We present the top 5 video management tools to protect the hotel sector.
by Israel Austria*
It is better to be safe than sorry. It is a phrase so ingrained that we usually reflect little on its meaning, but in the case of hotel security, its message becomes relevant.
While it is true that the intention of most guests is to enjoy and rest during their stay in a hotel, it is also true that there are some unscrupulous people who seek to take advantage of any situation to take economic advantage to the detriment of the hotel business.
With a modern video surveillance system, the administrators and owners of these businesses can have at hand the right solution that will help them really know what happens inside their facilities, defend and ensure their heritage and ensure the tranquility of their guests.
By integrating the right technologies, hotel owners and security personnel will have tools with the ability to record and prevent losses and will also find useful mechanisms to keep track of sales or transactions.
There are many marketing and entrepreneurship gurus who say that behind every threat there will always be an opportunity.
Although it is not so easy to digest this statement, in the case of hotels and the hand of appropriate technology, you can turn a negative situation around and turn it into an opportunity for growth.
Here are five features that, along with specialized cameras and open platform video management software (VMS), you can incorporate to solve the most frequent threats to which hotels around the world are exposed.
1. Extended vision as a shield against insecurity
The hotels, having high attendance, become places desired by thieves.
Safety is one of the aspects that visitors value most; That's why having a video surveillance system that combines the best of technology and personnel is essential.
Open platform VMS have the ability to integrate with different applications, such as the Smart Wall, with which hotel security managers will find a complementary advanced video wall solution, which provides an overview of the situation.
This solution is a tool that allows operators to have extended vision on large systems, bringing to their attention exactly what they should see by automating alerts, making their work more efficient. At the same time, it allows you to share what is relevant with the relevant personnel, which translates into getting better out of the investment in a video wall system.
2. Search for evidentiary material
Although the general atmosphere inside the hotels is one of tranquility, it is best to have the appropriate technology to register, monitor and take actions for the protection of guests and workers against possible cases of violence.
This is how there is also Rapid Review, a complement to the VMS that together with the cameras, help with the search for evidentiary material after certain criminal acts have occurred.
Among the features that can serve for these situations, are multi-camera search and facial recognition.
With the first, it will be possible to identify those involved quickly and accurately, using facial recognition filters, similarity of appearance, clothing, color, size, speed, trajectory, direction, dwell time and change of lighting.
With the second, it will be possible to quickly locate the people of interest through digital images extracted from the video or external sources.
If what you want is more efficient evidence search capacity and precise technology for the individualization of people in cases of violence, Rapid Review is an indispensable option within a video surveillance system in a hotel.
3. Integrated access control to the VMS
A hotel has many restricted passage areas. If you do not install a type of access control or alarm, you will be leaving an open door to crime and the loss of assets or important information.
If you already have a modern access control system, but want to take another step towards hotel security, you should think about a solution like XProtect Access, which makes it possible to connect the access control system directly with the VMS.
The combination of video with access control events helps improve decision-making by security operators, who will be able to visually verify the identity of the people requesting access.
This solution helps make work processes more efficient, giving operators the ability to manage video surveillance and access control from an interface on a desktop or through mobile devices (XProtect Mobile Client).
4. Control of domestic purchases
As we mentioned earlier, VMS integrations are useful tools that go beyond providing security. There are also options to log transactions.
With XProtect Transact, hotel managers will be able to monitor point-of-sale terminals and cash registers in real time. This solution also gives the option to generate reports on transactions, each associated with its corresponding video, in addition to generating notifications each time a specific item or item is scanned, such as those of high value, with which special attention must be taken.
This solution relates individual transaction events to the right video, and is very useful for hotels that offer retail sales.
5 Vehicle identification
A significant number of vehicles attend the hotels, both in the parking area and in the public service area. Therefore, it is a priority to have control over these spaces.
Recognizing the license plates and knowing their background is valuable information for the authorities in case of an emergency.
Every time a vehicle passes through a camera with license plate reading technology, it will be registered in the VMS thanks to XProtect LPR, a tool that allows the generation of reports with video and a registration of the license plate. In addition, it offers a more efficient operation by classifying certain license plates into lists, which means having information for immediate decision making.
Marriott Gaylord Opryland Case Study
The mega hotel Marriott Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, which has almost three thousand rooms and multiple convention facilities, was in need of updating its video surveillance system.
One of the greatest needs within this complex located in Nashville, Tennessee, was to protect itself from false claims and liability in possible lawsuits, a situation that meant millionaire losses.
After prior analysis and a thorough vulnerability assessment, the directives invested in a new video surveillance system that included the acquisition of new cameras, system servers and video analysis, all managed by an open platform VMS.
With Smart Wall, Rapid Review, XProtect Access, XProtect Transact, and XProtect LPR add-ons, the hotel was able to overcome its challenges and shield itself against age-old threats.
At present, having a video surveillance system with an open platform VMS in the hotel sector has become an increasingly frequent need. With the backing of a globally recognized company and the necessary technological additions for the needs of the lodging business, it ensures a return on investment in a short time and points in the right direction to minimize risks and ensure the peace of mind and safety of guests and employees.
* Israel Austria, Milestone Systems Solutions Engineer for Latin America.
