Monthly Archives: October 2020

This article discusses quick six benefits of cloud-based video management for physical security.

1. Cloud-based technology is cost-effective

For sites with 10 or fewer cameras cloud-based video, management is a cheaper route than maintaining an on-site server and hardwired cameras. The greatest portion of this cost savings comes from relatively recent reductions in the cost of storing video footage in the cloud — about half of what it used to be. This is in part due to advanced compression technology, which means more footage can be stored in less space.

2. Rapid Deployments

IP cameras are by nature faster to set up than analog cameras. All that’s required is an adequate Internet connection, POE network switch, mounting hardware and desktop or mobile device monitoring applications. When it comes to registering cameras to the security system and connecting them with the network, all you have to do is push a button. All the hard work behind the scenes is handled by cloud-based services IT staff, who are experts (fast and smart) at deploying your specific technology.

3. Maintenance

With cloud-based physical security systems, installation and maintenance is left to the provider, which leaves personnel — and home office IT personnel — free to spend time on more important tasks.

4. Easy system conversion

In many cases, companies would like to make use of new IP technology and cloud-based services but it can be difficult justifying the cost of retiring legacy systems. However, IP security hardware is easy to add to existing systems. Also, analog cameras can be converted for use with cloud-based solutions within minutes using video encoders. This helps preserve the initial investment in analog security cameras.

5. Flexible use

Because IP cameras are connected to the network anywhere within range of the Internet, the cameras can be moved at will. This allows managers to cover hotspots within their building where problems appear.

6. Try before you buy

The off-site nature of cloud-based physical security means retail loss prevention and security personnel can easily test the new systems before deciding to buy. Prime offers a security demo kit that allows potential customers to test the system with a temporary account for 30 days to see exactly how it works before buying.

For an extended read on this topic visit, Is cloud-based video management a fit for retail physical security? Here’s when it makes sense.

Otherwise, reach out to Prime Secured at secured@primecominc.com to ask about your 30-day free trial.

As mandatory lockdowns end and the American people prepare to slowly return to their normal routines, businesses across the country have become concerned about precautions they need to take to create a safe workplace. No business can survive without its workers, but an outbreak at the office, warehouse, or hospital ward can mean even more downtime and a potential shutdown. After months of slow or no business, it could be an existential threat. In this blog, we’ve identified the top 5 technology solutions you can put in place to get back to work.

1. People-Counting Solutions

Several months after the lockdowns began, most U.S. states were allowing businesses to open again as long as the number of people together in the same area was below a certain limit. Organizations can use people-counting software to ensure these guidelines are followed and provide a record of the number of people in the building in the event of a compliance audit. People-counting software can work in tandem with existing security cameras, analyzing footage to keep an accurate count of people going in and out of a doorway, so you always know how many people are inside at any given time.

2. Visitor Management and Proximity Reporting

A private record of the comings and goings inside your building can be invaluable if a visitor or employee tests positive for COVID-19. As an extension of card-access security systems, visitor management software can record every location a person visited within your building, in addition to making sure the only people in your building are the ones who are supposed to be there. This technology lets you know everyone a person interacted with and where.

3. Thermal Cameras

One of the most reliable, telltale signs of COVID-19 is a high fever, but it’s not easy to tell someone’s body temperature at a glance. With the right equipment and software, you can quickly scan the general body temperature of anyone entering your building and identify those who might be infected, so you can conduct a more detailed second screening.

Thermal cameras will show a heatmap of everything they’re looking at, and that data can be analyzed by accompanying software to instantly detect anyone who’s running suspiciously warm. But be careful: it’s important to know your data is accurate if you’re going to pull someone aside and ask them to leave the premises. If you have questions on purchasing thermal cameras we recommend this read as a starting point, 5 things to know before buying a thermal camera system.

4. Keeping Visitors Informed

Putting guidelines in place is an important first step toward pandemic safety, but you need to be sure visitors and employees are aware of and understand the rules you’ve decided on. Many people simply need the occasional reminder, and PVMs (Public View Monitors) can be an effective way of keeping those rules top of their mind. These can also be accompanied by audio reminders, and both can be updated on the fly to reflect changes in the situation if necessary.

5. Loitering Analytics

Video analytics software has become more advanced over the years, and these days it’s fairly easy for technology to separate the image of a person from the background. Using this technology, you can continually analyze security footage and keep track of how many people are gathered in an area — and how close together they are. If the capacity for an area has been exceeded or if social distancing guidelines aren’t being followed, an automated alarm will go off, notifying security personnel to address the situation.

Feel Confident going back to Work!

Everyone is worried about how they can get their operations back to normal. Technologies like these can be a tremendous step toward that goal, ensuring that an outbreak doesn’t bring your business to a screeching halt.

Being vigilant about the safety of your workplace is the surest way to get you up and running again, and technology has never been in a better position to help.

For an extended read on this topic visit, Safety in the Wake of COVID-19: How Technology Can Get You Back to Work.