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Spring 2003
Homeland Security Selects DVRi Systems
The Department of Homeland Security operates testing centers to
evaluate and select suitable technology products for use in the
protection of government facilities. Recent evaluations were
conducted on digital surveillance systems. This equipment,
known as DVR (digital video recorders) now replaces the traditional
VCR-type technology. The government evaluation laboratory tested 20
systems from the 250 currently available on the market. The DVRi 100
and DVRi 120R16 were 2 of only 3 digital video recorders selected
for specification in government facility bids. Both systems are
available from Endy Technologies.
The government selected the DVRi systems because they operate
at a very high frame rate per second (fps) while maintaining high
resolution video images. Other key features include:
- Unique "Extraction Service" which makes it easy to review
video from large blocks oftime. This is especially helpful for quick
incident investigation.
- "Remote Client" feature allows user to simultaneously view multiple
cameras from various onsite or offsite locations.
- MDI-based software runs with-in the Windows operating system,
making it easy to use. Users can continue to run regular desktop applications
on thier PC/workstation while running the security software in the backgroud.
Although now approved for government use, these systems are already in use in
other environments from schools to banks and other private businesses.
Providing security for the public in a post 9/11 world
Striking a balance between accessibility and security is the
daily challenge faced by Harrisburg Area Community College. In the wake of 9/11,
Americans have a heightened concern about security at public access facilities that serve a large
number of people. Harrisburg Area Community College provides security for their 12,000
students at 5 different locations in Harrisburg, Lebanon, Gettysburg and Lancaster.
HACC wanted to upgrade and expand their security system. After reviewing several systems,
they selected a DVRi Digital Surveillance System from Endy Technologies.
"We chose this system because it was more cost-effective and it gave us additional features that
weren’t available on some of the other systems," said Tony Buerk, Facilities Management Resource
Specialist at HACC. "We liked the fact that it’s a standard PC-based system which made it familiar
and easy-to-use. We were able to use our existing LAN and select specific computers already on the
network to monitor security. Plus, we were familiar with Endy Technologies and pleased with
the expertise they provided."
The new DVRi system allows the college to monitor all the campuses 24/7 from the main campus.
The security department can monitor suspicious behavior and capture incidents regarding theft
and vandalism.
"The bottom line is to provide peace of mind for our students and staff. Our new security
system is helping us to achieve that goal."
Investigate incidents quickly and easily
Time is money, as the saying goes, and who would better understand that than a bank?
Ephrata National Bank, an independent community bank with seven branches, has found a way
to provide better security but use less staff time to do it. They installed a new dedicated DVRi
system from Endy Technologies to monitor their busiest ATM.
Researching transactions with their old tape-based system was cumbersome and time consuming.
The staff spent countless hours going through tapes frame-by-frame, trying to locate images
of a particular transaction. Sometimes that transaction had not been recorded since the
old system monitored the entire branch property, jumping from camera to camera.
goal."Now it’s so much easier to locate images of a transaction,goal." said Terry Ricca, head of
Electronic Banking. goal."All we do is pull a report which shows us the dates and times of
all the transactions at that ATM, locate the one in question, and plug the date and time
into the computer. The video clip comes right up.goal."
The bank uses the system to investigate any complaints of fraud involving the ATM. The
videos can be used as evidence to prosecute theft cases. Often however, an investigation
will simply show that a family failed to communicate with each other about who was using
the ATM.
goal."We’ve found Endy Technologies to be very accommodating and easy to work with,goal." said
Nadine McGarrity, Director of Security. goal."They’re never too busy to answer questions and
are quick to respond when we have any problems.goal."
Watch over your business...even when you’re not there
Shawn McNamara likes to keep a watchful eye over his bar/restaurant, Brian’s Café in
Pottstown, PA. And now he can do that from his home or even while he’s on vacation.
Shawn recently upgraded his old tape-based security system to a
new DVRi digital video system from Endy Technologies. Endy also
installed a "night vision" camera to the system to increase visibility
under low light conditions.
"The clarity is a big improvement over the old system," said Shawn.
"But one of the features I really like is the ability to monitor the bar
from remote locations. I hooked up the system to my TV at home so I
can see what’s happening at the bar any time just by turning on the
TV. I can also check the bar via the internet if I go away on vacation."
The clarity of the system has already helped turn a potentially
nasty incident into a minor one. A woman at the bar reported her
purse had been stolen the night before. She said she remembered taking
her purse into the ladies room but believed she had accidentally
left it behind and someone had walked off with it. A review of the
video clearly showed the woman leaving the ladies room with her
purse and later on leaving the bar with the purse on her shoulder.
After receiving this information, she searched her house and discovered
she had hung her purse underneath a coat in the closet. Instead
of making accusations and involving police, the situation was quickly
resolved without incident.
"I looked at other systems but I was impressed with this system and
with Endy Technologies," said Shawn. "I like the personal service they
provide and knew I’d have someone to call if I had any kind of problem
with the system."
This newsletter is available in PDF format - click here.
For more information about our technology solutions,
call us at (877) 325-ENDY or click here for other
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