IP network cameras were first installed in 2004 at SUNY Buffalo. Today, Milestone Xprotect Corporate VMS connects nearly 800 devices across the UB campus, and the system continues to expand. The surveillance hardware is a best-in-class mix of various static and pan/tilt/zoom network cameras from Axis Communications.

The university has also deployed Blue Light emergency phones around campus which are integrated with Milestone’s open platform architecture. When someone picks up a Blue Light phone to make a call, that data goes through the Milestone software rules engine which is set up to move the nearest Axis PTZ camera to view the phone station, provide real-time situational awareness and record the video. As a call comes into police dispatch, Milestone “pops in” the image of the phone location to a large monitor where the operator has instant awareness of the location.

As new programmes and departments come on board, like the School of Engineering and the Educational Opportunity Center, the university continues to develop best practices in video security. Slowly, they coalesced around a centralised platform managed by Central Computing (CIT) and used by UB campus police. They have access to camera views across the campus and share the management responsibilities with Central Computing.

“Central Computing does a great job of managing the system and providing high quality process and procedure for access to the system, making sure everything is secure, backed up and properly maintained,” said Michael Blumenson, President, Digital Surveillance Solutions, the integrator for UB SUNY. “We’re moving the whole university towards an efficient, full centralisation of all cameras and surveillance recording systems.”

In choosing Milestone, the campus has gained flexibility and scalability, effective centralised administration and wider geographic distribution. Additionally, cost efficiencies have been realised by using standard IT resources—both the equipment and network infrastructure—as well as the IT Department’s expertise and maintenance routines for keeping the system up and running.

Opportunities for expansion continue as UB is growing in the downtown corridor. The medical school is also constructing a new building that will include 200-300 cameras, all connected via Milestone. With additional buildings under construction, new projects abound, such as perimeter monitoring parking lots and other areas needing security.