A recent spate of crime in a suburban residential complex forced a Johannesburg couple to explore various surveillance system options. Cost effectiveness and ease of installation were two of the most important factors guiding the investigation and influencing the couple’s final decision.

Solution

Wireless telecommunication experts, Zinia, proposed a solution with Axis network cameras and AXIS Camera Companion. AXIS Camera Companion allows all video to be recorded on SD memory cards in the cameras; this eliminates the need for a central DVR, NVR, PC or server. For small businesses or budget conscious homeowners, AXIS Camera Companion software provides a cost-saving opportunity to view live or recorded video free of charge.

Result

The northern Johannesburg-based couple is able to sleep easier now knowing that their home is under 24-hour surveillance. They are able to log on to the network cameras from the comfort and safety of their upstairs bedroom using an application on their iPad or iPhone. With the recent decision to start a family, there is a sense of relief that the baby will have a much more secure place to come home to.

Installation without Exertion

Authorized Axis reseller, Zinia, provides high capacity communication technology at competitive pricing to businesses of all sizes. Offering a reliable telecommunication alternative, Zinia prides itself on delivering a stable network with guaranteed up time, better bandwidth efficiencies and higher speeds at lower rates.

“We were already running a Zinia wireless network in this particular home. Creating a surveillance solution from this platform was simple thanks to the ingenuity of the Axis products,” remarks Zinia’s Chief Operations Officer.

Chosen for their superb image quality and day/night functionality, AXIS P1343-E Network Cameras have been installed to monitor the perimeter of the home. This IP66-rated camera is supplied with a wall bracket and is ready right out of the box for outdoor mounting. AXIS P1343-E has protection against sun, rain and dust and contains focus assistant, remote back focus and pixel counter features that considerably simplify installation.

An AXIS P3343-VE Fixed Dome Network Camera is mounted above the garage at the front of the home. AXIS P3343?VE is an outdoor, vandal-resistant camera that provides crisp, clear images in a discreet, aesthetically pleasing form. As this house is in a residential complex, it is imperative that the surveillance system is neither bulky nor unsightly.

A Safe Haven

The importance of a secure home becomes even more pronounced when children are brought into the equation.

The Johannesburg couple wanted a solution that was capable of effectively monitoring the interior as well as the exterior of their house. This makes it possible to keep an eye on the activities within the home, even from a remote location, while still maintaining a close watch over potential threats or incidents outside the premises.

AXIS Camera Companion allows video to be recorded to the SD card inside the AXIS P1343-E and AXIS P3343-VE cameras, making each camera an independent surveillance device. It supports up to 16 cameras and can be used on a computer, iPad, iPhone or Android. This household plans to take advantage of the system size and expand their surveillance by adding cameras from the AXIS M10 Series range. These tiny, wireless cameras combine functionality, a smart design and best-in-class image quality with an affordable price tag.

Reaping the Benefits

The network camera that monitors the rear of the home has been positioned to include a view of the main entrance and exit gate of the complex. An incident involving tail-gating and damage to a vehicle that concluded with an irate driver threatening to sue the homeowners association, was captured on video and saved. This footage resulted in the vehicle operator admitting responsibility for the accident and averted a potentially expensive and time-consuming claim. The ability of this system to record for up to five days has already proved to be extremely practical.

For more information: Axis Communications AB (http://www.axis.com/)

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