Expanding An Avigilon System/Adding Analytics With No Avigilon Experience

We have someone that has offered to provide us with hardware and licenses since we are not an Avigilon dealer. If you read this, thanks. But I do not want to bog him down with tons of questions.

Client has a fairly new install of an Avigilon system with 8 or 9 cameras and they are using a VMAAS116P06. There was no monitor connected, so I could not access the system. I figured the users only have clients so I didn't bother looking from their stations.

They would like to add 2-3 cameras, which will be wired directly to the server/appliance. No wireless links etc. Will I need more licenses or does the device include 16 licenses?

They need 4 cameras at another part of the community which will have to be on its own system, then connected to the internet. They have a problem with people cutting the fence to get to a retail area (this is an apartment community). I told them Avigilon had some pretty good analytics, and we should be able to use these analytics to help them get notifications of people near the fence. How hard is this going to be to set up? Is this possible?

We will install the server/appliance etc in a shop with internet, and a couple cameras will come in via wireless links. Will it be fairly easy to get their existing client connected to the remote device?

I almost want to pass on this as we really do not need the hassle of learning a new VMS. But it would be good to get some experience with Avigilon, and the client has a very large portfolio so it would be nice to get in the door

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Jon Dillabaugh

Pro Focus LLC

If what they have is the server switch it should have licenses included already. The resident Avigilon Pro here is Michael Miller. I’m sure he will stop by and chime in.

As far as the analytics go, it’s easy to set them up if you have the cameras positioned well. Make sure if you want to monitor a fence line that you are looking down the fence from above and can clearly see both sides.

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Michael Miller

VMAAS116P06 is the 16 port appliance which comes with 16 ACC Standard licenses. First I would upgrade to ACC6 and then upgrade to Enterprise if you need/want to manage alarm events from the analytics.

For the 4 camera location, you have a couple of options depending on what the end game is. You could use one of the ES appliances which include 4 enterprise licenses and either 2/4TB storage options. This will give you alarm events and mobile access. You could also use the 8 port windows appliance but it will cost more if you are going to upgrade to Enterprise. Either system can be accessed remotely via ACC client.

To tie everything together all you need to do is add both sites to your ACC client software. You can then log into both systems at the same time. This is more advanced but I would set up parent/child to make managing users easier access both system.

Analytic wise it doesn't get much easier then Avigilon. There is an analytic design guide that your Avigilon partner should have. I would strongly recommend reviewing this before designing the camera layout. Camera mounting and FOV is critical to getting the analytics to excel.

Once the cameras are installed you then have to setup the analytic triggers, rules, and alarms to do what you want with the events.

If you need more help please send me a PM.

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Undisclosed #2

you know who I would ask your question to?

well, manufacturer support is out... so...

how about the one offering to provide you hardware and licenses since you are not an Avigilon dealer?

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Jon Dillabaugh

Pro Focus LLC

I don’t know why you would be so rude to someone asking simple questions. That type of elitism is the old part of the industry that I wish would die off. We are all here to learn and share. If you don’t do either here, maybe you should troll Facebook or something.

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Undisclosed #2

spare me the virtue signalling Jon.... the OP lied to his own customer, which is my personal beef with the whole thing.

...and he had already been provided some good info by both you and Mike M before I posted.

My comment - which you considered rude - was making a point (which you missed) that the customer is the one most at risk in this transaction.

The OP actually posted these words:

"I told them Avigilon had some pretty good analytics, and we should be able to use these analytics to help them get notifications of people near the fence. How hard is this going to be to set up? Is this possible?"

The OP told the customer something was probable and then asks IPVM subscribers if it is even possible?

What if you were the customer in this scenario and read all the stuff in this string?

I got no beef with anyone trying to make money and provide quality services.

I do have a beef with flim-flamming a customer into thinking you know what you are doing when you actually do not.

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Jon Dillabaugh

Pro Focus LLC

Where did he lie to the customer? And I’m pretty sure he didn’t come here for your negative response. So if you don’t have a constructive comment or feel the need to help in any measurable way, then refrain from posting.

If you are mad because he is getting Avigilon from outside the normal channel, I think that way of thinking is old school and ridiculous. Protected sales channels are the old way of doing things. At least if you ask me.

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Michael Miller

I do agree with U#2 to a point. A non authorized dealer is not the best pick for a customer and not ideal for Avigilon. Last thing a manufacturer wants is a dealer make a bad name for a product and have a pissed off customer.

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Undisclosed #2

In reply to Michael Miller

exactly my point. thank you.

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Jon Dillabaugh

In reply to Michael Miller

Pro Focus LLC

I agree that he will be a less valuable partner to his client than someone with much more knowledge, like yourself Michael. It seems that whoever started the install, I assume an Avigilon dealer, was asked not to continue the project for some reason. OP doesn’t disclose this nugget.

However, since the OP clearly isn’t an Avigilon dealer, which the client should be aware of, how would there be any ill will towards Avigilon in this case? Sure, the OP may not be favored by the client if he messes up the project, but that won’t likely extend to Avigilon the company. Heck, it’s more evidence why the client SHOULD pick a trained Avigilon dealer instead, if the OP fails.

However, I will still try to help those who are seeking knowledge as much as I can to help the industry. It’s not like he’s selling them Hikvision cameras or something?

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Michael Miller

Becuase most customers don't understand the dealer structure and may see this person as a friend. This friend says sure I can work on that and then runs to a forum to get answers to questions. This friend then sells the Avigilon system to the customer and it doesn't work like the custom wants. The friend is then clogging up support meanwhile the customer is pissed and thinks Avigilon sucks.

Personal I think the dealer channels should be stronger. I mean look at Hikvision they let any one with a check book install there cameras and look at the mess they have. Hundreds of thousands of hacked cameras and NVRs. If they limited the product to dealers only do you think there would be as many issues?

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Jon Dillabaugh

In reply to Michael Miller

Pro Focus LLC

All valid points and all the reason the help this guy not fail then, no? Even if your advice to the OP is to NOT take the project and pass it to someone else. At least that is constructive criticism. You can be against the guy taking the project and suggest he take the route you did and become a dealer, get trained, invest his time, etc without being insulting, as this undisclosed person has chosen to do. Either way, supportive or not, we can be civil to each other. I do appreciate your many contributions here Michael. You have given me helpful ideas before and I value your knowledge.

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Griffin Hagler

Funny how that Guy has to go by Undisclosed Name yet Talk Smack. I agree, go bully elsewhere!

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Undisclosed #2

In reply to Griffin Hagler

trust me when I tell you that I only post Undisclosed to avoid risking the large industry company that I work for deciding that my comments are a risk for them as a company.

I am positive that those who know who I am (i.e. IPVM admins) know that my words of life are true... just as my words of death are then also true.

...and I find those that post a challenge to Undisclosed posters on their Undisclosed status to be the weakest of all debaters.

This is the easiest challenge to pose when you lack any points, nor any real substance, to add to the comment string.

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Jon Dillabaugh

Pro Focus LLC

It also is convenient that it makes it easier for you to be an a-hole. I don’t think John created the undisclosed monicker to assist your trolling/admonishing behavior. I think he wanted people to feel free to discuss things and help one another, not fling insults and admonishment, unless it’s aimed squarely at trunk slamming Hikvision installers.

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Undisclosed #2

While I am most certainly celebrate the fact that I am an unapologetic a-hole, you can kiss my ass about describing my comments as 'trolling'.

My position is just as valid as yours, and calling my position 'trolling' is out of bounds.

This OP stated publicly that he told the customer he can do something that he clearly is not aware can be done.

You can defend this practice all you want to - and I will continue to regard the same as lying to the customer.

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Jon Dillabaugh

Pro Focus LLC

You keep saying the OP lied to the customer, but I don’t see it that way. Maybe you can point it out where he told the client he was in fact an Avigilon dealer?

And if I want to call you a troll, I certainly have more credence to do so than you do, being disclosed and all. It’s funny that you take such offense, when you clearly weren’t being demonstrably helpful in any way. Not too far from living under a bridge.

Oh and BTWs, the lame links to YouTube don’t help to portend you as someone credible or witty. It’s lame.

That said, I’m done with this back and forth. You can have the last word. I will only be replying with assistance to the OP.

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Undisclosed #2

I reject your weak 'I give you the last comment' tactic outright - as it is the same tactic most commonly used by those that lack any substance to their own comments and have given up on any debate because they lack the intellectual tools to defend their own posted position.

You can ignore the fact that the OP lied to the customer (see above for the lie that begins with the OP telling the customer that 'this AVO solution will probably work - and then asking if this solution is even possible) - but no matter how snarky your reply, it certainly doesn't mean that the lie did not occur.

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Undisclosed #2

"Where did he lie to the customer?"

my quote of the OPs own words contains the lie to the customer.

I agree with you that there are nuances that exist in this scenario - and I respect that you do not approve of the 'old school' channel structure.

But that structure still exists, doesn't it? If you want to make a stand, then do it - fight the power.

But don't cheat the same structure that you use to reward yourself financially and claim that your ideological position against that same channel is virtuous.

and FTR, I will continue to post my position in comments while allowing for the minimal amount of credence to your position of how I should be posting.

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Undisclosed Integrator #3

So, Now I absolutely see why you don't disclose your name, I already have had multiple people looking me up on Linked In. If I could delete my comments, I would be.

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Michael Miller