IP or commonly known as Internet Protocol – technology is perhaps a hot potato in the security industry today. With the power of internet and intranet, IP based cameras have taken this video surveillance to the very next level.

Just like any new device or an opportunity, this IP technology has also gone through very slow implementation. And it changed drastically as the technology achieved maturity. Soon after that, IP turned the corner and gained acceptance in the market.

Most of the IP-based projects estimated to us represent 8-10 percent of the video business of the companies. This rate was very low and almost negligible when these cameras came into existence but soon after the technology earned recognition, there was a great hike observed in the selling ratio of IP cameras. Today, it can be guaranteed that half of the businesses are IP-based.

The first implementers of this technology were the actual innovators, the companies that seek for the most technologically developed equipment installed. And gradually more and more companies were noted for making a move to IP.

No matter the business, video surveillance is critical for any type of business. There are a lot of organizations that use video surveillance to defend the valuable assets, people’s safety or even minimize the risks that are related to the criminal activity. Earlier only larger companies could afford to have the IP video surveillance. But now the propagation of the IP networks and the decreased prices on IP video cameras are actually making these wonderful solutions a very attractive option for different industry sectors, including the educational institutions, retail shops, governments and any business in the need of the security surveillance. One of the key trends in surveillance is the increasing switch to IP from analog. It can be clearly stated that more than half of the businesses using the video surveillance would be having the IP technology nowadays.

Well, it won’t be wrong to state that it is the exclusive features and the quality of this technology that has grabbed the market. So, there are countless reasons that support the statement that IP technology is taking the video surveillance to the next level.

Better Distribution of the Content

It is the new functionality of these technologies that can deliver the loss protection and the security professionals. The IP based video assist better in distributing the content. With this, it becomes simple to send the video from some remote sites to a central operating station. This actually fits well with the large corporations with the distant operations around different countries or even across the globe.

Receive Data in Virtual Real Time

The mobile solutions may be improved through the IP based video. Video content can be delivered to the mobile phones, PDAs, and the laptops while enabling the mobile workers like roving guards in order to fetch the data in virtually real time.

However, for most of the potential users, IP technology is viewed as very much expensive. This is mainly true for the organizations with large legacy systems that are based on analog cameras, where the price of pulling Cat5 cabling is compared with just continuing to use the analog BNC cabling infrastructure already in use. Since the economics of IP installations are continuing to perk up and because new capabilities are available or highly beneficial in IP environments have become mainstream, the business case for change to these environments is obviously expected to be practical.

Flexible Camera Deployment

When it comes to cameras, these are limited in their deployment options, as they must connect directly to a DVR through a cable. But with the IP network when you wish to include the longer reaches or the outdoor coverage it can be deployed while using the Ethernet cabling or some wireless access point. This escalates the deployment options.

Then POE (Power over Ethernet) is a feature which is not available in analog video systems. Simplify the installation of the network video/cameras encoders, lessen the installation and maintenance costs and perk up the reliability of IP video surveillance systems. POE actually enable the IP network devices to receive power from POE enabled switch or the mid-span through the same standard cable, transmitting IP data. For you there is no need to hire a certified electrician and install separate power lines which are a big advantage for the network cameras, specifically difficult to reach areas. It is important to decide on the type of camera every surveillance area requires because different cameras have different power needs.

With IP networks it becomes easy to adjust the surveillance coverage when required. Whether you wish to add, remove or move the cameras, there is no need to take any camera or some equipment offline. With this flexibility, you get assured that there are no gaps in the entire recording.

The IP based cameras send the steady video streams over the corporate network. This employs the video analytics in monitoring each camera and transmits it during an alarm situation only. The analytics that has been both expensive and inconsistently dependable look like appearing on both the ends very clearly.

The schools, colleges, and the universities have made a very heavy investment in networking infrastructure. The administrative/corporate facilities with the highest camera counts are actually expected to join the move towards IP. And the large enterprise systems, particularly in multi-national corporations are also expected to make a firm switch. In fact, the professionals or the loss prevention directors in the large stores find it most convenient to share the video between different corporate and stores. And many transit sites like railway stations, airports and the ports with large outdoor perimeters are expected to move rapidly to the IP-based systems including the current generation of the video analytics for the protection of the people.

The present as well as future for the surveillance and video analytics is expanding to a great extent. Since the biggest cities, corporate and organizations have already evolved the surveillance platforms, they will surely set the example for small organizations and the corporate to integrate, helping in growing the network of connected businesses using surveillance and analytics to keep the employees, consumers, students or in short the entire population safe.