Industry Perspective: Video Management Solutions Alter The Video Surveillance And Security Landscape

By Gadi Piran, On-Net Surveillance Systems, Inc. (OnSSI)

As the video surveillance and security industry continues its shift toward network-based technology solutions, one of the most beneficial improvements available is the change in the way physical security information is managed. The primary goal has shifted from capturing and recording video to distributing meaningful real-time alerts to selected individuals.

Today's video management software offerings and the more complex, advanced physical security information management (PSIM) software deliver a capable, convenient solution for performing these operations. The technology allows video and data information to be incorporated with policies and procedures to provide a simple collaborative workflow, through which alerts from across the organization are automatically distributed to authorized operators for investigation, event handling, and export of high-quality evidence.

IP video surveillance and security systems are designed to produce high-quality, useful information from volumes of data. Megapixel cameras, access control systems, physical security systems (i.e. smoke detectors, etc.), video content analytics, and other intelligent devices have a significant influence on the utilization of software-based management solutions and the overall manner in which video surveillance and security systems are configured. Video management software should be capable of running on standard IT servers and adhere to and support recognized industry standards.

IP-based video management solutions are scalable and cost efficient. They provide valuable data that can be used in numerous ways and can provide a useful new asset to the enterprise as well as a solid return on investment. Today's video management system is more than just software to integrate different components. The technology has moved the security mindset from forensic (finding out what happened after the event) toward real-time analysis and decision making.