Green Security: Improve Security While Reducing Environmental Impact And Energy Costs
Effective site security can be achieved without incurring additional operational costs due to increased energy consumption. In fact, new and innovative security technologies from Senstar can improve security while dramatically reducing energy consumption. The operational savings can then be re-directed to other critical areas, or simply used to relieve budgetary pressures.
This article looks at ways to reduce energy consumption for security applications in two key areas: security lighting and video surveillance hardware.
Intelligent lighting: Better security, lower environmental impact
The Senstar LM100 Hybrid Perimeter Intrusion Detection and Intelligent Lighting System combines two key security functions in one cutting-edge product. A powerful deterrent, the Senstar LM100 detects and illuminates potential intruders at the fence line while alerting the site’s security system. When an intrusion attempt is detected, the lights can be programmed to switch on to full intensity or strobe in the immediate area.
With its ultra-efficient LED technology and long lifespan, the Senstar LM100 provides a Return on Investment (ROI) far exceeding that of traditional perimeter security lighting. By virtually eliminating maintenance costs and drastically reducing electricity usage, the Senstar LM100 has the lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of any perimeter security lighting solution.
The Senstar LM100 has a payback period of 2–4 years (depending on technology being replaced), with a 6-year maintenance and operating cost of only $620. In addition, the Senstar LM100 is approved by the International Dark Skies Association (IDA), making it suitable for installation in areas sensitive to light pollution, such as residential areas or nature preserves.
Video Surveillance Hardware Footprint
Video surveillance is another area that can benefit from new, lower energy-consumption technologies. Savings on the server side can be achieved with Senstar’s Symphony Video Management Software (VMS), which has an extremely high camera density per server (fewer servers = lower energy consumption) and can use built-in video analytics to reduce storage requirements. On the operator side, low-power Thin Client units can replace bulk, failure-prone PCs for video displays.
Camera density Per Server
Symphony VMS uses a modern, scalable architecture and is built from the ground-up to optimally handle all VMS functions, including video storage, playback and server-based video analytics. Reducing both the number and type of servers required reduces maintenance costs and overall energy usage.
Reducing Storage Requirements
Intelligent video analytics can play a sizeable role in reducing video storage requirements, both by only recording high quality video when relevant activity occurs and minimizing CPU resources. These optimizations, in turn, reduce server hardware, space and energy requirements.
In a typical surveillance environment not using video analytics for event-based recording, the amount of storage required for 16 cameras, storing 24 fps at 640×480 resolution for 7 days using MPEG-4 is about 20 GB per camera. Senstar studies, conducted in difficult outdoor environments, show that using the Symphony VMS (with video analytics enabled) results in storage savings of more than 50%. With video analytics, video recordings caused by irrelevant background noise is significantly reduced, resulting in less disk space required for the same 7-day period.
In addition, Senstar video analytics use Adaptive Analytic Resolution technology, which lowers the required CPU resources by intelligently scaling the video frames as required to track near and far objects.
Low-Power Display Appliances
For applications where you need to display surveillance video but do not need full video management functionality, the Senstar Thin Client is ideal. A low-power PoE device, the Thin Client uses a fraction of the electricity of a traditional PC. In addition, its embedded operating system requires virtually no maintenance or software updates, while its compact design is ideal for mounting behind monitors.
More security, less environmental impact
For site owners and system integrators, security is always of paramount concern and importance. New, highly efficient technologies from Senstar means that security requirements can be met without increasing operational costs and environmental impact. Contact your Senstar technical representative for environmentally friendly solutions that increase your site’s security.
