BCDVideo announced the release of their SMARTcontrol Management Software (SMS). SMS is an evolution in health monitoring for physical security technology for both BCDVideo’s video recorder and access control server platforms. BCDVideo will be making this a standard no-charge feature on its entire Nova Series platform, effective in February.
SMS is a comprehensive, easy-to-use program which serves as a mission-control center inside the product. Its key feature is that it sends alerts based upon criteria pre-set by the system administrator. This new level of Enterprise Intelligent Video Recorders will deliver advanced system analytics, as well as regulate and provide incident notification regarding; power usage, CPU usage, memory usage, hard drive utilisation, along with full reporting capabilities.
Among the standard modules found within BCDVideo’s SMARTcontrol Management Software include SMARTrestoration, a disaster recovery program which allows the security integrator to remotely reboot and restore the server to its original BCDVideo factory image from anywhere in the world. In addition, it will automatically generate a support ticket to the BCDVideo technical helpdesk.
Another standard module includes SMARTvault, a secure on-board flash device that allows isolated storage of VMS configuration data. Advanced features within the module include Auto-Backup, which will automatically back up the file on a set schedule to the SMARTvault device. Viewing SMARTvault logs is as easy as selecting a date span and clicking “submit”. In the event of a malfunction at the site, the integrator can - from anywhere in the world - remotely restore the last working settings to get the customer up and running ASAP.
This management software also includes SMARTsupport, a proactive support solution built into SMARTcontrol. On any internet-connected server, support tickets can be directly created with the BCDVideo engineering team. Additionally, SMARTcontrol gives users an interface to manage, edit and update tickets directly from within the software. Creating a ticket generates snapshots of current log files and attaches them for the BCDVideo team to help diagnose any hardware issue. As BCDVideo’s Nova series comes standard with a worldwide five-year on-site warranty, BCDVideo can then instantaneously initiate an on-site service call for the customer, or use the SMARTconnect feature – also standard on all BCDVideo servers – to remote in and remedy the unit without it ever having to leave the facility.
BCDVideo’s SMARTcontrol Management Software will also feature a 60-day trial license of Intelligent Management Center (IMC). IMC is an optional add-on module that offers comprehensive resource management capabilities for a wide range of devices; including IP cameras, network switches, client viewing stations, and even smartphones.
The IMC allows the system administrator to view the status of all the VLANs through a network topology view, with the ability to monitor and manage devices from that same view. This module allows the user to view and monitor devices in a variety of visual methodologies, by device, IP, network topology, or through a custom view. By utilising the built-in Security Control Center, the system administrator can force device settings consistently and sound alarms when they become non-compliant.
This sophisticated, yet easy-to-use program delivers detailed performance monitoring with real-time notifications, while providing the ability to monitor device performance for report generation, performance information, and alarm notification. The built-in Network Traffic Analyzer feature analyses network traffic and how it is being consumed by different devises attached to the network.
Intelligent Management Center will individually or collectively monitor devices for threshold settings, which when exceeded, will sound an alarm. BCDVideo will be partnering with Video Management Software (VMS) vendors to deliver a myriad of the SMARTcontrol Management alarm features through the alarm notifications within their particular software packages.
Tom Larson, BCDVideo Director of Sales and Engineering, states “We have taken an access control server that already had a low cost of ownership, and added system analytics to make it into a mission control center. You control more than the access, you control the situation. Likewise, the intelligent video recorder is exactly as advertised, allowing 24/7 management capabilities from your desk, your couch, or from 5,000 miles away”.
“This Platform as a Service (PaaS)”, continues Larson, “offers the security integrator greater profitability over the course of the supported project, as well as delivering a chargeable service as a recurring revenue stream. Everything comes down to both ease of use and ease of management. The managed technology and analytics within our Nova Series systems allows the integrator to realize potential recurring revenue as it relates to service opportunities. And most importantly, BCDVideo’s proprietary technology does not interfere with our open standards platform, which allows us the ability to support all major VMS and access control software manufacturers”.
BCDVideo will begin including the SMARTcontrol Management Software on its Nova Series beginning in February, 2015.
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