Akron Zoo is wild about Milestone MobiDEOS video

Milestone Systems, the open platform company in IP video management software, is integrated with MobiDEOS mobile client access at the Akron Zoo in Ohio, who has opted for video surveillance as a cost-effective and practical means to monitor animal health and behavior.

The Akron Zoo is a private, non-profit organization focusing on wildlife preservation and conservation education. It is one of the highest attended attractions in Summit County. Now, the zoo has about 105 employees and the entire park covers an expansive area of over 50 acres (about 200 km2), with more than 700 animals to manage like penguins, lions, Komodo dragons, tigers, bear and red pandas.

Akron Zoo chose Milestone XProtect Professional video management software (VMS). They initially installed version 6.5, and ensured a good return on their investment by upgrading later on: they report that when version 7.0 was installed, the improvement was "really unbelievable" with the implementation and operation "very easy and self-explanatory."

Other components for the zoo's surveillance installation include a Windows server with a large storage device and a mix of Axis and Mobotix network video cameras (specifically, Axis 213 PTZ, Axis 214 PTZ, Axis P3344-VE, and Mobotix Q24M-SEC).

MobileCamViewer from Milestone Solution Partner mobiDEOS provides wireless remote access for the zoo's veterinarians to monitor animals from home or elsewhere, without having to be stationed in front of their computers. MobileCamViewer is used on BlackBerry devices, through a special integration made possible with the Milestone Software Development Kit (SDK). The SDK is based on an open-platform programming interface, which allows third-party integrators like mobiDEOS to add their own functionality with ease.

Milestone video advantageous for all creatures

The surveillance solution is primarily used to observe, rather than to alert, and its advantages are numerous. From a veterinary perspective, it is useful because it minimizes physical human intervention and allows staff to remotely observe animals' natural behavior. It minimizes unnecessary stress, and ill or birthing animals can easily be observed.

Each animal holding area has a display monitor outside the door that shows a live video feed from various views inside the area, so keepers can check proper containment and location of potentially dangerous animals before entering. This increases general human safety and ensures that animals are not inadvertently startled. When animals become ill, the video can be viewed to determine the cause - and with the MobileCamViewer mobile solution, veterinarians can observe sick animals before arriving at the site.

The Milestone Smart Client user interface is used mostly by supervisors and veterinarians, and no training was needed in order to use it:  the zoo personnel have found the system very user-friendly.

Featured

  • Cloud Adoption Gives Way to Hybrid Deployments

    Cloud adoption is growing at an astonishing rate, with Gartner forecasting that worldwide public cloud end-user spending will approach $600 billion by the end of this year—an increase of more than 21% over 2022. McKinsey believes that number could eclipse $1 trillion by the end of the decade, further underscoring the industry’s exponential growth. Read Now

  • AI on the Edge

    Discussions about the merits (or misgivings) around AI (artificial intelligence) are everywhere. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find an article or product literature without mention of it in our industry. If you’re not using AI by now in some capacity, congratulations may be in order since most people are using it in some form daily even without realizing it. Read Now

  • Securing the Future

    In an increasingly turbulent world, chief security officers (CSOs) are facing a multitude of challenges that threaten the stability of businesses worldwide. Read Now

    • Guard Services
  • Security Entrances Move to Center Stage

    Most organizations want to show a friendly face to the public. In today’s world, however, the need to keep people safe and secure has become a prime directive when designing and building facilities of all kinds. Fortunately, there is no need to construct a fortress-like entry that provides that high level of security. Today’s secured entry solutions make it possible to create a welcoming, attractive look and feel at the entry without compromising security. It is for this reason that security entrances have moved to the mainstream. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

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. 3

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file. 3

  • 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. 3