Jason Tyre, Business Development Manager, Cities at Milestone Systems discusses why open platform video management software is crucial for developing an interoperable smart city.
The rapid development of the internet of things (IoT) is revolutionizing how cities operate.
Smart cities now rely on a complex network of connected cameras, IoT devices and sensors that are integrated and centralized through open platform video management software (VMS).
VMS can be hosted on-premises or in the cloud, providing the foundation for the connectivity, automation and data insights integral to smart city operations.
VMS and its connected devices are used to monitor everything from traffic flow and air quality to energy consumption and waste management.
However, a robust and secure network infrastructure is essential to use this data effectively.
An additional key enabler for these technologies is edge computing, which is distributed through various public and private networks.
By leveraging real-time data integration and AI-powered video and data analytics, cities can gain precise information and holistic situational awareness to continuously improve city life.
A smart city is an urban area that uses technology to enhance the quality of life for its residents.
At its core, a smart city relies on a network of connected devices, open software integration and edge computing to collect, process and analyze data in real time and better address urban challenges.
The foundation of a smart city is a robust, open network infrastructure that enables seamless connectivity between devices, sensors and systems.
From a resident’s perspective, a smart city is a place where everyday life is made easier, more convenient and more enjoyable through the use of advanced technology.
In a smart city, residents can access important information, services and resources using their smartphones or other devices, such as real-time public transportation schedules, traffic updates, pollution levels or online public services.
The city’s infrastructure, like energy and water systems, is managed efficiently to minimize waste and reduce costs.
Additionally, smart cities often provide public amenities, such as Wi-Fi hotspots, electric vehicle charging stations and interactive public spaces.
“At the core of what we believe a smart city is, it’s a connected city. And more importantly than that, it’s an edge-compute-connected city,” said Adair Grover, Founder and CEO of Wi-Fiber, a company specializing in smart technology and public safety infrastructure.
“A smart city is a connected city that brings together disparate technologies and data streams to enhance city life. With an integrated data infrastructure, cities can harness technology to create a more livable future.”
To support the growing number and diversity of connected devices, citywide networks must be secure, reliable and scalable.
A private wireless network creates a secure, dedicated connection for all the smart devices in a city, ensuring seamless connectivity and data exchange.
These networks can include traditional wired infrastructure like fiber optics and ethernet, as well as wireless technologies such as cellular networks, Wi-Fi, mesh or microwave networks.
“Private wireless networks are the backbone of smart cities,” explained Grover.
“They provide the low-latency, high-capacity communication that’s essential for connecting a vast array of IoT devices and sensors.
“Through the use of software-defined radios, we create robust, flexible networks that enable real-time data transmission and edge computing, empowering cities to respond quickly and intelligently to the needs of their citizens.”
Edge computing is another critical component of a smart city architecture.
By processing data closer to the source, edge computing reduces latency and bandwidth requirements, enabling real-time decision-making and actionable insights.
This is particularly important for applications that require immediate responses, such as public safety and traffic management.
Open platform VMS plays a crucial role in enabling the integration of disparate systems, devices and sensors.
This interoperability is essential for harnessing the full potential of smart city technologies and achieving desired outcomes.
Devices within city installations can range from smart streetlights and traffic cameras to air quality sensors and audio detection systems.
By collecting data on various aspects of city operations, IoT devices provide valuable insights that can be used to optimize resources, improve public safety and enhance the overall quality of life for residents.
Open platform, data-driven VMS serves as the centralized hub for smart city operations, integrating data from various networked cameras, IoT devices, sensors and data systems.
These platforms can be deployed on-premises or in a hybrid cloud environment, providing flexibility and scalability as the city’s needs evolve.
One of the key benefits of an open platform VMS is its ability to unify siloed data into a single, user-friendly dashboard.
This gives city officials and first responders a comprehensive view of the city’s operations, allowing for more informed decision-making and faster response times.
Open platform VMS also enables the integration of third-party systems and analytics, providing a wealth of insights and actionable intelligence.
“An open platform VMS is crucial for creating truly interoperable smart cities,” Grover emphasized.
“Unlike proprietary systems, an open architecture allows cities to integrate a wide range of technologies and applications — from video analytics to gunshot detection to license plate recognition — into a single pane of glass for intuitive and efficient monitoring and management.
“An open platform also ensures that cities can adapt and grow their smart infrastructure over time, without being locked into a single vendor.”
The integration of IoT devices with an open platform VMS enables a wide range of benefits for smart cities:
As technology continues to advance, the future of smart cities looks increasingly promising.
Innovations in 5G connectivity, AI and cybersecurity will significantly shape the smart cities of tomorrow.
The rollout of 5G networks will provide faster, more reliable connectivity for IoT devices and edge computing applications.
This will enable cities to deploy more advanced sensors and analytics, leading to even greater insights.
AI will also play a crucial role in the future of smart cities.
By leveraging machine learning algorithms and advanced analytics, cities will be able to automate various processes, predict potential issues before they occur and make more informed decisions based on real-time data.
However, as smart cities become increasingly reliant on connected technologies, cybersecurity will become a top priority.
Cities will need to invest in robust security measures to protect against cyber-threats and ensure the integrity and privacy of citizen data.
To prepare for the future, cities must start planning today.
This involves investing in scalable, flexible infrastructure that can accommodate the growing number of connected devices and systems and the associated need for greater compute power and storage.
It also requires collaboration between city agencies, technology providers and citizens to ensure that smart city initiatives are designed with the needs and concerns of all stakeholders in mind.
“As cities continue to develop and implement smart city projects, they will increasingly rely on two critical components: compute power and network infrastructure.
“These two elements are essential because, without them, the vast array of sensors and devices deployed throughout the city will only provide raw data without any meaningful insights or actions,” explained Grover.
“To truly harness the potential of smart city technologies, it is crucial to ensure interoperability between sensors and systems, allowing them to work together seamlessly to achieve the desired outcomes for the municipality.”
Before joining Milestone Systems as a Business Development Manager for Cities, Jason Tyre served with the Phoenix Police Department for more than 18 years.
Jason was assigned to the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center, where he was a founding member of the State of Arizona’s Threat Mitigation Unit and worked closely with the US Department of Homeland Security and Federal Bureau of Investigation to protect critical infrastructure in the State of Arizona.
Jason is recognized as a subject matter expert in advanced technology and security solutions.
This article was originally published in the May edition of Security Journal Americas. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.