Background

Challenge

Overly non-user-friendly and costly surveillance systems can severely limit video security options, yet the necessity for keeping one’s business safe is always present as video security surveillance is vital for any and every business’ continued well being. Today, whether a business and/or facility is small, medium or large, on-site video storage such as NVRs (network video recorders) and even computer hard drives are still popular choices. However, these are quickly becoming obsolete as the requirement for larger and larger volumes of data means maintenance and upgrading such systems are becoming costly and time restrictive.

VORTEX, new cloud-based video surveillance as a service (VSaaS) from VIVOTEK, helps to overcome these challenges.

Solution

Central Iowa’s Tech Zone chose VIVOTEK and a total of five of its indoor and outdoor security solutions for a comprehensive end-to-end AI surveillance solution that seamlessly integrates deep-learning-based network cameras with cloud video management software to meet Sloan Plumbing, Heating & AC security surveillance solution requirements.

VORTEX uses a hybrid cloud architecture that enables greater hardware compatibility, AI video analytics, 24/7 video recording, and automatic software upgrades, providing greatly efficient security. The hybrid cloud architecture's mix of in-camera local storage, edge AI, and video archiving and backup to the cloud ensure bandwidth efficiency, easy accessibility, and a smarter & easier way to manage video surveillance.

VORTEX solves Sloan Plumbing, Heating & AC issues by being able to quickly adopt and utilize its surveillance system easily and effectively with wide camera selection, crystal clear image quality, analytics, and hassle-free, zero configuration.

VORTEX’s VSaaS converts metadata into searchable and quantifiable information and refine people, vehicle, and environment detection accuracy over time. Feature-rich, VORTEX allows Sloan Plumbing, Heating & AC unlimited cloud archive, automatic backup, event management and instant sharing.

Overall, Tech Zone installed five VIVOTEK cameras throughout the interior and exterior of the business. Three FD837-HTV 5MP exterior dome cameras are being utilized to monitor the outdoor perimeter to mitigate and deter theft and vandalism. Two FD839-EHV 5MP interior dome cameras are being used to monitor Sloan’s shop and office space.

Customer Feedback

Today, second-generation owner Chad Sloan is satisfied knowing he can check on his business while he is off-site, making the process of securing his property simple and highly effective.

According to Tech Zone, Jefferson, Iowa is in a small town where everyone knows each other. Chad Sloan trusted Tech Zone to handle his camera needs and they chose VORTEX for its simplicity of use and detailed AI technology. This is a perfect fit for Sloan Plumbing and Heating as Sloan relied on Tech Zone completely for help. VORTEX is the answer for both of them.

For the customer, it is a simple system to operate from a computer or phone, at home, or on the go.

Background

Midwest American weather can be challenging for businesses, especially during the winter. Those that operate 24 hours a day with minimal staff, such as Jefferson, Iowa-based The Washing Well Laundromat, require dependable surveillance around the clock for a multitude of reasons and locations, no matter during sunny, warm days or at 2 am during a blizzard.
Being able to access important footage from anywhere any time of day or night had become a necessity for The Washing Well. The owners wanted to check on their location remotely to help them determine if the laundromat needed any attention such as cleaning, snow removal, or general maintenance, while also providing security for both the owner’s and customers’ property.

The Challenge

Video security surveillance is vital for any and every business’ continued well-being, whether that organization be small, medium, or large in terms of both number of personnel and size of facility (or facilities). Nowadays, NVRs (network video recorders) and even computer hard drives are still popular choices for security professionals, but those that require larger and larger volumes of data as the weeks, months, and years roll by need new ways to effectively store, move, and access these files, many instances when not on site. When stored on site on an NVR or similar hard drive device, precious time is wasted when a security professional is not able to access vital information in real time.
VIVOTEK’s new cloud-based video surveillance as a service (VSaaS), VORTEX, eliminates these challenges.

The Solution

Central Iowa’s Tech Zone chose VORTEX and a total of five of its indoor and outdoor security solutions for a comprehensive end-to-end AI surveillance solution that seamlessly integrates deep-learning-based network cameras with cloud video management software to solve The Washing Well’s security surveillance solution issues.

VORTEX provides intelligent and easy-to-use data analysis services. What’s more, its hybrid cloud architecture allows it to transcend conventional storage frameworks. No longer is dedicated video management software or centralized management systems required to manage and process video data. Now, video data can be stored and analyzed via edge computing directly within the camera and backup in the cloud, significantly reducing time, cost, and bandwidth limitations of the past.

VORTEX allows for receiving push notifications of deep-learning-based events on a smart device in real-time to never miss important messages again. With VORTEX, managing a surveillance system is more effective and easier than ever before with wide camera selection, crystal clear image quality, Edge AI analytics, hassle-free, zero configuration, and, like all VIVOTEK products, it is trustworthy and reliable.

The VSaaS features powerful AI video analysis technologies, upgraded real-time detection and post-hoc search functionality, state-of-the-art deep search algorithms to convert metadata into searchable and quantifiable information and refine people, vehicle, and environment detection accuracy over time. In addition to real-time alerts, VORTEX is capable of sieving through big data to identify or follow past events, and its hybrid cloud architecture allows for unlimited cloud archive, automatic backup, event management and instant sharing. All of these features are merged seamlessly to maximize operational efficiency and storage reliability while minimizing network interruptions and downtime.

Overall, Tech Zone installed five VORTEX cameras throughout the interior and exterior of the business. Three IT839-H 5MP interior/exterior turret cameras are being utilized in the store room, inside the laundromat, and at the rear parking lot locations. Two FD839-EHTV interior/exterior remote focus dome cameras are being utilized for the front parking lot and inside the laundromat.

Customer Feedback

The system was simple to install, and has performed as the customer had hoped. According to Tech Zone, there were no challenges installing integrating VORTEX and the cameras with a POE network switch. From the customer, it is a simple system to operate from a computer or phone, at home or on the go.