Grambling State Implements IP-based Surveillance System

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 07/22/08

Grambling State University in Louisiana has upgraded from an analog security camera system to one using network cameras from Axis Communications and video management software from Genetec.

Axis partner CameraWatch Technologies has worked with the university as a contractor installing the campus wide surveillance system, which uses a fiber optic backbone. The IP video technology allows the university to use a centralized recording center in its main server room.

The IT department first set up a network to provide coverage for specific areas and then implemented 220 Axis network cameras to monitor residence halls, a newly constructed assembly center, the laboratory high school, and property and receiving areas. In the near term, Grambling anticipates adding an additional 100 network cameras to monitor new residence halls and academic buildings. Currently, the school as deployed AXIS 216MFD and AXIS 212 PTZ Network Cameras.

"We've found the network surveillance system to be a tremendous deterrent to campus-wide crime, and in the rare cases when it has happened, we've solved more than 50 percent of criminal acts using images from the network cameras," said Winfred Jones, associate VP for IT.

In addition, Jones noted that while the older analog camera systems could archive video up to 14 days, the Axis network cameras with Genetec's video management system can back up 30 days worth of video.

Within a year, the university plans to implement a wireless system that detects motion in sensitive areas such as the registrar's office, residence halls, and administrative areas during certain hours. Once motion is detected, the system will send alerts and eventually images from the cameras to campus police in their vehicles.