Objectives

The main objectives of the VSS upgrade were to:

• Improve the accuracy and efficiency of the VSS system.

• Improve processing and recording performance.

• Reduce the need for manual intervention.

• Improve system resilience and reliability.

• Introduce failover capability to provide greater system resilience.

• Allow for future expansion of the system.

• Improve protection against power interruptions through the installation of a UPS system.

Project Planning

Due to the critical nature of VSS within a hospital environment, maintaining security coverage throughout the works was a key consideration from the outset.

Capital Response worked closely with the hospital to carefully plan the transition from the existing 12 NVRs to two new VSS servers. The migration was carried out in stages to minimise disruption and avoid unnecessary downtime to the hospital's security operations.

The phased approach allowed the existing VSS infrastructure to remain operational while the new system was installed, configured and brought online.

This required detailed coordination between the Capital Response engineering team and the hospital's existing IT and security teams, ensuring the works were delivered safely and efficiently within the live environment.

VSS Equipment & Infrastructure

Once the 12 existing NVRs had been removed and the two new servers were fully operational, further works were required to reorganise the existing infrastructure.

The redundant cabling was removed from the existing IT cabinet, which housed the previous VSS equipment. The new equipment was then installed into a new floor-standing 47U data rack located within the office.

Existing operational VSS equipment located within the data rack in the Security Office cupboard was also relocated into the new 47U data rack.

This provided a more organised and accessible infrastructure arrangement, supporting easier management and maintenance of the VSS.

Resilient VSS Server Configuration

The new VSS architecture provides increased processing and recording capacity, together with improved resilience through the use of two servers and failover capability.

The upgraded configuration provides the hospital with greater resilience should a server experience an issue, helping to maintain the availability of the VSS and supporting the hospital's ongoing security requirements.

The new infrastructure also provides greater scope for future expansion as the hospital's VSS requirements develop.

Power Backup

To further improve the resilience of the VSS, Capital Response installed a 10kVA Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) unit, together with two additional battery packs.

The UPS provides backup power to the VSS infrastructure in the event of a mains power interruption, allowing the system to continue operating for a period of time while the main power supply is restored.

This provides an additional layer of resilience and helps reduce the risk of VSS recording being interrupted during a power failure.

Challenges and how we overcame them

• Working within a live hospital environment

The project was undertaken within an operational hospital where security systems needed to remain available throughout the works. Detailed planning and a phased approach were therefore used to minimise disruption.

• Maintaining camera coverage

Maintaining camera coverage was a key project requirement. The transition from the existing NVR infrastructure to the new servers were carefully managed to minimise downtime and maintain the hospital's security monitoring capabilities.

• Working with existing IT infrastructure

The project required Capital Response to work alongside the hospital's existing IT infrastructure and equipment. Existing operational equipment was carefully relocated and the infrastructure reorganised to accommodate the new VSS architecture.

• Managing the transition between systems

Moving from 12 existing NVRs to two new servers required careful coordination and staged implementation. The works were planned to ensure the new infrastructure could be brought online whilst maintaining the operation of the existing system wherever required.

Project Outcome

The upgrade has provided the hospital with a modernised and higher-capacity VSS recording system, with improved processing performance and greater resilience through the use of two servers and failover capability.

The additional UPS provision also provides improved protection against power interruptions, while the new 47U data rack provides a more organised location for the VSS equipment.

The project has delivered:

• Improved VSS processing and recording performance.

• Increased system resilience through a two-server configuration and failover capability.

• Improved protection against power interruptions through a 10kVA UPS and additional battery capacity.

• A more organised and accessible VSS infrastructure within the new 47U data rack.

• Reduced reliance on the previous 12-NVR configuration.

• Greater scope for future VSS expansion.

• A carefully managed transition with minimal disruption to the hospital's ongoing security operations.

Overall, through detailed planning, phased implementation and close coordination with the hospital, Capital Response successfully delivered the Video Surveillance System upgrade while maintaining the continuity of an essential security system within a live healthcare environment.

Old cabling in the old rack