Network Monitoring.
IP Camera Technology can be described as the technology that allows us to view a stream of images, live or recorded, over a computer network or the Internet. For example, IP Camera Technology enables us to view a camera installed in New York from an Internet connected computer located in the UK . The label IP Camera Technology derives from the underlying premise that the camera is viewed via an IP network, in which the letters IP stand for Internet Protocol.
IP networks are the most common networks used for data communication and we all use them every day at work and at home by sending and receiving e-mail, on computer networks and browsing the Internet. The fact that IP networks are more or less in every work place and also in many homes, makes it easy and cost-effective to install a network camera in virtually any location. The widespread availability of IP networks around the world and in our every day life gives every organization that has a camera system requirement the opportunity to implement such a system at significantly reduced cost.
Remote access.
Network Camera Technology allows us to install cameras in London , Dublin , Belfast and Glasgow and view them all from a PC based in Manchester . All that is required is that each of the cameras and the PC in Manchester are connected to a corporate computer network or the Internet. In fact, the four cameras could be viewed from any PC with access to the corporate network or the Internet, regardless of whether this PC is located in Manchester , Birmingham or Sidney for this matter.
Cost savings through central monitoring.
The possibility to monitor a large number of remote sites from one central location offers huge cost saving potential'. Network Camera Technology allows us to monitor an unlimited number of remote sites from one central location. Whether a company has 3, 50 or 300 sites scattered across the UK , or the world over, all sites can be visually monitored from one central station.
Automation reduces resources required.
Networked video systems have many automated and advanced features, significantly reducing the time and resources spent on monitoring, managing and
maintaining a video system'. It would be huge task to list all the advanced features found in network cameras today. Therefore, only a small number of the most used features are mentioned here.
Movement detection
Image buffers
Automated recording
Pan, Tilt and Zoom
Smart software
Day/night functionality
Wireless network cameras
Improved security.
The automated and advanced features of Network Camera Technology enable improved security operations to be implemented'. System functions such as automated alarm notifications by e-mail, image buffers containing crucial information, automated digital recording, smart software and central / remote control and decision making all can contribute to an improved security operation.
Lower installation cost.
Reduced installation cost by utilizing existing communication networks and reduced cabling requirements'. Network camera systems, in the majority of cases, require much less cables and cabling work than conventional camera systems. Therefore, the cost of installation usually is much lower, especially for larger camera installations.