Case Study - Hassenbrook School
The benefits of CCTV over IP were clearly demonstrated in a recent digital installation by ClearView Communications at Hassenbrook School in Grays, Thurrock.
This pioneering project combines the latest IP technology which facilitates monitoring both on-site and remotely from Thurrock Borough Council’s central monitoring station.
Being a technology-led education establishment with a focus on IT, the school naturally looked to safeguard its investment in the hundreds of computers on site. This, combined with the typical security needs of a modern comprehensive school, presented a formidable challenge to ClearView when they were appointed CCTV installer and solutions provider.
The layout of the campus is fragmented with stand-alone buildings, such as the sports hall, situated away from the main school. An IP network does however connect all buildings. With this in mind, a hybrid system of analogue and IP cameras was installed, matching technology with the most efficient and cost effective transmission route back to the digital recording equipment.
Live and recorded cameras can be viewed on any authorised PC on the schools’ network by password access. Recordings may be burned onto CD or DVD as AVI files so they can be replayed on any standard PC.
The project is a good example of the utilisation of IP technology in areas where it makes sense operationally or for cost efficiency, rather than adopting digital technology throughout purely for Digital's sake.
Paul Young, Facilities Manager, says that the system has exceeded his expectations "ClearView fully delivered on their promise and we now have a networked solution that gives effective 24 hour surveillance of our school for excellent value".