News

Spy-eye facility catches up with IP

August 2, 2006

Business Day: The ability to run voice, data and video over an IP (internet protocol) network has been around for two to three years, but applications have only recently begun to emerge that enable companies to start leveraging true convergence.

This includes video surveillance applications that will run across the IP network instead of relying on traditional tape recordings, says Paul Ruinaard, regional sales manager for enterprise line of business at Cisco.

"Unless tapes are handled properly they are not permissible as evidence in court and are therefore only really a deterrent," Ruinaard says.

But with a network-based application, the content can be recorded and stored in a secure environment and the evidence trail is not broken.

"In Europe there have been more successful criminal convictions since companies started running surveillance applications over their IP networks," he says.

Companies are also starting to move the management of their fire alarm, air conditioning, access control and other security systems onto the IP network.

In a converged environment, if an individual logs into the network, the supervisor can see whether or not that person is in the building at the time and can take appropriate action if an outsider tries to gain access.

But this is not possible when the physical access system is not connected to the main network, says Ruinaard.

He says the convergence of separate networks will provide cost savings by reducing operational infrastructure, maintenance overheads and complexity.

Another use for converged application is to allow video to be delivered to a kiosk, for example in a car dealer's showroom. A prospective car customer could have a video conference type of interaction with a company expert to arrange vehicle financing matters, and to finalise the deal on the spot.