Monitoring Supplement
An Eye On It All
Online monitoring services lead to increased security, real-time access to information
- By Bill Fitzhenry
- Feb 06, 2007
IN an age when the need for increased security services is at an
all-time high, managing security information has become more efficient,
flexible and powerful. Monitoring companies continue to deliver
products and services to address those needs.
"The world of security is changing, and HSM's eServices are playing
a key role in the 21st century security industry. Our customers and the
marketplace have told us that. And by partnering with customers to
understand their specific security needs--across the entire
spectrum--we are better equipped to enable them to better manage their
security efforts," said Tony Byerly, senior vice president of sales and
national accounts for HSM.
HSM Electronic Protection Services, for example, has introduced
eVideoManager video monitoring services and eVideoData real-time online
access to video recordings and associated alarm event data. The two
products are designed to help manage risk, reduce costs and increase
the efficiency of a company's security operations.
Felix Gonzales, vice president of strategic initiatives and business
development at HSM, said the company continues to focus on services
that help customers better and more profitably run businesses.
Real-Time Reaction
In direct response to customer demand for video monitoring services
and real-time access to security information and video images, more
monitoring products are popping up in the marketplace. Services used in
a UL- and FM-approved monitoring facility with a disaster recovery
backup facility are better equipped to respond when needed. A portfolio
that includes video alarm verification, video guard tour, video
opening/closing services and video escort can provide a real ROI for
its customers. There's always a need for increased security and safety
from real-time, live support services, and a means to reduce false
alarms. Monitoring services can help reduce guard costs and improve
guard patrol efficiencies. Some tools also are designed to reduce
inventory shrinkage/loss and improve employee productivity.
To ensure a compatibility with existing CCTV systems, some services
can be used with existing customer intrusion alarm systems while
compatible with most customer communication paths, including DSL,
cable, LAN, Ethernet, dial-up or cellular.
Online access to video recordings for monitoring services such as
alarm verification, open/close services, guard tour and escort allows
customers to view what they want when they want. Video recordings are
displayed with the associated alarm event data and are stored in an IT
database available online from anywhere to customers.
"The days of paper or data-only reports are gone. eVideoData allows
the customer to see data and view associated video clips of events, all
in an online format stored on HSM's network," Gonzales said.
eVideoData offers alarm event reports that provide alarm data and a
recorded video of the associated event and real-time access to video
recordings on the same screen--a means to store and organize video
recordings and alarm data and view and share the information.
Managing Video
Customers using monitoring services will see benefits such as
reduced false alarm dispatches and increased security by having video
monitoring specialists viewing activity in real time.
"Our customers asked us if we could develop a service that enhanced
the power and benefits of eVideoManager by making recorded data and
images available together and on HSM's existing eServices platform,"
Byerly said. "Thus the creation of eVideoData, which now takes video
monitoring and online data to a new level--it's as simple as point and
click from anywhere, anytime."
Customers see value in the added time and cost savings granted by
monitoring services. Many services, for instance, are easily accessible
via the Internet. Gonzales said that HSM's eServices platform allows
customers to view alarm data and embedded video recordings of events
online while still having all that information stored in HSM's IT
network.
Continuing to Improve
Many companies in the monitoring business are constantly expanding
their product offering, tweaking and perfecting existing services while
planning for innovative, new products.
"The customer appetite for these type of offerings is huge once they
see the plenitude of information available in an easy-to-understand and
accessible format," Byerly said.
"Our customers wanted the capability to view their video recordings
and alarm data together," Gonzales said. "eVideoData will put an end to
searching your computer for e-mails or files for video and alarm
events. Available online and at their fingertips, customers will now
have everything they need to review or investigate an event."
Customers need an efficient way to view, share, store and retrieve
video recordings with the added convenience of embedded alarm data on
the same screen online, anytime and anywhere. Current monitoring
services are designed to enhance conventional alarm monitoring process
by providing real-time, live monitoring support for alarm verification
and open/close services. Moreover, monitoring services augment the
traditional guard service process by providing a means to document
activity, improve patrol efficiencies and reduce guard costs.
This article originally appeared in the February 2007 issue of Security Products' Monitoring supplement, pgs. 26D-26E.