LenelS2, part of UTC

Securing the future

ICS Helps LenelS2 Security Realize its Vision for Industry's Most Capable Video Surveillance System

LenelS2, formerly S2 Security, is a leader in IP-based access control, video management and mobile security management systems. The company is part of UTC's Carrier, a leading global provider of heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies. LenelS2 develops powerful, cost-effective solutions to protect people, property and assets, and is recognized within the security industry as an innovator.

Challenge

LenelS2 is constantly exploring new ways to enhance the user experience. To this end, the company wanted to develop a sophisticated digital security surveillance solution more capable than anything on the market.man thinking while looking at computer screen

With a clear vision for an innovative cross-platform solution – S2 Magic Monitor® – LenelS2 turned to Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) to help turn the idea into reality. The largest user experience, embedded and desktop Qt consulting firm in North America, ICS paired complex video capabilities with exceptional design quality to build a compelling next-generation front end for a unified security management solution.

Solution

When the product launched early in 2015, LenelS2 envisioned  Magic Monitor as an elegant solution that enables security, safety and informational content to be displayed in real time throughout an organization on multiple screens in various formats, from single displays to expansive video walls.

The first thing that made this project so challenging was the requirement that Magic Monitor be capable of handling multiple – as many as 64 – simultaneous live video feeds. "From an engineering perspective, it's not that difficult to write a video player that plays one video stream at multiple forward speeds," explained ICS' Mark Antonelli, Senior Software Architect and manager of the LenelS2 project. "There are a lot of free players that do that."

"What you will not see, and what is an engineering challenge, is a system that can play 64 high-definition videos simultaneously; combines live streaming and playback using multiple streaming protocols, file sources, and back-ends; plays down to frame-by-frame detail in forward and reverse mode; and does it all with an intuitive user interface," he said.

computer screen with UI on itIt was up to ICS to ponder, problem solve and engineer a product that met LenelS2's exacting standards. Due to the project's scope, the ICS team encountered a number of perplexing challenges. The most puzzling: finding an elegant solution for streaming those 64 live feeds across a congested network, as well running all the video players continuously for months on end.

The challenges were amplified as the project evolved and LenelS2 expanded its vision to include additional, increasingly powerful features, like dynamic content widgets for time-zone clocks, weather, traffic, news-scroll ticker and RSS feeds. Other requirements included the ability to create custom layouts for the visual content display, mapping capabilities that pinpoint where all security cameras in a given system are located and opt-in monitoring of the "health" of a client's security system using the LenelS2 Cumulus cloud service.

These challenges only energized ICS' engineers. Among their solutions: creating a custom video pipeline and building a proprietary algorithm to increase bandwidth to deliver high-performance video.

"ICS' experience in real-time video was very helpful in this project. Because they understood and resolved the video and cross-platform issues so effectively, we were able to take that functionality for granted and instead focus on value-added features to create a new product that is truly revolutionary in the industry."

 John L. Moss, CEO, S2 Security

Resultman and woman looking at many security screens

ICS has collaborated with LenelS2 through several product releases. Versatile and responsive, Magic Monitor delivers visual information to people where and when they need it – from security operations centers to public areas such as lobbies and cafeterias. Magic Monitor Forensics provides additional capabilities, including searchable review of pre-recorded video to identify perpetrators in incidents that may have occurred hours or days prior. The latest release, Version 3, recently became available.

"Version 3 really shows off what Magic Monitor is all about," Moss said. "It gives you real control over situational awareness in security and safety situations." In addition to a spectrum of powerful new features, including dynamic content widgets and remote content control, Version 3 also integrates with NetBox access control and event monitoring system.

"ICS was excited to work with LenelS2 from day one, when we first heard their vision for a new kind of video surveillance system," Antonelli said. "We have a great rapport with the client's team that allows us to work with them as a partner, turning their ideas into reality."

About LenelS2

LenelS2 is a global leader in advanced physical security solutions, including access control, video surveillance, event monitoring and digital signage. Our technology includes web-based and mobile applications enhanced by cloud-based services. Incorporating open architecture, LenelS2 provides scalable, unified security management to customers ranging from global enterprises to small- and mid-sized businesses. LenelS2 is a part of Carrier, a leading global provider of innovative heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies.