A VIDEO SURVEILLANCE MODEL INTEGRATION IN SMALL

AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

Dan Benta and Stefan Ioan Niţchi

Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Babeş Bolyai University, Teodor Mihali 58-60, Cluj Napoca, Romania

Keywords: Video Surveillance, Wireless, Standards, Model, Integration, Small and Medium Enterprises.

Abstract: Rapid evolution of the Internet inevitably leads toward adapting to new technologies. To survive in the

increasingly fierce competition, companies must keep pace with new trends and developments. Software

solutions should be adapted to not change the structure of the company. A common case is the classical

surveillance and monitoring system that switch from analogue to digital and from a system accessed from

inside the company to a system accessed via IP. Wireless technologies are used on a large scale, are flexible,

cheap, and accessible and without wiring systems or elements that disturb. The evolution of wireless

communications was done in close dependence with the development of communication networks. A video

surveillance and monitoring system (VSaMS) is a good tool that offers secure targets or premises or to

monitor the activity of the perimeter. Access to the system will allow real time monitoring, recording and

accessing records. Using a standard depends on the location and the geographical area and equipment. The

aim of this paper is to highlight existing standards and solution and to propose a model for a VSaMS. Also,

experimental results are presented.

1 INTRODUCTION

Evolution and diversification of the companies’

activity led them to adapt to new web technologies.

These inevitably force the companies to adapt and to

find solutions to allow communication and progress.

A video surveillance and monitoring system

accessed via IP allows to view live images or to

access the records without the person to move from

one place to another.

In a complex work Kruegle (2007) concludes

that there has been an evolution of security

integration from guard, to guard and security system.

This evolution has changed from a “hands on”

security system using the guard as the primary

source for security to one with a complex and

sophisticated electronic system that removes much

of the decision-making from the guard. Much of the

human decision-making has been transferred to and

is accomplished by the security subsystems.

The security system integration consists of layers

of integration. If the security system is all at one site,

it is easy to connect the various security subsystems

via cable to the control console. This transmission

can be accomplished using copper wire (coaxial,

twisted-pair, multi-conductor), fiber optic or in

special cases wireless transmission. If a site is

remote or there are multi-sites, the communication

link is very important. If the transmission occurs

outside the boundaries of the organization, it is

important that the network outside the facility is

secure and that proper protection is provided so that

no outsiders can tap into the communications. To

obtain this, protection usually takes some form of

signal scrambling or encryption (Kruegle, 2007).

A lot of authors agree that video analysis and

video surveillance are active areas of research. The

key technologies are video-based detection and

tracking, video-based person identification, and

large scale surveillance systems. A significant

percentage of basic technologies for video-based

detection and tracking were developed under a U.S.

government-funded program called Video

Surveillance and Monitoring (Tian, Brown,

Hampapur, Lu, Senior and Shu, 2008).

We propose a VSaMS integration for small and

medium enterprises (SMEs). The financial crisis has

turned the interest of companies to a good cost

management. Implementation of this system comes

to support SMEs to survive in the competitive

environment.

In the second section of this paper, we present

Benta D. and Nitchi S. (2010).

A VIDEO SURVEILLANCE MODEL INTEGRATION IN SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES.

In Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Software and Data Technologies, pages 5-9

DOI: 10.5220/0002930800050009

 SciTePress

the system modules and functionalities; in the third

section we present the model standards and

implementation. The fourth section is for system

analyzes and system benefits. Finally, we present

our conclusions.

2 THE MODEL MODULES

A video surveillance and monitoring system must

contain some elementary modules as: live view

module (Figure 1), recording schedule, records

access (Figure 2), motion detect module, real time

snapshot and recording module, system log and

users management.

Figure 1: Live view module, a system using a DVD and IR

cameras.

The Internet connection is an essential factor in

terms of video and audio transmission via IP.

Internet connection is very important in terms of

data transitions. In the case of video surveillance and

monitoring via IP it becomes an essential factor. We

can also register on our personal computer. It is very

important that the time to be listed on records.

Figure 2: Playback system module, a system using a DVD

and IR cameras.

Other options are also active in the system.

Another important element of the system is that the

system can be connected to an alarm sensor.

The key to a successful security plan is to choose

the right equipment and service company, one that is

customer oriented and knowledgeable about reliable,

technologically superior products that satisfy the

customer needs (Kruegle, 2007).

The application and integration of video into

safety and security systems has come of age as a

reliable, cost-effective means for assessing and

responding to terrorist attacks and other life-

threatening situations. Video is an effective means

for deterring crimes and protecting assets and for

apprehending and prosecuting offenders.

The integration of video, intrusion-detection

alarms, access control, and security guards increases

the overall security asset protection and employee

safety at a facility. If the security plan calls for a

simple system with potential for later expansion the

equipment should be modular and ready to accept

new technology as it becomes available. Many

larger manufacturers of security equipment

anticipate this integration and expansion requirement

and design their products accordingly.

Integration of security technology is a worldwide

trend providing increased security benefits at a lower

cost. Security integration projects often involve

single or multiple sites. Security dealers, integrators,

consultants, architect, and engineers, etc. must

understand the technology required to effectively

integrate security subsystems. There are essentially

two levels of integration function: (1) security

system and (2) security system plus building control

system (fire, HVAC, etc.). The highest level of

integration combines the security system with

building control: the fire, heating, ventilation, air-

conditioning (HVAC), lighting, and all facility

communication functions (Kruegle, 2007).

Wireless networks have an increasing role and

represents a variant which should not be neglected

when you wish to achieve a network. Wireless

equipment have been developed rapidly and presents

viable solutions for interconnecting computers and

other equipment to transfer data or to transfer video

and audio, from the classical data transfer and files

transfer to interactive and real-time applications via

IP. The Internet was not designed for transmission of

video and audio in real time so you will need to take

into account several factors and when it comes to a

video surveillance and monitoring system (VSaMS),

the Internet connection is very important. When

network performances are lower and the network

operates under certain parameters, the use of such

ICSOFT 2010 - 5th International Conference on Software and Data Technologies

applications via IP is impossible. Unlike the transfer

of files, transmission of video and audio is much

more demanding.

Resources assurance is very important and the

quality of service must be optimal and the network

must work properly. Resource assurance is very

important and a main factor in many applications via

IP. Optimal allocation of resources to ensure

efficient functioning of an application via IP has

become a difficult challenge.

3 THE MODEL STANDARDS

AND INTEGRATION

We think that standard IEEE 802.11g standard

(IEEE, 2010), with speeds of 54Mbps, is sufficient

and fully meet the requirements of users of small

networks, networks between two or more neighbors

or networks in small companies. Rapid evolution of

telecommunications will require the WiMAX

standard, but the jump will be slower compared with

the jump in technology from 802.11b standard to

802.11g standard. Devices with both standards

(802.11b and 802.11g) are widely spread in the

market.

Network performance is given by the slowest

component of the network. For this reason is

preferred to use wireless components of the same

manufacturer and with the same standard, preferably

802.11g.

During the time, video standards have been

improved to adapt them to new needs and demands

of the market. In the video market there are SECAM

(SECAM, 2010), NTSC (NTSC, 2010) and PAL

(PAL, 2010) standards.

A number of authors agree that the rapid

development of sensors, network communications

and computational systems forces the researchers

working in the field of advanced surveillance

systems to design and develop innovative solutions

for building “intelligent” systems able to support

human operators in the task of making complex

decisions (Micheloni, Lestuzzi and Foresti, 2008).

There are a lot of ways to choose the best

VSaMS. Standards are very important because

standards give the network and the system

performance. It is very difficult to say that a system

is better than other; it depends of a lot of factors like

Internet connection, equipment, standards, locations,

resources.

The presented model offers a real solution for

any company at an accessible cost. For Infrared (IR)

Cameras is used PAL Standard and for wireless

network is recommended 802.11 g Standard (Figure

3).

IR Cameras are connected to a Capture Card

mounted in a computer. IR Cameras are connected

using BNC cable. The cameras can be connected

using wireless technology but it is not recommended

for large areas that’s why BNC cable is used. There

are used 12V current transformer and metal

catchment systems that allows cameras to monitor

the optimal angle of the perimeter.

Figure 3: Standards in a video surveillance and monitoring

system (VSaMS) using a computer.

A main application for VSaMS is installed on

computer and VSaMS is configured. The Computer

is wireless connected to a wireless router using a

wireless LAN Card with 802.11g Standard. The

router is connected to the Internet and configured to

allow via IP access to VSaMS.

The VSaMS can be accessed via IP for real time

monitoring or to access records. To access the

VSaMS can be used a computer connected to the

wireless router or connected directly to the Internet,

can be used a mobile phone with WLAN using

802.11 b/g standard connected to the wireless router

or connected directly to the Internet or can be used a

notebook connected wireless with 802.11 b/g

standard or directly to the Internet.

The applications are diverse and can be adapted

to any company. Motion detect module can start

recording only when detects movement or activity,

otherwise does not use storage space for records.

Via IP access allows us to view live images or

access recordings. To grant access to view live

images or to access records we must log into the

system using a username and a password. The

username and the password are saved in system

configuration when we install the main application.

A VIDEO SURVEILLANCE MODEL INTEGRATION IN SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

The IP and the port of the system/camera are set up

in camera configuration.

The proposed model represents a solution for any

company that wants to monitor or supervise the

work of a perimeter. Costs are affordable and allow

existing technologies and refining a model for such a

system.

Video technology has evolved rapidly from

analog to digital. New technologies and equipment

allow storing data and then to access them by adding

a DVR and a HDD (Figure 4). This system allows

quick access to records and an easy way to use

equipment, the system is limited only by the HDD

capacity. If you do not want to store data for a long

term you may enable to overwrite the HDD.

Figure 4: Video surveillance/monitoring system using

DVD.

4 THE MODEL BENEFITS AND

ANALYZES

Continuing our work, wireless technology and

current standards were used to develop an optimal

system. The system was implemented in a few

companies from different fields like: sales, IT,

consulting, accounting, production (Benta, 2009).

From our analyses, the system was a great tool

for property and employees safety, for the manager

satisfaction and also for monthly productivity per

employee.

First of all, the system offers an increased

security plan. The system can be connected to an

alarm sensor and at a phone line. The access via IP

and from a cell phone is useful for company

managers. Also, the employees are concerned to

work and not to waste time with other activities and

the monthly productivity is increased (Figure 5).

Some authors conclude that a video system

cannot be easily applied in remote areas with

difficult access. The main problems are associated

with (1) providing a long-lasting source of energy,

and (2) frequent maintenance of the system (e.g.

having to change videotapes). Although electric

power can be supplied for several days by 12-V car

batteries, changing the videotapes in a non-stop

running system is a time- and labour-intensive

undertaking (Pechacek, 2005).

Figure 5: Video surveillance/monitoring system benefits.

One of the biggest challenges of developing a

commercial video surveillance system according to

Haering, Venetianer and Lipton (2008) is that the

system, once deployed, has to operate robustly 24/7

in a completely uncontrolled environment, in a wide

range of scenarios. Casaca, Silva, Grilo, Nunes,

Presutto and Rebelo (2007) showed that a VSaMS is

a great solution to resolve airport problems because

airport congestion is also becoming an increasing

problem for ground movements.

We also agree that a real problem for via IP

access is the bandwidth because the Internet was not

developed for video live streaming.

5 CONCLUSIONS

Choosing the best choices for a VSaMS depends on

the location and area where it will be mounted and

also from the technology on the market. We suggest

the use of compatible equipment that does not affect

the proper functioning of the system and its

performance.

The performance of a system is given by the

weakest component of the system. For the proper

ICSOFT 2010 - 5th International Conference on Software and Data Technologies

functioning of such a system is recommended to

meet the standards and requirements of the system.

Wireless networks are easy to achieve compared

with wired networks, but require greater attention in

terms of transmission and security. Any security and

any network system are not entirely sure. Any

system connected to the Internet can become a target

for a potential attack.

A VSaMS is a great way to monitor an area or

activity in an area in real time or to view records

accessing the system.

Standards are varied so it is recommended to

choose standard and the standards that will adapt

best to the area concerned and to give maximum

performance of the system.

Optimal choice depends on many factors,

depends on financial factors, geographical area, the

existing technologies, customer needs, the impact of

the system. No need to use an expensive system that

is not used to its maximum performance.

The system must match the customer needs and

demands and provide more in terms of safety and

security. Access via IP allows viewing of live

images so we do not have to be present in that place,

travel costs are eliminated.

Also, the Internet connection is very important

because the connection will guarantee proper

functioning of the system and via IP access to the

system.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This work was supported by Romanian National

Authority for Scientific Research under the grant no.

PN2 92-100/2008 SICOMAP and Investing in

people! PhD scholarship, Project co-financed by the

SECTORAL OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME

HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT 2007 -

2013, Priority Axis 1 "Education and training in

support for growth and development of a knowledge

based society", Key area of intervention 1.5:

Doctoral and post-doctoral programmes in support

of research, Contract POSDRU 6/1.5/S/3 –

„DOCTORAL STUDIES: THROUGH SCIENCE

TOWARDS SOCIETY", Babeş-Bolyai University,

Cluj-Napoca, Romania

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A VIDEO SURVEILLANCE MODEL INTEGRATION IN SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES