Hikvision DS-2CD2112-I and DS-2CD2012-I surveillance cameras secure Uka Tarsadia University's Maliba campus in India

Hikvision DS-2CD2112-I network dome and DS-2CD2012-I IR bullet cameras were installed at new campus

Recently, Hikvision's assistance was enlisted to secure Uka Tarsadia University's newer Maliba Campus in India. This solution was notable for a number of reasons.

However, first and foremost, providing a secure environment for the 4200 students and 200 faculty members on this campus was paramount.

Uka Tarsadia University is located in India's northwestern coastal state of Gujarat. Due to the location, historical footnotes, and other environmental factors, Gujarat is one of India's primary economic hubs. Since Uka Tarsadia University is considered one of this state's elite centres of learning, it was vital for this facility to be safe.

In this vein, Indian-based installer Master's Mind Technologies was contacted to help the university:

• Build a state-of-the-art CCTV system
• Future-proof the solution
• Provide an easy learning curve for university IT administrators
• Provide top-shelf support for the solution

No existing CCTV solution

Ketan Patel, owner of Master's Mind Technologies noted, "This solution was unique in the sense that the Maliba Campus was a blank slate - the campus did not have any existing CCTV solution when we began."

Mr. Patel explained that generally in large-scale projects such as this, it is often a case of upgrading an existing solution - not building one from scratch. "This presented both opportunities in the calibre of solution we could offer, as well as potential drawbacks. Namely, the costs associated with building a solution from the ground-up and cost of hardware provided,"  furthered Mr. Patel.

Ultimately, both Mr. Patel and the university's IT department determined that, despite the size, instead of a more economical analogue CCTV system, an IP solution would better serve the university's overall needs. Additionally, it would help future proof the solution in coming years. This was due to a number of factors.

High-tech components and performance

Due to the massive distances between academic departments and outdoor surveillance points, fibre-optics were run between these locations and connected to each other using PoE switches. While fibre-optics are expensive, multiple PoE switches helped reduce the costs associated with installation. Importantly, this setup allows state-of-the-art video transmission, as well as providing an easy platform for any future upgrades that the university may request.

However, the lynchpin of the solution is a pair of Hikvision camera models: the DS-2CD2112-I 1.3MP IP66 network mini dome camera and the DS-2CD2012-I 1.3MP IR mini bullet camera.

The DS-2CD2112-I IP66 network mini dome camera was primarily tasked with the interior of the campus. Mr. Patel stated, "This camera's 720p real-time video is much better than analogue, which obviously serves the school's security goals to a higher degree. Furthermore, Hikvision's support really allowed us to customise this camera to our specific needs."

Mr. Patel was referring to Hikvision's ability to help modify the camera's lens. Out-of-the-box, the DS-2CD2112-I is equipped with a 4mm standard lens. This 4mm lens provides 75° of coverage. However, due to the specific dynamics of many of the school's classrooms, a wider field of coverage was needed. In conjunction with Hikvision engineers, Mr. Patel instead placed a 2.8 lens on the DS-2CD2112 to provide 90° of coverage - enough for the entire classroom.

Furthermore, while some indoor facilities are lighted overnight, the majority of classrooms are not. In this instance, "the up-to 30m of IR visibility is invaluable for proper surveillance in off-hours," added Mr. Patel.

Ironically, outdoors, the vast majority of the environment is lighted, thus reducing the need for the DS-2CD2012-I 1.3MP IR mini bullet camera's identical 30m IR range. However, the unit's 1.3 megapixel high resolution is vital for university IT personnel to quickly identify a possible threat, regardless of time of day. Additionally, the DS-2CD2012-I's IP66 rating is critical to withstand India's notoriously punishing weather conditions.

PC-based observation system

Citing a need to both reduce the learning curve for the university's IT department (the operators of the CCTV system), as well as reduce costs, Mr. Patel used Hikvision's iVMS software to create a PC-based solution. Instead of NVRs, IT administrators are able to view up-to 135 cameras per PC, allowing the entire network to be fully viewed on 4 PCs.

Mr. Patel again cited Hikvision's exemplary product support as a boon for the growth of his company. With Hikvision engineers quickly and efficiently addressing any issues that arise, Mr. Patel is excited for the future of this solution and the prospects of his own company.