Utilising Pelco by Schneider Electric’s IP security technology, Boston Networks has delivered a fully comprehensive security system, comprising over 200 cameras, for the University of Strathclyde’s campus in Glasgow, Scotland.
With more than 18,000 full and part-time students, the campus is home to staff and students from more than 100 countries, uniquely located right in the heart of the city. Named ‘UK University of the Year 2012/2013’ the institute has a reputation for its innovative approach, so it was vital that its security systems also matched up.
The campus is monitored by 200 CCTV cameras from one central control room which also covers some of the public spaces in Glasgow city centre. Due to its unique location, Police Scotland has found the CCTV system to be beneficial to them for crime related matters both on and off the campus.
To effectively manage the surveillance across the entire campus, the university needed a robust and future-proofed solution, so embarked on a full refurbishment of their control room. This meant the university needed to bridge the technology gap and shift towards IP CCTV, with the superior image quality of IP cameras compared to their analogue counterparts.
Boston Networks designed a solution to enhance the University’s security operations and provide the stringent security required to guarantee the safety of its staff, campus and students. Where possible, to maximise its existing hardware, legacy analogue cameras were also fitted with digital encoders to extend their life period and help the university bridge the technology gap. A total of 166 new IP cameras from Pelco by Schneider Electric were also installed across the campus to include Espirit SE30/SE31, Sarix IM dome, Spectra IV IP dome, Spectra HD and the latest Spectra Mini models.
The new control room is now able to simply manage all of the campus’s security footage around-the-clock from one central location and eliminate the need to run disparate systems. The new system is also scalable enough to accommodate thousands of HD and/or megapixel cameras in future, providing cost-effective recording and storage.
Furthermore, Boston Networks now maintains the University’s entire CCTV estate, guaranteeing seamless surveillance operations, 24/7. The bespoke maintenance package provided covers all CCTV hardware, software and central control equipment and provides the University with 24/7 technical support, as well as rapid replacement of hardware and software failures.
Ian McKay, Project Engineer, Estates Services at The University of Strathclyde adds: “This upgrade in our security solution means the control room surveys the entire University campus. The image quality of the new IP technology and recording resolution is a vast improvement on what we had before. We are very pleased with the result.”
Kevin Smith, Director, Pelco by Schneider Electric commented: “We have worked with Boston Networks and the University of Strathclyde for several years, so it is great to be involved in the evolution of the University’s security systems, and help them bridge the gap to make way for the new technology we are bringing out onto the market. Utilising our expertise, Boston Networks has installed a security system which will protect the University for several years to come and what’s more, has the flexibility to be scaled and added to as the university grows.”
For more information on Boston Networks please visit www.bostonnetworks.co.uk. Please visit www.pelco.com or for more information about Pelco by Schneider Electric.
