Businesses that have multiple locations or a need for more than 16 cameras should consider an enterprise class video surveillance system. Below are some of the features found in an enterprise class video surveillance system.
Multiple DVR Management
At a minimum, an enterprise class DVR has the ability to integrate the functionality of multiple DVRs into one user interface. A user can view and control security cameras located across the enterprise from one location.
Remote Configuration The ability to not only view, but also modify configuration settings of a remote DVR is critical. For example, the ability to configure motion detection settings, such as, pre-record, post-record, and notification options is important.
DVR health monitoring An enterprise class DVR will often have options for monitoring the health of DVRs on the network. If a system is no longer accessible or a security camera is off line, then an alarm is sent.
IT Systems Integration / SNMP / WBEM Digital video surveillance systems are often based on traditional IT systems, so integration with IT monitoring facilities such as SNMP and WBEM may be important.
IP Address Management It is not uncommon to have multiple DVRs that use DHCP to obtain their IP address. In this, case it is useful for the management system to either provide or integrate with a dynamic DNS system to keep track of all the DVRs on the network.
User Roles Large organizations have multiple people with multiple different roles. The system should support the concept of roles; one user may have view access only to certain cameras, another may have the ability to control a PTZ, yet another has full control of the system and can turn it off.
Access Logging At a minimum, the system should record every time a person logged into the video surviellance system. If this functionality is not provided in the system, it can be accomplished at the operating system level, but this option is not ideal. Access Logging is required for two reasons. First, it helps stem the abuse of a video surveillance system by users or employees that should not be accessing the system at certain times. Second, it can help determine if there is a hacker intruding into the system.
Access Control Integration Large companies and organizations often have sophisticated access control systems that limit who can go where. Integrating the video surveillance sytem with the card key, or other, system is often desirable. For example, the identify of the person can be overlayed as text on the video stream when the user enters a secure area.
