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DAVID L. LAWRENCE CONVENTION CENTER, USA
The David L. Lawrence Convention Center (DLCC) in Pittsburgh, PA is a multi-purpose venue that can play host to a variety of events ranging from several hundred to 50,000 attendees. Opened in 1981, the DLCC was completely updated in 2003; recently the video surveillance and security system came under review. The analog system was not adequate for current needs which include improved property coverage and sharing situational awareness with local law enforcement and other first responders. While an IP solution was most desirable because of its capability to meet these and other requirements, budget considerations necessitated a replacement solution that would allow the re-deployment of as many of the analog cameras as possible.
The IP solution was made feasible through the use of Qognify’s Ocularis video management system (VMS) which supported the 50 legacy analog cameras through Axis encoders and the new Axis IP cameras natively. The Ocularis Enterprise solution also served as a powerful comprehensive video management software (VMS) platform for the security department, providing centralized control of the cameras and recording devices as well as the DLCC’s access control system. More than 100 IP cameras, including Axis PTZ network cameras, were installed throughout the interior of the DLCC as well as on the exterior perimeter and in the parking garage. The camera’s PoE (Power over Ethernet) capability allows them to be easily redirected or moved according to the requirements of exhibitors and event planners, with Ocularis providing continued control and distribution management.The new system was designed and built with the assistance of Dagostino Electronic Services, a Pittsburgh-based integrator. “Each time a new event pops into the building, our security team has to cater to the needs of that particular event. With our Ocularis VMS and Axis network cameras we have the tools and flexibility to adjust our game plan.” —Andre Henderson, Chief of Security, DLCC With the new system in place, Ocularis now enables video from any camera to be accessed by authorized users from anywhere in the network.
With the new system in place, Ocularis now enables video from any camera to be accessed by authorized users from anywhere in the network. With this capability, DLCC’s IT department has been able to expand access to the cameras to different departments as well as to local law enforcement. “While security is certainly the heaviest user of the system, we give limited access to different organizations throughout the building to improve their operations,” Steve Morrison, Director of Information Systems for the DLCC said. “For instance, the catering department has access to the cameras covering their concession stands and loading docks. The parking garage manager has access to all the cameras covering the garage. We even share some of our perimeter cameras with the City of Pittsburgh via Wi-Fi.” Budget considerations were met by integrating the legacy analog cameras into the new IP video system with an Axis Q7920 Network Video Encoder Chassis. Greater coverage was also achieved with fewer cameras by including 360-degree field of view cameras controlled through Ocularis. The open architecture structure of Ocularis enabled integration of the video surveillance system with the building’s access control system which helped to further reduce costs by eliminating the need for a rip and replace of the access control system. To ease operational activities, Ocularis offers a user-friendly operator interface, for both desktop and control room video-wall environments. While monitoring live video feeds, users can perform basic investigation on individual cameras – playback, digital PTZ and optical PTZ (for PTZ cameras). It enables optimizing system resources through per camera configuration for compression level/format, image resolution, bandwidth, framerate, conditional recording, retention time, archiving frequency, archiving location and more.
Andre Henderson, Chief of Security for the DLCC, said of the installation, “Each time a new event pops into the building, our security team has to cater to the needs of that particular event. With our Ocularis VMS and Axis network cameras we have the tools and flexibility to adjust our game plan.”