Intelligent video is revolutionizing video monitoring and security management by providing real-time analysis of large amounts of video-derived data.

Although video analytics-based systems offer new and exciting applications far beyond what has been possible with video security to date, they also test hardware processors, network bandwidth and hard-drive capacities in ways very different from standard digital video recorders (DVRs).

Even more than standard DVRs, intelligent video requires a complete understanding of the job scope to ensure the installation and setup process exceeds the customer’s expectations with a limited number of surprises.

This complete understanding has to do with managing the “horsepower” of the product and using it appropriately where necessary. The limited number of surprises has to do with estimating processor usage in the sales phase of the selling process to accommodate the customer’s wishes while also ensuring that sufficient horsepower is provided to complete the task.

Consider this analogy: If a customer wants to go from 0 to 60 mph in four seconds, few vehicles can achieve this level of performance. The same is true with intelligent video. The subject matter is so new and so few people have experience with it that salespeople must learn it and begin educating their customers.

Foremost, a determination must be made as to how many applications (analytics-based) will be activated on each video channel. Depending on the customer’s requirements for violated areas, abandoned/removed objects, etc., the product must be configured with a mentality toward processor management.

Managers also must determine how many simultaneous sessions of remote client software the customer intends on using. Depending on installation location for the hardware and the viewing position, guards and/or security personnel might look at a monitor that is directly connected to the product (local session) or they might use a computer connected over a LAN or a high-speed Internet connection (remote session).

Each type creates a load on the processor that must be managed. Intelligent video systems that allow channel-independent adjustment of all the parameters will provide a greater level of flexibility for the installing security company and its customer.

Bandwidth issues must be considered when choosing the number of channels to be viewed on a live basis. Users can choose to actively watch the most important channels, minimizing the overall effect on the network, while still receiving alerts from every camera.

Many intelligent video systems allow the user to control the rate of information transferred to remote client software sessions.

In summary, the load on the processor must be managed to ensure maximum performance of an intelligent video system. The pre-sales and during-sales preparation is of utmost importance. Without this vital groundwork, a technician can do little during the installation process. — Contributed by Michael Zlatic, chief product manager for Arteco Vision Systems, St. Louis.