Thinking of installing a surveillance system but the site is located off the grid? Yeah, that could be troublesome, and often requires great patience as long as the power grid line itself. A lot of people may think that just because they do not have the same infrastructure as what they have in the city, deploying a surveillance system in a remote area may not be the smartest idea due to antiquated source of power supply, lack of relevant devices, costly installation, and maintenance, etc.

Nevertheless, with the advent of continuous innovation and development in technology, intelligent solutions are gradually emerging to make sure that any area, whether on-grid or off-grid, is not left behind. One of these solutions involves harnessing solar energy, which is one of the predicted technology trends for 2022.

Challenges

Deploying outdoor surveillance monitoring in an off-grid scenario could be very challenging compared to its conventional counterparts. Installation of traditional outdoor surveillance requires laying large cables and setting up stable networks, which areas off the grid might not be able to accommodate.

An off-grid monitoring scheme often involves solar panels and wireless transmission technology to do the trick

An off-grid monitoring scheme often involves solar panels and wireless transmission technology to do the trick. However, doing so comes with hefty costs in installation and maintenance. Every device must be installed independently, and the whole system lacks basic maintenance features, making it impossible to be operated remotely and generate on-site fault data in time.

Here’s where Dahua comes. With its accumulated experience in technology and innovation over the years, Dahua has developed an integrated off-grid security solution that ticks all the boxes for effective and efficient monitoring of scenarios beyond the power grid lines.

Dahua’s Integrated Off-grid Security

The Dahua Integrated Off-grid Security combines 4G network transmission technology, video surveillance (including AI functions), and solar power technology to build an integrated off-grid monitoring system. It is suitable for areas with no access to electricity and network connection.

This solution includes a solar module primarily made of monocrystalline silicon with an aluminum alloy frame and tempered glass panels. It offers excellent weak light performance and outstanding solar cell efficiency.

Features of the solution

2MP/4MP camera offers high performance 4G module and AI functionalities to amp up monitoring

In addition, its MPPT Solar Controller boasts high charging efficiency (>99%), RS-485 communication, and 10A maximum charging/discharging capability. Since the entire equipment has IP66 waterproof rating, its lithium battery, controller, and other components are well protected against harsh weather or jarring outdoor conditions. It also ensures a long product life, making every penny of the investment count.

The 2MP/4MP camera itself has an ingress protection rating of IP67. It offers high performance 4G module and AI functionalities that can amp up the monitoring operation just like those in regular application scenarios found in the city. There are also pole mount and wall mount options for the mounting brackets, which are waterproof and present a hidden line design.

Decreased installation and maintenance costs

With the integrated components clearly stated above, the benefits of this solution need no further explanation. It doesn’t require extra cables for network and power connection as it is equipped with a robust solar panel and a built-in 4G module that enables stable wireless transmission of data.

Its sophisticated and integrated design significantly reduces installation and maintenance costs. Its high ingress protection ratings ensure that all parts of the equipment are well protected and can withstand the all-weather operation.

Remote monitoring and maintenance

All of the advantages contribute to the entire system’s excellent monitoring performance

When connected to Dahua NVR and DMSS mobile app, users can view real-time videos of the monitored scene and check battery status, allowing for remote system monitoring and maintenance.

They can also receive alarm push notifications when the battery level is low or when an intrusion has been detected. Overall, all of these advantages contribute to the entire system’s excellent monitoring performance in off-grid environments.

Application scenarios

The Dahua Integrated Off-grid Security is a lightweight outdoor monitoring solution that is ideal for a wide range of application scenarios. It can be deployed in conventional areas like scenic spots, small construction sites, farms, roads, etc.

It is also applicable for small-scale industrial scenarios such as mining areas, oil/transmission lines, water reservoirs, and other critical zones. Aside from that, this flexible monitoring solution can also be used for outdoor events like sports games, conferences, concerts, etc.

During the first part of the pandemic, parking lots were an abandoned frontier. Like retail shops, offices and schools, parking lots were mostly left vacant as people followed lockdown and social distancing rules.

But as the world has opened up again and re-introduced the routines of normal life, parking lots are seeing new waves of activity. And not all of them are welcome. 

Criminals are finding new ways to target vehicles, entire fleets and even individuals. And, at a time when companies are facing economic pressures of all kinds, it’s prompting businesses to rethink how parking lot security fits into their larger customer (and employee) experience and safety ecosystem. 

In many cases, companies are not only short-handed when it comes to keeping up with new security needs, but they’re also facing a new set of customer and employee expectations. By addressing parking lot security with cutting-edge video surveillance, businesses are finding that they’re not just protecting assets parked outside, they’re securing interests across their entire footprint.

Preventing theft and improving worker safety

In communities across the country, for example, thieves continue to swipe catalytic converters from cars in hopes of re-selling components like palladium and rhodium, which are valued at record highs. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, catalytic converter thefts soared from an average of 108 per month in 2018 to 1,203 thefts per month in 2020. This year, that trend appears to be continuing, in part from incidents in office parking lots.

As workers return to the office, criminals are realizing that office lots are full of cars that are going to be unattended for many hours of the day. In some places, they’re able to cut the catalytic converters out of 100 cars in a matter of hours. And employers are starting to realize that liability for these break-ins rests with them.

Traditional video surveillance set ups can record footage of the break-ins for future review. But contemporary solutions give employers the power to stop break-ins as they happen. With 24/7 remote surveillance camera systems, employers can set up cameras on their sites but assign monitoring to teams off-campus. When those teams spot suspicious and unlawful activity, they can use the system’s connected speakers to broadcast warnings to trespassers and then send an alert to on-site security personnel and local law enforcement.

For one big-box retailer, remote surveillance systems helped drive a 40% reduction in parking lot incidents, with some locations reporting a 70% reduction.

This technology is not only helpful for companies that are responsible for protecting their employees’ property; it’s valuable for protecting the employees themselves. At distribution centers, where workers might be responsible for managing the overnight shift alone, remote surveillance camera systems can ensure that multiple eyes are keeping fleets of vehicles — and workers — secure. In those scenarios, the cameras can provide assurance that workers are safely within view and issue an alert when employees are off-screen for prolonged periods.  

Adapting to meet changing needs

Another key advantage of newer remote surveillance solutions is their ability to help businesses stay on their toes. As criminals find new ways to be creative, businesses need the flexibility to change up their security strategies — from moving cameras to different locations to altering the times of day remote monitors are most active. 

Mobile video surveillance set ups offer the level of adaptability companies require. If a business catches wind of an impending event, they can temporarily place cameras in the locations with the best viewpoints and access. Or if they realize that trespassers are taking advantage of a blind spot on their property, they can adjust their setup to prevent further break-ins.

That kind of versatility is especially important now, as the country navigates a dynamic transition out of the pandemic. Community park and ride lots, for example, have seen a surge in criminal activity as commuters return to work. But given that return to office and transit trends are still in flux, communities can’t expect last month’s violations to necessarily define incidents on the horizon.

Stadiums and entertainment venues are also grappling with new traffic and crowd management patterns. Keenly interested in encouraging the public to return to events, sports teams are increasingly invested in the entirety of the fan experience — from the time they pull out of their driveway to the moment they return home. 

Mobile surveillance units create the opportunity to monitor and influence traffic activity in real time, preventing parking lot congestion and reducing safety incidents. Before, during, and after events, security personnel can monitor live streams, coordinate with on-the-ground colleagues and law enforcement to redirect vehicles, and issue alerts about suspicious behavior. 

Uncovering critical intelligence

Additionally, video surveillance systems can play a powerful role in uncovering valuable information about specific incidents and security trends in general. In the aftermath of break-in or theft, video surveillance units can provide identifying details about trespassers and reveal the full scope of a crime. On an ongoing basis, video surveillance can help businesses and residential areas develop a deeper understanding of their properties’ threat landscape. 

For example, homeowner associations are banding together to purchase systems that monitor the ingress and egress of their neighborhoods. While many homes may already have mounted cameras, the video quality is often not high enough to deliver critical information, like license plate numbers. Additionally, in many cases, existing camera systems may not store footage for more than 24 hours. And that time frame isn’t sufficient for investigating car break-ins, hit and runs, or package thefts. 

Video surveillance is also helping car rental companies keep up with an uptick in demand. As cars enter and depart their lots, rental companies are using surveillance systems to monitor not only car conditions but also log license plate numbers. From a security standpoint, the technology is helping to protect customers and vehicles. But it’s also serving an operational role by streamlining an otherwise labor- and time-intensive process. 

Bringing a new dimension to the in-store ecosystem

Finally, video surveillance installed in parking lots can powerfully enhance and complement other security measures, especially when they’re thoughtfully woven together.

Michael Lamb, a security consultant with 40 years of experience in asset protection, including top leadership roles with the Kroger Company, The Home Depot and Walmart, says that companies are increasingly looking past one-off solutions. Instead, they’re embracing an ecosystem approach that connects the dots between safety and security needs and customer experience.

In that model, facial recognition systems aren’t siloed from parking lot video surveillance towers or cart management programs or other secure checkout tools. Instead, they work together to create a “flywheel” that contributes to security, revenue and brand goals, he says. By sharing data in a unified platform, businesses can go beyond using security technology to stop or apprehend a criminal. They can also use pooled data to make smart decisions and more accurate forecasts, and build stronger relationships with customers and employees. Even more, as safety concerns take center stage, ecosystem approaches to security and safety can help businesses prevent liability claims. 

“The notion of safety is paramount to the customer experience,” he says. “One of the prevailing points of view within organizations is the importance of prevention, particularly within ecosystems where you’re connecting the dots across security technologies. And parking lot surveillance fits into that as a mitigating technology.”