OnSSI installs Ocularis video security system at BC Place for Winter Games 2010

Ocularis from OnSSI keeps a vigil in and around the Vancouver Stadium at BC Place, the largest sports venue

To get ready for the Winter Games in 2010, OnSSI installed a new, networked video system at BC Place, the multi-purpose stadium in Vancouver that was the site of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Winter Games. Cobra Integrated Systems (CIS) was chosen to supply and install a complete upgrade of the existing video security system to prepare BC Place for the Winter Games, and the new system had to be digital, scalable and able to accommodate at least 160 cameras.

At the centre of the completed networked system is Ocularis™, the video-centric physical security information management (PSIM) software platform from OnSSI. Installed in time for the big event, the system also includes four servers with three RAID5 storage arrays, three client workstations using touch screens and a total of 106 megapixel cameras. The complex job also involved integration of existing pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) and fixed analog cameras and video encoders.

The system that has been installed allows for expansion as BC Place undergoes its next phase of revitalization and operation. BC Place is the largest sports, exhibition and entertainment venue of its kind in British Columbia. BC Place closed for construction shortly after the 2010 Winter Games to undergo a revitalization that includes the largest retractable roof of its kind in the world.

Upon re-opening in 2011, BC Place will be the new home for the Vancouver MLS franchise; will continue to be home to the BC Lions Football Club, the 2011 Grey Cup and many other exhibitions, community and entertainment events. BC Place was also the site of the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Paralympic Games.

Ocularis incorporates a range of related technologies to provide the best physical security information management

Cobra Integrated Systems completed the entire project in just 9 days, 13 technicians worked 12-16 hour shifts so that the systems was ready for the Games and the Opening Ceremonies. Access to communication rooms was not permitted in the interest of security, which added a significant challenge to the installation. In addition to BC Place security, both the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and security for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Winter Games used the systems.

"OnSSI is proud to have been chosen to participate in this important installation," said Mulli Diamant, VP of Sales, OnSSI. "We designed Ocularis with open architecture and advanced features to meet the challenges of demanding security applications like BC Place." "The OnSSI video solution was appropriate for this application because it provides a seamless migration path to future expansion and added functionality," said Geoff Thomas, Senior Account Manager, Cobra Integrated Systems. "The software-based network video recorder (NVR) platform is a completely scalable, open-architecture, non-proprietary solution."

Benefits of Ocularis include the ability to accommodate megapixel cameras and existing video encoders, user-friendly touch-screen monitors and easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI), video analytics, and access for multiple users. OnSSI's Universal Camera Support enables legacy cameras to continue working alongside newer models.

OnSSI is the market leader in open-architecture, intelligent IP-based video surveillance software, and Ocularis supplies flexibility to incorporate a range of related technologies into a system to provide the very best in physical security information management. It combines the ability to record and manage video along with physical security, access control, video content analytics and other enterprise applications.