Administrators can also configure an IP video system to capture and store video at a lower frame rate and then bump up that frame rate automatically on alarm. Taking advantage of intelligent features available with most systems allows you to transmit video only upon a specific event, such as motion detected in an office building after normal business hours. In addition, some video surveillance systems let you set bandwidth usage, limiting the video streaming along the network to a fixed bit rate to ensure core business data is never compromised. Finally, bandwidth usage can be managed through the selection of IP cameras and encoders with internal SDHC flash memory cards that enable video capture at the network's edge.

When video analytics were introduced several years ago, their performance in the field often did not match manufacturers' claims. Today, however, a number of proven analytics are widely used. These advanced applications represent a competitive advantage for organizations and are increasingly considered essential for critical infrastructure security.

There are three broad classes of video analytics available today. Diagnostic analytics alert system administrators to blocked camera views or scene changes that may be indicative of tampering or obstructions. If a camera is dislodged from its housing, spray painted, moved or blocked, for example, the analytics will transmit an alarm and allow security personnel to rectify the problem with minimal delay.

The second class of analytics is security-related and more complex to set up, but well worth the effort. These tools can automatically alert security staff to suspicious events, such as a perimeter breach, an unattended bag or a person loitering in an ATM vestibule.

The third category is behavioral analytics, such as people counting or queue length monitoring, which provide organizations with valuable operational intelligence and metrics that marketing teams or senior management can use to increase sales and improve customer service.