The Video Surveillance market is very cost sensitive given the current economic client, however customers and surveillance integrators should not go without the option of remote monitoring.  During the early period of CCTV, remote monitoring was not even a possibility.  You were stuck with a VCR and black and white analog cameras.  Well, fortunately for everyone those days are gone!  We know have high resolution color analog cameras, IP cameras, and DVR Video Capture Cards/IP Software that provide remote monitoring clients.

Today most DVR Capture Cards and IP Software offer some type of remote monitoring software.  Many of these Surveillance Systems offer mobile monitoring from a mobile/cell phone.  They come with motion detection, allow you to mask off areas, send email notifications, and have alarm input/output functions.  Surveillance Systems today and in the future will have increased analytics allowing us to monitor objects, count people, look for license plate numbers, and human faces.

Surveillance systems are also changing themselves, they are no longer just used for surveillance.  Many owners of these systems use them as a communication device, to visually communicate with someone around the world.  They use them to study habits and trends so companies can take advantage of improving their product.  I recently heard an interview on National Public Radio that described how a specialized doctor was using a surveillance system to monitor patients with special needs, so when something was happening he could dial in and consult, wherever he might be.

Video Surveillance will always be about protecting against and prosecuting criminals, but I think people have seen all of the additional benefits that it offers and others that yet have not been discovered.

Ryan Temple

Visit the Comtex web page for video surveillance systems