Background

Power-surge highlights usability and cost issues

When a major power-surge disabled more than 30 cameras in Newman University’s ageing video system, a more robust solution was called for – one that would be fully resilient, easy to use and provide comprehensive video coverage.

The university has ambitious plans to grow, following major investment in its purpose-built campus not far from Birmingham city centre. Improved video monitoring at the site is a key element of the development plan, helping to provide a safe learning environment for almost 3,000 students and staff.

Systems specialist Unison Integrated Technology was awarded the contract with its proposal for a complete, IDIS end-to-end solution. Unison had already demonstrated outstanding performance with the same technology at a number of nearby schools, colleges and commercial sites.

Challenges

Usability and cost issues

A priority for the new system was ease-of-use, explains the facilities manager Lewis Palin. The university contracts-out its security services, so it’s important for newly arrived officers, who are unfamiliar with the system, to be able to use all its key features with minimal training.

With more than 150 new internal and external cameras required, managing costs was also a priority. Where possible, the university wanted to keep using its existing cameras and infrastructure, with a solution capable of integrating the new with the old.

Lewis Palin and his team were also looking for a more robust solution that would be affordable to operate, with a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) too, including minimal maintenance charges, no license fees and the option to adapt or scale the system if the requirements of the campus change as the organisation grows.

Solution

A powerful upgrade integrating new and pre-existing cameras

The Unison team delivered an IDIS DirectIP® solution comprising more than 160 cameras, integrating the new units with selected cameras from the original third-party system thanks to ONVIF compatibility.

The latest IDIS cameras include five advanced 2MP Lightmaster IR PTZ models, which deliver 36x zoom and pin-sharp images in all lighting conditions thanks to their 350 metre IR, true wide dynamic range (WDR) and digital image stabilisation (DIS). 55 full-HD IR vandal-resistant dome cameras were installed to protect entrances and internal areas, and 40 IR bullet cameras give HD coverage of key external areas.

All the new cameras incorporate IDIS Smart Failover technology which ensures automatic protection against video data loss, eliminating the risk of gaps in recordings, in the event of power failure or network instability.

Impressive throughput ensures no latency and storage capability is assured by four powerful 64-channel network video recorders (NVRs) with built-in failover and RAID 1, 5 and 10 support, plus a further three 32-channel recorders. All feature built-in PoE switches and IDIS dual codec technology that uses H.265 combined with IDIS Intelligent Codec to deliver storage efficiency, while operators have the capability to live view on older H.264 tablets and other devices as well as new HD monitors.

Results and Benefits

Improved protection of campus underpins growth plans

Unison Integrated Technology completed the upgrade in three weeks, with full technical support and rapid stock delivery from IDIS.

Thanks to IDIS Center’s intuitive controls, new officers arriving at the university can use the system with minimal training. Now they can easily monitor live internal and external areas, and quickly search and retrieve recorded footage to find events of interest.

IDIS DirectIP technology guarantees a low total cost of ownership (TCO), with no additional fees for the IDIS Center VMS, and the Newman University also has the reassurance of the industry’s longest warranty against equipment faults, the IDIS Ultimate Warranty.
 

"The Unison Integrated Technology team and IDIS were fantastic, working around us to deliver our new system exactly as promised. We will definitely use IDIS technology for our next phase of estate expansion."

Lewis Palin
Facilities Manager, Newman University