The trouble with traditional outdoor video surveillance systems is the need for power, networking, and back-up video storage for redundancy.
SnapAV’s Visualint introduces the new Virtual Officer, which provides all the necessities for temporary or permanent surveillance in one handy standalone kit that includes:
- NEMA-rated utility box
- Visualint Micro NVR that supports up to 5 cameras
- 5-port Araknis network switch
- WattBox power conditioner
- One top-of-the-line 2MP Visualint PTZ camera
- 16 analytic presets
- Auto picture adjustments
- Auto tracking
- Super Starlight image sensor that records in color down to 0.01 lux
- Built-in 100dB loudspeaker
- On-board spotlight
“We’re giving you a way to bring security to places where traditional surveillance won’t work,” says Alex Patrao, SnapAV’s surveillance product manager. “Everything you need is in the box.”
The company suggests several use cases for Virtual Officer: “Put a pole on the side of a construction yard trailer to survey a jobsite, or install it on an oil rig or a cellular tower to deter vandalism and ensure loss prevention. Because all footage is recorded locally, it’s all self-contained, and each product is ready to weather the elements with ease.”
SnapAV indicates users might enjoy insurance savings with full-time monitoring.
SnapAV Virtual Technician
Included with Virtual Officer and other qualifying purchases is SnapAV’s “Virtual Technician,” a service that helps integrators exploit Visualint’s video analytics without the need for in-house experts.
“Analytics is a powerful tool when it’s set up correctly, but it’s tough to learn a new specialty on the fly,” SnapAV notes in its marketing material. “In order to save you extra install time and possible frustration, Visualint offers a free service called Virtual Technician, where our professionals remotely configure these analytics for you.”
The company claims Virtual Tech set-up reduces false-positives by up to 90%.
Third-Party Products, Services Add Value
Beyond what SnapAV provides in the Virtual Officer package, third-party solutions can bring additional value.
For example, solar-power options can be added if electricity is not readily accessible. Likewise, a cellular modem can be installed in the box if network service is unavailable.
SnapAV camera systems are ONVIF-compliant, making them interoperable with thousands of other surveillance products.
Furthermore, the system can be connected to third-party automation systems, including Cotnrol4, Crestron, Elan, Savant and RTI.
Through a third-party control system, Virtual Officer can be triggered to blare a siren or broadcast messages through its two-way audio feature, and/or flood the area with light via its onboard spotlight.
For more proactive security, SnapAV will help dealers partner with professional video monitoring services.
SnapAV claims it can offer “preferred pricing” for these services “due to the power of Visualint analytics and the professional Virtual Technician set-up included with your Visualint product” (see sidebar, right).
Professional video monitoring can provide RMR to integrators, but SnapAV has another suggestion for generating recurring revenue: Lease Virtual Officer to builders and other contractors who typically require surveillance for a limited time period. Special events such as concerts, fairs, sporting events or celebrity weddings might also be worthwhile targets for temporary video security.
“Not only are we bringing a full security solution to the CEDIA market,” says Patrao, “but we’re also encouraging dealers to lease these systems to builders, so Virtual Officer becomes a long-term investment instead of another piece of equipment.”
