Qognify, a provider of video and enterprise incident management solutions, has announced that the University of Vermont (UVM) has transitioned to using its video management system (VMS).

According to the company, the next-generation enterprise-class VMS has been deployed to improve how the university Police Dispatch team manages real-time emergency events, as well post-incident investigation and daily on-campus surveillance.

For years UVM has entrusted its VMS requirement to Qognify. The university initially deployed its open-platform IP video surveillance solution, NiceVision, before migrating to VisionHub in 2017, taking advantage of advances in VMS technology. As a result, its estate of almost 500 cameras (predominantly IP cameras from AXIS) and CBORD CS access control system were integrated, with cameras mapped to entry and exit points around the campus.

When Qognify announced the launch of its next-generation enterprise-class VMS – Qognify VMS in 2022, UVM was one of the first organizations to make the transition. The university opted for an on-premise deployment, transferring UVM’s entire camera estate onto Qognify VMS.

“The university is required by the police to keep 30-days of recorded camera footage so that they can review it if an incident is reported. Together with Qognify we took the decision to run VisionHub and QVMS side by during the deployment. The transition took place over 60 days and was very smooth. In fact, throughout the process the Police Dispatch team was already using Qognify VMS as its sole interface for accessing video,” said Harlan Howard, Equipment Technician at UVM’s CATcard Service Center.

With Qognify VMS, the Police Dispatch team can quickly create and conduct ‘virtual’ patrols. A route around the campus is designed and the relevant cameras are selected. Live feeds from these cameras are then automatically cycled and displayed on one of the monitors.

“The feedback we have from the police is that this is one of their favorite features of Qognify VMS,” said Harlan. “In essence, this proactive monitoring has given them an extra patrol, which has resulted in them being able to catch more people in the act.” 

In addition, the new system is also allows UVM’s CATcard Service Center to manage its expanding camera network. “It is now a much more streamlined process,” said Harlan. “It may take half an hour to physically install a camera, but it is the work of a few minutes to add it to the network via Qognify VMS.”

Qognify says that the speed of install and camera management has helped UVM as it grows the number of cameras in use around the campus. At the University’s Fleming Museum of Art, the number of cameras has increased to more than 30 and the live monitoring through Qognify VMS helps provide peace of mind to exhibiting artists that their work is being kept safe. Cameras are also being used to monitor transaction points at unattended dining facilities around the campus, where students can purchase food.

“The positive experience of the Police Dispatch team in using Qognify VMS is driving the initiative to expand our surveillance operations. They recognize that more cameras integrated into the system will lead to them dealing with more incidents quicker and more effectively,” said Harlan.