Video Surveillance For A Smart, Connected Building

A group effort from all technologies is what makes a building smart, and video surveillance is an important technology in the connected story.

By Hank Monaco

Video surveillance has always been a core part of building security, but with today’s innovations, traditional security cameras have been transformed into an IP tool for better insight into security, safety, and human behavior. Its added capabilities combined with its ability to deter and monitor crime makes it the perfect piece for any smart building puzzle.

video surveillance
(Photo: Johnson Controls)

A truly smart building integrates a network of different technologies to create a digital infrastructure and ideally, each technology can fuel the other. Video surveillance should work seamlessly with access control, which should work in tandem with mass notification technologies that should be connected to lighting and HVAC control. This group effort from all technologies is what makes a building smart and video surveillance is an important technology in the connected story.

Benefits To Video In A Smart Building

With the right network infrastructure in place, video surveillance can make a big impact on day-to-day operations. In a connected store, video surveillance systems can provide insight into the mind of the customer and help store owners and managers better understand why a product is or is not selling. This enables store managers to take a more strategic approach to merchandising and helps drive increased sales and profits. In general, a more connected store can stay in-tune with customer needs and help deliver a higher level of customer service.

In a school environment, safety is the number one priority. A smart school building integrates safety technology to help better protect students and faculty. Video surveillance can pick up on movement in a restricted area and send an alert to security staff or lock down that area. It can be integrated with a school’s safety officials and connected to local police and fire departments, to help speed up response times and mitigate issues as they develop.

For an office building, video surveillance can help save building owners money through better control of lighting and HVAC technologies. Working with other building systems, surveillance can monitor when a room or hallway is most often used, and through the use of video analytics, turn lights off or heating and cooling down. This saves money and is more energy efficient.

Making It Possible

Making sure you get the most out of video in a smart building means careful planning upfront. Have conversations with your design and construction teams early on, letting them know what you’re looking to achieve. Be sure you are working with the right integrator, to help you realize your smart building’s potential.

In today’s age of smart buildings, video is more important than ever before. Whether a hospital setting, school campus or 40-story office building, having video surveillance capabilities that go well beyond traditional security is a must have. A smart building is only as smart as the technologies fueling it.

Hank Monaco is vice president, marketing for Johnson Controls Building Solutions North America, overseeing the marketing for the global leader in building products and technology, integrated security solutions, energy storage and information-based solutions. Prior to joining Johnson Controls, Hank held marketing positions for Tyco Integrated Security and the security division of Ameritech (now AT&T). He’s worked in leadership roles across marketing, brand management, product development, and sales in the consumer packaged goods industry, including during his tenure at M&M Mars. Hank holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame.