IDIS end-to-end solutions meet Wade Deacon Trust’s security challenges

The Wade Deacon High School, which is the Trust’s largest school, sought to overcome the shortcomings of its existing, early generation IP-based CCTV system, with problems including rising maintenance costs, poor usability and variable image quality.

Apex Network Solutions was tasked with delivering a solution that would offer the lowest total cost of ownership with a minimal ongoing operating burden, and a solution that’s easily adaptable to meet any future requirements.

Keeping installation costs down, Apex Network Solutions designed a seamless end-to-end and NDAA-compliant IDIS DirectIP solution comprising three 32-channel 4K recorders and a mix of close to 90 5 MP and 12 MP IR domes, bullet and fisheye cameras.

The system is designed for unobtrusive coverage of corridors, indoor communal areas, entrances, building perimeters and high-value sporting facilities which are vulnerable to vandalism out-of-hours.

Every IDIS camera has the advantage of plug-and-play set-up, which allowed the Apex Network Solutions engineers to complete the upgrade during term time without any disruption to learning.

Hillside High School project

The Wade Deacon Trust’s Hillside High School in Bootle also needed to update its ageing CCTV system, but this installation would prove to be more challenging due to the school’s 1930s architecture, with a lack of ceiling voids for easy cable runs, long corridors and a solid floor construction.

The school’s management team also wanted to address usability, gaps in coverage, variable image quality and rising maintenance costs.

Apex Network Solutions designed an end-to-end solution taking advantage of IDIS rapid plug-and-play deployment and seamless device compatibility, enabling full system functionality without installation glitches. This is particularly valuable at older sites such as Hillside High School, where cabling options are limited.

In practice, it was easy to replace the existing cameras with the simple connection of IDIS’ more powerful HD models and to add new cameras in key locations to enable comprehensive coverage.

The expanded system now includes 70 HD internal and external domes and bullets and the popular 12 MP IDIS Super Fisheye. Between them, the cameras ensure HD and ultra-HD image capture, even in challenging lighting conditions, thanks to being equipped with true Wide Dynamic Ramge and IR LED. The fisheye cameras provide affordable wide area coverage, effectively delivering the same visibility as three or four fixed lens models.

Comprehensive coverage

As a result, Hillside High School’s new system now ensures comprehensive coverage of corridors, communal areas, entrances and the school grounds. It’s easier for members of staff to work with thanks to the IDIS Center VMS software. The license-free VMS’ intuitive interface makes it simple to live view, playback and retrieve recorded footage and allows for role-based access rights to be easily configured.

“We are very impressed with the IDIS solutions installed by Apex Network Solutions,” noted Jonathan Lowe, director of ICT and operations for the Wade Deacon Trust. “Despite some infrastructure challenges, Apex Network Solutions listened to our requirements and then delivered full system upgrades on time without any major disruptions or delays. The new solutions have given us reliable and comprehensive CCTV coverage. The new systems are easy to use and safeguard our schools’ communities.”

*Further information is available online at www.idisglobal.com