The Client:

John Glenn High School, Walkerton, IN.

John Glenn is a fixture of the Walkerton community, with more than 400 students attending the high school and another 700 children in the elementary and middle school systems.

The Challenge: 

School security is a critical issue for educators, students and people of the community. In this delicate and tense atmosphere, school administrators must effectively meet their schools' security needs without wasting scarce resources on systems that may be unnecessary.

In early 2008, Vermillion Systems was contacted by the assistant principal at John Glenn to discuss the school’s surveillance needs. They were aware that Vermillion had already installed 16 analog surveillance cameras about four years prior and the administrators were interested in adding some new cameras to cover areas that were susceptible to potential problems. After meeting with the administrators and listening to their needs and desires, it became apparent that simply adding analog cameras and a new DVR would not be a wise solution since it would only provide short-term relief. Although it was possible to simply add a few more inexpensive cameras to the system, it would not allow for future expansion, nor would it approach the control of more advanced and cost-effective modular systems. 

The Solution:

Once Vermillion Systems understood the long-term objective, it was clear that an IP video surveillance solution was the correct solution. The IP solution allowed John Glenn High to continue to use its 16 existing analog cameras, which were still in good operating condition. It also allowed it to quickly and easily add an unlimited amount of megapixel IP cameras both now and in the future. Vermillion provided a complete package install, which included the relocation of many of the existing 16 cameras to different locations. The existing 16 cameras were interfaced to the new IP video server via IP video encoders. The network video server was built to run Milestone Systems’ best-of-breed server software and provide video from the 29 cameras to local and remote viewers. Another unique feature of the installation is the use of two Arecont Vision 8180 cameras on the north and east sides of the building. These cameras have a total of four 2.0 megapixel IP cameras inside a single dome. The cameras are spaced in such as way as to provide 180° of coverage of both the north parking lot and the east student parking lot. By using this type of camera, Vermillion was able to lower the overall material and labor costs, since all four cameras are located inside one weatherproof enclosure, and only one cable run was required, rather than four. The end result is a very intuitive video surveillance system that meets the needs of the school corporation and allows for upgrades in the future without the high cost of new head-end equipment. The image quality from the new cameras is superior, and the older analog cameras did not have to be replaced, which meant significant savings for John Glenn High.

Result:

John Glenn School received a state-of-the-art IP surveillance system that offers superior flexibility, convenience and control without sacrificing its existing DVR system. By understanding the unique demands of school security, Vermillion Systems achieved the objective of securing an educational institution while at the same time working within the school system’s budget and allowing for future expansion.