The Client: John Glenn High School, Walkerton, IN. John Glenn is a fixture of the Walkerton community, with more than 400 students attending the high school and another 700 children in the elementary and middle school systems. The Challenge: School security is a critical issue for educators, students and people of the community. In this delicate and tense atmosphere, school administrators must effectively meet their schools' security needs without wasting scarce resources on systems that may be unnecessary.
In early 2008, Vermillion Systems was contacted by the assistant principal at John Glenn to discuss the school’s surveillance needs. They were aware that Vermillion had already installed 16 analog surveillance cameras about four years prior and the administrators were interested in adding some new cameras to cover areas that were susceptible to potential problems. After meeting with the administrators and listening to their needs and desires, it became apparent that simply adding analog cameras and a new DVR would not be a wise solution since it would only provide short-term relief. Although it was possible to simply add a few more inexpensive cameras to the system, it would not allow for future expansion, nor would it approach the control of more advanced and cost-effective modular systems. The Solution: Once Vermillion Systems understood the long-term objective, it was clear that an IP video surveillance solution was the correct solution. The IP solution allowed John Glenn High to continue to use its 16 existing analog cameras, which were still in good operating condition. It also allowed it to quickly and easily add an unlimited amount of megapixel IP cameras both now and in the future. Vermillion provided a complete package install, which included the relocation of many of the existing 16 cameras to different locations. The existing 16 cameras were interfaced to the new IP video server via IP video encoders. The network video server was built to run Milestone Systems’ best-of-breed server software and provide video from the 29 cameras to local and remote viewers. Another unique feature of the installation is the use of two Arecont Vision 8180 cameras on the north and east sides of the building. These cameras have a total of four 2.0 megapixel IP cameras inside a single dome. The cameras are spaced in such as way as to provide 180° of coverage of both the north parking lot and the east student parking lot. By using this type of camera, Vermillion was able to lower the overall material and labor costs, since all four cameras are located inside one weatherproof enclosure, and only one cable run was required, rather than four. The end result is a very intuitive video surveillance system that meets the needs of the school corporation and allows for upgrades in the future without the high cost of new head-end equipment. The image quality from the new cameras is superior, and the older analog cameras did not have to be replaced, which meant significant savings for John Glenn High. Result: John Glenn School received a state-of-the-art IP surveillance system that offers superior flexibility, convenience and control without sacrificing its existing DVR system. By understanding the unique demands of school security, Vermillion Systems achieved the objective of securing an educational institution while at the same time working within the school system’s budget and allowing for future expansion.
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The Client: Indiana University South Bend (IUSB) The Challenge: The IUSB project began when Vermillion Systems submitted a bid to Sterling Construction, a local general contractor, for the installation of various low-voltage products and services. After meeting with Sterling, Vermillion found that the contractor was also looking for a partner to help undertake a project that was much more substantial. Sterling needed someone to supply and install the electronic cabling—the backbone of the electronic communications system—from the IUSB main campus, across the St. Joseph River to the student-housing complex. The Solution: Realizing the opportunity to work on such a unique and monumental project, Vermillion submitted and successfully won the contract bid. Working with Sterling Construction, Vermillion provided and installed more than 10,000 linear feet of underground conduit along with fiber-optic trunk lines and copper backbone cabling to support the fire alarm, telephone systems, network infrastructure and access-control systems. The conduit and cabling connect the eight student housing buildings to the centrally located Community Building. Additionally, Vermillion was tasked with installing emergency telephones in each building and in strategic areas around the new development. Result: This project was a local success story, as it allowed students to live on campus at IUSB for the first time in the school’s history. Located on the south bank of the St. Joseph River on a 27-acre parcel, this modern complex is linked to the campus via pedestrian bridge. The $20.3 million housing project features a mix of one-, two-, and four-bedroom apartments that accommodates up to 400 students.
The installation of this system gives IUSB a modern, expandable communications infrastructure that serves all of the needs of the student complex. By proving the ability to tackle larger-scale projects, meet strict deadlines and stay within the budget, Vermillion Systems have established itself as St. Joseph County’s fastest-growing security integrator.
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Case Studies
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The Client: One of the most well-known and respected businesses in South Bend, Gates has been in operation for more than 80 years. Its continued success has encouraged much growth over the years, with the most recent expansion being a new 52,000 sq. ft. facility for the Toyota and Scion dealership at Erskine Commons on the south side of South Bend. 
The Challenge: The new Toyota/Scion facility presented several complications. After meeting with the business manager and dealer principal, it became apparent that they were concerned about securing more than just the interior of the building. By asking the right questions, Vermillion Systems was able to ascertain that the decision makers also wanted to be able to monitor the exterior parking lots as well, since the bulk of their inventory is located in these areas.
From an access standpoint, the number of staff members that required keys for access was substantial. Vermillion knew that once keys were issued to staff, there would not be much control over who would be able to enter the building and when. In addition, it has been their experience that there would be no realistic control in place to keep staff from duplicating keys, which could result in unauthorized access and unacceptable breaches of security. Also, there were three primary departments at this auto dealership with different work schedules, so it was imperative that certain users be allowed access to specific areas of the facility but not to others.
The Solution:After surveying the site and studying the blueprints, Vermillion went back to the Gates group with three unique proposals for different facets of site security including an intrusion alarm, video surveillance cameras inside and outside the facility, and an integrated access control system. In addition to security features, Vermillion also considered how the proposed systems would help the business operation. Ideas such as allowing managers to constantly view their auto lots and showrooms from a central location, better equips them to deploy sales staff to meet and greet potential customers in a shorter time period. The systems were also configured to allow the authorized parties to log in and view live and recorded video from a remote location. This proved to be a big benefit, as the dealer principal has a second location across the city. By viewing the new Toyota store from his other office across town, his home, or a vacation spot halfway around the world, he can have peace of mind knowing that his business is running to its full potential.
The Result: By drawing on its experience, listening closely to the customer and carefully examining their security needs, Vermillion Systems provided a customized solution to the numerous security challenges of the new Gates Toyota facility. Vermillion's creative approaches to the partitioning of the security system, the networking of the DVR system for remote access and the addition of card readers and keypads provided additional benefits that go above and beyond the typical security installation. These enhancements proved to be most useful, and they illustrate the level of professionalism and expertise inherent in the day-to-day operations of Vermillion Systems.
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Case Studies