Louisa County Public Schools enhance security with Vicon solution

Louisa County Public Schools, in Northern Virginia, has completed installation of a district-wide Vicon Valerus video management solution.
The solution was installed across the county’s six buildings and connects nearly 400 of the manufacturer of video surveillance and access control software, hardware and components’ cameras.
The district-wide surveillance solution was completed over the summer with the newly-constructed high school, which opened in 2015, being the last building to come online with the new Vicon Valerus Video Management Solution.
The system is already in place within the district’s middle school and four elementary schools – including the new Jefferson Elementary School building.
The system includes multiple application servers and NVRs running Valerus VMS software, as well as a wide range of Vicon IP megapixel camera models.
Most of the cameras are the IP megapixel models, although some older analogue models connected to IP encoders remain in use.
In addition, there is also an extensive use of Vicon hemispheric cameras, placed at intersecting hallways, foyer areas and within the high school gym. According to the manufacturer, each does the work of four or more traditional models.
The cameras currently connect to local Valerus Application Servers at each school. There are plans to bring all the cameras into a single system as soon as a county-wide fibre project is complete, which is scheduled for within the next year.
In the meantime, because Valerus uses a web-based thin client, administrators can simultaneously open each school’s network in a separate tab and jump between views.
The district has opted to share camera access with the Louisa County Sheriff’s Department, whose officers can use iPads and smartphones to immediately call up video through the Valerus VMS interface in case of an emergency. This allows them to visually assess any situation and locate the perpetrator before sending in officers.
The Valerus solution was reportedly chosen by Louisa County Public Schools because of Vicon’s willingness to provide the district’s in-house electricians and technical team with as much autonomy as possible in setting up and managing the system.
After participating in a Vicon sponsored training class, the district has been self-sufficient in its ability to install, program and troubleshoot Valerus.
“Vicon’s technical team has supported our in-house guys directly with training and certification so that we feel completely in control,” confirmed David Szalankiewicz, LCPS Facilities Director.
“Vicon understands that the technical capabilities and service needs are different for each customer, and we’re glad to provide the right level of support that makes sense,’ added Ron Lapsley, Vicon’s Regional Sales Manager who worked on the project.
“In many cases, the manufacturer relationship is as important as the product itself in making sure a customer is satisfied.”
www.vicon-security.com