Open video management systems allow the integration of state-of-the-art technologies in areas such as access control, analytics, and transaction tracking.

Chris Meiter, current president of Salient Systems (Consorciotec's preferred supplier), discusses the different ways in which an open VMS can strengthen security in this class of entities.

Mixed Camera Locations
Meiter highlights that an open VMS provides the flexibility to connect cameras from different manufacturers, allowing for seamless surveillance of critical areas. By strategically placing cameras both inside and outside the building, the risk of theft can be minimized. Traditional outdoor cameras, known for their high-quality images, can capture incidents, and the use of analytics can help detect weapons. The video can be exported and handed over to authorities to facilitate legal proceedings and can be shared with other branches to identify organized crime activities.

Comprehensive security features
Features such as Alarm View allow a Global Security Operations Center (GSOC) to provide a real-time overview of events across all facilities, from loitering at ATMs to observing bank robberies to respond in a timely manner and gain insight into the risk to employees and customers during the event. The President of Salient Systems maintains that video verification also mitigates false alarms and ensures that alerts are verified as genuine security concerns.

License Plate Recognition (LPR)
This feature can be used to alert security personnel when potential problems arise. For example, by proactively entering license plate numbers into the VMS software of disgruntled former employees or others who are not allowed into the facility, an alert instructs security personnel to take action when LPR is activated.

ATM Integration
By associating attributes such as transaction ID, dollar amount, or date and time with video footage, critical information can be reviewed and analyzed. Meiter notes that this integration improves the efficiency of investigations, reduces potential losses, and identifies threats to customers who use ATMs.

Cash Theft Protection
Detailed images of customer interactions, which can even read invoice amounts, significantly minimize the risk of cash theft. By monitoring and documenting these activities on video, financial institutions can reduce ATM theft and even detect errors on such devices.

Follow-up investigations
According to the Salient Systems executive, the ability to share video streams from any location via the cloud accelerates investigations and strengthens legal cases against those involved in fraudulent activities. Granular device and site filtering options further enhance monitoring capabilities, allowing for customized security protocols for each location.

The customer experience
Monitoring customer queues within the building allows for informed decisions about staffing schedules, lobby layouts, and other decisions based on patterns of human behavior. Making evidence-based improvements in video can ensure a better overall customer experience, and in today's competitive world, retaining customers is critical to success.

"The incorporation of an open VMS into the security strategy of financial institutions is a turning point. Leveraging a variety of technologies that integrate with an open VMS enhances these institutions' ability to protect their customers, employees, and assets," concludes Chris Meiter.