Water Valley is Game for IP Video

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM

           

Water Valley Independent School District in midwest Texas may be a little district — it is home to 350 students in grades K-12 — but it is big on technology. Over the years, the district has installed several consumer-grade video surveillance cameras. However in 2007, the IT department decided to start looking at replacement technology.

James Ditmore, director of technology for the schools, recognized the benefits of IP network video over analog. “The cameras we purchased years ago were out-of-the-box cameras from a retail store. They are beginning to show their age in terms of performance and don't offer the reliability, durability or scalability of commercial-grade products. Each brand of camera works a little differently, so they are difficult to service as well. As we considered replacing the system, I knew an investment in network video would eliminate many of the proprietary interconnectivity issues and service challenges we've had over the years,” Ditmore says.

In early 2007, Ditmore attended the Texas Computer Education Association Conference to research his options. He was able to meet with several providers of surveillance solutions, including Wren Solutions, Jefferson City, Mo., a provider of video surveillance solutions for more than 20 years. Ditmore recalls, “To my surprise, most of the vendors were still talking about analog video. But I knew that IP technology was much more flexible, easier to use and more manageable than analog video. I wanted ‘future-proof’ technology that would be easy to manage and scale. I quickly realized that Wren was extremely knowledgeable, not only about IP video, but about how it could be used in schools like ours,” Ditmore says. Initially, the district wanted full video coverage of the gymnasium and even planned to provide a live feed to LCD monitors to allow parents working the concession stand to see their kids playing in the games. A small implementation would allow Water Valley to cost-effectively try equipment and experience the benefits of network video, without undertaking a comprehensive replacement effort within a tight timeframe.

Water Valley purchased a network video solution from Wren. Video is managed via Wren's Video Management System (VMS) Software, which enables easy capture, review and retrieval of video. Wren VMS Software makes it easy for Ditmore to share video with school administrators and even enables remote-viewing from a Web browser. Video is captured by Wren's integrated IP cameras in pendant-mount housings, ideal for the open-ceiling environment in the gym.

It isn't uncommon for a principal or the superintendent to drive to the schools in the middle of the night in response to a call from police reporting an open door on the campus. Once legacy equipment is replaced with network cameras, Wren VMS Software will give them the ability to view the video over the Internet and verify if there has been a security breach before dispatching police for an on-site investigation. But that is only the beginning of the potential for network video in Water Valley Schools. Ditmore notes, “We plan to deploy even more advanced capabilities such as event notifications, so if there is motion near the door after school hours, we are alerted and can get online to see if there is a security breach. On the proactive side, the video will help to prevent problems by ensuring a building is locked down before everyone leaves.”

The use of IP video in gymnasiums is also just the beginning. Ditmore sees the value of replacing outdated cameras with IP cameras to support security and operations across the district. As funding becomes available, the district will begin deployment of network video in the elementary school to allow the office secretary to remotely monitor entrances and exits to ensure visitors are properly signing in and to watch for suspicious activities at the main entrance. Phase two will be IP video installation in the high school.

Ditmore is prepared to grow with the system. “I'm a one-man show. Resources are tight, and I will ultimately install and manage the video system. Wren offered training to get me up to speed on video technology and to help me conduct network planning to ensure that video does not place undue stress on the existing network,” he says. “As a result of the training, I have decided to construct a virtual LAN in preparation for the expansion.”

Ditmore looks forward to deploying a complete IP video surveillance system across campus. “IP is simple - we can manage it in-house, grow the solution and easily access and use the video,” Ditmore says. “As we continue to replace old video equipment across the elementary and high schools, IP video will play an important role in our security on campus.”

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