Newman University strengthens video infrastructure by working with IDIS
31 May 2020
A BRITISH university has recently overhauled its dated suite of security cameras to prepare for expansion and better protect its students and staff. To do so, Newman University in Birmingham called in systems specialist Unison Integrated Technology after a major power surge disabled more than 30 cameras in its ageing system.

Newman University wanted comprehensive video coverage that was more robust and easier to use as part of its development plan for a safe learning environment for almost 3,000 students and staff.
With this in mind, facilities manager Lewis Palin said: “We contract out our security services, so it’s important for newly-arrived officers to be able to use all of the surveillance system’s key features with minimal training.”
Unison Integrated Technology proposed an IDIS end-to-end solution that had already performed excellently at a number of nearby schools, colleges and commercial sites.
Total cost of ownership was also a factor as Newman University needed more than 150 new internal and external cameras, so Palin wanted to integrate its existing cameras and infrastructure with the new kit. It also meant minimal maintenance charges, no licence fees and the option to adapt or scale the system as the campus grew or requirements changed.
The Unison Integrated Technology team delivered an IDIS DirectIP solution with more than 160 cameras, including five advanced 2 MP Lighmaster IR PTZ models delivering 36x zoom and pin-sharp images in all lighting thanks to their 350-metre IR capability, true wide dynamic range and digital image stabilisation.
Key external areas
Unison Integrated Technology also installed 55 Full-HD IR vandal-resistant dome cameras to secure entrances and internal areas, in addition to 40 IR bullet cameras to afford HD coverage of key external areas.
All of the new cameras incorporate IDIS Smart Failover technology, which ensures automatic protection against video data loss, thereby eliminating the risk of gaps in recordings in the event of power failure or network instability.
Unrivalled storage capability is assured by four powerful 64-channel NVRs with built-in failover and RAID 1, 5 and 10 support, plus a further three 32-channel recorders complete with IDIS Intelligent Codec to deliver storage efficiency.
Security officers can now easily monitor live internal and external areas, and quickly search and retrieve recorded footage to find events of interest
Palin concluded: “Unison Integrated Technology completed the entire job done in three weeks with swift stock delivery from IDIS. The engineers worked around us to deliver our new system exactly as promised. We will definitely stick with IDIS technology as we expand our estate.”- Security Research Initiative focuses attention on impact of COVID-19
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