Vancouver Community College Deploys IP Surveillance System

Avigilon recently announced that Vancouver Community College, one of British Columbia’s oldest and largest colleges, has deployed the Avigilon HD Surveillance System in an effort to improve staff and student safety across its two campuses in the Vancouver, British Columbia area.

“Our previous analog-based system could not provide the image clarity and management features needed to improve campus security,” said Surinder Aulakh, director of safety and security at Vancouver Community College. “We knew it was time to move to a high definition system like the Avigilon HD Surveillance System to capture useable evidence that can be easily reviewed and shared with the appropriate authorities for fast and efficient conflict resolution.”

The college security team seamlessly manages the Avigilon HD Surveillance System using Avigilon Control Center NVMS.

The college installed a combination of 26 1 megapixel Avigilon HD cameras, four 2 megapixel Avigilon HD cameras, and three 3 megapixel Avigilon HD cameras to monitor high traffic areas within the College, particularly where cash-handling processes occur. Vancouver Community College also installed 16 Avigilon analog video encoders to enhance the performance of its existing analog cameras, which monitor other high security areas within campus buildings. Storing up to 29 days of footage, security personnel monitor the Avigilon HD surveillance system from a control room located at each campus.

Leveraging the advanced features of Avigilon Control Center NVMS including its use of JPEG 2000 compression technology, the College can provide useable evidence to local law enforcement faster than before, helping to strengthen its relationship and leading to more successful investigations.

In addition, the college uses the advanced search and bookmarking capabilities to highlight specific details to reduce investigation times from days to minutes and is currently networking both campuses to ensure automatic failover from one site to the other if necessary.

The Avigilon HD surveillance system not only boosts security, it also leverages the College’s existing infrastructure to further reduce costs. With the system, the college can easily scale to meet expanding needs and integrate with access control systems as budget allows.

“Committed to delivering innovative instruction to help students reach their personal, educational, and professional goals, Vancouver Community College has created a safe and open environment that fosters success for both staff and students,” said Dave Tynan, vice president of global sales and marketing at Avigilon. “With the Avigilon HD surveillance system, the college has invested in a reliable, scalable, and cost-effective solution to ensure fast and efficient resolution of issues and help maintain the well-being of the entire college community.”

Featured

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.