VoIP - the next step in convergence?

In the ongoing quest to contain costs, companies have acknowledged the advantages of a converged network. However, channelling voice over the data or IP network - known as Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP -- is only the first step. The next logical step is to include Video over IP resulting in Voice and Video over IP or V^2oIP.

Says Andre Maree, managing director at HP-managed partner Kunene Solutions & Services: "V^2oIP does away with traditional analogue broadcast methods by allowing users to convert video images into a digital format for transportation over an IP network (internal or the Internet). Video conferencing is the application of this technology with which users are most familiar, but there are other, even more promising solutions being applied in the security arena. In terms of surveillance, for example, V^2oIP offers an alternative information gathering, distribution and training mechanism to the more conventional use of analogue closed circuit television (CCTV) and ISDN-based videoconferencing platforms."

The development of new VoIP applications in a myriad of industries is broadening its adoption. In almost all environments the technology is being applied to monitor shrinkage, while public facilities such as ATMs and transport systems use it for security purposes to enhance customer services. For example, rail services and local authorities employ CCTV at `hot spot` points to combat crime, providing the public with peace of mind when commuting. V^2oIP would greatly simplify this exercise as connecting IP-cameras to a single network infrastructure greatly reduces costs not to mention the convenience of storing images and video streams to disk rather than tape. Even eco-tourism can benefit from V^2oIP. Imagine the appeal to both resort owner and visitor of being able to closely monitor animals drinking at a watering hole from the convenience of a resort through the installation of a remotely controlled wireless IP-camera connected to the converged network? Opportunities within retail environments are even more attractive. Buying trends can be established but yet again, surveillance systems can be installed in lifts, hotel lobbies and other areas that require monitoring. Shrinkage can be controlled through the installation of IP-cameras at tills and various points in supermarkets whilst hygiene and service levels are greatly enhanced in fast food environments.

"Video transmission over an IP network takes convergence the next level," says Maree. "It further assists with the containment of ongoing network and maintenance costs, and enables businesses to unleash the real potential of using one network with one protocol requiring one set of support skills. More effective use of bandwidth is another benefit through the optimisation of using a single large `pipe` for real-time sharing of video, voice and data."

Maree notes that requirements can be further minimised through a number of options: "Intelligent compression and caching technology can make V^2oIP more feasible by `creating` spare bandwidth to accommodate the additional traffic. In addition, other innovations, such as intelligent cameras that only transmit information when detecting an image change, make this technology a more attractive proposition. The needs of a particular application must also be intelligently assessed -- a camera positioned to monitor a largely static car park, for example, does not need a fast frame rate but can do with a higher resolution."

The adoption of Video over IP is confirmed by Meta Group. The researcher predicts that as enterprise networks increase capacity and their reliability improves, video will become a larger part of the traffic mix. This growth will be seen in interactive videoconferencing as well as in streaming media services. "Enterprises will continue to explore technologies to enhance employee productivity. Video, audio and data conferencing have been singled out as applications that can benefit from a convergence of communications over a single IP infrastructure," says Meta.

While video conferencing is gaining in popularity as equipment costs decrease, this market is only estimated to be worth R100 million per annum in the South African market. In contrast, more than R14 billion is spent on private security in South Africa annually. Although this figure includes manpower, perimeter protection and other aspects of security, surveillance -- especially in the corporate market -- contributes substantially to this figure. The opportunity to apply V^2oIP solutions in this market is thus considerable.

"VoIP provides the flexibility and intelligence not available with a typical CCTV installation. Images captured with an IP camera can have much higher resolution, are stored in a digital rather than analogue format, and allow a user to revert to an incident that was recorded a few minutes previously without interrupting the current recording. Instead of requiring a separate network with expensive coaxial cable, an IP-enabled camera can be connected to the existing Ethernet network through a UTP point and monitored from any workstation attached to the network. This platform is scalable and additional cameras and monitoring workstations can be added to the network with ease and at low cost."

Mobility is another distinct benefit of this technology as images from an IP camera can be viewed from any location worldwide via the Internet.

Maree continues, "Remote access can be achieved using wired (such as ADSL) or wireless (802.11a/b/g and WiMax) technologies; something that is almost impossible to achieve cost effectively whilst using traditional CCTV technology."

Storage is also a lot more efficient as images are now saved onto disk rather than on videotape. Due to the sequential nature of storing video images on tape, retrieving specific images is time consuming. The random access feature of storing images onto disk enables almost instantaneous access to the specific images required.

Power over Ethernet (PoE) -- where the UTP network is a conduit for not only voice, data and video but power too -- further propels the quest for true convergence as does new legislation, making the move to complete network convergence easier.

"Using a PoE enabled network infrastructure, intelligent IP devices such as IP video cameras and IP phones can be deployed where a wired IP point is available without any concern over the additional supply of power whether from normal, `clean` or UPS sources," say Maree. "If the PoE enabled LAN infrastructure is backed up by a UPS, all PoE attached devices will benefit from this as power is still available if an outage occurs."

As the `barriers to entry` are removed, convergence becomes a viable proposition for many applications - not only Voice over IP. Adding V^2oIP to the `mix` further increases the benefits of a single network making the investment a worthwhile one resulting in a cost saving that is realised in a relatively short period of time.