Milestone Systems has highlighted the success of its XProtect open platform video management software (VMS) in Garden Spot Communities, a continuing care retirement facility in New Holland, Pennsylvania.
According to the company, the community operates public restaurants and welcomes neighbors across its 230-acre campus while securing 1,100 residents.
Garden Spot Communities, along with Lancaster-based integrator partner App-Techs, has continually expanded its use of Milestone XProtect VMS to cover the unique needs of the nearly 1.4 million square foot facility, which accommodates diverse camera brands and technologies.
Unlike traditional senior living facilities that rely on gates and fences, Garden Spot maintains an intentionally open campus that includes a Starbucks cafe open to the public.
The open platform system includes wireless links extending coverage to perimeter areas up to 300 meters from main buildings, supporting the facility’s philosophy of openness rather than barriers.
“Having a comprehensive video system is key to our operating such a large enterprise,” said Steve Muller, Chief Operating Officer at Garden Spot Communities.
“Garden Spot’s core philosophy from the very beginning is that what we don’t spend on fences and gates, we can spend on cameras.
“We need to have eyes on what’s happening across campus, and with a system like Milestone, we can do exactly that.”
Milestone highlights that the open platform video system serves as an integral operational tool, enabling staff to respond quickly to emergencies and maintain situational awareness across the campus.
The technology provides enhanced safety, improved operational efficiency and peace of mind for staff and families.
Staff can access video feeds from security workstations, office desktops and mobile phones for timely response to situations.
According to Milestone, the system reportedly proves most valuable when a resident is missing from their normal routine, with staff turning to video as their first investigative step.
In one case, cameras enabled rapid response to locate a gentleman with dementia who had left campus, preventing potential harm.
Beyond security, the system supports operational needs, including weather monitoring during Pennsylvania winters and remote monitoring of the facility’s aeroponic greenhouse.
The open platform system operates across multiple Dell servers with centralized management, enabling seamless monitoring from a single interface.
App-Techs’ Health Utility Monitor software provides telemetry data every five minutes, enabling proactive maintenance that reportedly resolves issues before staff notice them.
The company says that the open platform approach provides flexibility in camera selection rather than locking the facility into a single manufacturer.
This enabled system evolution from a four-camera installation in 2006 to today’s comprehensive 110-camera network.
Milestone emphasizes that the system has adapted and grown alongside facility needs, proving that investments in scalable technology provide lasting value for senior living communities seeking to balance security with community openness.