In today’s industrial firms, security systems – and especially video monitoring systems – are becoming of increasing importance. In addition to intruder detection systems and solid locking systems, CCTV systems help to reduce commercial risks. Modern systems even allow around-the-clock remote monitoring via mobile networks, which can be very useful in order to prevent intrusion and damages. 

Breakdowns in production, caused by damage to production plants, may quickly result in lasting liquidity problems. Serious consequences may also be caused by the removal or destruction of PC workstations including backup systems, for instance when removed or destroyed at the same time in both the development department and the server room. The data loss associated with this would be the MCA for every manufacturer if this manufacturer both produces and supplies development services. Not only are the giants of industry affected by this, but also middle-sized and small businesses, because delivery shortages and noticeable delays in production development usually result in serious damage. 

Does CCTV provide additional security?

Knowing that a video monitoring system does not provide any guarantee against break-ins, the operator decided to install ten additional fixed cameras for continuous monitoring of the facade of the building and a dome camera for targeting observation of the parking lot. After an initial viewing, high-resolution cameras with special day/night application characteristics were chosen for security. During a practical demonstration, the operator was satisfied with the advantages of the dual-mode camera technique, which delivered sharp, color pictures during the daytime and qualitatively good black-and-white pictures in low-light conditions. In especially critical areas, alarm controlled auxiliary spotlights are used for optimal recognition of detail within the color spectrum and increased security due to the deterrent effect of the bright lighting. Inside the building, a total of 12 colour cameras – also at high resolutions – monitor the floor areas, the storeroom, the goods reception and the stair wells. Naturally, care was taken during installation to ensure that the electronic eyes could not view the staff work stations. 

Detection, alarm and transmission

The indoor and outdoor motion detectors are connected to the burglar alarm system and when this system is enabled they control the forwarding of the alarm to the emergency call and service center. At the same time, the burglar alarm system emits a message to the video system which then initiates picture transmission via a separate ISDN connection to the image reception center in the service center. The integrated motion detection system is also used indoors, whereby video alarming can be made at the service centre specific to the camera that is triggered. To avoid false alarms during business hours, the video system has a separate enable/disable switch input that is automatically

Recording and logging

At the same time, the video system starts event recording after each alarm, taking into account the pre- post- and main-alarm phases (Fig. 2). By means of the timer function, the cameras are also additionally recorded during the daytime, whereby these pictures are then overwritten after a preset time. Finally, all relevant functions must be logged to ensure that important system conditions and actions of the user can also be checked by the operator. The video receiver software for the emergency call and service centre must also be equipped with logging functions and must also store all incoming video sequences in a receiver PC so that the service centre, for its part, can prove at any time whether the transmitted services – i.e. tours and instant alarm verification – have actually been carried out.