slower alarm signal transmission times. If your I.T staff have the ability to write a signal from your receiver/automation system into a text file or database, or they can put together some code to consume a web service, then they have all the tools they need to interface your analogue systems to the digital world.

A typical event scenario for analogue alarm systems using the Contact ID protocol is for the panel modem to grab the phone line and wait two seconds for it to settle. Then it will dial a 10 or 11 digit number and wait a couple more seconds for the receiver to answer the call. Depending on the handshake order programmed into the receiver, it can be another two to five seconds before it starts to send its signal. Whilst all of this is happening, an intruder could be moving around the protected premises and valuable footage could be lost.

Using an IP Alarms supported IP/GPRS device for alarm transmission overcomes this delay by transmitting a Pre-Alarm message the instant a panel goes into an alarm condition. IP Signalling and Digital Video enable Dealers and Integrators to tie together multiple physical applications such as intruder, fire, medical and access control systems so that they can work together in a more unified manner.