Ortega InfoSystems Success Stories

State of Louisiana, State Capital

Overview
Post 9/11, security concerns at the homeland government agencies have intensified. Most agencies have stepped up their security management and facilities. The State of Louisiana is one of the major state governments taking the initiative to upgrade its video surveillance and security systems. The implementation site was in the City of Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana, United States of America.

Situation
The first phase of this project was to manage 6 buildings on the campus. The challenge was to integrate the following:

• 112 cameras (25 PTZ cameras / 87 fixed cameras)
• 1 CCTV matrix switcher in each building (first tier) and 1 matrix switcher in the control center (second tier); each first-tier switcher will have two outputs connecting to the inputs of the second-tier switcher
• Johnson Control CardKey Access Control System
• 1 Koyo DL05 PLC bringing back the sensor alarm from one building
• Intellex DVR, four 16-channel units, one 8-channel unit Integral DVR, two 16-channel units
• 10 Flashbus analog live video workstations running Ortega Client
• 15 digital live video workstations running Ortega Client

Solution by Ortega
The State of Louisiana selected FacilitySm@rt, the security integration software, to integrate various security systems — such as DVR, CCTV matrix switcher, and access control system — on a single browser-based graphic interface.

Therefore the security professionals at the campus could access integrated security information, remotely or locally, from any workstation on the private network from a single graphic interface.

This greatly simplifies the security operation and dramatically shortens the response time when an emergency situation occurs.

System Architecture

1. Provide camera coverage for surveillance and control from the control console located at the security desk in the 911 emergency dispatch center. Provide the digital graphic system interface required to interface equipment on the system network.


2. Enterprise Surveillance Graphical Security Integration Subsystem (GSIS):
   
   Coordinate integration of this subsystem with the contractor furnishing and installing the GSIS.
   
   Program the GSIS system control, maps, icons, alarms, and user interface screens as required to seamlessly integrate system control with the existing GSIS system.
   
   Provide network workstations, connections, and control cables required to connect this subsystem to the GSIS system via the CRMC ethernet network.
   
   Coordinate selection of IP addresses with the GSIS contractor.
   
   Provide Sm@rtNode software required to interface the access control system and digital video recorders to the GSIS system.
   
   Provide GSIS log-on for use via Web browser on the GSIS workstation.
   
   Limit maps, event info, and camera views for this log-on to local cameras only.

This project included 3 interface systems:

1. Application Server/Sm@rtNode: It hosts the Ortega FacilitySm@rt Web page and services, and provides the software interface to other subsystems.


2. Ortega GUI Workstations (15 units): Provide the integrated GUI functions for the operator who wants to view live video from DVRs.


3. Ortega Flashbus Workstations (10 units): Provide a map/camera interface to the switcher operator.

System Features

1. Intuitive Mapping Graphical Interface
   FacilitySm@rt's easy-to-use site map interface is extremely intuitive. Icons of devices, like cameras, doors, and motion sensors, are displayed right on the screen. One click on a device icon brings up real-time information associated with the selected device. Remote device control is exercised through clicking on device icons, whether it is directing PTZ cameras, locking doors, or turning on lights. FacilitySm@rt's site map interface enables users to visualize the location of each device and proves to be the most effective user interface.


2. Auto-Switching for Multiple Layers of Matrix Switcher Connection
   It's almost impossible for the switcher operator to memorize all camera locations in such big-scale projects, not to speak of using multiple traditional switcher keyboards to control all matrix switchers on the first and second tier. The auto-switching function provided by FacilitySm@rt can easily help the switcher operator to switch the camera he/she would like to see to a final analog display destination, such as a TV monitor or the Flashbus analog video display workstation. All users need to do is to right-click the camera icon in the map, or in the camera tree, then pick the final display destination.


3. Integrated Alarm Summary and Verification
   The FacilitySm@rt alarm summary page displays overall alarm information on one page, including alarm location and site map, real-time video, pre and post alarm video clips, alarm response procedures, and emergency alarm notification. Users may view all information at one glance without switching from one security system to another. FacilitySm@rt ensures a timely and professional response to each alarm.


4. Remote Monitoring and Control
   FacilitySm@rt's convenience and global accessibility allows authorized users to review and respond anywhere, anytime. No need to install special software.