Why You Should Integrate Mapping With Surveillance

Anyone who has played computer games will know that the mapping feature is invaluable in tactical planning. Knowing the layout of the facility and surrounding areas, as well as the location of enemy forces, can give gamers a real advantage.

The same knowledge also applies to surveillance systems. The ability to accurately track people, assets, and incidents in real-time is essential in managing a facility or local service and can also improve the service offered.

Integrating maps for multilayer positioning

Each facility or organisation will want to view different types of maps. For example, a casino might need detailed floor plans showing the location of different gaming stations. On the other hand, a university in a city will need street maps and floor plans for each building, showing the location of features like access points, cameras, and perimeter fences.

With the right surveillance solution, operators can integrate their surveillance system with geo-spatial mapping such as OpenStreetMap and locally hosted maps such as CAD, site, and floor plans. Combining internal, local, and situational mapping is where the most significant benefits come.

Advanced CAD mapping enables operators to upload and seamlessly navigate their property and asset layouts, giving them a sophisticated view inside and outside their facilities. They can view everything from within their boundaries to global positions.

Proactively managing threats and incidents

Like with computer games, these maps are most effective when they're interactive, allowing users to switch between multiple layers. This high degree of flexibility will enable users to efficiently monitor diverse areas, assets and operations across large estates or multiple sites.

More than this, when real-time security, management, and operational data are included, they can provide a high level of situational awareness. Visualising data in real time can aid threat detection and rapid, informed decision-making.

Real-time information providing the location and strength of monsters and enemy forces helps gamers plan their approach. Similarly, in real life, operators need to consider where threats and incidents are and what type they are.

For example, a transport operator might need live traffic information – as well as the location of their vehicles – to divert services around a road closure. GPS data will help with this. On a more local scale, a stadium or event facility might track the number of people at concession stands to decide whether to open a new one and where that should be. Data analytics can even be used to prompt and support these decisions.

Integrating maps with a suitable platform allows users to geographically fence off certain areas, known as geofencing. The technology can detect when intruders enter restricted areas and play a role in keeping staff safe. For example, security teams can see a worker's location and pair it with clearance levels, access control data, and shift schedules to flag potential security issues. At the same time, man-down systems support the rapid dispatch of assistance when needed.

As well as managing threats and incidents, mapping integration can minimise system uptime. For example, it can be configured to run regular camera health checks. If a fault is detected, it will be possible to immediately pinpoint the location and arrange a fix.

Knowledge is power

Surveillance systems are an integral part of security and operations. Enhancing your system with mapping capabilities adds more functionality, improving safety and security. More than this, it can support an improved service offering across multiple industries.