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Courtesy of Calgary Zoo, Bill Quayle

The Calgary Zoo has selected Omnicast -- Genetec’s IP video surveillance solution -- to protect its visitors, staff and animals year round. 

Established in 1929 the Calgary Zoo is the second largest in Canada and is home to over 290 species.  The zoo needed a reliable security solution that would be beneficial not only to their staff but to the animals as well.  Accredited as a “world-class zoo” by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Calgary Zoo has a history of commitment to conservation and education.  As such Omnicast was found to be the perfect security solution for the Calgary Zoo.

Omnicast was selected for it allows optimal 24/7 monitoring for visitors, staff, and the animals alike.  One of the system’s chief advantages is its archiving capabilities, for example, if an animal were to hurt itself overnight, zoo officials are able to review and remedy the situation from the footage.

The zoo currently has 20 IP and 24 analogue cameras managed by Omnicast.  The zoo originally had a VHS system that changed to DVRs.  However, whenever a new camera was to be added, more hardware was needed and costs were driven too high; Omnicast became the solution of choice.  The software-based solution allows the zoo to easily scale cameras and is exceeding expectations with its PTZ control and intuitive simple archiver.

Though the Calgary Zoo has their own access control system they are looking into buying Synergis and a more comprehensive control room complete with a monitor wall and joysticks in the near future.   Omnicast will continue to protect and secure the Calgary zoo. “We are very much satisfied with Omnicast because of its flexibility and conviviality,” states Peter Cam, Senior Network Administrator.