 |
These days, everyone's talking about IP-addressable security
systems.
Go to any industry trade show, and the chances are that your
friendly salesperson will be bandying the term IP about as though
it's a fashion accessory.
|
One thing we've noticed however, is that the real-world benefits
of IP seem very low on Mr. Salesman's list of priorities. He's more
interested in telling you all about the nifty little features
rather than what it can do for you, and for the running of your
business.
It is Pointer's goal to show these benefits, not just to our
customers, but to our staff. One of the most common misperceptions
of IP technology used to be that it was much more expensive than
its closed-circuit alternative. We have found that for any system
over about eight cameras, IP proves to be a cheaper method
of securing the property.
|
So, what's next for IP?
The next step for IP security systems is to become truly
integrated with other building management systems, with Time and
Attendance - to become, truly, a desktop function, just as much as
any other system. We need to keep telling customers what the
benefits will be…
|
 |
Some examples…
Consider a site which has an intruder alarm system, access
control and video. Each system has probably been specified with a
very simple goal, for example, the intruder system will most likely
be in place in order to detect entry to the premises when the
system is set - i.e. out of hours.
But, by acting in conjunction with other building management and
security systems, the intruder system you've just set aside a
medium to large budget for could be accomplishing so much more.
Ask yourself: what is the system doing when it is
unset?
The detectors are still working, but the panel has been told not
to process that information. Couldn't the detectors act as a useful
measure of whether the area in question is occupied or not?
If there is no movement in a given area, wouldn't it be useful
if the intruder's detectors could act to trigger other integrated
building management systems, such as lighting, heating or air
conditioning?
This would certainly be a cost-saving, environmentally conscious
by-product of integrating your systems over an IP network, and
could be easily regulated. Thus security can become less of a
grudge purchase when further benefits to the customer are outlined
on a cost basis.