OPTEX has launched its Intelligent Visual Monitoring solution, a hardware and software solution that takes separate intruder and CCTV technologies installed on the same site, and ‘bridges’ them to create one, seamless, integrated visual monitoring solution.
Monitored intruder alarms can now be visually verified within seconds, without impacting the integrity of the technology installed, or its Grade. When an alarm occurs, a signal is instantly sent to the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) whose operator view pre- and post-alarm images as well as the live view via a dedicated portal to determine whether the alarm is genuine.
Camera locations can be overlaid with a map of detection zones, thus helping the ARC operator to quickly and easily findwhere the incident has occurred and take the appropriate action. Images can also be sent directly to the customer’s handheld device for further verification if, for example, the alarm is genuine but the person detected is known to the customer or has a legitimate reason for being on site.
The OPTEX Bridge is the hardware gateway that is physically connecting the intrusion sensors or the panic buttons and IP cameras on site. It provides a complete audit trail of activity and can detect when a camera is not working and report the fault, thus ensuring security is not compromised. It can also communicate via a gated Cloud portal with the ARC, regardless of the make or manufacture of the monitoring technology installed, or the protocols with which it operates. It will work with virtually any intruder alarm technology and any ONVIF camera to deliver one seamless visual verification solution. The ARC software needs to be compatible, and many of the major ARC software platforms are already integrated.
Monitoring intruder alarms through an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) is generally accepted best practice, but video monitoring remains slow to take hold. Part of the problem has come down to costs; larger sites such as major depots and warehouses with constant activity can benefit from a fully functioning CCTV system monitored through a dedicated Remote Video Response Centre (RVRC). Smaller sites would struggle to justify the investment of a full-scale RVRC solution.
ARCs now have the ability to provide a visual verification service to residential and commercial sites without a substantial investment; the Bridge can be installed and working within the hour. The Cloud-hosted platform also allows a stronger collaboration between the ARCs and the users by having the ability to share video clips to confirm the alarms while respecting any privacy guidelines through its bespoke privacy feature that only end-users can release.