How can remotely monitored CCTV save you money?

GB Monitoring Director, Tom Smith, explains how remotely monitored CCTV can replace existing security measures to save you money and improve security.

Many companies are still using traditional manned security guards and mobile patrols to keep their properties safe. Security guards are often expensive and sometimes unreliable and mobile patrols can only provide limited coverage.

Remotely monitored CCTV systems are relatively low cost and can protect any type of closed location including construction sites, depots and factories to offices, schools and colleges. The advanced technology used in these systems ensures that they can be adapted for use at any site.

“Remotely monitored CCTV reduces the risk of human error, it cannot be threatened, it does not require facilities such as rest rooms, radios and vehicles and it will never fall asleep on the job. Many problems which we have overcome for our customers,” explained Tom Smith.

He continued, “A switch to a remotely monitored CCTV system often results in cost savings of more than 80% on the annual security bill as well as boosting security standards by having 24 hour protection.”

For companies with static cameras and local onsite recording, the move to remote monitoring would deliver higher levels of security and reduced management overheads. By working with a remote monitoring station with BS 8418 compliance, you also get priority Police response.

The major benefit of a remotely monitored CCTV system is that instead of detecting crime after it has happened, you can stop criminals before they attack – reducing losses, cutting downtime and minimising insurance claims and management overheads.

For more information on CCTV monitoring services from GB Monitoring contact Tom Smith on 01775 823024.

GB Monitoring Go Live with ESI Open Protocol Management Platform

GB Monitoring have gone live with the ESI Open Protocol Management platform to integrate both intruder monitoring and video monitoring to a single front end platform.

The system is an extensive integration featuring intelligent communications, web portal access, multiple communication gateways and full telecoms recording.

Neil Jackson, director at GB Monitoring says, “Automation to drive operator efficiency within the central station was a key objective for us. The ESI platform delivers tools and features that have streamlined the operation allowing automated communication to our customers through E-mail and SMS. Remote engineer access to systems has also delivered major time savings to the operator staff.”

“We have worked extremely closely with Neil and his team over the last year to deliver a bespoke solution to specifically meet the needs of GB Monitoring”, says Paul Dodds, Managing Director of ESI (UK). He adds, “Neil’s huge experience has provided tremendous feedback to also ensure that the solution fits within the BS8418 and BS5979 environment of their central station.”

“The installation provides a major enhancement to service levels offered by GB Monitoring in terms of customer access via web portal. The ability to monitor site accounts, maintain key holder information, remote test and extensive reporting for audit trail fills a major area of demand for our end users,” concludes Neil.

Paul Dodds, Managing Director ESI (UK) concludes: “We are pleased to be working closely with GB Monitoring to provide the specific solution that they need to deliver market leading service and differentiation. GB Monitoring’s decision to choose ESI is further endorsement of our product depth and reliability as well as our forward thinking approach to the remote monitoring industry”.

For more information visit www.gbmonitoring.co.uk.

Improving Detection Standards with BS 8418:2010

Neil Jackson, Director at GB Monitoring, looks at how the new code of practice for remotely monitored CCTV systems which is designed to increase detection standards is expected to put pressure on non-compliant operators.

GB Monitoring has been a longstanding contributor to the development of industry standards and the company’s NSI ARC Gold remote video response centre (RVRC) was one of the first NSI ARC’s to gain BS 8418 approval.

BS 8418 is the Code of Practice used for the installation and remote monitoring of detector activated CCTV systems. It has recently undergone a review and the 2003 version will be replaced by the 2010 version.

There will be a “dual running” period of one year, which expires on 31st July 2011. This allows installers to use either version of the Code of Practice and is subject to availability of compliant manufactured equipment.

GB Monitoring Director Neil Jackson, who is a regular contributor to BSIA developments including this updated BS 8418 Code of Practice, commented: “I welcome the new standard as it will certainly improve detection standards.”

“It will also increase the divide between those working to BS 8418 and non-compliant remote monitoring providers. There are too many unreliable remote monitoring systems out there and the aim of the standard is to bring CCTV monitoring up to the mark. It’s a similar situation to the intruder alarm market 25 years ago, and the insurance companies are pushing to get compliance to a measurable standard.”

He added: “At GB Monitoring we are already implementing the new Code of Practice. It’s an important set of changes and demonstrates once again the high standards that are needed to secure a police response to any activation.”

For more information on our CCTV monitoring services from GB Monitoring contact Neil Jackson on 01775 823024.

Seeing the Bigger Picture

As many local councils are being forced to reduce their CCTV and monitoring budgets, GB Monitoring’s Operations Director, Tom Smith, explains why affected businesses need to implement their own security provisions.

Many councils across the UK are facing the prospect of having their manned CCTV monitoring stopped due to budget cuts. In many areas the CCTV cameras will stay in place and will still record but will not be used to prevent or deal with live incidents as they will be no longer monitored.

Tom Smith explained, “The use of CCTV cameras in conjunction with CCTV monitoring ensures the safety of businesses and the public alike. By removing monitoring, the cameras will only be consulted after an incident. The fundamental premise of monitored CCTV is that you can stop criminals before they attack rather than detecting crime after it has happened.”

One of the many ways that councils have tried to overcome the budget cuts is to reduce the number of hours that cameras are monitored and to focus the cameras on known trouble-spots, resulting in many areas and businesses being left unprotected.

“It is very likely that the removal of CCTV monitoring will lead to increased crime levels in those areas. Now is the time for businesses affected by the cuts to start implementing their own security measures to ensure that any increase in crime levels does not have devastating consequences for them.

Tom continued, “At GB Monitoring we offer remotely monitored CCTV as a cost effective method of providing live on-the-ground site protection around the clock, without the huge costs associated with providing 24 hour manned cover.”

“It works by connecting motion detectors to cameras, linked to a 24 hour remote monitoring control centre. Using high speed broadband and wireless 3G connections, the integrated cameras and motion sensors detect any movement onsite. If an alarm/detector is triggered, images from an associated camera are transmitted to a specialist Remote Video Response Centre (RVRC), 24 hours a day.”

“If the images indicate a problem, the trained operators will manage the incident by accessing a site plan and immediately issuing an audio warning to any intruder through onsite speakers. If necessary, operators will alert the emergency services who will provide a priority response as the incident has been visually confirmed.”

GB Monitoring offer a standard pricing model for detector activated CCTV monitoring which includes up to 16 cameras, reaction to site alarms, audio challenge, keyholder callout/police response, activity reporting and supports BS8418 compliant systems. All systems can be reviewed on an individual basis and amended accordingly, allowing customers to pay for their exact requirements.

For more information on our CCTV monitoring services from GB Monitoring contact Tom Smith on 01775 823024.

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