business
‘‘
TALKING
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
programming interface (API) programming
only is limited and can be a costly approach.
Unification, however, takes stand-alone
components of a security solution beyond
just being loosely or superficially connected
via an SDK or API. A unified physical security
platform is a comprehensive software
solution that manages the different
components of a security environment
through a centralised open architecture built
to provide complete access to all data.
“
SECURITY CENTRE,
MANUFACTURED BY GENETEC,
OFFERS THE ONLY UNIFIED PLATFORM
BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP AND
CODED TOGETHER FOR SEAMLESS
INTERACTION AND WORKFLOW RIGHT
OUT OF THE BOX.
and third-party applications etc. as their
business requirements evolve.
Unification is about much more than
just security
A unified platform goes above and beyond
tagging or bookmarking video when an access
control event occurs or offering the capability
to unlock an access-controlled door from
within the video surveillance user interface.
It’s a platform that combines information
from all available sensors to provide greater
awareness to operators. This not only means
showing video feeds when alerts are triggered
by the access control system, but also being
able to see data from all related sensors in a
single click, from anywhere in the system.
A unified solution is developed from square
one to not only work together but to
purposefully intertwine functionality to offer
a powerful user experience that includes
built-in reporting and alarm management
functionalities. With unification, it’s
possible to configure and manage video
cameras, access-controlled doors, print
badges, monitor intrusion panels and have
everything at the security person’s disposal
to ensure a high level of functionality from
within a single software platform.
For example, Security Centre, manufactured
by Genetec, offers the only unified platform
40
INTELLIGENTCIO
built from the ground up and coded together
for seamless interaction and workflow right
out of the box. With a unified solution like
Security Centre, employees only have to get
to know and use one system. Administrators
save time configuring the system and only
have one manufacturer to contact – Genetec
– with any questions or issues.
Cybersecurity can be a problem when
relying on a variety of vendors and platforms
in an integrated system. But in a unified
solution like Security Centre, cybersecurity is
applied – and updated – across all physical
security components. Upgrades, which can
wreak havoc and make disparate integrated
systems incompatible, also apply to the
entire solution resulting in a seamless
upgrade experience for administrators
and end-users.
It’s also important to note that a unified
system is by nature highly flexible and can
be expanded to meet customers’ changing
needs. It is not an all or nothing solution as
the platform allows them to start with just
the VMS functions for instance and enables
them to add access control, ALPR, analytics
Advances in analytics and add-ons can also
be more quickly and easily incorporated
into unified security platforms yielding
strategic and actionable business
intelligence that can be used to improve
operations and increase ROI. For example,
a unified solution in an airport can feed
comprehensive security data into associated
analytics software that can present a better
understanding of terminal usage and
density, as well as traveller and visitor flow,
allowing management to take action and
eliminate unnecessary waiting times.
Retail customer intelligence gathered by
a unified system can engage in visitor
counting, conversion rates, queue
management, heat maps, directional analysis
and face capture. This type of information
can provide retailers with intelligence that
allows them to better understand consumers,
make real-time informed decisions and
increase both consumer engagement and
in-store profitability.
In conclusion
Unification brings together all security
system components seamlessly in a single
software platform with one user interface
in a way that can vastly improve physical
security management. Plus, unification can
open up a new world of collecting and using
actionable business intelligence that can
greatly enhance business operations.
End-users are demanding simplicity and
greater functionality. Offer them both with a
unified security solution. n
www.intelligentcio.com