Johannesburg, 25 Aug 2006
The Royal Academy of Arts (RAA), founded in 1768, with its centuries-long tradition of displaying fine art, has brought its security systems right up to date, having upgraded and expanded its camera monitoring to an IP video system using Axis cameras.
The RAA adheres to government guidelines as well as security management recommendations laid down by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). Following a review of the academy`s security carried out in conjunction with the MLA`s security advisor, the academy in 1998 introduced 13 traditional CCTV cameras. Some six years later the system was reaching storage limits, and the lack of flexibility of the system meant expansion of storage and adding cameras would be very costly, so the RAA decided to upgrade to an IP-based system.
Roy Alves, Country Manager for Axis Communications Africa Region, says: "This is an excellent example of the power and flexibility of IP video systems compared to old-style CCTV systems. The RAA encountered a typical problem with upgrading their analogue system: the system was built around a 16-camera module, so adding more than three cameras would have meant a big capital expense. IP video, using commodity PC hardware, can be grown one camera at a time with no sudden cost penalties.
An additional eight network cameras were installed during the RAA upgrade, including two AXIS 221 Day & Night Network Cameras with Power over Ethernet (PoE).
Twelve of the original CCTV cameras were connected to three AXIS 241Q Video Server Blades. Three wireless cameras are deployed as needed for specific requirements.
"It was quite clear when we looked at the IP-based system that the quality of the output was exceptional compared to the previous analogue-only system and it was a more economic system to deploy given our plans for expansion. We are looking at putting surveillance into the caf'e this year for example and we now know the capital expenditure involved will be very manageable," said David Vobes, the RAA`s facilities manager,
Vobes explains how these cameras are monitored: "All in-house security staff can view the cameras on three different PCs, the first is in the control room in the basement of Burlington House and the second is at the front desk in the reception area so that night security staff can view it from there. The shop manager as well as security staff can also access the system from a PC behind the serving desk."
A full case study is available at http://www.axis.com/success_stories/viewstory.php?id=74
For further information, visit www.axis.com or contact us at (011) 548 6780 or roy@axisafrica.com.
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