PARAMUS, N.J. — Paramus Public Schools (PPS) have installed IP security solutions and physical security technology provider Genetec’s unified security platform, the Security Center, at all eight of its school campuses.

The Genetec Security Center provides one interface for both video surveillance and access control, which prompted the district to select the system. Additionally, the center’s IP system allowed security data to be shared between campuses over the network, and has saved PPS considerable cabling costs.

The district preserved a few previously existing analog cameras using IP encoders, and purchased over 100 new Panasonic IP cameras to complete the system. A Dell server was provided to each school, allowing video and security data to be stored locally to maximize network efficiency. Currently, Omnicast video surveillance and Synergis access control data can be viewed by authorized personnel located at each of the eight campuses.

Additionally, as a result of a recently rebuilt entrance to one of the district’s high schools, it was crucial to incorporate a new security control room for the entire district. Staffed security guards will manage the unified security platform spanning all eight campuses from this central location. The Security Center will also allow direct access to police and emergency services to allow for a quick response should the need ever arise.

For now, PPS uses the video surveillance system of the Security Center, Omnicast, mainly as an investigative tool. They can pull archived video to discover who committed an act of vandalism or theft, definitively prove “who started what” to parents, and more. The district also uses Omnicast to enhance emergency procedures and crowd control, evaluating the possibility of a fire code violation by monitoring the number of people at an event.

The access control system of the security center, Synergis, allows the schools to program doors to remain unlocked on schedule while students are arriving, and to be locked down once classes have begun. Paramus was also able to use Synergis to configure cardholder groups including everything from full access cards for emergency responders, to cards provided to PTA members which only work during meeting times. Paramus is even able to provide non-access cards to community members who use the campus track recreationally. This helps Paramus monitor access to each campus, keeping cardholder information and pictures on file.

PPS is currently in the process of implementing a backup system on a ninth server, and are also actively working on providing the police department with full access to their network so that officers can aide in remote monitoring. Further down the road, providing access cards to students will enable eventual integration with the library card system and cafeteria POS system for lunch purchases.

“It was important to use a company that was established and reliable. Genetec’s Security Center has been fantastic,” says PPS Director of Buildings and Grounds Robert Autorino. “Where my previous system had upgrade glitches that caused downtime, Genetec’s system has had seamless upgrades and no downtime. Now I have people from other districts coming to look at the system because they’re interested in switching over as well.”

 Genetec Sept. 29, 2010 press release

 

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