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Physical Security Industry

Get Started With Remote Video Monitoring: An Easy Guide

Shubham Bahukhandi
Nov 20, 2024

If you are still using traditional video systems, keeping a tab on multiple locations from a single place can be a big headache. It leaves you blind to exactly what's happening on-site in real-time, which often leads to delays in catching critical incidents. 

This is exactly where a real-time remote monitoring system becomes a better option because it puts live and recorded footage right at your fingertips. You can easily access live footage of your business premises from any time, anywhere from your phone. However, setting it up and knowing how to go about it can be tricky if you are new to this technology and considering it for your use case. 

This guide will help you get a good understanding of remote video monitoring and understand how it can fit your security needs. You will learn what remote video monitoring is, how it works, the benefits, use cases and other aspects necessary to get started. 

What is Remote Video Monitoring?

Remote video monitoring is a smart alternative to traditional security methods as it lets you oversee business sites live from any location, at any time with an internet-connected device. You can instantly access camera feeds on your smartphone, laptop, or tablet and keep an eye on different areas at multiple locations. However, this setup needs correctly placed cameras covering all key points to actively monitor and prevent unauthorized access or incidents. 

In recent times, several technological advancements in AI have made remote monitoring even more efficient. The spread of 5G in enhancing video quality and speed has played a bigger role here, allowing for smoother and dependable streaming. Plus, many systems now use cloud-based servers and software as a service (SaaS) models, which provide a flexible and scalable option for commercial security without installing extra hardware.

How to Get Started with Coram’s Remote Video Surveillance

Getting started with Coram's remote video surveillance is quite straightforward and takes less than 10 minutes to set up. If you already have IP cameras installed, our systems easily integrate without any rip or replacement. If not, you can easily access complimentary high-quality IP cameras with a subscription. 

Essentially, the platform works on several features that enable easy remote video monitoring across multiple sites. These include: 

AI-based Search 

Coram is a fully integrated AI-driven video surveillance system that lets you track the journeys of people and assets across multiple locations with automatic search. With video scrubbing, you can even view video clips in thumbnail style for faster loading and search for a specific person or object with text prompts. 

Dashboard and Analysis 

All your video feeds and analytics data are stored in the cloud, which can be accessed via dashboard where you can get details on absence detection, asset monitoring, line crossing detection, unauthorized access, and other metrics to uncover deeper insights. It also includes details of captured faces as people enter your premises and the alerts created. 

Incident Management 

With Coram, you can easily download or share video clips with your team members via a web browser or mobile application. These video clips are kept safe and accessible on Coram's unlimited cloud archive that can be kept for as long as you need. You can also generate incident reports complete with multiple video clips and even collaborate with other members.

Security and Integrations 

Coram easily integrates with all major access control systems and Mercury boards-based systems, letting you view all your cameras and events in a single dashboard. The platform also comes complete with robust security measures like SOC2 Type II and HIPPA to meet industry safety standards. With this, all your data is encrypted during transmission as well as when stored on the cloud. 

How Remote Video Surveillance Works?

Remote video surveillance works when IP cameras are strategically installed at different points in the area to be monitored and are connected to the internet. They capture live video footage, which you can access on your computer, smartphone, or tablet, through secure login details as provided by the service provider. The basic mechanism remains the same but it works a bit differently in advanced solutions like Coram.

Coram’s video monitoring system is designed to work smoothly and provide a seamless surveillance experience. The process starts with the installation of IP cameras across all desired locations you want to monitor. If you have your own cameras, that's alright. Our system easily integrates with all IP cameras, irrespective of the manufacturer. 

These cameras connect to each site's network video recorder to store video footage on a local network. Every camera feed from multiple sites is then integrated into Coram's centralized platform - Coram Point. It is a hybrid system that allows you to monitor all cameras from different locations in a single interface, removing the need to manage multiple software systems for each site.

The platform also includes AI-driven features such as motion alerts, person-of-interest tracking, license plate recognition, and gun detection system. With these capabilities, you can quickly identify and respond to potential security incidents in relevant locations. 

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Benefits of Live Video Monitoring

Live video monitoring offers several advantages over traditional surveillance methods as it lets you view footage in real time. Here are some of these benefits -

Proactive Threat Detection 

Live video monitoring constantly watches over your property, which helps to immediately detect suspicious activities. This system can alert security teams the moment it spots something unusual such as a suspicious person wandering around a restricted area or trying to enter. Catching these potential threats early helps the security personnel to act before any real problems occur, making the environment safer for everyone involved.

Cost-Effective Alternative To Traditional Security 

Using live security monitoring can be a smart financial decision compared to hiring alarm security staff. When you have fever people to monitor the premises, you can save on labor costs while still ensuring strong security coverage. This lets you efficiently use and manage resources to maintain safety without stretching the budget any further.

Documentation 

One of the biggest benefits of live monitoring is that it automatically records everything happening on-site. This footage can work as evidence for investigation when needed and can be reviewed later to solve any disputes. Having this documentation not only helps in understanding what happened but also provides a layer of accountability for everyone.

Improved Incident Response 

When live monitoring detects a potential threat, it can quickly notify the appropriate security personnel, which ensures that help arrives on the scene faster. This quick alert system reduces the chances of damage or injury while enabling the security staff to view the situation in real time. With such rapid response in place, you can respond more effectively and better manage the overall management in case of incidents.

AI Video Monitoring vs Traditional Video Surveillance

With the recent developments in AI video surveillance, a lot has changed in terms of the security features modern solutions provide. These are quite different from traditional video surveillance methods in terms of functionalities and flexibility they provide. Here are some of these significant differences.

Proactive vs Reactive Monitoring 

Traditional CCTV systems work on a reactive model where footage is recorded and then reviewed later if an incident happens. This setup depends on security teams to notice unusual activities, which often results in delayed responses. By simply recording without any real-time analysis, traditional surveillance leaves a gap in immediate detection, which can be limiting for larger or high-risk facilities.

AI video monitoring, on the other hand, takes a proactive approach using real-time analytics to identify potential risks as they happen. Advanced algorithms enable these systems to recognize unusual behaviors and trigger instant alerts to notify security teams. This proactive capability reduces the time needed to evaluate situations and respond timely to stop accidents before they even occur. 

Automation and Staffing Needs 

Traditional video surveillance needs constant human supervision, which demands dedicated personnel to monitor live feeds around the clock. This can drive up operational costs especially if monitoring is needed for multiple areas or large-scale facilities. Human errors are other possibilities that can happen due to fatigue or distraction and can compromise security. 

AI video monitoring however reduces the dependence on human monitoring by automating most of the detection and alerting processes. This helps security teams to focus on responding to potential incidents rather than watching hours of video footage. With AI-driven alerts, fewer people are needed to monitor fields, which allows teams to direct their attention to real threats.

Analytical Capabilities 

Traditional surveillance systems provide basic visual documentation but do not have any analytical capabilities that can detect patterns or explain behaviors. They basically act as a visual record and offer little in terms of insights unless you review them manually. This limitation means less effectiveness in identifying evolving threats or recognizing suspicious behaviors that can be critical in settings like retail public spaces or high-security facilities.

AI-driven monitoring systems, on the other hand, use machine learning and behavior analytics to interpret footage instead of just surface-level visuals. These systems are trained to recognize abnormal patterns such as loitering, tailgating, or even unusual movement patterns. This advanced functionality helps to better understand and manage risks, which improves overall security.

Scalability and Flexibility 

Expanding traditional surveillance systems to cover more areas or adopting new technology needs significant infrastructure upgrades such as laying cables, adding servers, or replacing outdated equipment. These are costly, time-consuming, and often need physical changes to the property, which can disrupt services.

AI video monitoring systems are designed to be easily scalable with cloud-based infrastructure and wireless technology that makes adding new cameras or features straightforward. Integrations with other systems are also more seamless with AI-based solutions as you have the required flexibility. As your security needs grow, AI monitoring can easily accommodate these changes without much infrastructure overhauls.

Image Quality and Adaptability

Traditional security systems usually come with standard resolution capabilities that work fine for basic surveillance. However, they lack the flexibility to adjust in low light or complex conditions. The quality of footage can be inconsistent and sectors like lighting changes or weather can also impact visibility. This limitation affects monitoring and makes it challenging to capture critical details. 

AI video monitoring systems come with high-resolution sensors and adaptive imaging technology that can dynamically adjust to changing conditions. These systems offer clear footage even in low-light settings, making it easier to identify faces, vehicles, or other necessary details in such environments. 

Cost and Accessibility 

The initial cost is generally lower with traditional CCTV systems, which makes them more accessible for small or budget-conscious organizations. They need minimal infrastructure without any specialized software, which keeps the upfront expenses low. However, you need to constantly monitor and keep up with limited scalability, which can increase operational costs over time. 

AI video monitoring usually comes at a higher initial investment due to advanced technology and the features it offers. You also need to be a bit familiar with the technical aspects of installing, managing, and maintaining these systems, often requiring additional training. However, this investment can lead to cost savings over time as it reduces the need to manually monitor.

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Use Cases for Live Security Monitoring

Live security monitoring is used across multiple industries due to its widely applicable capabilities. Some of these most commonly found use cases are -

Multi-Family Residential

In multi-family residential buildings, live monitoring generally covers common areas like entrances, parking lots, and shared spaces are under constant live surveillance. Security teams can check these feeds in real-time to detect unusual activities, which ensures peace of mind for the residents. This helps in maintaining a positive environment, which is necessary for residents and property owners.

Automotive Dealership

Live monitoring helps protect valuable inventory like car parts and tools from captain damage for car dealerships. This is especially critical for high-value parts like catalytic converters and tires as these are common targets. However, live monitoring comes equally handy for customer service and dispute resolution as it can help in verifying if a certain incident happened on-site to support evidence.  

Shopping Center

Life security monitoring is a common surveillance solution in shopping centers to spot and respond to incidents like theft vandalism or loitering. This is especially useful for security teams to monitor storefronts, alleys, and communal spaces for suspicious activities. With this level of security, it is easy to ensure a safe and positive environment in retail spaces.

Office Building

Office buildings are another common use case for live monitoring that helps in strengthening access control and security for employees and assets. Real-time video monitoring typically covers entry points lobbies, and other sensitive areas for authorized access or entries. This constant oversight improves both employee safety and asset protection, especially after business hours to create a safe and well-regulated work environment.

Logistics 

In warehouse facilities and logistics, live monitoring keeps large spaces filled with high-value goods secure. The surveillance mostly focuses on critical areas like entry points, storage zones, and loading bays to enable rapid response in cases of unauthorized access or incidents. This prevents losses and supports compliance with safety and having procedures to ensure smooth operations and effective inventory management for businesses.

FAQs

How does remote video security work?

Remote video security works with the help of cameras strategically placed around your property to capture live video feeds from there, accessible through monitoring centers or from connected devices. You can access any footage anytime, anywhere, and check for any unusual activities to take necessary action.

What is video surveillance as a service?

Video surveillance as a service (VSaaS) is an innovative cloud-based setup that brings together security hardware monitoring software and professional support to help access security fields and features remotely. This is usually ideal for companies that want strong security without heavily investing in equipment.

Is remote video monitoring secure?

Yes, absolutely. Remote monitoring is a secure surveillance solution as it uses encrypted connections to keep your feeds private. These videos are often stored safely in the cloud and allow for secure access to past footage as and when needed.

How much does it cost to set up remote video monitoring?

It depends on several factors like the number of cameras, level of service, license term, and the features you want. 

Final Words 

Remote video monitoring cuts away all the hassle of manually going through random video feeds to find the right one when you need it. With these capabilities, you can instantly oversee the activities taking place and the people present on your business premises while you are at a different physical location. In this guide, you learned:

  • Remote video monitoring enables proactive threat detection, documentation, and improved incident response as a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods. 
  • AI video monitoring is very different from traditional video surveillance in terms of automation, analytical visibility, scalability, flexibility, image quality, and cost concerns.
  • Live security monitoring has several cases including multi-family residential automotive dealership shopping center office building logistics among others.

Switching from a traditional video monitoring system to live security camera monitoring can be a critical yet life-changing security decision. In 2024, it's not just a trend but has actually become a basic necessity, especially if you consider the rising security threats. 

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