Video management systems, image quality, compression control, bandwidth--these are all crucial factors video solutions manufacturers must keep at the top of their list when creating a product for their customers. This month, we’re giving you a glimpse of what leading industry professionals are doing to keep up with changing video solutions technology.

What are the most important criteria for effectively managing video on the network?

Steve Surfaro, strategic channel manager, Axis Communications, Chelmsford, Mass.: Match available bandwidth with primary camera function, resolution requirements and frame rate. Typical camera functions can include observation, forensic review and recognition. Use network protocols to manage, route and distribute video streams as required to multiple users, prioritizing their use as required. Use well-designed and deployed physical infrastructure to distribute power to network video sources.

Dr. Bob Banerjee, product manager IP video, Bosch, Lancaster, Pa.: Respect bandwidth as a finite resource. Many system designs assume they have a lot more bandwidth than they really do while grossly under-estimating the amount of bandwidth required for a particular solution they are putting in place. Good compression technology is helpful for transmission; so too is transmitting video only when necessary.

Eli Gorovici, president/CEO, DVTel, Ridgefield Park, N.J.: There are two critical components to look at--bandwidth and storage. They are the key factors in keeping costs down and allowing video to share the IP infrastructure investment.

Rob Blasofsel, access/video integration manager, Honeywell Systems Group, Melville, N.Y.: It’s crucial to collaborate with the end-user’s IT department early in the installation process to focus on meeting the facility’s security policies. It’s also important to incorporate the manufacturer’s recommended best practices for products involved in the installation, such as factory recommended configurations and network bandwidth calculation/storage calculation tools. 

Mickey Lavery, account executive, I2C Technologies Ltd., Uniontown, Ohio: To effectively manage video on the network the most important criteria is the choice of a video management software which minimizes file sizes, allows you to adjust different frame rates for different cameras, incorporates motion sensors to activate recordings and provides user-definable filters for fast and efficient archive retrieval.