The world is moving towards CCTV-over-IP as a more efficient way to monitor physical security, with IP CCTV systems expected to overtake analogue systems by 2013.
This is according to Gregory Collyer, business unit manager for Integrated Security Solutions Advanced Infrastructure at Dimension Data, Middle East and Africa.
Collyer, who will address delegates at the Dimension Data Accelerate 2011 executive forum in Bryanston, says integrated security systems running on IP are infinitely more user-friendly and efficient.
He says in SA, “a typical company will have a separate intrusion system, separate access control system and a separate CCTV system”.
“So if there is a violation of a specific on-site rule, the client would theoretically have to interrogate three systems to ascertain the root cause of the violation, not to mention the leg work involved to archive the information for prosecution.”
Integrating all of these physical security systems into one system makes it all more efficient and manageable, Collyer says.
IP-based, fully integrated security is the way companies worldwide are going, he notes.
“The general trend in the security market is heading in the direction of being less 'human dependant' so that internal threats or sabotage can be eliminated. The less interaction an operator has in a security system, the less the chance of human error.”
Collyer says the biggest advantages of IP-based surveillance systems are functionality, ease of installation, information security and online monitoring of systems.
He adds that SA's SMEs, which are hard-hit by crime and very price-sensitive, can benefit from IP-integrated systems too. “We have done some pricing comparisons and the IP integrated systems are not just for larger corporates.
“Provided the correct IP systems are sourced from the outset, these systems are very cost-effective and can 'grow' with the client should they wish to expand in the future.”
Collyer will be one of several Dimension Data experts to address the Accelerate 2011 executive forum on 26 May. For more information about this event, click here.
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